"Close your eyes."

"Really Swan, is that necessary?"

"Killian…"

"Okay, okay, they're closed."

She carried the plate gingerly to the couch, not wanting the candle to blow out as she walked. Settling carefully down next to him, she smiled as his hand sought her knee behind his closed eyes, giving her a light squeeze once he found it.

"Okay, you can open them now."

Killian's gaze went to her first, causing tingles to run down her spine as she took in the expression of complete adoration behind his eyes. She watched as he turned to her coffee table to get a look at her creation, hoping he hadn't gotten his hopes up for something as detailed as the bathtub cake. She had opted for a simple chocolate cake with strawberry filling, but she'd coated the whole thing in a dark chocolate ganache, topped off with a cluster of white and milk chocolate covered strawberries. The bottom of the circle cake was decorated with champagne flavored buttercream swirls to add just a bit of flair.

"Emma, this looks absolutely decadent. How did you know I was a sucker for chocolate and strawberries?"

"I have my sources."

"Something tells me I owe that brother of mine another thank you, don't I?"

"Considering he seems to have told me the truth, it looks like you do."

Killian leaned over and placed a gentle kiss to her lips before looking back over to the cake. "Thank you, love."

"Make a wish so we can eat this thing, will ya?"

"No need."

"What? You have to!"

He turned to face her fully, reaching for both of her hands before giving her a somewhat shy smile.

"You're going to think me a completely cheesy bugger for saying this, but…I have everything I could ever wish for just being here with you, Emma."

Seriously? She took in the completely honest look on his face and didn't quite know how to process it. Opting to distract herself with his lips instead of responding, she reached forward and crooked her finger into his shirt and pulled him towards her. Obviously unprepared for that reaction, he almost toppled the cake as he swung his arm up to cradle her head. She had a quick second to make sure the candle hadn't lit something on fire before his mouth crashed into hers and all coherent thought was no longer attainable.

His upper body was pushing her further into the back of the couch as his lips devoured hers. All the pent up energy that had been building since they'd packed up their picnic and drove back to her apartment was now pouring out of them both in a rush. Her hands were clawing at his shirt buttons, desperate to feel more of his skin as his mouth moved to her neck, long fingers tugging unceremoniously at the collar of her sweater. She let out a groan of satisfaction once she had worked a few more of his buttons open and she could run her fingers along his chest and down his abs. He abandoned her collar at that and she was suddenly being lifted by his strong hands under her backside and set down on his lap, her legs now straddling his waist. She barely had a moment to catch her breath before his hands were tugging her sweater up and over her head in a rush of fabric. She leaned forward and grasped his head, digging her fingers through his hair as their mouths met in a wild, uncontrolled kiss, both trying to breathe without losing contact with each other.

She broke first, releasing his bottom lip from her teeth as she pulled back far enough to rest her hands on his chest to steady herself. He was breathing heavily, his blue eyes almost black as he looked up at her from his position underneath her legs. In a brief moment of clarity she remembered the open flame and peered over her shoulder at the cake, seeing the candle burnt almost down to the frosting. She tightened her thighs around his waist and leaned back to blow out the candle, producing a rather loud groan from Killian as the move brought their hips into excruciatingly perfect alignment.

"Emma…god, get back here."

Candle extinguished, Emma leaned back up and steadied her hands on his chest again, fingernails digging slightly into his skin. Finally allowing herself to get a good look at him, she shook her head, fully realizing that her earlier assumption was correct. Seeing Killian Jones shirtless was definitely more than she could handle.

"Seeing something you like, love?"

His hands wound behind her and into her back jean pockets, pulling her further into him with a gentle tug. It was her turn to moan aloud, running her hands through the hair on his chest to up around his neck as she leaned back down to rest her forehead against his.

"Not bad. I'd think I'd like the view better from my bed though."

"Bloody hell. I like the way you think, love."

