Elwin paced the floor, unusually nervous. He was never like this with Kendall, but as he stopped at the window and looked out at the city, Elwin realized that they'd grown accustomed to each other. Fifty years together had created a relaxation within both of them that he didn't become nervous before going to bed with her.

Someone new, it was a daunting prospect for him. His nerves wouldn't settle, and the noisy neighbors didn't make it any easier. Kelleck had found himself his own distraction and was already entertaining her. Elwin rolled his eyes, wanting to thump on the wall to tell them to shut up.

"Well, at least she's enjoying it," he muttered.

Elwin didn't really want to know. Hearing it was bad enough. If he was anything like his father, then Kelleck would have an appetite. Elwin did as well but always found his needs fulfilled with Kendall. The thought of someone different unsettled him.

There was also the thought that he craved a life with one person. Elwin always hoped it could be Kendall, even if they both knew their love was doomed. He believed that he wanted consistency, but now that he was faced with the complete opposite, Elwin was having second thoughts.

Maybe the next ninety-five years wouldn't be so bad after all. He could be Merah's most wanted bachelor, never settling down. The problem was that Merah was so bound by morals and etiquette that having a list of conquests was not a good idea. Also, he had to find wives for his brothers, and screwing lots of women would make life difficult if one of them happened to appear on the list.

Maybe refusing to return to Earth wasn't so wise after all. Elwin thought about it realistically, wondering if he could live that kind of a life. The playboy bachelor, rich beyond belief, searching for momentary company across the world. New York would be dead to him unless Kendall and Heather moved away.

Keeping track of them wouldn't be easy, but with Raven's help, he'd manage. If it meant that he could enjoy his life, then it was worth everything that he paid Raven. Elwin held out his hand, watching as the wisps formed in long lines rising into the air. He paid Raven in the power he held because money and objects meant nothing to the dead. There was little that they wanted, and brokering an agreement with a Raven was always difficult. Maintaining it was even worse. Elwin accepted it because he knew that the benefits were incredible. He asked something of Raven and it would be accepted without complaint or fuss. The job was done swiftly and in a manner that was always above Elwin's expectations.

Someone knocked on the door, and the thoughts of Raven were lost.

Elwin's body rattled with animalistic need as he thought about the waitress that agreed to join him for a night of pleasure. He wondered if he could be happy in this life. Never settling into another relationship that was doomed, never creating a love that would break his heart when it ended. At that moment, he thought that he could be that person because losing Kendall was the worst thing that he'd endured. Elwin knew that the day would come. He feared it and desperately tried to keep it in the distant future. Now that it had passed, it was as bad as he feared. It still tore at him, and he wished that it had ended differently. Elwin never expected that she'd betray him, even if he should have.

Elwin decided that he could enjoy these years rather than dwelling on the negative. Kelleck would be by his side for a few years. Maybe Sterling would start tagging along. Kelleck often spoke about Sterling's wild adventures, so it was guaranteed that they'd have some fun.

Thinking about Sterling and his wild ways made Elwin realize that he was going to have trouble convincing him to accept his future. Perhaps even worse than what he'd endured with Calion. Tomorrow Elwin would talk to Kelleck about it. If he saw Sterling as much as he claimed, then he would know how difficult the future would be. After that conversation, Elwin would talk to Sterling and ensure that he understood what was waiting for him. That vow that he'd made after dealing with Calion would definitely happen with Sterling. Perhaps Calion's wedding will be a reminder of the decree.

As he walked to the door, Elwin thought about his brothers and how little he'd seen them over the years. Every time he returned for the winter season, they'd stop by every now and then, but there was nothing that he could consider to be regular. They fled Rochester Manor as soon as they were old enough, acting as if the Devil was on their heels.

Opening the door, Elwin saw the brunette beauty that smiled as sweetly as she had earlier. Another button was open on her shirt like she thought that it was necessary to show what she had to offer. Elwin would happily tell her that this was a done deal so long as she wanted to be here.

"Hi,"

Elwin smiled, pushing the door open more.

"Hello. Come in."

She was a short woman, barely reaching Elwin's shoulders. It didn't matter to him, not when they'd spend a few hours together and nothing more. She seemed rather bubbly, and for a brief moment, Elwin considered taking a few minutes to get to know her, but then he wondered why he was bothering. It would only create another pain-filled moment in his life when he watched her walk away. The less he knew, the better. Use each other for gratification and nothing else.

"You know, I realized that we didn't trade names."

The woman shrugged, gripping her worn hobo bag over the soup stain on her skirt.

"It's okay. I know that this isn't going anywhere other than sex, but I'm Ashlee."

"Elwin," he said as he closed the door. "My brother is Kelleck. He's next door with his friend, gracing us with their own mating call."

