The room was almost completely dark except for a skinny stream of light escaping from the bathroom door that was still cracked open. The glass wall that helped frame my terrace gave a dreamy view of city lights, downtown glistening in the distance. The moon wasn't visible due to clouds moving in, but a midnight glow was still casting its blueish tinge on the room, and it gave such an unexpected romantic vibe to everything.

I hadn't expected things to go further than some hot, steamy kissing and groping. When I'd dragged Jesse into my room and shut the door, I'd thought we would stand there making out all hot and heavy for a few minutes before bidding each other a good night. You can imagine my surprise when our lips connected and he backed me up, pinning me against the door and sliding his hands down my sides. It was a brief shock, but the action conjured a fire in the pit of my stomach, and soon enough, my body was responding to his every touch, moving in the raunchiest ways against him.

I hiked my leg up to his hip and he pressed his lower half harder against me, deepening our kisses and making damn sure that I felt every bit of how hard he was beneath the thin material of his slacks. His palm slid down my leg and placed a firm grasp on the back of my bare thigh, holding me tighter against him.

The goosebumps were spreading like wildfire, a scalding blush immediately following. I wanted more with him. This was all wonderful and terrifying at the same time and I didn't know whether I should stop before things went too far, or let him keep going and find out what I'd been missing. I was trying desperately to silence the back and forth questioning in my head and just focus on him. I wanted him to keep touching me, keep making me pant, keep kissing me like I was the oxygen his lungs couldn't do without. This was so much more than the way we'd kissed on the plane or the way we'd been making out before dinner. This was beyond the butterflies I'd felt when he'd nearly driven me crazy in his office or the bathroom off to the side. This was more, in every sense of the word, and I'd never felt anything like it.

Jesse broke our kiss for just long enough to ask permission with his eyes. I could feel his hands on the knot in my sash, and maybe this was moving a little too quickly, but I was lost in the moment and I couldn't tell him no. I didn't want to tell him no. In fact, I was pretty sure I'd lose my mind if he didn't keep touching me like I was all his and he couldn't get enough of me. He was giving me the most incredible feelings I'd ever had, turning me on more than I'd ever imagined that any man could, and I was quickly becoming addicted to whatever erotic spell he had me under.

I gave a sheepish nod, telling him it was alright, but he could sense my hesitation. Jesse's eyes searched mine and I moved my hands to grasp his, holding smoldering eye contact while our fingers worked together to untie the knot.

"Are you okay with this?" Jesse asked in a near whisper.

His eyes had yet to leave mine, despite my open robe and clearly visible lingerie, and I took that as him being a gentleman, making certain that he wasn't pushing me out of my comfort zone. He'd asked permission to untie my sash, and now it seemed like he was asking permission to look at my almost naked body. It was so unexpected and so uncharacteristic for a man. Brad had never asked permission about anything and I'd just gone with the flow, thinking that was the way it was supposed to be. No one had ever shown me different. Often, things had felt forced or faked with him, but nothing about being with Jesse felt that way.

I could tell by the way his hard length felt pressed against my stomach that he wanted badly to see me completely naked, and much more than that, but the care in his eyes told me he was more than willing to wait if I wasn't ready. And honestly, I hadn't been ready for more until that moment, until that look on his face. I assumed that all I'd really needed was confirmation that he was taking this seriously and that he truly cared about the way I felt, rather than just thinking about getting himself off. His words had all been sweet and romantic when we'd agreed to give things between us a try, but words really didn't mean that much until actions proved that they were true. He was proving himself and his intentions, slowly but surely, and I could feel myself beginning to fall for him at the same gradual speed.

"This is the most okay I think I've felt in a long time," I admitted, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

He gave a slow nod and glanced down between our bodies for only a second, his hooded eyes meeting mine again with a glossy look.

"I'll only go as far as you let me," he mumbled against my lips before kissing me again, harder this time. "Tell me when to stop, Vanessa."

I couldn't respond. I was too wrapped up in the incredible feelings he was giving me, his mouth and hands claiming me as his, and I didn't want him to stop.

Jesse continued to kiss me, running the tip of his tongue along my bottom lip between kisses. I opened my mouth to grant him access, and soon enough, our tongues were sliding against each other in a slow, sensual manner, lighting a fire between the two of us that was only growing hotter and bigger with every second that ticked by.

Fanning the flames, I stepped out of my comfort zone more so and sucked on his tongue, tasting hints of the beer he'd been drinking at dinner. It was a delicious flavor on his mouth. I broke our kiss, giving a teasing bite to his lip, and continuing a line of heated kisses across his jawline. He hadn't shaved in a couple days and his facial hair was rough against my mouth, but it felt so good at the same time. I was getting lost in the thought of how it would feel rubbing against my thighs by the time my lips reached his earlobe. His gasp as I dragged my teeth over his skin and nipped at his ear was an unexpected assurance that he was just as turned on by my actions as I was by his.

