The days flew by, and minute by minute, Elijah became a constant to my days, in the likeness that Fall, made its gradual descent into Winter. The mosaics of colorful trees became barren, the grass glistened with semi-frozen dew drops each morning, and the beauty of it all subtly plunged the world into a fantasy-like ambiance.

And I was happy.

"So what you are telling me is that you'd rather be able to walk on water than fly?"

Elijah skated around me, the blades of his shoes making a whipping sound and leaving a trail of ice shavings in his wake. I smiled at his feigned incredulity.

"Yes. Flying would be a nightmare come to life. I haven't even been on an airplane."

My response was almost drowned out by the echo of all the people in the large arena. I looked around as I skated towards him, marveling for the thousandth time that morning at the blue and silver lights twinkling from the ceiling.

When I glanced back at Elijah, he arched an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"I tell no lies."

"I don't know if we can be together anymore."

I rolled my eyes just as the blade of my skate got stuck on a piece of raised ice. A small shriek left my mouth, and my hands flew in front of me, as my body prepared for yet another collision with the floor. But it never happened, my crash course halting, when Elijah pressed me to him, stopping my fall for the millionth time that day.

Thank goodness for small favors.

I scrunched my nose. "You know you wouldn't survive a day without me," I breathed after a moment, my heart slightly faster than usual as I gripped onto his arms.

"You're right about that one."Elijah leaned down, his lips brushing over mine, and lingering. "I still think you are crazy though."

He laughed when I lifted my head.

The dark blue sweater he wore did a perfect job of complimenting his eyes, while his hair curled around the brims of the hat he was wearing. The light that reflected off of his eyes settled in a boyish complacency, softening his features.

"How am I the crazy one? How could you possibly prefer to fly? What if you fell and broke all of your limbs?"

His eyebrows arched quizzically.

"Baby, I would be willing to fall anytime if you are there to catch me."

I couldn't help but laugh. The chance to see him like this, free of any burdens was something I would cherish forever.

"Smooth."

"Thank you."

"Whatever you say, Icarus." I got a grin in response. "How did we start this conversation anyway? It's completely unrealistic." His replying chuckle was deep and rich, as he shrugged his shoulders.

"It can't hurt to dream." Elijah skated away, daring me to try and keep up. It was oddly alluring how well he could hold himself on ice. He turned, eyes on me, as he skated backward.

Show off.

"I don't think it's fair, how great you are at ice skating."

He stopped, making a move to come back over to me. "No, No," I said, pulling my hands to my chest before I shot them back out almost having lost my balance. When I was no longer wobbling I let out a triumphed sigh. "I think I am getting the hang of this."

He looked heavenward, shaking his head with a smile as I held my hands out, trying to steady myself. I glided forward, wobbling dangerously, really doing more of a walk than actually skating. Nevertheless, I managed to stay upright and I grinned at him. He sent one back, causing the butterflies in my stomach to let loose.

"I think I've got it now." I knew I probably looked like a giddy child, but I didn't care.

"See, that wasn't so hard now was it?" He still hadn't left my side, despite my determination to get the hang of this on my own. Probably because he expected that I would fall. I did. Not even ten seconds later.

"This is beginning to become a little painful." Maybe I wasn't getting the hang of it.

I huffed, just as a small girl, wearing a teal tutu, skated past me. She did a small pirouette, landing gracefully on her feet before she continued to skate around the rest of the rink, and sliding to a stop. The girl couldn't have been any older than six years old, yet here I was, a grown adult, in the likeness of a baby who had just learned how to walk.

"Geez, this is embarrassing."

"Just a tad." He pinched his fingers together, leaving a small space between them, and I narrowed my eyes. He just chuckled.

"Well, we all can't be perfect at everything." I tried to get up, holding up my hand when he tried to come to help me. "Oh-no you don't. I got this."

I didn't. All I managed to do was land back on my behind. "Never mind, you can help me. I give up." I threw my hands up in exasperation.

"You are perfect where it counts, Love." He skated over and gripped my arms, helping me up. I nearly slipped again, almost bringing us both down, before I made it up on my two feet again.

