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Once we reach our floor, we exit and walk down a hall until we reach an open space area.

And oh my god, it’s breathtaking. Mirrors everywhere, the floor, the ceiling, along posts, but that isn’t the best part.

Floor-to-ceiling windows line the walls, giving you the most incredible view of New York City.

Changing lights flicker from one color to another. Pink, purple, orange, blue, and more illuminate the entire room in its color of the moment. Every direction I look, I can see a reflection of us, and in every one Silas has his eyes on me, watching my reaction as I take everything in.

I tentatively make my way over to the windows, needing to get closer, to see the beautiful world below me. It’s just us here except for the few employees staying mostly out of view.

Silas doesn’t follow me to the window, not yet.

Instead, he stays back and watches me, not saying a word.

When I reach the ledge, I’m in awe, my heart in my throat as I look out at the picturesque scenery before me, the twinkling lights from buildings and the red glow of the circulating traffic below. It’s magical.

I stand in place for some time before Silas finally joins my side. From behind, he wraps his arms around me, holding me close and kissing the top of my head. I can feel his heart beating against my back.

“You’re so lucky to call this place home,” I say with a blissful sigh.

“It’s your home too, Minnie,” he replies, hugging me a little tighter.

“Where is everyone else?” I ask, curious as to how a place like this could be deserted.

“It’s usually pretty packed, but I happen to know the CEO and called in a favor in exchange for one of his own.”

“Oh Silas...” I don’t know what else to say, other than this man is amazing. I have no idea how I got so lucky.

We walk around, exploring from one room to another, going up a floor to the second level. We reach a room that is similar to the first, but this one contains huge silver balls that move around the room, some on the ground, the ceiling, and others floating through the air as they make their journey.

I giggle as I twirl about, arms stretched out wide and head thrown back. Everything about this place so far is perfection.

Silas laughs at my childish behavior, enjoying the show. He takes out his phone and starts taking pictures and filming me. But I don’t care, this place makes me feel alive. And I want to relish that feeling to the max, for as long as it lasts.

We end up lying on the ground, watching the globes fall and rise around us as we push them back into the air. We talk, we laugh, we simply enjoy the moment. I never want this night to end.

After a little while, Silas takes my hand as we head to the next section, and if I thought the first one was breathtaking, this one can’t even be described.

A huge screen displays moving clouds, purples and blues and pinks. We stop right in front of it, and I gasp; the experience so surreal I feel like I’m floating through the clouds. Like if I were to reach out, I could touch them.

I turn to Silas, emotions filling my eyes and making them gloss over.

“Minnie, what’s wrong?” His hands cup my cheeks as he searches my gaze.

“Nothing, Silas. This place, it’s amazing. You are amazing.” My hand comes up to play with the curls at his nape as his descend to my waist, and he closes his eyes, reveling in my touch.

“I’m just trying to understand why you would do this for me. Why you keep doing all these wonderful things for me?” I whisper.

His eyes open and bore into my soul. “Because I want you to see just how much you mean to me, even after such a short amount of time. Because the way you feel right now, in this place, is how I always feel when I’m around you.

And I know I could have just told you that, but I wanted you to see it with your own eyes.

I wanted you to be able to believe that how I feel about you isn’t just for fun. It’s not temporary.”

His eyes shut once more, lowering his posture as he rests his forehead against mine.

“I know it’s too soon to say these things, and I probably sound crazy.

But fuck, Cecilia. They are real. And I know that because every time I see you, or hear your voice, or even get a simple text saying hi, that feeling in my chest grows.

Don’t you get it yet, Minnie? I’d do anything for you. ”

And that’s what seals the deal, what gives me the last push I needed. I was standing on the edge of a cliff, unsure whether I wanted to jump or take a step back. But now I know.

I lift onto my toes, tilting my head up as I pull his face closer to mine with the hand behind his neck, pressing my lips to his.

Fireworks.

That’s what this moment feels like. My skin comes to life, the hairs on my arms rising to attention, heat taking over every inch of my body.

His hand comes to fist my hair, holding me in place while his other lifts me with ease.

I wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck, keeping him close. I don’t ever want this moment to end.

He devours my mouth, his tongue running against my lips, begging for entrance, to which I comply.

Our tongues merge as one, dancing to a beat only they can hear.

I moan into his mouth, melting in his arms. I’ve never been much into French kissing, but Silas Hayes must be the exception. Because I could do this forever.

I grind my center against him, feeling him harden between my thighs. Fuck, that feels good. I do it again, this time slower, wanting to feel every inch of him there. He groans in response and pushes his hips forward, needing the same friction I’m craving. One I haven’t felt in years.

We go on like this, lost to the world, consuming one another until we’re forced to come up for air. We reluctantly pull apart, resting our foreheads together, both panting loudly.

“Silas, take me home.” I want more, I need more.

“We haven’t finished exploring.”

“I don’t care. Please . Let’s go home,” I beg him, not caring how desperate I sound.

He searches my eyes, looking for doubt. But there’s none, all I feel is clarity.

I want this man.