I raced to Highway 10, the miles stripping away, pumped onward by the second half of the iPod play list Felix had given me. It was about 3 p.m., and by my estimate, I could make the drive if I went all night. I’d arrive around one in the morning.

I arrived in the Los Angeles grid traffic just after dinnertime, and while it was congested, it was only a Wednesday night, so it wasn’t too bad. I stopped and grabbed some fast food and caffeine in Bakersfield, then hopped immediately back in the car. I thought only of Felix, and what I wanted to do to him when I saw him. I prayed I would be able to keep this burning animal desire for him in check; otherwise, he would not expect the pouncing I had in mind. I grinned at the thought of tackling him by surprise, and the white stripes fell under my headlights like a timer ticking down.

It seemed only a blink of an eye, when I saw the familiar turnoffs to the Bay Area, and opened the driver’s door window to let in the cooling air to keep me awake. I’d been off the Tawny Tart work schedule, so my body had reverted to a natural rhythm of making me sleepy around midnight. I turned on to the East Bay/San Francisco Bay Bridge with relief, and a third wind coursed through me as I neared Felix’s house.

I saw a light go on in his house as I put the car in park, yanked the emergency brake, and barely had the door shut when he opened his front door, and was coming toward me, the same urgency echoed in his eyes. I ran to him and he picked me up. Without saying a word, we went into the house, bumping into doors and walls, and as he kicked the door shut, I beeped the button to lock the car over my shoulder.

As I nuzzled into his neck, biting on his ear, I heard a rustling sound that told me he’d shed his robe, despite holding my legs around his waist. He pushed me against the wall. Some part of my mind marveled that he was wearing only his pajama bottoms as I ran my hands down his chest and back up and around each side of his face, cupping his neck. The heat intensified, and I could tell that we were done with waiting. We were done with exploring. We had moved to the final leg of the hunt, to the prize.

Felix growled under his breath with impatience, and wrenched us off the wall, whipped around and collapsed with me onto the couch. I looked into his eyes, and saw raw, animal lust. His love was there, but it was buried beneath. I reflected the same sentiment, encouraging him by flinging my clothes off as fast as possible. He had grown still, watching me ready myself. I leaned back, and he dropped his clothes with finality. He crouched over me, all of his glorious nakedness, pausing briefly to allow me one last hesitation. I responded by pulling him into me, and we both gasped with surprise and ecstasy. We moved in a synchronistic wave, a rejoicing and an unspeakable togetherness, at last joined, the final step taken.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

We continued together, riding our bodies’ demand, not stopping for poetic license. My vision exploded into stars as I climaxed around him, his expression fierce and tender at the same time. He was a moment behind me, letting out a groan as he spasmed against me, his back arching toward me. Felix crumpled in a heap, both of us out of breath and sweating hard.

After a long while, he leaned over and kissed me tenderly on the neck.

“So. How was the drive?” he asked in a normal voice.

I cracked up laughing, and once started, couldn’t seem to stop giggling. I was so happy; I didn’t think I’d ever been so happy. In a moment, I regained my composure.

“Oh, nothing special.”

“Mmhmm, mmhm. And, did you want to tell me something?” he prompted.

“I think I just did.” I grinned at the implication.

“So, you mean to tell me, you didn’t get me any jewelry for Valentine’s Day?” he asked, indignant, rolling off of me and crossing his arms across his chest. It was hard to focus on the top half of his frame--his lower half, even post-coital, was magnificent.

“Hell-o! My eyes are up HERE.” He gestured to his face with two fingers.

“Mmhmm. I know that,” I said absently, my gaze remaining fixed on his groin.

“Pale!”

“I guess there is something of importance I should tell you. You know, in person.” I said seductively, sidling closer to him. His posture relaxed, and he automatically lifted his arm to curl around me as I snuggled closer to his chest, drawing circles with my hand.

“You. Really Have. The Most ... ” I breathed low, caressing his nipple.

“Yes?” he said, slightly undone.

“The Most Beautiful. Chorizo. I’ve ever. Seen.” I finished, tweaking his earlobe.

“My what?” he asked, affronted.

“Chorizo. Spanish for sausage. You know, your-”

“Yes, thank you,” he snapped, pulling away, looking for his robe in the hall.

I stood and joined him there.

“Felix,” I said softly. He glanced up at me.

“I’ve never been in love before. I think that’s what I’m feeling, but everything has been so crazy lately. You’ve been amazing to me. Amazing. More than amazing, actually. You’ve become my best friend, and I missed you terribly when I was away. I never, never could’ve done any of this without you. When I saw that note, I drove all night. I keep thinking this has to be a dream, that it couldn’t possibly get any better, and then you grabbed me, and we ... ” I broke off, because Felix had come closer to me, and was staring down at me intently.

“I love you.” I managed to get the words out, but he’d picked me up again, this time gently, and we were headed to his bedroom, where he set me down, so softly. We scuttled under the covers, and lay there for a long time, touching, arousing, making love for hours. We drifted off to sleep, curled around each other, and I slept deeply for the first time in many, many months.