When I reached the terrace, the wind greeted me with a mixture of warm and chilly air. I loved the spring weather and wished it wasn't such a fleeting season. A group of people clustered around the grill area, while some kids were sitting on the outdoor couches, watching a cartoon on the outdoor cinema wall.

I spotted Ryan across the turf. He was sitting on one of the lounge chairs that faced the Manhattan skyline. He was just staring at it. It was so beautiful to watch him from a distance that I didn't really want to interrupt him right away.

He must have sensed he was being watched, because he turned his head and our eyes met. He held out his open arms, gesturing for me to come and sit with him. I didn't hesitate and crossed the turf and stone tiles to him. He parted his legs slightly to allow me to sit in between him and lean back against him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the back of my head that rested against his chin.

"How'd it go?"

I sighed. "It's finally over! Now it's just us. But boy, was it stressful! I hate confrontations and breakups. Even if I am the one breaking up with him."

I could feel Ryan smiling against my head. "I know. That's why I wanted you to meet me up here when it was all done. As great as the view is from your apartment, I knew sitting up here, seeing the entire skyline with the breeze flowing around us, would help you relax."

I sat up and spun to look at him with utter shock. "You knew this would help me destress?"

"Well... yeah. I could see it in your eyes when you first signed up to rent the place. You just looked like you found your Zen in this chaotic city!"

I threw my arms around his neck before he knew what was happening and kissed him. "I love you."

His eyes shined against the night sky. "I could hear that on repeat all day long and wouldn't get tired of hearing it."

"I love you. I love you. I love...you...Ryan Patrick Herman."

He held me close and kissed me again, just as a gust of wind encircled us. It was like the universe was giving us its blessing or finally realizing that all was right in the world. "I love you too, Victoria Rae Ashcroft."

We snuggled there, watching the skyline in comfortable silence for a while longer. Even though we could hear the kids screaming while they chased each other near the cinema area, and the collective laughs from the group at the grill area, it felt like it was just us there.

Though the smell of the barbecue was making my stomach react. "Are you hungry?"

"I thought you'd never ask."

******

Who knew eating Sweet and Sour Chicken could be fun and sexy? Ryan and I had ordered Chinese takeout, and he insisted on feeding me with his miserable chopstick skills. I couldn't tell if he really didn't know how to use them or did it wrong intentionally just so he'd spill some on my chin and lick it off me.

"Didn't you spend an entire summer in Japan? Surely you know how to use chopsticks," I said in between laughing from his goofiness and giggling from his teasing tongue.

"Maybe I do." He moved to kiss my neck. "Maybe I don't." He moved and kiss the other side.

Our food was soon forgotten, as our lips and hands explored each other, as we sat on my couch. Soon after, his hands guided me down, and we laid across it. With him on top of me, I could feel his excitement growing as our kissing intensified. I realized while we were making out that it had been a long time since he and I last slept together.

I felt nervous and desperate all at the same time. It took all my restraint not to tear at his shirt. Luckily, he was feeling the same as he separated from our kiss, so he could remove his t-shirt. I stopped him from coming back down so soon, by reaching out my hands and tracing them around his chiseled abs and pecks. Then glided them up his stiffened arms and biceps, then around his neck to invite him back down to meet my wanting lips.

Ryan then helped me remove my top without breaking much contact. We paused briefly to laugh when he ended up throwing my shirt into the carton of rice, which caused it and the contents to spill onto the carpet. I told him we'd clean it up later, and quickly moved to tug at his jeans, encouraging him to remove them. He obeyed and kicked them off lightly, so he wouldn't knock anything else to the floor.

Soon we were both naked on my couch, kissing and feeling each other's bodies with our hands. Then Ryan moved to kiss my neck, then continued kissing down a path until he kissed my chest. His hand gently caressed my breast as he guided my nipple into his mouth, nibbling lightly, which caused me to inhale deeply and let out a light moan. He looked up at me and smiled at my reaction.

Then he paid equal attention to my other breast, before continuing on the trail downwards. He kissed my navel, then gradually kept going until he reached my pelvis. It was so tender to the touch that I couldn't help but let out a giggle at first. But that was quickly replaced with another moan as his mouth reached my vulva.

As his tongue and lips licked and kissed my pussy, I couldn't help but arch my back as the feeling of him pleasuring me intensified. He really knew what he was doing, and within minutes I couldn't stop my body from quivering with ecstasy. I quickly pulled him back up to me, to meet my lips again.

"I need you inside me," I begged.

He smiled and quickly reached down to his jeans, pulling out a foil square packet from the back pocket. I couldn't help but smirk at how prepared he was for this moment. I enjoyed watching him remove the condom and slide it down his erection.

He lowered himself back down on me and resumed kissing me lovingly. I reached down and guided his penis into me. It felt like we were made for each other. Our rhythm started slow but picked up quickly. We were so in sync with our hip movements; it wasn't long before we were both giving in to our simultaneous climax.

We laid there as a sweaty, tangled mess, with his head lying on my bare chest, content.

