Warning: Rated M for sexual content and strong language. Please be advised before reading.

A/N: Thank you all for your continued love.

Chapter 14

Mark

Mark cursed to himself at how out of hand he had gotten with Lexie. His inability to control himself around her was a serious problem, when he was nothing but always in control.

He just couldn't take it anymore. The way she would look at him, bit her lip, him seeing the wheels in motion in her mind as she secretly—not so secretly—undressed him with her eyes. The way she would make these little gasps or throaty moans.

When she had asked him about Addison, he saw that same primal need in her to make him hers as he had been fighting for her since he laid eyes on her. He couldn't fight that need to want to touch her in everyway possible, and constantly pushing him further off the edge, finally made him snap.

The way her body responded to him. He was so sure after he brought her to the brink of her orgasm in the parking lot, that her body was made for him. He had been with plenty of women, but he had never seen a reaction, a connection like he had with Lexie with any other women. He himself hadn't had this possessive reaction, this own need within himself to have her the way he wanted her.

He liked her like this. Untamed, wild, and heaty from his touches. At the hospital, she always seemed so put together, her hair neatly up in a bun or in a scrub cap. Her outfit the same uniform day in and day out. Now, her hair loose and down her back, he couldn't stop running his fingers through it. She was beyond any wild fantasy he could have ever conjured up in his mind. All he looked forward to now, was stripping her of every last article of clothing and pinning her beneath him. Making her his in the most primal way he knew how.

He drove as quickly as he could, forgetting to obey any traffic laws and speeds. He was an FBI agent, he would get himself out of any ticket, and god help the cop that tried to pull him over as he tried to race home to get her out of those clothes and naked as soon as possible. He didn't know how much longer he could survive without being inside of her.

She was quiet in the seat next to him, and part of him worried that both of them had taken it too far, that they let the need of their lust take over, and now that maybe she regretted it. Her hands were in her lap, her eyes look down at them, and the silence was killing him.

"Lex…"

He eyes snapped up so quickly it was his turn to have his breath taken away. The desire was still burning there and there was no ounce of regret in those beautiful brown eyes.

"I don't regret it, Mark. I wanted it. I still want it. I want more. I want you," she said weakly, her words still coming out in a pant, her cheeks still sporting a redden look.

He reached out for her hand, placing a kiss on the back of it, before his foot hit the accelerator, pushing the SUV to go faster. When they had finally gotten back to his home, the only thing on both of their minds was getting up to his room and stripping each other of all their clothes.

This wasn't like him to think of anything other than sex. He never wanted anything more then just the instant gratification of a release with a fine-looking woman and then get back to what needed his focus. With Lexie, he liked her. Like wasn't even the word to describe whatever it was that was going on in his chest, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was he was feeling. He just knew he wanted her.

"Boss!"

Mark didn't stop, Lexie's hand in his. "Not now," he growled.

"Mark!"

Mark came to a stop, when he heard Derek's sharp call to his name. Lexie's feet faltered in front of her, but it was his strong grasp, that kept her from falling, holding her a little closer to his side. He tried to push down his frustration at their interruption. He had made sure that he took care of everything he needed to, so they had not been interrupted, but the look on his best friend's face was a mixture of sorrow for having to interrupt, and a silent warning that it couldn't be ignored.

"Hey, Little Grey," Derek said, offering a quick smile in her direction.

Mark could see the blush rising to her cheeks as she tucked a stray of hair behind her ear. No doubt in her mind she was thinking that everyone could read on their faces what they had done and what they were about to do.

"What is it?" Mark snapped.

"The families want to meet…tonight," he answered.

He gritted his teeth, his response sharp. "They don't get to decide that. I decide that."

Derek's face looked over to Lexie again no doubt understanding why he was suddenly pissed off that his job was coming in the way of something he wanted. He closed his eyes, realizing why he had his rule of no personal attachments in the first place. Before Lexie, he wouldn't have even balked at needing to take a meeting if he hadn't been the one to request it, because that was his job. It was what was needed. Now that he had Lexie, the battle for which was more important was already happening.

It wasn't a contest. He would want her to win every time, but with what had happened recently with his assignation attempt, and now the attack on Addison's place, he had no choice to have this meeting. Derek saw the understanding reach his expression, Mark's own hand still squeezing Lexie's reassuringly. He could feel that she was getting ready to pull away and that made him antsy.

