Something I've always enjoyed is going above and beyond for people I care about. Especially for the woman I'm dating. Even when I didn't have money, I did what I could to make my girlfriends feel cherished. When I got with Evelyn, my desire to spoil intensified. I thought I met my forever person—the woman who would have my children, so I treated her like a queen.

But some queens are rotten.

Not Mara, though.

It's our last night in Las Vegas, and I want dinner to be memorable. Because I'm not sure what will happen when we return to San Francisco. Perhaps the euphoria of a weekend getaway will wear off, and she'll come to her senses about me being too old for her. I just hope she doesn't go running into Kyle's arms. 

There was something about him that got under my skin that evening when Mara's car was vandalized. His eyes held a coldness when he wrapped his arm around her waist, subtly letting me know she was his. It was like a lion growling a warning to other members of its group to stay away from his meal. Only Mara isn't an animal carcass for us to fight over. 

She's someone I've fallen in love with.

For weeks I've denied it, but this afternoon while swimming in the pool, the world around us faded, and suddenly the future looked brighter with Mara in it. Permanently. I could picture us on vacation, with our small kids. Perhaps a son in kindergarten, another one in preschool, and a baby girl on Mara's hip, because lord knows I'd fill her womb so fast with children.

It's easy to get lost in the fantasy, though, and I have to keep reminding myself that a relationship would not work long-term. So, I'm making the most of tonight by taking her out for a show and dinner. We hold hands as we walk, but she's wearing a blindfold because I told her I have a surprise. 

"Ok, so we've passed through multiple doors, Enzo. You're not leading me to my death, right?"

"No," I laugh, looking back at her, and warmth zips through me, knowing her mind is about to be blown.

Seeing her happy always thrills me, but there's something different this time. Maybe it's because I have finally allowed myself to feel what I feel for Mara, and in this Las Vegas bubble, I get to pretend she's mine. Truly mine.

"Alright, beautiful..." I step behind her, kiss her shoulder, and remove the blindfold. "We're here!"

At first, she's silent, which isn't like her at all. I expected her to jump on me with attack kisses. So, I shift to get a better look at her. Mara's lips are quivering, and she slaps a hand to her mouth to muffle a cry, but her gaze slides to me with tear-filled gratitude.

"Happy?" I ask.

She nods and slides her hand away. "There are no words to describe what I'm feeling right now. I mean, you mentioned buying tickets, but I didn't think you were serious. Enzo!"

"I was told that O by Cirque du Soleil is the best one to watch and that these are the best seats." I motion around us at the private, VIP balcony. 

"Oh, my God..." Her shoulders melt as she makes a cute little pouty face, and stomps her stiletto. "I bet this cost a fortune. You didn't have to do that."

"Nonsense." I pull her in close and steal a kiss. "Don't you know by now that I'd do anything for you?"

She weaves her arms around my waist, her face burrowing in my chest as she sniffles. So, I squeeze her tight while pressing gentle kisses to the top of her head. Sometimes when we hug, it's like Mara is trying to absorb as much love as she can from me. It's as if she's hungry for it, like a delicate, vulnerable being that needs protecting, and wants part of my strength to transfer to her. 

We don't talk about her family much, or her upbringing, but I get the sense she's felt forgotten too many times in her life, and it's why she's so grateful when I show her that she deserves the world.

It makes me want to love her for as long as possible.

"I have another surprise for you," I say, and Mara's head tilts back with eyes narrowed.

"Like what?"

"I'll show you." I take her hand and lead the way into the lobby, and down a corridor, all while Mara guesses where we're going.

"Is the surprise somewhere private for us to fool around?"

"No," I laugh.

"Bummer because this is kind of turning me on..."

I come to a halt and look over my shoulder. "Here I thought I was the voracious one."

"What can I say, Enzo, you have me addicted to your mouth." 

"Hmm..." I scan the area ahead, looking for a shadowy corner I can press Mara into, and have a taste of her neck.