Feeling completely awash with passion and power and just so many emotions that she couldn't see straight, Emma slid off his lap and stood up on somewhat shaky legs. She reached down to grab his hand, hauling him up and forward, almost knocking herself into the coffee table with the force of it. He caught her about the waist as he stood, kissing her soundly as she regained her balance.

He pulled back a bit from her mouth, a tender expression beginning to take over the lust filled daze he'd been in just seconds earlier. She felt his hand softly caress her cheek as he took her in, seeming to be searching her face for something.

"Emma, are you sure? I want this more than you can imagine, but we don't have to rush into…"

She silenced him with a finger to his lips, drawing his eyes to hers.

"Killian, you're not the only one falling here. I know this thing between us has happened ridiculously fast, but I'm not interested in questioning it." She moved her finger from his lips down to the last remaining button on his shirt, working it open. As soon as it was free she reached up and slid her hands from his shoulders down his arms, removing his shirt completely as she did. "Are you?"

Before his shirt had even hit the ground, his arms were around her hips, lifting her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. She knew he was strong, but damn that was a sexy move. His lips were hot on her neck as he walked them to her bedroom, stopping once along the hallway so he could lean her against the wall and peel her t-shirt from her body. The minute skin met skin, everything became a bit of a blur of clothes and kisses and touch as they finally found her bed in a tangle of limbs.

They were too lost in each other for much finesse, passion fueling their need to just allow the fire that had built up all night to burn hot and fast. They were both breathless when they reached their peak together; hands clasped tightly above Emma's head on the pillow, sheets knotted helplessly at their feet. When he leaned in to kiss her, Emma felt something inside her crack open wide and she clung to his lips, drowning in everything that was Killian. He made her feel so loved and beautiful and wanted and she needed to show him that he was all of those things to her, too. She took advantage of his sated state, lithely reversing their positions, and proceeded to spend the next few hours doing just that.

Sometime around 2 a.m. she heard his muffled voice from the pillow mutter something about cake. He was face down, one arm draped around her waist, completely spent.

"What was that?"

He turned his head to face her, a brilliant smile taking over his sleepy expression.

"I think it's time we ate some of that cake, love. We certainly worked up an appetite."

"God yes, I'm starving. Stay here, I'll go get it."

His arm tightened around her waist briefly before letting her go. She could feel his eyes burning into her back as he watched her leave the room, obviously enjoying the fact that she didn't feel the need to grab a sheet to cover up. After what they had just finished doing, modesty was completely out the window.

Emma almost slipped on her shirt in the hallway, barely catching herself against the wall as she laughed at the ridiculousness of the moment. Spying his shirt on the floor, she made her way over and slipped her arms through the sleeves, inhaling his scent as it enveloped her. She reached down and buttoned just two of the buttons, knowing it would drive him crazy seeing her in it. After grabbing a glass of water for them to share, she grabbed the cake and forks and made her way back into the bedroom.

He was sitting up now, sheets pooled around his waist, making her hungry for something other than cake as she took him in. His reaction to her wearing his shirt was mirroring hers, she was sure, and she stopped in her tracks at the edge of the bed.

"No. We are taking a break and eating cake."

He cocked his eyebrow at her, running his tongue along his lower lip as he continued to disregard the cake entirely. It took every ounce of restraint she had to stand there and not take the bait, delicious as he was making it look. After almost a full minute he relented with a pout, reaching out for the glass of water and forks so she could maneuver herself and the cake into the bed next to him. He patted the minimal space between them in a silent invitation for her to get closer, which she did, pressing her shoulder flush against his. Balancing the cake on their thighs, she pulled one of the strawberries from the top and held it up in front of him.

"Birthday boy gets the first bite."

They watched each other as his lips closed over the berry, chocolate and strawberry juice landing on his chest from what he didn't get into his mouth. He leaned his head back against the headboard as he chewed, a look of pure pleasure taking over his features. It was one she had come to recognize quite well over the course of the evening, and well, she blamed that look for why she did what she did next. Holding on to the cake with her hand, she leaned over and found the bits of chocolate that had fallen with her tongue, giving his chest a lingering kiss as she straightened back up.

