Warning: M-rated content ahead. Warning for . . . sexual . . . themes. Reader discretion is advised.

All we can do is wait. It wouldn't be prudent for Alex to leave the apartment and I'm not going to leave her alone, so we're virtual prisoners in our own home. My home, that will maybe be hers someday too. We can hope.

Another knock on the door startles me out of my reverie. Alex starts to tremble again and I press a kiss to her temple. "It's probably Elliot again," I tell her, gently stroking her hair. Nevertheless, I grab my gun before going to the door and call, "Who's there?"

"Officer Carlton. Can I use your bathroom?"

I roll my eyes, but it's better safe than sorry. Opening the door just a crack, I say, "Badge?"

He obediently holds it out and I open the door fully, letting the officer in to use the washroom.

I go back into the bedroom to reassure Alex. "It's okay," I tell her for what seems like the hundredth time that morning. "It's just one of the police officers outside. He needed to use the washroom."

She nods shakily and, as if to assure herself, she says, "He's not going to show up here. And if he does, they'll arrest him. My father may be many things, but stupid isn't one of them."

"Well, that's comforting."

She gives me a wan smile. "That means we'll be stuck in your apartment for the rest of our lives."

Running a hand through her hair, I say mischievously, "I'm game if you are."

She snickers. "Not a problem. But you know, the police officers waiting outside our door probably won't like the . . . uh . . . ruckus."

Well, at least she's joking again.

I flash her a lopsided smile. "I don't mind. Do you?"

Shaking her head, Alex slides forward and presses her soft lips to mine. The gesture surprises me, but then I lean into the kiss.

The kiss is tender and sweet, beautiful and passionate all at once. But finally, regretfully, oxygen becomes a necessity. We break apart, staring into each other's eyes, and I feel the electricity, the spark between us.

Alex is the first to break the moment, a soft smile lighting up her face. "God, I love you, Liv."

They say dire circumstances bring people together better than any other, and now I know it's true. "I want –" I begin, unsure exactly how to articulate the sentiment. "I want you, Alex. I want –"

She interrupts me by leaning in for another kiss, her mouth claiming mine once again, and I think maybe this is the greatest feeling in the world.

Suddenly, I'm overcome with passion like a hormone-crazed teenager. My body is burning with desire and I need to be with her in the purest way any two people can be. my hands fly to my shirt, but my hands are shaking in the heat of the moment, and Alex stops me, her gentle hands taking mine. "Let me."

I let my hands fall to my sides and watch in wonderment as she undresses me, one piece of clothing at a time, as if I'm a delicate china doll. Slowly, she takes each discarded garment in her hands, folds it neatly, and places it on my dresser. By the time she's down to my bra and panties, my body is screaming with desire and all I want is to tear my clothes off and give myself to her fully.

She works her way down to my panties, which are absolutely drenched by now, and looks up at me with her gorgeous smile. She traces her hands over one of my thighs and I moan, my body yearning for more. "Alex."

Ever so slowly, she removes my damp panties, folds them up, and puts them beside the rest of my clothes.

And then she's on her hands and knees, exploring my body with her fingers, with her tongue. Her fingers are inside me and it's all I can do not to cry out in pleasure, because I love her so much and this feels so good and I've wanted it for so long and now here it is and it feels like heaven and – she brings me to a climax and I can't hold it in anymore, screaming Alex's name as I crash over the edge. And it feels so good.

Exhausted from the exertion of what we've just done, I flop back down onto the bed and Alex lies down beside me, grinning like a cat. "Was that satisfactory, Detective?"

I groan my assent, glad to have lost myself in sex once again. It's a good escape from the reality that's threatening to suffocate us right now, the dark cloud looming over the two of us, the one that will never allow us to be truly together. For now.

Don't be too hard on me; I'm still not so good at stuff like this. I tried. Review for chapter nineteen!