Leo stood up suddenly, pulling her to her feet with him. "Let’s go. Now."

Selina’s grin was pure mischief.

They slipped out to her car without being noticed, sliding into the backseat like shadows.

The moment the door closed, Leo kissed her fiercely, desperate and hungry, at last letting go of all the tension built up over the years.

Selina kissed him back just as passionately, her fingers getting lost in his hair as she pulled him closer.

"God, I’ve wanted this," Leo groaned against her lips.

"Then quit talking," Selina whispered, dragging him down on top of her.

Their clothes came off in a rush, buttons flying, fabric tearing, both lost in the heat building between them.

Leo’s hands explored every curve, every scar, committing her to memory. Selina arched into his touch, her nails raking down his back.

"Leo..."

"I get it," he said, settling in. "I get it."

When he finally slid inside, they both let out a groan, relief and pleasure mixing together.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t slow.

It was intense and frantic, two people who had been eyeing each other for too long finally coming together.

Selina wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in deeper as her head fell back, and he picked up the pace.

"Fuck," Leo breathed, his voice tight. "You feel, God, Selina..."

"Don’t stop," she urged, her voice breaking into a moan. "Don’t you dare stop."

And he didn’t.

The car rocked with their movements, windows fogging up as everything outside disappeared.

When Selina hit her peak, it was with Leo’s name on her lips, and her whole body shook.

Leo followed right after, burying his face in her neck as he let go.

They stayed like that for a while, breathless and tangled up, their hearts beating together.

Finally, Leo lifted his head and gave her a surprisingly soft kiss on the forehead. "That was, "

"This really should’ve happened years ago," Selina said with a laid-back smile.

Leo chuckled. "For sure."

*****

In their upstairs bedroom, Zayden shut the door and locked it with a quick click.

Aylin turned to him, her golden-brown eyes warm in the soft light. "What a long day," she said.

"Totally long," Zayden replied, taking off his shirt.

Aylin’s eyes followed him, a spark of heat lighting up her expression.

Zayden noticed and a slow, teasing smile appeared on his face. "See something you like, hacker girl?"

"Maybe," Aylin said, trying to sound cool but not quite making it.

Zayden crossed the room in a few quick steps and pulled her close. "Just maybe?"

"Definitely," she breathed out, feeling all the butterflies.

He kissed her, starting slow to enjoy the moment, then deepening the kiss as she leaned into him.

Her hands slid up his chest, enjoying the solid muscle and the steady beat of his heart.

"Let’s hit the bed," Zayden murmured against her lips. "Right now."

They tumbled onto the mattress, their clothes disappearing in a whirlwind of hands and warmth.

Zayden kissed a trail down her neck, across her collarbone, and lower.

Aylin gasped, her fingers getting tangled in his hair. "Zayden..."

"I’ve got you," he said, his voice thick with need.

When he finally pushed inside her, they both sighed, feeling like they had come home after a long trip.

Their movements were slower than Leo and Selina’s, a rhythm they had figured out together.

Zayden’s hands held her face as he moved, his eyes locked onto hers.

"I love you," he said, the words simple but packed with feeling.

Aylin’s eyes filled with happy tears. "I love you too."

They swayed together, building slowly, savoring every moment, every touch, and every whispered word.

When they came together, everything just clicked perfectly, and it felt whole.

Afterward, Zayden pulled Aylin in close, wrapping her in his arms.

Aylin’s fingers traced random patterns on his skin. "We’re going to be good, right? With all this, Alpha, Maksim, the secrets, we’ll make it through?"

Zayden kissed her hair. "We will. I promise."

"Good," she whispered, already dozing off.

Before long, they were both out cold, lost in dreams and wrapped up in each other’s arms.

Outside, in Selina’s car, Leo and Selina were drifting off too, still tangled up on the backseat.

"I should probably go," Selina mumbled, but she didn’t move.

"Stay," Leo said softly. "Just a bit longer."

Selina smiled against his shoulder. "Okay. Just a little longer."

*****

Morning light streamed through the thick curtains, casting golden rays across the bedroom.

The big bed took up most of the room, with black silk sheets all twisted around two sleeping people.

Zayden woke up first, as he always did, an old military habit that stuck with him even after years of civilian life.

His internal clock was right on point.

But this morning, he just stayed put.

He lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, simply watching her.

Aylin was still asleep next to him, her face calm in a way it usually wasn’t when she was awake.

Her long, wavy, golden-brown hair was spread out on the pillow, catching the morning light.

One hand was tucked under her cheek, while the other rested on his chest, still seeking that closeness even in her sleep.

The sheet had slipped down to her waist, leaving her upper body bare.

Zayden’s eyes traced the curve of her shoulder, the line of her collarbone, and the soft rise and fall of her breathing.

Mine, he thought possessively. All mine.

He reached out, running his fingers through her hair, so soft, ridiculously soft. He twirled a strand around his finger, amazed at how it caught the light.

Then, he leaned down and gave her forehead a gentle kiss.

Aylin stirred a bit but didn’t wake up.

Zayden grinned as his hand slid down her arm, feeling the smoothness of her skin. Goosebumps sprang up from his touch.

He couldn’t help it.

Leaning closer, he grabbed her lips in a deep, intense kiss, one that made it clear what he wanted.

His hand moved to cup her breast, squeezing softly while his thumb brushed over her nipple.

Aylin’s eyes fluttered open, and her confusion turned into awareness as his tongue explored her lips, asking for entry.

She opened her mouth, maybe to protest or to say good morning, but.....