He turned to Lexie, his voice low and guarded. "Lex, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to deal with this," he said regretfully.

She frowned but nodded. She was putting on a brave face, but he could see her own disappointment that what they had wanted to do was going to be delayed. She had no idea how much he was raging inside that he was having to walk away from her and what he had planned to do to her all night.

"I understand," she said.

"There's one more thing," said Derek. Mark turned to look back at him and he knew he wasn't going to like what he was going to say. "Addison is here. She's waiting for you. She wants a word on the drive over before you all meet."

This time he felt Lexie try to pull away, but he wouldn't let her. He hadn't been lying about Addison meaning nothing to him and that nothing had happen between them—even though Addison tried at every opportunity to do what she could to get in his pants. His frustration was growing with her that she seemed to keep popping up in his life when he really didn't—or hadn't—wanted her too.

As if on cue, that door to the front of his home opened, and he cursed again, because he knew without even a step, it was Addison Montgomery that was coming through that door.

It had been less than a week since he left the hospital and assured himself that he would be able to keep both his work and Lexie separate, and he already failed. He knew when Addison saw that coat in his closet that she had put two pieces together that he was involved with someone. Now, she was going to come face to face to Lexie and all of his worst fears about bending his rule of no personal attachments was going to bite him in the ass.

He turned, slowly, his hand still in Lexie's positioning her so that she was now behind him versus directly next to him. Derek moved to the other side of Lexie, using some of his own body to block her. It did nothing to stop the green eyes of Addison Montgomery to look over in her direction, her eyes narrowing as she securitized her from head to toe.

He tried to keep his posture relaxed, but as her eyes traveled to their intertwined hands, a new glower was sent in Lexie's direction, making the anger in him start to simmer to the top and threaten to boil over.

"Markie," she cooed coming up to him giving him fake air kisses from left to right with a little distance away. "Who's your new pet?"

His words came out like a warning growl. "Addison…"

"It's ok darling…we should be properly introduced."

"She was just leaving," Mark said, his voice without question.

He looked away from Addison and back at Lexie pleading with his eyes for her not to let this get into her head. That he was only doing what he was doing for her safety and for his cover. She swallowed and nodded, but he could see that she was having a hard time trying to believe it.

"She doesn't need to leave on my account. I would love for us to get to know each other better," Addison said, a devilish look in her eyes.

"Derek!" Mark called.

Derek looked over at him, but his eyes were on Lexie. "Make sure she gets home safely," he demanded.

"Yes, boss," he answered quickly.

He gave her one final squeeze of her hand and then regretfully had to let go. She looked at him, her mouth opening as if she wanted to say something, but then closed it.

"Come with me," Derek said towards her, pulling her attention from him.

Lexie turned towards Derek, and even though he wanted her to look back, to have one opportunity to tell her with his eyes that this wasn't the end for them, that this wasn't what he wanted to happen, he still had a job to complete.

He turned back to see Addison's gaze on him, her eyes flickering back between Lexie's retreating form and his. His patience with the Italian crime lord was slipping more and more.

"Why are you here?" he snapped.

She clucked her tongue. "Considering that someone just took a hit at my territory today, I wanted to make sure that you are taking it just as seriously." she clapped back.

"Don't," he warned. "Don't question me. It won't go well for you," he growled.

"Don't get mad at me when I am trying to protect you. You think I am out of line; you wait until the rest pester you with the questions they have. They are starting to question whether you still have what it takes to lead us into the future," she said.

"Then let's get this over with. I will not tolerate anymore of this for much longer."

His driver; Paul, pulled the car around for him to climb in. He tried to hide his annoyance with Addison choosing to jump into his car instead of driving herself separately. If she was looking to try and show the rest of the crime lords that she had some upper hand over the others, her play was a smart move. If it hadn't been for the fact that someone did specifically go after her territory as a deliberate set up, he would have insisted she go her own way.

She slid in next to him, their hands almost touching. He pulled his hand away, so that he placed both hands on his upper thighs and knees.

"Are you going to tell me who she is?"

His response was curt. "No."