A door that says, Supply Closet, is to our right, so I jiggle the handle and it opens. I don't think twice, and pull Mara inside it with me, then shut the door behind us, giggling like horny teenagers up to no good on a school night. It smells like cleaning solutions and a wet mop, but it's dark and perfect for some privacy.

"What are we doing, Enzo?" Mara whispers.

"This..."

My hands go to her waist as I step closer in the dark, kiss her shoulder, and run my tongue up her neck. She sucks in a breath, and her abdomen tenses when I suck some of her flesh between my teeth. I haven't given a hickey since I was a teenager, and right now I have an animalistic desire to leave a mark like a werewolf claiming his mate. Mara moans as I suck and swirl my tongue across the soft flesh I hold captive between my teeth. 

"Enzo..." she breathes, and guides my hand down her hip, down her thigh, and up her dress.

Fuck.

Mara isn't wearing panties.

I stop ravaging her neck and pull back just enough to look her in the eyes. Even in darkness, I can see how heavy her eyes have grown with arousal.

"You like when I do this, don't you?" I stroke her clit. 

She nods rapidly, biting down on her lip, and is already slick against my fingers. The crotch of my pants tightens. Perhaps I should trade my hand for my cock, but I kind of like having Mara cornered and coming undone from my touch. Her head thuds softly against the door as she relaxes and wraps one leg around me, pulling me closer. But she doesn't say anything as her breaths become labored with each stroke. I slip my fingers inside her and groan at the warm sensation of it. Mara sucks in a breath and slaps her hand around the back of my neck before crashing her mouth to mine. She releases a moan that vibrates down my throat, and I keep pulsing my fingers inside her while massaging her clit. 

Suddenly, she breaks away from kissing and is breathless, "Your dick. I need it right now!" 

I chuckle, but Mara means business while hastily unbuckling my pants. She can't seem to free my erection fast enough. So, I help her out and push my briefs down, then lift her by the ass so she can straddle me. I press her against the door and push my hardened length inside her, which coaxes an exhale of relief from both of us. Connecting with her like this will never, ever get old. We swallow each other's moans in sloppy deep kisses, and each thrust is hungrier and needier than the last. Our orgasms build, with my muscles tensing, and Mara's tightening around my cock. When I finally come, I practically melt into the floor from how damn good it feels, but I don't pull away yet. Instead, we linger in the post-orgasmic euphoria with Mara's legs still wrapped around me while catching our breaths.

"That was amazing," she says. "I don't ever want to leave Vegas."

"Let's stay in this closet forever," I laugh, and slowly slide out of her so she can lower her legs.

But when I do, there is one big problem. 

Mara looks up at me, her eyes wide. "Enzo... you didn't put a condom on."

"I... fuck." I run a hand through my hair. 

"You came inside me," she whispers.

"Shit. I wasn't thinking in the moment. I'm sorry. We can run and grab you Plan B."

"No, it should be fine." She shakes her head while looking down at her watch and swiping her finger across the screen. "I keep track of my period religiously on this thing, and I'm not ovulating yet."

"Mara, it's not a problem. I can run to grab you some—"

"It's fine." She smiles and kisses me. "My period is very regular. I'm not ovulating. We're good."

"Alright." I furrow my brows.

"Enzo, it's fine." She takes my hand. "Let's get back to my surprise. Unless sex in a utility closet was it?"

"No, ma'am, it was not."

"Good. Take me to my surprise."

We leave the supply closet, and I guide Mara backstage to meet the dancers as part of the VIP package I bought. While she mingles and fangirls like a little bee going from flower to flower, I watch her with my heart feeling full. 

I love this woman.

I would do anything for this woman.

Yet, a selfish thought whispers in the back of my head: What if my sperm is making its way to one of her eggs right now, and my accident turns into a blessing?

What if Mara is my last chance to still become a father?