Angel returned to the study shortly after my brother stormed out.

"I take it things didn't go well?" he asked as he closed the door behind him.

"What gave you that impression?" I asked grumpily, sitting in the chair as I tried to gather my thoughts about what had just gone down between me and my brother. His anger at my refusal to do as he wanted played heavily on my mind.

If I went through this marriage with the man who sat across from me, I was on my own. There would be no over protective brother waiting in the wings to step in.

I let out a shaky breath.

"If you're having second thoughts, you need to tell me now."

I lifted my eyes to meet his. "I'm not."

He studied me. "Then the sooner we discuss the details, the better for everyone."

I nodded. "Okay. Let's get this over and done with."

"Do you have a specific ring design in mind?" he asked, moving to sit behind his desk.

I shook my head. "I've never really thought about it."

"I'll organize someone to bring you some rings to have a look at it."

This was all so business, like it was taking all the romance out of the dream of getting engaged. The more time I spent discussing it like a business deal, the more anxious I was that I was getting myself into a situation I wasn't very prepared for.

This was Angel. The boy had I grown up with, but there was nothing boyish about him now. He was all man, and I averted my gaze from him, trying to stop myself from staring at him too openly.

"I have a question."

He nodded.

"Is this going to be a proper marriage?" I asked, feeling very self-conscious at that moment. "Or is it just a pretend marriage where you'll have your affairs on the side?"

"If anyone doubts the validity of this marriage, it will cause problems. It's best to make this as real as possible."

"I'm not sure what that means?"

"It means there won't be any affairs."

I swallowed again, very aware of how hot it suddenly became. His eyes held mine.

"What if I'm not ready?" I asked, not sure I was ready to jump right into this with him.

"It wasn't so long ago you were ready to sleep with me..."

Did he have to remind of that in every conversation?

"That was the actions of a foolish sixteen-year-old. I'm not that girl anymore." Life had hardened me. I saw the world with more realism that I had at that age. There was no more day dreaming for me.

I knew this marriage with Angel would not end in some fairytale ending. We would be lucky if we didn't destroy each other.

"Perhaps we should see if we have chemistry before we discuss this any further." He rose, and I stood up quickly.

"I'm sure that's unnecessary."

He prowled closer, and I had a panic of fear of what he would unleash. He cornered me slowly, his eyes searching mine as he came close. My back touched the wall, and he caged me in with a hand on either side of me.

I held my breath as he leaned closer, his lips nearly against mine.

"Tell me you want me to kiss you," he whispered.

I felt hypnotized by the closeness of him. I could smell his cologne and it did strange things to me. My anxiousness replaced by curiosity as I reached out to put my hand against his chest. I felt the warmth of his body through the thin shirt he wore.

His eyes moved from my lips as I wet them.

I had lost count of how many times I had dreamed of his kiss and here he was so near, all I had to do was lift my lips to meet his. So close.

My hand gripped his shirt, and I pulled him closer, but he held his lips away from mine.

"Tell me Kira," he commanded, refusing to kiss me until I did as he said.

My heart was beating louder and the only thing that mattered right there and then was having him seal his mouth against mine.

"Kiss me," I whispered, desperate for him to touch his lips to mine.

But then he stepped away, and it left me cold when he released me and turned to walk back to his desk.

"I believe we have answered the question."

He was so calm, and I was on fire. I pushed away from the wall and felt my temper rise at his abrupt action. Embarrassed that I had shown him how much I still wanted him, and I wanted to lash out at him.

"Wow, if that's going to happen in our marriage, I'll have to find someone else to finish the job."

Before I knew what was happening, he had me pushed up against the wall. His hands were on my waist and this time his mouth covered mine. I put my hands against his chest as he kissed me. My first instinct to push him away didn't happen, instead I held onto his shirt and pulled him closer.

His mouth crushed mine. His tongue demanded entry, and I opened my mouth. He plunged his tongue, tasting me. My knees weakened, and he lifted me. My legs wrapped around his waist, pressing against him, needing more. He carried me to the desk and set me down before he stood closer and I wrapped my legs round him as he held me closer. The only sound was our heavy breathing intermingling. I wanted him so badly. I had never burned for someone like this before.

My hands were already unbutton him shirt, and he shrugged out of it. I took a moment to explore his macular chest.

He reached for my shirt and lifted it over my head before our mouths fused together in a battle for dominance. I felt his hands move to unfasten my bra, and he slid it from my shoulders, displaying my breasts to him.

His thumb rubbed over my nipple, and I gasped. His mouth cover mine again. Our tongues tasted each other, and I linked my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. My sensitive peaks crushed against his chest.

I felt like I was on fire. My skin burned for his touch.

There was no thinking, just feeling.

He pulled me to stand. His hands went to the waist of my sweatpants. I pulled off. I stood only in my thin lacy underwear. My chest rose and fell with each hurried breath. My hands went to his belt, and I unzipped his trousers as our eyes locked together.

There was no stopping what was about to happen. Even my momentary apprehension wasn't enough for me to hit the brakes and stop him.

He slid the underwear from my hips before he lifted me to place me back on his desk. Our lips met in a desperate kiss and I felt him free his cock from his trousers. I held him a little tighter, a little afraid but unable to voice it.

His finger traced the line of my sex and I closed my eyes, lost in his touch. It was all that mattered.

Slowly, he slid a finger into me. I panted as his mouth found mine and smothered another gasp as he pumped his finger.

"Tell me you want this," he whispered it against my ears and I felt a shiver of want race through me.

"I want this."

He removed his finger and then I felt the head of his cock nestle in-between my folds. I had a moment to steady myself as he slid into me. The pain was only momentary as he filled me in one full thrust, breaking through my hymen. I stiffened and gasped. The union of our bodies was complete.

He stilled while I held onto him.

"Are you okay?" His voice was gentle.

"Yes," I whispered, still hurting, but I didn't want him to stop.

"I need to move." I could hear the strain in his voice.

I nodded, feeling unsteady in this unfamiliar territory. I'd heard so many stories, but nothing prepared me for this.

Slowly, he withdrew, and I bit my lip. His mouth touched mine, gently. His lips brushed against mine lightly as he eased back in. This time, there was less pain.

He kissed me slowly as I adjusted the movement. I held onto his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin as he moved a little faster than before, slowly building up a pace where I could feel something other than pain.

His hands angled me closer as he moved inside of me. They held me in place as he drew out every movement.

I need more. I gripped his shoulders tighter. He kissed long and hard. I felt the precision of his movements grow and I felt a buildup to something I couldn't explain.

"I need..." I never finished my sentenced when he thrust into me completely. And then it happened. My whole body tightened and then I shuddered and he continued to move, pushing me higher until I gasped as I came.

His buttocks tightened with each thrust, and I pulled him closer until I felt him still and groan.