Her gaze turned skeptical as she looked at him. "You seem smitten with her. I've never seen you look that smitten; Katherine included."

"She's nothing," he lied, trying not to cringe as he said the words. "I don't dig into your personal life, so stay out of mine."

Her lips turned into a pout, her eyes looked out of the window as the car pulled out of his home and headed towards the meeting area where they always met securely as an entire crime organization. One that he made sure the FBI always had opportunity to listen in and obtain information.

"I say this because I care," she tried again, her voice softer this time, "do what you must, enjoy your time, but then let her go. You and I both know we don't get the luxury of what we want."

He sighed, instead of lashing out again, because of anyone she did have some understanding. Ever since the alliance between her mother and father, it had created a partnership between the Irish and the Italians. When her father passed away, his transfer of power to her came with a price. She was to marry someone from the Irish clan to maintain the alliance.

Each side had fought for so long even with the unspoken alliance between them, each trying to determine who would have the overall say in business decisions and neither one of them wanting to acquiesce their role. Unless, Addison married someone from within—or found a better opportunity for advantage and power—like him, the opportunity for her to just marry on her own was not an option.

The meeting would take place at the same location it always did. The leader of the Japanese; the location listed and funneled through many different investment firms that it was never linked back to any of the crime lords—or so they thought.

Paul opened the door, letting both Mark and Addison slide out. They strode inside, all of the other crime lords there and waiting. A few heads turned in their direction at seeing him and Addison together. The personal side in him wanted to callout and correct they were not together, but if what Derek and Addison said about the meeting being called to question on his leadership, he needed to show as much unity amongst his own.

All the whispers in the room had died down as soon as he strode over to his seat and stared at each one of them directly. He made sure to let his gaze linger on each of his bosses making sure they understood that he was the one that kept everything going. He was the one to make sure that he kept the Feds off their back, and he was the one to make the lot rich and have what they have.

Respect through fear.

"Let's sit and get to the bottom of your concerns and business," Mark said.

The meeting had lasted over two hours, but Mark proved once again why he was tasked to be the crime lord of Seattle. He had done his due diligence in the last day and had tied up loose ends. The only thing he was still working on was who was possibly behind Addison's restaurant being vandalized, and already the FBI was coming through with possible leads. Leads that he shared roughly out in the open.

All of his bosses seemed to be pleased with his knowledge and inner workings on things as well as how profitable their entire overall organization had been in the last quarter. He had gone through their contacts and runs securing their operation was in stellar standing. Not one of his bosses mentioned his ability to lead. In fact, he received considerable praise from his crime bosses Chun Lee of China, Daiki Fujisawa of Japan.

The only one who still seemed to have a hard time hiding his emotions was Dimitri Belsky. After the verbal beat down to him directly and the blow to his operation as well as having to hand over five of his men that were now in FBI custody in interrogation. He was adamant that his organization had nothing to do with Addison's restaurant being destroyed, and Mark believed it. The evidence was too perfect, and too squeaky clean to make it seem that Russian's were the culprit.

Mark concluded the meeting, making sure that each walked away with knowing their expectations and being in a good place. For now, as he always did, he had everything under control.

"You were amazing as always," Addison uttered as the room started to file out.

"I have to get going Addison. I trust Gianni will see you back safely," he replied curtly.

She started at him a little longer than he liked. "Are you going to see her?"

"I told you in the car, not to bring it up again. It is none of your business," he hissed.

Addison leaned into him, her voice turning colder. "She's trouble for you. She's exactly what could be your downfall."

"Enough!" he snapped. She had enough sense to balk backwards taking a step away from him as if he had either just slapped her or pushed her away. "Do not broach this subject with me again."

She gritted her teeth, not even bothering to hide her anger. "I want an update on what you find, boss."

Her shoulder bumped into his as her hips swayed left and right more forcefully—no doubt as means to get his attention—but he didn't even bother to look.

Derek returned to the room, looking behind him at Addison as she gave him a wink, and blew him a kiss before she sashayed out of their view.

"That woman is fire," he whistled, turning back to his friend. "Sounds like the meeting went well."

Mark nodded. "For now. I've got some thing for us to review."

Mark had Derek drive with him on the way back. As they got in the car, Mark turned to Paul giving him Lexie's address once he asked if they were headed back to the mansion.

