The moment she sped away in Grayson’s squad car and he realized what had just happened, Felix had jumped in his own car ready to chase after them. It was only after a moment of clarity that he decided not to. Chasing after a cop car wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do, and the last thing he needed was another scandal all over the tabloids, especially one that might drag not just 5th Street but Ella down with him too.

Already, she’d begun to shoot him down in the car before Grayson showed up, and he had a feeling he knew why. It was what he’d worried about all along¸ that she might think their lives too incompatible. Getting her name dragged through the tabloids would just further her hesitation. But he felt even more determined suddenly to try and convince her to give him a chance.

“Ella!” he called out as soon as he rushed into the stairwell.

She was halfway up the first flight of stairs when she froze in her tracks but didn’t turn to face him.

“What happened?” He rushed up to meet her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said, yet she still didn’t turn to face him. “I’m sorry. Grayson gets . . . I just didn’t want him to say anything that might . . .”

Finally, she turned to him, her eyes welling up. Instinctively, he touched her face and felt a fire ignite inside him like he only remembered feeling once before in his life. “What’s wrong? Did he do something to you?”

“No.” She shook her head, her eyes glued to his. “He didn’t. I’m just embarrassed and—”

“Embarrassed? About what?”

His heart raced but for more than one reason now. While the adrenaline and fire still surged through him, he stared at her lips and had to fight the incredible urge to kiss them. “Why are you embarrassed?” he asked a little gentler—calmer—this time, tearing his eyes from her lips to look into her eyes.

“Because of the way I just left with him. I just didn’t want him to say or do anything rude.”

“Are you still seeing him?”

“No.” She shook her head immediately.

Almost afraid to ask, he did anyway. “Hector said you were considering going out with him again. Are you?”

She shook her head again. “Not after what he did today.”

That almost made it worth having been left standing in the parking lot like an idiot. Almost. He stared at her, unable to take his hand away from her face where she leaned into it. Incapable of holding back anymore, he leaned in and kissed her softly. She tasted as good as he’d imagined. To his relief, she didn’t protest, so he kissed her again.

“Felix, I can’t,” she whispered against his lips with her eyes closed, but she didn’t pull away.

“Why?” he asked, leaning his forehead against hers, still savoring her taste on his lips.

“I’m not like the other girls you go out with. I can’t just turn it on and off.”

“Good.” He smiled, kissing her again. “I don’t want you turning it off.”

“That’s not what I meant.” This time she did pull away. “As tempting as it is, and believe me you have no idea how tempted I am, I can’t do this.”

“But you’re not giving me a reason,” he said, reaching out for her hand and lacing his fingers through hers like he’d thought about doing so much since that first time. “Why not?”

“Because I’m just not like that.”

Now he pulled away, peering at her curiously. “What exactly do you think I’m asking you to do?”

For the first time since they’d been standing there, she looked as confused as he felt. Her eyes opened wide and her face flushed. “To sleep with you, right?”

Felix couldn’t help but laugh at her adorable expression. “That’s what you think I’m asking you to do? Right here?”

Her face got even brighter red, and it was refreshing to see someone he’d thought so unruffled and composed blush like a schoolgirl for once. “Well, no, but soon.” She appeared to gather herself and lifted her chin a little. “I just don’t do that, and . . .” She stopped and looked at him with that same adorably confused expression as earlier. “What are you asking me to do?”

Felix let go of her hand and brought his hands up to cup her face, kissing her softly again because he just couldn’t resist anymore. “I’m asking you to give me a chance,” he said between kisses.

“A chance for what?” she whispered but kissed him back as eagerly as he’d begun to kiss her.

“To prove to you that I want more,” he said, kissing her deeper than he had that whole time then stopped to take a breath—calm himself—or he’d be stuck in the stairwell for a while nursing the biggest hard-on he’d had in a long time. “I know what you’re thinking.” He stared at her, feeling a sudden fear in his heart. “Up until earlier today, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted, but I can tell you one thing with all certainty. I don’t just want to sleep with you. We can hold off on that for as long as you want. I’ll do whatever it takes. Just give me a chance”—he kissed her again, softly this time—“please.”

She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. “I’ll need time,” she whispered. “If I do this, I really have to think it over. I’m just—”

“Take all the time you need,” he said, licking her bottom lip. “I told you. I’ll do whatever it takes, and if that means waiting, so be it.” Backing her up slowly until she was against the wall, he leaned his body against her and unleashed the need that had been mounting all week. He devoured every inch of her mouth. Never had kissing someone felt so damn intoxicating. Already he knew he could easily get addicted to this.