His breath had gone shallow and she was met with midnight blue eyes, immediately telling her that she was definitely in trouble.

'Seriously, love? You really expect me to not ravish you after that?"

She gave him her best innocent smile, knowing it was futile, but she had to get the cake to a safe place before he lunged. He was quicker than her, grabbing the cake and setting it on the nightstand on his side of the bed, sending the water glass flying to the floor in his haste. She squealed as he pounced, pinning her underneath him as his lips began their torturous assault of her neck and down further and further….

They eventually shared the cake over breakfast.

"Wow, you're really late. The first batch of muffins is already baking and….wait…OH MY GOD! Emma Swan, you totally got some last night!"

Emma couldn't shake the smile that had been plastered on her face since she had kissed Killian goodbye at her door an hour ago. Ruby was obviously seeing it, as well as the love bites and scruff burn she hadn't even attempted to hide on her neck. It was only the sheer adrenalin of being head over heels in love that was keeping her standing at the moment though, as 2 hours of sleep after a night of mind-blowing sex was a bit exhausting.

She collapsed on the stool before turning her tired smile towards Ruby's impatient gaze.

"Yep, sex-on-a-stick. Or maybe a 2X4 would be a better description?"

"Emma, you are my new hero. You have to tell me everything. Don't hold back."

"Ruby! This wasn't just some random hook-up. You are not getting those kinds of details."

"Fine, fine….I'll settle for just a few tiny morsels then. You have to, Emma, I haven't seen Victor for days and I'm dying over here."

The phone on the wall rang at that moment and Emma went to answer it, laughing at Ruby's groan of annoyance at being interrupted.

"Swan Bakery."

"Just making sure you made it to work after I left, love."

Of course he would be calling her right now. He had to continue his run of perfection just a tad bit longer, making her fall even more in love with him by each passing second.

"I'm here. Not awake or able to move my limbs fully, but I'm here."

"If it makes you feel any better, I fell asleep in the shower."

"It does, it really does."

"Good to hear. I'll let you get back to Ruby now, love, as I'm sure she's peppering you with questions already."

"Started about 10 seconds after I walked in..." Emma looked over at Ruby who was whisking batter, clearly listening in to their conversation.

"Well, be sure to embellish as you see fit, love."

"No need, Killian, no need at all."

Her cheeks were flaming red after uttering that confession, but she didn't care.

"Oh really, Swan? Well, let me say that you far surpassed my wildest dreams as well, love."

Emma was about to respond when the phone was suddenly ripped from her grasp. She stood in shock, watching as Ruby lifted it up to her ear.

"Okay, loverboy, I'm taking Emma back now. You're cutting into my gossip time. Swing by here after work so I can get a look at you. Need to make sure you're good enough for my girl here."

Emma wished she could hear what was being said on the other end of the line, but whatever it was, it caused Ruby to laugh. She said goodbye to Killian and handed the phone back to Emma.

"Love, you still there?"

"Uh, yeah. Sorry about that. I'll be killing my best friend in a few minutes, so if you know of any good lawyers, make sure you have them on speed dial."

Killian's deep laugh was a welcome sound. Seeing that he wasn't fazed by Ruby in the slightest was a really good sign of how well he was going to fit into her life.

"No need to commit murder on my behalf, love. I'm happy you have her, Emma, she obviously loves you. I look forward to meeting her tonight. Okay, I've really got to get to work before I'm late. I'll be thinking of you, love."

"Me too, Killian. See you later."

Emma hung the phone up on the wall and wheeled around to glare at Ruby.

"You are so dead."

A/N: I hope this was worth all the build up. I had to keep it in bounds, seeing as this fic is T rated. It was tough, trust me. ;) Expect one more chapter after this and an epilogue. Thanks as always for the feedback!