"You're going there now?" Derek asked.

"I owe her an apology," he ground out. "She wasn't supposed to get caught up in my world, and less than a week of being with me and Addison already has seen her."

"She doesn't know her name though," he argued.

He blew out a long breath, leaning back against the seat, rubbing his temples. He had been on edge ever since he had gotten back to the house with Lexie and had to leave her as he did.

"She doesn't need it. I need a tail on Addison. She will have Lexie followed. It's all she talked about on the way to the meeting and then afterwards before you showed back up. She's threatened by Lexie, and you and I both know that is not a good combination."

Derek shot him a questioning gaze. "A tail?"

"Derek…"

"Alright," he said, putting his hands up indicating he was backing off the subject.

"Did…did you get her back safely?"

Derek's head dipped, his expression turning flabbergasted at the question. "Ask me a serious question."

He let out an exasperated sigh. "Was…was she ok?"

He held his breath, his chest tightening at the thought that after today, she would realize this was too much for her and she would not want to see him again. Even now, as Paul was driving him back over to her place, he was terrified—something he had never been before—that when he knocked on her door, she would slam it in his face and utter that she didn't want to see him again. It's probably what she should do, but the actual thought of that happening made him feel nothing but cold dread throughout his body.

"She handled it well," he answered. "She was mostly worried about you. I assured her that you would be fine. You always are." Derek paused as the silence lingered. "She's stronger than you think," he said.

"I know that," he replied his earlier anger coming back to the surface.

"Then what's the problem?" Derek wasn't even in the least effected by his outburst.

He looked out the window as he recognized the familiar scenery knowing they were close to her place. "I'm afraid at any moment she is going to realize that I am not worth all of this," he admitted.

Derek grinned. "Something tells me that these Grey's sisters are nothing like what we have ever encountered before."

Mark couldn't agree more with his friend. As the SUV came to a stop outside of her rather lackluster apartment complex, Mark hopped out of the car.

"Do you want us to drop you off a ride for when you want to come home?" Derek asked.

Mark shook his head. "I'll just catch a cab."

He shut the door, and waited until Paul drove off, before looking up at the complex. He didn't like that Lexie lived here. Not because he was some snob, but because he had pulled up the crime stats in this area and it was already high on burglary and murder. While he could understand her need to live here as a intern and even a resident, she made more that enough money as an attending to get a nicer place. He would make it his business to get her to a nicer and more secure place. Especially now that she could be linked to him.

He entered the building, whose buzzer security system was also less than to be desired, having to take the stairs since the elevator had a piece of yellow tape indicating it was out of order. He wondered if this was why Lexie had been so adamant before to have met him outside instead of letting him up to her place.

He stood at her door for a minute, preparing himself before he knocked. Derek had told him that she had been ok, but he knew better. She would put on a brave face for Derek, but she couldn't hide her emotions and feelings from him. She had made it clear she was not a fan of Addison. He couldn't blame her. He would be just as unhappy if any men were hanging around her knowing they were clearly interested.

He knocked on the door, her voice filling the apartment as she called out "just a minute," before he heard the chain fall from the door and the bolt unclick.

Her eyes widen, her mouth falling open, as she stood there, him looming over her. "Wh—what are you doing here?" she asked after recovering from her shock.

"May I come in?"

She didn't answer him right away, and he tried to mash back down the panic. He registered her hesitation was the actual apartment when she looked away from him and the rest of her place, before looking back up to him. He could give a rat's ass about her apartment and if it was small or less then desirable. He wouldn't even care if she was messy, right now he just wanted to be with her and hopefully finished what they had started earlier.

He didn't realize how much he needed her until now that she was standing in front of him.

She finally relented, opening the door wider and stepping aside. He walked in without any hesitation in the event she might immediately change her mind and ask him to leave. He tried not to let his eyes linger on the fact that she was only dressed in a pair of sweats hanging low on her hips and a spaghetti strap shirt only using the built-in bra. Her nipples were already starting to harden in the few seconds since he had laid eyes on her. Holy hell.

He forced his eyes to look up, and when he did, that same desire and heat from earlier on their date was reflected in her eyes. She tried to hide it, to push it back, but it was there. She too hadn't forgotten what they had done hours before and what they had planned to do before they had been interrupted.