"Sorry," I said laughing.

"On second thought," he said, trying to hold in his laughter. "You're right. You and ice-skating should be deemed a safety hazard."

"You know, patronizing me, will only fuel my determination to get the hang of this. Because I will eventually." He only nodded as if I had just stated that I was the queen of England, not bothering to conceal his amusement.

"I preferred when you were telling me I was perfect," I huffed.

"You are perfect." I smiled, still holding on to him, and my eyes trained on my skates as he led us across the ice. "You just maybe shouldn't quit your day job to become a-"

I tapped his arm, narrowing my eyes before he could finish the sentence. He chuckled deeply, pulling me closer.

"Don't worry. You are doing better than most people."

"That is so comforting."

"I try."

I just shook my head, as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders drawing me into his side. Even though we were technically both skating, Elijah was really doing all the work. All i was doing was clutching onto him.

"So how do you know how to skate so well?" I asked as we reached the middle of the rink.

"I played hockey for a while." He did something with his skates, causing him to stop, and I did the same. "I wasn't the best at it, but I learned how to hold my own on the ice."

The heaviness in his voice caused me to glance at him. He was staring at the ice but met my eyes when we stopped skating by the edge of the rink.

"Can you reach in my pocket and grab my phone?"

I did, and my breath caught when I saw who was calling. Elijah's eyebrows furrowed when I flashed the screen at him.

"Maybe it could help to see what he has to say. I know we had this discussion and I am going to be behind whatever you do, but I hate seeing you so upset," I whispered, my mouth curving downward.

The muscle in his jaw contracted, but his thumbs ran across the back of my hand "Maybe it would help if it were someone else calling."

"Maybe he is trying to rebuild that relationship with you," I offered, hoping that my words would trigger a light bulb somewhere. But I was only met with an indifferent expression. One that was reserved for discussions like this. "Just think about it okay? It isn't my place to get in your business but it could be good." I smoothed the edges of his jacket. "It could give you the closure that you need."

He just looked at me, and it was clear that he didn't think that was the case.

"What if I say that I'll think about it?"

A smile tugged at my lips, and I stretched on my toes, kissing the corner of his mouth.

"That is the very first step." His smile this time was more genuine. Elijah nodded, and I let out a breath, before deciding to change the topic, having made my point. "So...Hockey. You never told me that." I steadied myself, clutching the sides of his coat as he brought his hands up, tugging at the hat I was wearing.

"There, that's better." He nodded, with a satisfied expression, before tugging the zipper of my coat up as well. "I didn't play long. Maybe only a year and a half or so. After the crash, I couldn't bring myself to play soccer for the longest time, so I tried out hockey."

His eyes met mine, and I squeezed his arm.

"Well," I said, my breath laying suspended in the air, knowing it was a good time to change the topic, "you are very good for someone who only skated for a year. Or maybe you just seem very good, since I am obviously terrible at it." I glanced around watching people skate by. "I swear I'm falling more than I'm staying upright."

A deep laugh rumbled out of him, and his head dropped into my shoulder. The small smile that played on my lips died down, however, my stomach coiling, when I felt him press his lips to the skin right below my ear. It was small and fleeting, but the whisper of touch sent mellowed sparks throughout my body.

"You know, skating isn't the only thing that I am good at." I swallowed, taking in the deepness of his voice "I'm also good at other things that you might be interested in."

Warmth bloomed through my chest, as I understood the suggestion in his words.

Elijah and I hadn't gone all the way yet. I had been upfront about my wish to wait until marriage. It had been terrifying to finally let him know, but he had said that he would never pressure me into doing anything I wanted to do. Abstinence, however, didn't mean we hadn't done other things.

When he lifted his head, the glint in his eyes told me he knew what he was doing. I wasn't sure where the confidence came from, but on seeing that we hadn't in fact gained the attention of the whole arena, I leaned up on my toes as far as I could without slipping, before pecking at his mouth.

