The city was asleep, but they weren't.
Jade stood at the window of the penthouse, barefoot, wrapped in a thin black robe that clung to her like a second skin. Below her, Veloria shimmered, sharp edges, flashing lights, a city that knew how to eat the innocent alive. But up here, everything was quiet.
Almost.
Jake leaned against the bedroom doorway, watching her.
She knew he was there.
Neither of them spoke for a long time. The air between them buzzed, low and dangerous. Like the moment before a match is struck.
Then she turned.
I'm done waiting
Jake didn't hesitate.
He crossed the room in three strides and kissed her like he was claiming something that had always been his. No pretense, no hesitation. Just heat. His hands slid down her back, dragging her robe open, revealing bare skin and slow, dangerous intent.
Jade didn't want soft. She wanted fire.
And Jake gave it to her.
He backed her against the glass window, letting the cold of it kiss her skin as his mouth moved down her neck. She gasped when his teeth grazed her collarbone, hard enough to leave a mark.
She clawed at his shirt, pulling it over his head, letting her fingers explore the scars and muscles beneath. He was built for war, but in that moment, he surrendered to her. Completely.
He lifted her in one movement, her legs wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the bed without breaking the kiss. His mouth moved with rough purpose, tasting, teasing, owning.
Jade moaned against him when his hand slid between her thighs, slow at first, then firm. She arched into him, breathless, trembling, not with fear, but with the power of finally wanting this, choosing this.
Jake's voice was low, wrecked
Tell me you want this
She met his eyes, fierce and unflinching
I want you
That was all it took.
He entered her in one slow, hard thrust that made her cry out, fingers gripping his shoulders like she was falling. And maybe she was. But she didn't care.
They moved together like they'd been doing this forever. No hesitation. No fear. Just raw, consuming need. She met every thrust with her own, wrapped around him, lost in him.
Jake pressed his forehead to hers, breath ragged
You're mine, Jade
Say it
She whispered it like a promise
Yours
And when they both came, it was like lightning, bright, brutal, breaking everything open.
After, he held her.
No words. Just skin. Just silence.
But neither of them slept.
Because now that they'd crossed that line, there was no going back.
Let me know when to continue. Their love is now just as dangerous as the war around them.
Jake didn't move.
Not right away.
He lay beside her, breathing hard, skin damp with sweat, one arm slung over her waist as if letting go would undo all of it, her moans, the way she clung to him, the way she gave in like she'd been waiting to fall apart in his hands.
But Jade wasn't done.
She rolled on top of him, slow and steady, straddling his hips with that same sharp look in her eyes, the one that told him she wasn't fragile.
She was starving.
Her fingers trailed down his chest, nails dragging over scars and muscle, until he was gritting his teeth, fists clenched at his sides.
I want to see what it takes to break your control
Jake grabbed her wrists, flipping her in one clean motion until she was beneath him again.
You really want to play that game?
She smirked, breathless. I want to win it
That grin nearly broke him.
He kissed her again, slower this time, but deeper, tongue sliding against hers as his hips pressed into her, hard and unrelenting. His hand slid between her thighs, already soaked, already aching.
He didn't tease this time.
He made her beg.
He kissed down her body, neck, chest, stomach, lips worshiping, teeth biting just enough to make her arch. When he reached the heat between her thighs, he didn't pause. His mouth was hungry, tongue relentless, tasting her like she was the only thing that had ever mattered.
Jade cried out, fingers gripping the sheets, legs shaking around his shoulders as he pushed her higher, again and again until she shattered with his name on her lips.
But he didn't stop.
He kept going until she was gasping, whimpering, grabbing his hair and pulling him up to her mouth.
Jake
Again
He entered her fast this time, hips snapping against hers, rhythm rough and punishing. His grip on her hips tightened as he thrust deeper, harder, until her entire body was trembling beneath him.
Their bodies moved like they were trying to erase everything else, Rafael, betrayal, war, legacy. There was only this. Her legs around his waist. His breath in her ear.
And when she clawed his back, pulling him closer, whispering I'm yours over and over again, he lost the last of his control.
He groaned her name into her neck as he came with her, their bodies locking, shaking, completely undone.
And afterward, when the room was quiet and the storm had passed, Jade lay against his chest, breath slowing, skin flushed and marked by him.
She looked up at him, eyes soft but blazing.
If this is what it feels like to burn
I never want it to stop
Jake kissed her forehead.
Then we'll burn together