"How was your meeting?"

He could sense that something was off with her. She was holding back from him and he had sense it was because of the fact that yet again, Addison had interrupted their date together. If it wasn't just his work, it was a combination of both work or Addison. He hated that something was always seeming to get in the way.

The smart thing to do would be that he should walk away to keep her completely safe, but he was utterly helpless to resist her. He needed her like he needed his next breath. She had told them the last time they had met she was worried he would want to walk away, but he couldn't now even if he tried.

"The meeting went well. Better than expected." he paused. "I'm sorry about us getting interrupted. I'm sorry, about Addison."

She gave him a slow nod. He could tell there was more there behind her eyes that she was trying to force back, but she couldn't. Even if she tried, he would read her anyway.

"Why didn't you tell me about her?" she blurted.

He stared at her for a long time, rubbing the back of his neck trying to determine what he was going to say. He had made it clear to her that there were many things about his job and operation that prevented him from telling her…but this wasn't so much about the job and the fact that Addison clearly wanted something with him.

"Because I was afraid you would think there is something there that isn't," he said at last.

He watched the emotions play out on her face. He watched her frown that she hadn't believed it. Her expression transformed with hope that he was telling the truth—because he was—and that something wasn't there—at least on his end—and that would make her want to run, especially when things were still so new.

She shook her head sadly. "Maybe…maybe you were right back in the hospital when you talked about your job and the risk of personal attachments."

He stepped forward, suddenly feeling like everything was getting ready to fall apart and he couldn't handle that. He had dealt with almost dying after hours of brutally being beaten, to lose her now. He had just had to deal with being questioned and coming up with different strategies to keep the operation going and being successful. None of that compared to the pain he would feel if she walked away from him. Sent him packing.

She started to back away with each step he took forward until her back hit the counter separating the living room area and her kitchen. Normally, he would never ever think about cornering a woman who clearly wanted space, but something was snapping inside of him. Fear. He couldn't let her walkway. He was so sure that despite everything…despite all his worries and fears inside…together they were worth it.

"Don't say that," he said softly.

Her lips twisted into a perplexed expression. "Your job…your operation…I'm just getting in the way."

He took a few steps forward until their bodies were almost touching. He put each of his hands out until they were on her counter, keeping her completely caged in so she couldn't escape.

"I don't give a shit." He captured her eyes with his, trying to convey all the way to her soul, that what he was saying was the honest truth. "I don't care about any of it if there is no you."

She swallowed. He could see it in her face that she believed what he was saying was true. Her hands came up to rest on his chest, but it wasn't the loving stroke he was anticipating, it was to try and push him away.

"Nine years, Mark. All of your life. Everything you worked so hard for. I can't be the person that gets in the way of that. I can't be a disruption or complication. And Addison…"

His left hand came to grasp her wrists on his chest, so he was now pressed against her firmly, absolutely no space between them as her chest and breasts met the hardness of his chest. There was an intake of her breath that was making him crazy, because even though she was trying to push him away, her body and he dared say her heart were screaming something different.

"I think it's my choice to say whether you are a disruption or a complication worth taking. I'm willing to take it. Because I want you. No buts. No ands. I just want you." He waited until her eyes that were looking down at her wrists held by him were now looking into his eyes. "I'm not going to lie to you that it terrifies me that Addison has seen you. I know she will do everything she can to try and find out about you, because of me. If I wasn't a complete and utter bastard, I would walk away now so that you would be safe and never have to see me again or anyone from my dangerous world…"

"But…"

The single word was soft and low, but it was there. It was in her eyes that she was hoping that even as she was trying to push him away there was a way it could still work.

"But…I have to hear it from you. Right now. Tell it to me directly. If you don't want me, if you don't want to deal with all the baggage that comes with me, then tell me now and I will walk right back out that door, and I swear to you I am gone. You will never have to see me again. Never have to worry about my life interfering with yours."

All this time, he had been the one to decide how things would go. When they first met, when he tried to push her away by hurting her. When she wanted to help, but he had told her no. All of these decisions he had made for her. This time, he was giving her the ability to make the decision. To give her the out if she really wanted it. She just had to tell him.