Jesse's hands slid down to my ass, enjoying giving me a squeeze, and he hoisted me up, carrying me across the room with ease as if my body was the weight of a feather. My legs wrapped around his waist and I held on to his shoulders for support. As he walked us towards the bed, I wasn't thinking about the potential consequences of our actions. I was focused solely on anything I could do to feel closer to him, to feel all of him, and I knew he was thinking the exact same thing. I had no idea that three years of pent up sexual frustration could unleash such a wildfire.

He laid me down on the bed, climbing on top of me and making sure to rest the full weight of his lower half against mine. The sensation drew a deep, breathy moan from my lips – a sound that was so relaxed, so satisfied that I almost couldn't believe it had come from me.

"You are absolutely stunning," Jesse whispered into my ear, his warm breath teasing my skin as he spoke. "I can't get enough of you."

A chill ran down my spine. No one had ever said such sweet things to me before. My ex had never even talked at all when we'd had sex, much less during the lead up. I hadn't expected Jesse to be very vocal either, but between the way he was making sure I was okay with his actions and the sweet talk that was rolling off his tongue... I could get used to this.

"You are so fucking hot," I moaned, pulling him in for another deep kiss and sliding my hands down to run my fingertips over his exposed skin.

Jesse breathed a laugh that only turned me on more and I decided to test the waters by letting my hands continue to wander lower. He sucked in a harsh breath when I reached the top of his slacks and he seemed to hold it, anticipating my next move.

I popped open the button, his loose belt buckle rattling in the process, and he groaned something wickedly sexy when I slid his zipper down and palmed him. His body responded with a gentle rhythm, rocking against me where I was touching him.

Discovering that I could make him feel so good was a massive confidence booster that only encouraged me to keep pushing the limits. I didn't know when would be the right time to stop. Everything just felt so right with him, like there was no reason to stop. But I knew in the back of my mind that I wasn't ready for things to go passed foreplay. I wanted really fucking bad to be ready, but I refused to force things with Jesse. He was worth more than that, and I wanted to be completely and utterly devoted to sharing that experience with him when the time was right. I felt guilty, even though I knew I shouldn't, but I knew he would understand.

When I felt him about to come undone from my touch, I decided then was the right time to slow our pace. My hand left his slacks, slowly sliding back up his stomach, my fingertips tracing the contours of his abs. He released a heavy, relaxed sigh, and smiled down at me. Nothing had to be said. I knew he knew what was going through my mind and he wasn't going to push me to take things further. That's the moment I truly believed that his intentions were genuine and good.

"Still alright?" Jesse asked, kissing my cheek.

I nodded, getting lost in his eyes once more. "This feels right with you."

Sliding my hand to the back of his neck, I twirled the ends of his hair around my fingertips and pulled him in for another slow, deep kiss.

"I think I've corrupted your innocence enough for one night," he grinned wolfishly and climbed off of me.

I watched shamelessly, enjoying the view as he stood up, zipping and buttoning his pants back. He slid his belt out of the loops and tossed it aside on the floor, proceeding to slip out of his shirt. I felt like I was watching a male stripper undress as Jesse slowly slid his shirt down his arms, revealing an impressively toned torso and biceps that I wanted to squeeze just to feel how hard his muscles were.

He tossed his shirt on the arm of a nearby chair and extended a hand to me, tilting his head in the direction of the terrace. "Come with me."

I didn't bother to retie the sash around my robe, taking his hand and following him out onto the balcony. We weren't worried about Erica seeing us since her room was on the opposite side of the hall. A glance across the hotel exterior didn't reveal anyone else out there. We were alone – well, as alone as two half naked people could be on a balcony in the middle of Beverly Hills. I wasn't thinking about who might drive or walk by, or maybe look out their window and notice anything, though. All I could focus on was the way Jesse's hands felt against my skin when he slid them inside my robe, bringing me closer to him.

He sat down in one of the chairs on the terrace, bringing me down onto his lap. The chair was large enough that we could comfortably lounge together, my head on his chest and my legs draped over his thighs. He snaked an arm around my back and rested his hand on my hip while I cuddled up to him, breathing in his earthy, manly scent and giving his neck a teasing kiss.

Jesse cocked a brow, smirking down at me. "You better not start that again or I probably won't be able to stop myself this time..."

His words were taunting, practically daring me to straddle him, but I knew it was for the best that that would wait for our next rendezvous. I would be more used to him by then – more willing to test the limits further.

"Thank you for being so... understanding," I mumbled, lying my head on his chest.

I couldn't see his face, but I knew he was smiling.

Several minutes ticked by in near silence. The only sounds were coming from a soft breeze blowing against the trees and the dwindling traffic on Santa Monica Boulevard. With my hand on Jesse's chest, I could feel his heartbeat slowly returning to a normal pace, coming down from the high of our lustful actions. Everything about that moment was peaceful, and easily so much more than the comfort of any moment I'd ever shared with another man.

"Thank you for taking a chance on me," he whispered and kissed the top of my head.