Chapter 62

"That was so fucking good," he said, rising on his elbows to look at me.

He brushed hair away from my face and kissed me, his lips continuing to communicate the passion he'd just expressed with his words.

"My love," he said. "Are you okay?"

I looked into his eyes, feeling his warmth still on me, encircling me, protecting me.

"My heart may explode with happiness," I said. "But otherwise, I'm okay."

He smiled, still stroking my face and looking into my eyes. "I've been such an idiot. I knew with every molecule in my body that this was right. I'm sorry I put you through all my uncertainty, Elena."

"It was worth the wait," I said, raising and hand and brushing my fingers across his jaw.

"So you're okay if I stay here tonight?" he asked, smiling.

"I insist," I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. "It will cut costs with the company's security detail."

He pushed himself up and lifted me into his arms like I was a doll. His sheer power took my breath away and made me remember how good it had felt having that power directed at my body.

He walked carefully around my coffee table and couch and down the hall before laying me gently on the bed.

He loomed over me for a moment and I reached up, hoping to start the love-making all over again, but he flopped down next to me and gathered me close to him.

His skin was hot and smooth, his scent comforting, and while I wanted to reach down and stroke him into action, my arms were pinned to my side by his and I had no choice but to relax into his body.

Soon I could feel from his regular, deep breathing that he had fallen asleep. I smiled to myself in the dark, trying to take everything in. I wanted to remember this moment with his forever.

I woke the next morning reaching for him, hoping we would start the day with him inside me again. Instead, there was a cold space next to me.

I sat up quickly and tried not to panic. What if he had left? What if he decided I wasn't what he wanted after all? That the sex wasn't as good for him as it was for me?

And then I smelled coffee and bacon, and heard movement in the kitchen. I smiled, relaxing back into the pillows. If we weren't going to make love first thing, then the man of my dreams getting up earlier than me to make breakfast was an acceptable second-best scenario.

My body was slightly sore from our sex the night before, not quite bruised, but I could feel where he had gripped my hips and waist in his fervor. The feeling filled me with joy. I wanted his mark on me, for him to make me his and the slightly sore feeling reminded me of his pleasure,

I shuffled into the bathroom and then when I'd cleaned up and made sure I looked decent, went out into the main room.

He was in his trousers, his beautiful muscles showing around the apron he had on as he stood over the stove. The effect was incredibly sexy.

I went over, unable to keep my hands off him.

"Good morning, sexy," I said.

He turned and smiled, wrapping his arms around me, inhaling my scent, and lifting me as he squeezed.

"My angel," he said. "How did you sleep?"

"I slept like I'd run a marathon," I said, grinning. "But I was kind of hoping to keep going this morning."

He nodded, his smile beginning to widen. "Noted for next time."

"But this is great," I said. "Thank you."

As he dished up the bacon and eggs, I got out silverware and mugs and poured us both coffee.

"I didn't know you knew how to make breakfast," I said.

He shrugged. "A man needs a few tricks up his sleeve."

We sat down on the couch, the coffee on the table between us.

"I'm afraid I have to go soon," he said. "There's a lot to get going on with the announcements I made yesterday."

I nodded. "Okay. And I need to finish the story before nine to get it to the editors. I think they want the mid-day edition if possible. So can I just catch a ride in with you?"

Charles nodded. "Perfect. Best to be prepared though, Elena. This latest thing may spark some outrage." He shook his head. "It sure seems someone or some group is trying to undermine the city infrastructure, but I can't imagine why."

"There are really only two motives for anything," I said, sipping my coffee. "Love and money. I suspect if we dig enough, we will find this is motivated by pure greed."

He frowned and sipped his coffee. "I'm afraid you might be right."

My article came out for the noon edition, and because of Mr. Middleman's death it went viral immediately. By two in the afternoon, there were various city employees on the steps of city hall protesting. By five p.m. there were over two hundred.

Cathy texted me, telling me she was picking up art supplies on her way to city hall to help people make signs. An hour later she sent me a selfie of her, two colleagues, and the man who did the music program at the orphanage, raising signs and shouting.

Sally came hurrying over to my cubicle, her face fierce with pride and passion.

"You've done it," she said, and before I could ask for clarification she held her phone up for me to see. She was watching live news footage from city hall.

The streets were packed with people. They were standing on statures and some dangling off street lights. Many were carrying signs saying variations of "Save Our City!" and "City Workers Unite!"

Many are wearing their city uniforms or carrying banners to represent their employment, but the bus drivers were getting the most camera-time, as they'd decided to go shirtless and had painted their chests with slogans.

The entire crowd was chanting. The roar of the crowd gave me chills and filled my eyes with tears.

"What are they saying?" I asked, Sally. "What are they chanting?"

"All of Us Together," Sally said smiling. She beamed down at me. "This is huge, Elena. I'm so proud of you."

Her eyes were shining and she grabbed my hand, pulling me up into a big bearhug. "Good job, kiddo," she said into my ear, then leaned back to look at me. "Has Mr. Rafe given you a raise yet?"

I was taken aback for a moment, then realized she wasn't talking about our new relationship status or the night of passionate sex. I knew I was blushing and I tried to maintain eye contact.

"I'll send the petition up to him shortly," I said, laughing.

She looked at me with mischief in her eyes. "Good. And something tells me he's going to say yes."

I blushed harder and looked away. Sally laughed and squeezed my shoulder. "How do you feel about reporting from the action?"

"I'd love to!" I said, my pulse jumping immediately at the thought of being down there with all those people.

"Don't get too excited," Sally said, putting up a hand. "I need to clear it with Charles first. Somehow I don't think he'll be as thrilled to let you wander alone in that chaos."

She was right. He wasn't going to want me to go.

"What if I take security with me?" I wondered, more to myself than Sally, but she looked at me and appeared to consider it.

"That's a good idea, actually. Let's ask him."

"Right now?"

"That rally isn't going to last forever," Sally said, and pulled me out of my cubicle toward the elevators.