Her eyes looked at her wrists again, his hands squeezing gently to tell her it was ok. Whatever decision she would make…it was ok. If it was asking him to leave, it would feel like his feet were trapped in cement as he walked away, but he would do it. He would fall apart later if that were her decision.

Her eyes looked up and over his shoulder at the door, as he held his breath. The fear inside him crippling him because as the silence lingered on, he was sure it was going to be the answer he didn't like. She looked up at him, and then away. He wasn't going to let her off this easy. He asked for direct. He wasn't going to let her say the words to him without looking him in the eyes while she shattered his heart.

He released one of her wrists, reaching up for her chin, bringing it back so she was looking him directly in the eyes. His silent question was there again. What was it she wanted to do about their relationship? Her lips fell open, but the words weren't coming from her mouth. He gave it one last shot.

"If you want to know what I really think…I think even after everything you know, everything you have seen, it scares the hell out of you that you still want this as much as the first time you realized you did."

Her chest was still pinned against his, but he could feel it straining now that her breath was coming faster. He could feel her heart thundering under his own, each matching the intensity of their feelings.

Her lips stayed parted, never saying a word. It was killing him slowly. He did the one thing he finally felt he needed to do. He leaned down and ever so gently grazed her lips with his. She stiffened at first. He held there, not pushing and not taking anymore that she was willing to give. He could sense she was borderline either way, but he needed her to get to the conclusion that them together was the only answer.

After a second, she resigned to the fact that she knew she was helpless to resist him or what was happening to the two of them together. Her lips pressed again his, finally taking what it was that she truly wanted. The moment her lips parted; he took advantage in taking over the kiss letting their tongues embark on a well-choregraphed dance.

Her need for him physically and emotionally was matched as she battled to want to take over the need and rhythm of their kiss. He let her for the remainder of the kiss, before both of them had to come up for air.

His voice was a low rasp as he said, "You have no idea how much I need you. I fucking need you. Need you like me next breath." He drew back to look into her eyes, her own eyes opening to stare back at him. His brows knitted together. "I can't get you out of my head. What have you done to me?" he rumbled.

She looked up at him trying to say everything she was feeling—those same feelings mirrored inside—without having to voice it in words.

His kisses turned hungry, possessive, as he reclaimed her mouth. She was clutching at him like she wanted him even closer, though he knew it wasn't possible. He knew that he would never get enough of her. Never.

His words were silky, deep, and loaded with all of the want and intent of his need for her. This was more than just lust. This...this...

He didn't get to finish that thought, as he whispered all of the things, he was going to do to her. From stripping her, to throwing her on the bed, and claiming her as his. He felt the shiver of anticipation shoot through her.

His hands fell down to her waist, his palms coming to cup her ass cheeks. She yelped as his fingers applied pressure, until he lifted her effortlessly in the air, her legs instantly responded by wrapping around his waist. He wanted to take her in her room, but he was sure that if he did, this would be over way quicker than he wanted. He was proving to be powerless when it came to her and if any indication from the way she melted in his arms earlier in the day—she was too.

He recalled passing her couch when he stalked up to her, and started backing up until his calves made contact with the sofa, easily squatting down until his ass hit the cushions. Neither of them broke the kiss, as she straddled him, her knees sinking into the cushions behind him.

His hands moved back up to her waist, stopping only to grab hold of the cotton material of her tank, pushing it upwards as his hands went north. The pushback paused him for a moment when he got to the built-in bra, his fingers slowly tracing back and forth under her breasts, her body trying to press closer to him the more turned-on she was getting.

He finally broke the kiss, trailing light feathering kisses down her jaw stopping just as he was going to her neck.

"Mark…" she whimpered.

His fingers slipped under the elastic of her built in bra, slowly grazing her the skin under her breasts, her head dipping back at the slightest of touch. He groaned at the fact that now her slender neck was completely exposed to him. He started to place gentle kisses there, upping to little nibbles before sucking and then alternating between kissing, nibbling, and then taking it to the level of biting so that he would leave that mark on her that he had wanted to do earlier.

She gasped, her hips grinding against his crotch, his erection starting to strain against his pants. Exactly why he had not wanted to take her to the bedroom just yet. He had never had to worry about restraint and not holding out to finish the job, but with Lexie sitting here practically dry humping him, this could be over before it began.