"I can't quite remember those talents," I murmured, purposefully allowing my words to flow airly. "I just might need a reminder,"

Elijah said nothing when I leaned away slowly, his eyes flitting to my mouth, with a flash of heated intensity. Gone was the charming smile, replaced by an expression that had my stomach doing somersaults, and my heart fluttering. He was watching me as if we weren't standing in a skating rink full of people. As if we were the only ones there, and weren't partaking in an event that was purely innocent.

Well...at least it had been innocent.

I gasped when he pulled my body closer, catching myself in his arms.

"Don't tempt me, Love," he grinned, his grip on my waist tightening. "Because I would have you off the ice and in my bed in a heartbeat if it weren't for the fact that you desperately wanted to go ice skating." Goosebumps danced across my skin, waking up a shiver that blanketed me delicately, as his fingers began to trace a sensual line down my arm. "Or I could show everyone right here, just how talented I can be with you. Kill two birds with one stone."

I let out a breath, my cheeks growing hot.

Oh, sweet baby in a manger.

He didn't even bother to whisper it.

It should've been a sin for words like that, to come out of the mouth of a man like him. Especially in public.

My eyes diverted to the people around us, and I locked gazes with a middle-aged woman who was definitly too close to have missed Elijah's words. My embarrassment only flourished when she sent me a wink.

"You can't say things like that out loud," I breathed.

Despite my words, I felt him lean closer, my eyes flying upward. His chin dipped, sturdy hands moving to either side of my neck. I gripped his wrists when his head bowed lower, his lips teasing as they hovered just above mine.

"I had to get the point across. I promise that next time, you won't be able to forget just how good I can be with you."

Holy guacamole. I think I just became pregnant.

"Do you want to get out of here?" I didn't recognize my own voice, the throaty tone giving away how affected I was. But this time I didn't care.

Forget skating. All I had managed to do for the past hour was fall on my behind anyway.

Elijah's gaze remained on mine, dark and full of heat. My knees nearly buckled when a devilish grin flitted over his mouth, and his hand tightened around mine as he turned. I nearly tripped from the swiftness of it all, my blades slipping on the slick ice. A husky chuckle fell from his mouth, vibrating through me.

"Look at you tripping all over me. It's beginning to become a problem."

Heat rushed to my cheeks. "Shut up."

We quickly took off our skates, returning them to the rental booth, before we hustled out to his car. He slammed my door shut, rushing to the driver's side and getting in.

"Geez, it's freezing outside," I muttered when we were both in the car. Elijah turned up the heat before glancing at me, the same fire that had been in his eyes inside the skating rink, present. Instead of responding, he extended his arm, my breath catching when his fingers trailed across my lips.

"You're cold?"

I didn't respond, too focused on his touch as his question rolled over me in the form of a deep whisper. My eyes closed as heat followed behind his movements, as his hand settled gently on the curve of my neck.

"Rowan," he murmured again, his face coming close. "Are you cold, Sweetheart?"

I nodded once.

My answer was all he needed.

A small whimper escaped my mouth when his lips fell upon my gently, my body awakening immediately in response. Elijah tugged me to him and I willingly followed, gripping his arm that rested on the center console, wishing that I could get closer. The kiss was dizzying, sending my head on a rollercoaster of mindless thoughts, each one focused on the feel of him. It lasted for all of two seconds, the limit he set by pulling away almost torturous, yet still leaving me flushed.

His eyes dipped when mine opened, the curve of his mouth sending a burst of desirous anticipation through me.

"Are you warmer now?" All I could do was nod, unable to speak as my heart pounded in my chest. He sent me a devilish grin before, brushing his thumb over my lips. "Come on sweetheart, let's get you home."

I didn't protest.

We made it to his place in record time, my feet moving swiftly as I sprinted out of the cold and to his apartment as fast as I could.

"Is Cole here?" I asked when he pushed the door open, slipping off my shoes and relishing in the warmth that dropped down upon me. My fingers were still frozen, and my toes were icicles.

"No. He's with Amelia."

I grinned at that.

