“I omitted to tell you.”
 
 “Same thing. If we’re going to talk about this, we’re not going to split hairs.”
 
 “You know what? You’re right. We’re not. Would it make you feel better if I admitted I was wrong?” She is clearly not expecting that, so I continue while I’m ahead. “Well, I had my reasons, but you were right and I was wrong. I should have asked you.” I admit, it’s hard to say, but if it’s how I’m going to get through, if she needs a little groveling, well, I’m going to do it. My pride is nothing. I know what’s important, what matters. I’m looking at it. At her.
 
 I hold my hand in front of her, show her my matching ring. “This ring, Allegra? It means something to me. It better mean the same thing to you.” The truth of those words is in my bones.
 
 She searches my eyes, blinking rapidly when they fill up. “It’s not like that with Jet and me,” she blurts.
 
 “Could it be?”
 
 She shakes her head. “Maybe I wanted to make you jealous.” The way she grits the words out, I know it’s hard for her to admit.
 
 I grin, take that notebook and toss it aside to weave my fingers with hers. “I should spank you for wanting to make me jealous.”
 
 Her cheeks flush red and she looks at me through lowered lids, the shade of her eyes like my favorite brand of whiskey. I bend my head and kiss her, her lips soft and warm and yielding. Our kiss deepens and when I release the lock of our hands to take her waist, her hips, she wraps hers around my neck. I lift her up and she hooks her legs around my hips.
 
 I’m hard as I hold her, her back against the wall, one arm around her waist as I undo my slacks. When she hears the buckle of my belt, she draws back, breathless.
 
 “Cassian. We can’t. Not in here.”
 
 “Why not? It’s my house.”
 
 “It’s Jet’s room.”
 
 “Well, maybe it’s the perfect place then.” I turn and carry her to the bed, laying her at the foot of it and Christ, she’s fucking beautiful even in her inside out dress. Even when she hasn’t slept. I tug her to me by her legs. When her dress slides to her stomach I see she’s not wearing panties.
 
 I raise my eyebrows in question.
 
 She shrugs. “I think they’re still in your office.”
 
 I grin, bend to kiss her as I pull myself free of my slacks, my briefs. When I push into her, she makes a sound, arching her back and biting her lip.
 
 “You know what I love?” I ask her.
 
 “Hm?” She kisses me, moaning when I thrust.
 
 “Your face when I first take you. The way you look at me.”
 
 “I like your eyes,” she says, getting that faraway look in hers. “They get so blue.” She wraps her legs around me.
 
 “You know what else I like?” I draw back, take one leg and push her knee up along her torso so I can see us. “I like watching you take me.” I take the hand that’s on my shoulder and set her fingers on her clit. “Play with your clit while I fuck your pussy. I want to watch.”
 
 She does. Like a good girl, she does, eyes locked on mine, mouth open, panting she plays with her clit and when the walls of her pussy squeeze my dick, it takes all I have to hold back, to not blow inside her, because today, today of all days, I need to mark her. To make sure she knows she’s mine. To make sure anyone who comes near her knows.
 
 And so, when her orgasm subsides, I draw her hand away and push her dress up to expose her torso fully.
 
 “I’m going to mark you, Allegra,” I say, drawing out, taking my cock in my fist.
 
 She sits up on her elbows and watches like she’s never seen it before, but I guess she hasn’t.
 
 “I’m going to come all over you and you’re going to feel me all day long.”
 
 Her eyes are locked on me, mouth hanging open. She licks her lips. “That’s so hot,” she says, and slides her hand back onto her clit as I begin to paint her with come, watching her use it to lubricate her fingers, smearing it into herself as I smear it into her belly, her breasts.
 
 “Mine, all mine,” I tell her.
 
 “Yours. All yours.”