Ashlee chuckled. She heard them as she passed the door in the corridor. Loud wasn't enough to cover those two.

"So, what's your deal? Are you some kind of banker?"

"Not quite, but I used to work in a place near the exchange."

Ashlee nodded, looking around the room. It was one of the more upmarket suites, so it was obvious that this guy had money. She'd seen it all before. They'd roll into this place with a suitcase pretending that they were here for business. Some of them were, but none of them ever admitted to working so close to the hotel. They were all the same, though. Wife and kids at home, completely oblivious to what was going on here. Ashlee wondered if that was the case with this guy. Most didn't bring their brother along for the trip which made her more curious about him.

"You can use the shower if you'd like to freshen up or clean what looks like the soup off your leg."

Ashlee looked down and realized that she'd missed a large patch of it.

"Well, at least it was cold when I spilled it."

Dumping her bag on the hall stand, Ashlee turned to Elwin and took his hands. She walked backwards into the bathroom.

"I could use the help."

As they entered the bathroom, Elwin turned on the lights. Pressing Ashlee to the vanity, he began undoing the remaining buttons of her shirt. Her arms wrapped around Elwin's neck, dragging him closer. She craved the feeling of his lips against hers. It was as sweet as she'd imagined.

Drawing him in as the kiss deepened, Ashlee felt the desire grow faster than she'd ever experienced with a guy. Just one kiss with her shirt open, and she was ready for an incredible night. Accepting this was a risk, but there was something about this guy that she couldn't figure out. He was so sweet and pleasant. She felt safe in his arms.

Elwin pulled the shirt over the curve of her shoulders, kissing over her neck. Ashlee's head rolled back, the tips of her hair traced over the bare skin. Pulling her hair free, she tossed the band to the counter and ran her fingers over her scalp.

Making his way lower, Elwin pulled the tight skirt over her hips until they laid around her ankles. Kneeling before her, he looked up at the sublime beauty. Kelleck had picked well, not that Elwin would ever tell him. Ashlee's curved body filled her delicate underwear, creating a desperate need in Elwin. It had been a long time since he'd looked at someone other than Kendall.

Kendall had a lithe frame, somewhat athletic due to her need to thrash the treadmill constantly. Elwin couldn't tell if Ashlee exercised and didn't care, but it appeared as if she looked after herself. The full figure filled him with a burning need to spend hours tracing every curve. She was beautiful. The long brown hair fell around her shoulders, and gentle waves curled down to the tips that touched the lace of her bra. Her bright blue eyes were filled with amusement as she looked down at the man who seemed smitten.

Ashlee reached behind, unclasped the hooks, and tossed her bra aside. With a smirk on her fair face, she stepped out of the skirt and shoes.

Elwin stood, staring at the woman in a G-string as she walked towards the shower. Looking over her shoulder, Ashlee beckoned him without a word or a gesture. Just a demand given with the desire in her eyes.

Rummaging through his toiletry bag, Elwin found the stash that Kelleck had stuffed in it earlier. It was something that Elwin didn't think that he needed now that he wasn't with Kendall anymore. Everything that he'd owned in the past was thrown into the trash.

Stripping down, Elwin wandered into the shower behind the now naked Ashlee. Water rained down over her head and down her back.

She turned and leaned on the cold tiles, taking the complimentary bottle of shower gel. It was poured onto her sternum and then returned to the shelf. The scent of lavender lifted between them, subtle but enough that they could both detect it easily. Elwin took the unspoken offer and smoothed the gel over her chest, lathering the soap as his hands moved.

He didn't stop at her breasts, continuing over her stomach and legs. The soup stain was gone, and Ashlee was turned to face the tiles. Her jaw clenched as her eyes rolled back. One hand on her shoulder was so relieving that she wondered if he was really a masseuse. All Elwin had done was move Ashlee into a better position, but to Ashlee, it felt incredible.

Ashlee's back was covered in a large tattoo. As Elwin pushed into her, he ran his hand up her back, feeling the ridges and lines. Gripping her hips, he began moving slowly at first. Savoring each and every sensation.

Ashlee held the wall for stability as the pace of his thrusts increased. The sensations consumed her, creating a heightened sensitivity. Droplets of water were felt as they crashed against her skin, rolling down her back. Elwin's hand gripped her shoulder again, holding her firmly. The hold was tight, keeping her in place as his hips pounded relentlessly.

The crackled moans that begged Elwin to keep going spurned him on. It crossed Elwin's mind that while sex with Kendall was always good, it was never like this. Never this hedonistic. She enjoyed it, he never doubted how much she craved a moment with him, but it was not raw and full of lust like it was right now. Sex with Kendall was love, in a bizarre way. This was just a tawdry moment in time that was building rapidly, becoming something that he would want again. The new Elwin Rochester had arrived, and he was enjoying his moment of freedom.