Lori and Lauren ended up staying for dinner. Once they had gone, Roman and I found ourselves in bed. Only, I had half of the space dominated with a laptop, tablet, and notebook. There was so much to do and I just felt unprepared for it all. The only thing I could think to do, was to read the histories of other nonprofits to see how they got started and how they were doing then.

I was touched by so many of the stories. So many of them came from humbled beginnings, people in communities coming together to solve or help alleviate a pressing issue within their community. Food banks, soup kitchens, domestic violence shelters. They would do car washes, bake sales, raffles, and just about anything else they could think of to help raise money. They would skimp, and save, and count on donations.

It felt a little weird reading them, I had to admit, knowing that I didn’t have to struggle at all to start mine. Wasn’t that a good thing, though? I mean, what better way was their to use my privilege than helping the community in such a way? I tried not to think too hard about that and started watching videos on other nonprofits, trying to see what they had in their buildings so I would know what to incorporate into mine.

"I can almost smell the smoke coming off your hair," Roman commented.

"Huh?" I asked, looking up to him. It then clicked with me that he was joking I was thinking so hard that my hair was on fire. I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed him. "I just want to make sure I’m on the right track."

"Fair enough," he smiled. He opened his mouth to say something else when his phone buzzed on the nightstand. He excused himself and stepped out into the hallway to take the call.

While he was gone, I decided to go ahead and pack away everything. If I did any more that night, I knew I would manage to fall down a rabbit hole and stay up all night. Once the items were tucked away, my vision landed on the door. I wondered what the call was about, especially since he took it out in the hall.

I was quickly distracted by thoughts of my appreciation for him and all that he was doing for me. Even after all this time together, I still couldn’t believe how fortunate I was that he came to the Auction House that very day. How he had saved me from what was surely to be a life of absolute pain and misery had anyone else placed a winning bet.

Life had still managed to be terrifying because of the investigation that had ensued, but life with him only ever seemed to get better and better.

I couldn’t believe I had once been jealous and insecure of his previous playboy ways. I knew without a doubt, at that point, that I was the one for him. That he had eyes for no one else but me. We were meant to be together and every single day was spent together, completely enveloped in bliss and love, acted as the proof.

Flashes of that morning came back into my mind. The desk. The handcuffs. The tie. My fingers brushes against my lips and it was as though I could still feel the fabric there. I can’t believe we had done something so kinky somewhere that anyone could have found us. Had he even locked the door behind him when he came back in? Why did the unknown of that make it even hotter? And, most importantly, why was I aroused just at the thought of it?

I couldn’t help myself and hurried over to the closet while he was still on the phone. I dug through my drawers to find a stash of lingerie I had. I found the tiniest, strappiest item in there and slid it on. It was made of black bands, formed together to make a collar, then down between my breasts and joined together at my waist before splitting off to go down my hips, a crotchless pair of panties, and then down into garters. I paired it with a pair of fishnets and heels. All of it had been in the closet when I moved in, meaning Roman or some personal shopper must have picked it out.

I don’t know what had come over me, but I knew that I wanted to make him squirm in the ways he had made me that morning. Putting on a robe to hide my outfit, I managed to snag a tie and an eye mask before I heard him come back through the door.

"What was that about?" I asked as I sauntered over, hands behind my back to conceal the tie and eye mask.

"I have excellent news," He said, sinking down onto the side of the bed. I stood in front of him and he grabbed me by the hips. "We have the building. All you have to do is go down and sign the lease. I’ve negotiated everything out with the owner."

"Oh, that’s perfect," I grinned at him. "Thank you so much for doing all that. You know it means the world to me."

"Of course," He purred. He moved to pull me closer, when he brushed against the fabric in my hands. "What’s this?"

In a fluid movement, I moved to place the eye mask over his eyes. "No peaking."

I laid him down on the bed and placed the tie next to his head to use in a minute. Once I straddled him, I discarded the robe and placed his hands on my thighs. He took the hint and allowed his hands to explore my body. He practically traced the lines of the fabric; I could feel him getting hard against my thigh. "The eye mask seems a bit cruel, don’t you think?" he muttered.

"As cruel as leaving me handcuffed to your desk? I don’t think so," I purred.

I let him get his feel, letting him grope and rub me until I grew antsy myself. Taking the tie, I then bound his hands together above his head. "Now you’re not playing fair at all," he groaned.

"What’s the matter, Roman? Can’t handle it when the tables are turned?" I asked in a mock pout.

I watched him gulp, but he didn’t say a word. He could handle it and he wanted it.

There was something exciting about having him at my complete disposal, and I was understanding that morning from his perspective. I could do anything with him in that moment and not have to worry about it being a performance. He couldn’t see me.

I reached for my phone and turned on some new, sensual R&B music. Then, looking back down at him, I began grinding into him. His mouth hung open as I did, and I could see his arms slightly pulling against the restraint. I swiveled my hips, flicked them, and acted as though I was riding him, even though his boxers acted as a barrier. Caught up in the moment, I even moaned as if I was, wanting to tease him as much as possible.

He groaned and his breathing hitched. When his breathing began to quicken, I lifted my hips. He wasn’t going to get off that easy. I moved up and kissed his neck. I licked, sucked, and nibbled at his neck, shoulders, and chest without so much as brushing against his erection. In a moment of pure erotic delight, I positioned myself over his face and he greedily licked at my sex. I moaned freely and lightly grinded against his mouth as I watched his hips squirm and his member fight against the restraint of his boxers.

Soon, he was whimpering, and it was awful how much I loved that. I loved that he was aching for me in the way I had for him that morning. Where it was bordering pleasure and physical discomfort. I had mercy, though. I moaned out for him to go faster and as he licked at me as if it were his key to freedom, I came hard. I shook and shivered as I hovered his face, but fought through the pleasure to move myself back over him. My body was still shaking from the ecstasy as I sank down onto him.

I rode him hard and fast, allowing him to get near climax before I eased up. I did it repeatedly, bringing him to the edge and back down, before back up again.

"You’re driving me crazy," he breathed.

"Do you want me to stop?" I asked through panted breaths.

"No," he groaned.

At the last moment, I ripped his mask off and let him watch me as I rode him. His eyes raked over me as if he was memorizing every detail. And within just a couple thrusts, I could feel him coming. He panted at me to keep going, so I did. We kept going until we both came together.

By the time I moved off of him, I was out of breath, exhausted, and sore in the most delicious of ways. I nearly forgot to untie him in my state of exhaustion and pleasure. He rubbed my back and then laid to move over me as I laid on my stomach. "I’m not done with you yet," he whispered.

Just like that, I was awake again. We made love for hours until our bodies completely failed us. Every time felt just as exciting as the last. We were so in sync. He was my true other half.