He kept up with his torturous rhythm of kissing, nibbling and biting the perfect balance of pain and pleasure, until he stopped the teasing with his hand by fully slipping both hands under her top to palm both of her breasts.

Her breath caught, her hips coming to a halt, lost in her own pleasure at the feel of his hands on her.

"Mark…" she moaned.

"Do you know how fucking crazy you make me, when you moan my name?" he asked, his lips by her ear.

She couldn't form a coherent sentence between the kisses to her jawline and the fact he upped the ante by her breast weighing in his palm as his thumb and forefinger played with her nipple until he brought it to a perfectly hard nub. She pushed against his hand, which only made him growl louder at how much she was craving him and his need for his hands to be on her.

He couldn't take touching her any longer without seeing her. He stripped her of her top over her head, her bare breasts starring back at him.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured, before he dipped his head to take her nipple into his mouth.

She arched her back, her hands coming to his shoulders as she clutched at him, pushing her chest further into his mouth. His greedy little vixen wanted more, and he would give her everything she would need from him. Her hands moved up the back of his neck, into his hair as she tugged at him, yanking his head back. Their eyes met for a second, the desire and heat there before she brought her lips down to him and kissed him violently.

His little innocent Lexie was gone, a woman who knew exactly what she wanted took her place. She kissed him roughly, sucking his bottom lip into hers before she bit down on it.

He growled, which only made her start to grind against him. Her hands came down to his waist to grab hold of the hem of his sweater and quickly yanked it up to remove it over his head. Both of their chests bare and pushed together as they caught their breaths.

"You don't know how long I have wanted to see you without a shirt on," she admitted breathlessly.

His eyes gleamed. "And now that you have?"

She swallowed as she took a long slow gaze from his shoulders all the way down to his torso. He saw the heat in her eyes. He hated that she frowned, when her eyes stopped on some the bruises that were fading from what had occurred with Sergei. His abdomen was still tender in some spots, parts of it still a darker shade of purple, but nothing would stop him from being with her in this way tonight.

He wanted to take her mouth again, but he sensed she needed this. She needed to get past the part of her mind that was driven by the fact that she was a doctor and saw his injuries and come back to the Lexie that would be his lover after tonight was over.

Her fingers trailed down over his pecks, until she ever so slightly traced his abs and the purple bruises. "Does it hurt?"

He waited until she looked up at him. "Sometimes. But never with you," he answered.

She looked back down at his stomach, her fingers still tracing it so lightly, her touch was killing him. Not because of the bruises, but because he was aching so bad for her that he thought it would physically kill him.

"Lex," he coaxed gently, waiting for her eyes to meet his again. "You won't hurt me. I'll be just fine."

She bit her lip, and the single action had always driven him crazy. He grumbled, no longer being able to wait for her to get on board with this. He captured her hands in his, bringing them back to his lips, kissing each of her fingers.

"Tell me now if you want to stop. I can stop now, but I need to know now."

Her breath tightened as she looked at him. He knew she was not a virgin and that she had sex before. The thought made his gut clench. Even though he had no right and it made no sense since he had slept with god knows how many women, neither one of them could say they had experienced or done something like they were about to do. There would be a difference. He wasn't just going to have sex with Lexie Grey, he was going make love to her. Own her.

"I don't want to stop," she said her voice coming out almost ashamed. Because she was a doctor and he was still recovering from his injuries.

His hands came up into her hair, gripping both sides of her face, making sure she looked him in the eyes. He did the one thing he had never said or done before. The one thing he had realized he had asked of her this afternoon, but never gave as a response.

"I'm yours, Lexie Grey. Every single part of me. I'm yours," he said, enunciating every word slowly and clearly.

He saw the moment she let go of all of her reservations. The moment nothing else would be separated between them.

"Mark…my room…my bed…"

His lips came down on hers, as he swiftly and effortlessly picked her up and marched into her room. This night was about to change everything. He should be scared for someone who fought against something like this these last thirty-nine years—especially since she was so much younger than he was—but as she clutched to him, he could only think about how right all of it was. Fears and worries be damned.

A/N: Feels like an odd place to stop…but TBC…LOL.