"I can't wait until they finally announce that they are together. They are not fooling anybody." I took my gloves off and started to unzip my coat when I was turned around swiftly. My keys jingled as they crashed to the floor. "Elijah-"

Lips crashed down on mine, fervently and I gasped, the invasion of his mouth against mine not at all unwanted. He gave me no time to react, his lips parting and inviting mine.

"Enough about them. I've got some reminding to do."

The husk in his voice and the warmth of his touch were enough to stir up the dull burn that always lingered in my core, waiting for him. He wasted no time in bringing his lips back to mine, with a force that caused my knees to cave, my body molding with his as he stole my oxygen.

I didn't care though. I didn't need to breathe.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, as he continued the burning assault against my lips, his fervency whisking away my thoughts. Everything else in the world fell away as he claimed me with his slow deliberate movements, pulling my body flush against him.

It wasn't just his lips on mine or the strength that was in his arms and in his touch, that had me craving his closeness. It was much more than that, every inch of me being completely and soulfully entrapped in everything that was him.

I never knew that touch could be so gentle, yet so demanding. I hadn't known that the feel of him against me could be so scorching, yet cause a shiver to ripple through me all the same.

"I have been waiting for this." His hand closed gently around my waist, and he squeezed it lightly. His warm breath painted my lips, the scent of spice folding over me as he kissed the corner of my mouth. His eyes met mine, the irises lit up with a fire that stole my breath away. "That car ride was too damn long."

I took a deep breath, our eyes locked, as his hands traveled downwards, a sensual river forming as his touch lingered between my midsection my waist. He stepped in slowly, his mouth returning to mine torturously slow. I sighed.

He hummed in response, the vibrations running through me as he traced kisses down my neck, each one like a homing beacon for my hormones. I shuddered when he planted his lips below my ear, my body to go weak. The kiss was barely there, as light as the caress of a feather.

But boy did I feel it.

My fingers trailed up his back, as I appreciated the valleys that were there, admiring the swirls of ink that curled intricately across his skin. Elijah's head lifted, eyes meeting mine, when I began to trace the defined ridges of his midsection, his body tensing as my name left his mouth in a hushed whisper.

"Hell, Love," he whispered raspily, against my lips, the vibrations from his words running through me.

If he was holding back before, he wasn't now. Electricity sparked through the air, flowing to my toes, and destroying my sense of time and space as he backed me against the wall. Another low hum rumbled from his chest when I arched my back, his hands slipping underneath the hem of my shirt and teasing my skin.

There was kissing and there was this.

Kissing was gentle. Sweet. Placid.

This was not a kiss.

He ravished me as if competing for the very air that I breathed, each consecutive pull of his mouth drawing me further and further into him. It was a tug of war, my lips chasing his, and his sweeping over mine as if playing for keeps. My toes curled and sensation surged, hitting the deepest parts of me in a wave of lava-like heat.

I felt the need.

The want.

The care.

I buried my hands into his hair, curling my fingers and tugging gently.

"Rowan."

My name was muffled on his lips, but I heard it nonetheless, every inch of my body responding, begging to be touched by him. His hands traveled down my sides, stopping at the swell of my hips before moving in between us.

He latched on to the zipper of my coat, tugging it down slowly, his eyes meeting mine and followed by a smile that made my knees go weak. I inhaled in anticipation as he pushed the coat off completely, before bringing his hands back to my waist.

Then his lips were on mine again, his movements more slow and gentle than they had been before. Each kiss was deliberate and strategically placed as if he were trying to brand me, the searing burn of his lips marking me as his. He took a step forward, his body pressing against me.

A small breathy sound rose through me, embarrassment rising through me before it was squashed when he kissed me harder. He squeezed my hips, pulling away for a brief moment.

He squeezed my waist in a silent demand. "I've got you."

Too preoccupied with watching the movements of his lips, I did what I was told, his grip tightening around my waist as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

Elijah started walking backward, in the direction of the couch, before stopping. As if thinking better, he headed towards his room, pushing open his bedroom door, and stilling when we made it to his bed. I slowly slid down, every inch of us brushing together, leaving nothing left to the imagination.