"Would you like to stay the night?" I asked as I stroked his hair.

I could feel the vibration of his sexy voice through my body as he responded, "I'd love to."

I smiled and then turned my head, seeing the rice on the carpet that I had completely forgotten about until that moment. "I'd better clean that up before I get too tired and wake up with ants in here."

I shifted to get up, but Ryan pushed me back down and got up instead. "I got it, princess. You just leave your beautiful naked self right where it is."

I'm sure I was grinning like a fool while I watched him clean up the spill, and take the rest of the cartons to the kitchen to put them in the fridge. Watching him take care of me was so sweet. I couldn't help but think for a moment how different he really was from Eric. Ryan was attentive at putting my needs first. I also loved that he cleaned up the mess without a second thought and put away the rest without being asked or wanting help.

Later that night, after having had moved to the bedroom and having sex again, we just laid in the bed talking. Talking about everything and anything that came to mind. He was happy that I would accept Adam's offer and go back to work. He hoped that I'd go back to take his position, but warned me not to be disappointed if it didn't happen since he didn't think his dad took his suggestion seriously.

I assured him I was just glad to get my apprentice job back. I added that I wasn't sure if I was even ready to take on the responsibility as Lead Architect. Plus, I wanted to earn that title through hard work, not just my connections. Ryan admired me for it and said I was a rarity.

Even though I could see Ryan was getting tired, I didn't want to stop talking or end the day. I propped my head on my hand and looked at him. "So what are you going to do now that you won't be working at Herman & Sons: Real Estate and Construction Firm?"

He huffed lightly with a smile, as his eyes closed slightly as they rested against his pillow. "Enjoy my life, finally."

"Ryan, I'm serious." I nudged him playfully. "I feel responsible for you quitting."

"Please don't feel that way. It was inevitable. The only thing that made me happy about being there was getting to see you every day." He leaned up and kissed me lightly before lowering his head back down onto his pillow.

I blushed at his loving words. Seeing how tired he really was, I knew I could leave the serious talk for another day. I rolled over and clicked off the bedside light, and by the time I turned back around to say goodnight, I could hear him breathing heavily.

I studied the sleeping beauty in front of me for a few minutes. Even in the darkness, I could make out the perfect lines of his hair, face, and arm. I knew I could get used to this.

When sleep finally hit me, I knew I'd be seeing Ryan there too, which made me fall asleep with a smile.

*********

When I woke up the next morning, Ryan was still there and still fast asleep. I crept quietly out to the living area and once again proceeded with my morning routine. Drinking my coffee and seeing the Manhattan skyline wake up with me was like the grand finale to the best 'Bachelor' season ever. I almost wondered if the day would end with Ryan giving me a rose and asking to marry me.

Then it hit me. I wasn't getting married anymore! And this time, there wasn't any uncertainty to it. I started freaking out slightly at the thought of having to tell my parents. I knew I needed to think, and I also knew I thought the best after my morning workout. I changed quietly, not wanting to wake Ryan, and left a note on my pillow for him, to let him know where I was.

The thirty minutes on the elliptical felt great, and it helped me think of what to say to my parents. I knew that they'd be pissed, but that they'd also understand. I knew it was far beyond the point of no return to getting any kind of deposit back, but I knew I would pay them back whatever I could.

As I ended my workout and patted my face, neck, and shoulders dry, my phone started ringing. I grabbed it from the cup holder of the machine and looked at the screen. It was Eric's mother!

"Donna?" I asked, trying to sound calm.

Her familiar, polite voice came through. "Good morning, Vicky. I'm sorry to be calling you so early. I hope I didn't wake you."

I shook my head as if she could see my physical response. "No, I was just finishing up my morning workout. Is everything okay?" The dumbest question I could have asked, but did anyway.

"Well, not quite, dear. I spoke with Eric last night."

Fuck! I thought I'd have at least another day before having to talk to anyone about this.

"Oh." Was the only response I could think of at that moment.

I opened the door and walked out of the Fitness Center and made my way to the elevator.

"So listen, I'm actually in New York for the day and was wondering if I could meet you for lunch?" I knew she was asking, but from the years of knowing her, I knew her requests were more like a polite demand.

I got in the elevator and pressed the button for my floor. "Um, well, I -"

"I won't take no for an answer," she interrupted.

"No, I wasn't going to say that, Donna. I was just saying I had a few errands planned out but will get them moved. I'd love to see you." Which was a complete lie. As much as I liked her, she also terrified me sometimes. She always portrayed herself as someone who was powerful and could get anything done when she wanted it done.

"Great! I'll text you the address of the restaurant. I'll see you there at 11:30." She disconnected the call without saying goodbye, which I was okay with.

I opened my door to find Ryan in my kitchen, making breakfast. "Hey, I got your note. Sorry, I couldn't believe I was still sleeping. I haven't had a full night's sleep in years." He walked out and smiled at me. Then it quickly disappeared when he saw my expression. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I shook my head. "No. But I am going to have lunch with the devil."