Ririko slipped her hand around the back of Jerome's neck.
"That controller really looks ugly on you."
Jerome tilted his head slightly, as if accommodating her touch. "Good thing they didn't put it somewhere inconvenient."
Ririko smiled, leaned closer, and brushed her lips against his. "You little fool."
Jerome looked as though her words had stung him. His amber eyes suddenly turned unusually serious.
"Then do you like Jeremiah? He's not a fool at all..."
Ririko's hand slid from the back of his neck to his cheek, the back of her hand brushing gently along his jaw.
"He'll never be you."
Jerome lowered his head, cupped her cheeks, and kissed her without a second thought.
His lips pressed over hers, as if confirming who he was-and staking his claim.
He pulled back slightly, breathing hard, as though he had made an important decision. His voice still held the warmth of their kiss. "I want to be with you forever."
Ririko lifted her long lashes and stared at his serious yet faintly ridiculous face, saying mockingly,
"Don't forget you still have to go back to prison for 120 years."
Jerome chuckled. "Not happening."
He lifted her off the couch. For a moment, her body hung in the air before he gathered her securely into his arms and turned toward the bedroom.
He turned sideways and pushed the door shut with his heel. The latch clicked softly.
Jerome knelt on the bed, swiftly pulling open his shirt buttons before undoing his belt buckle. The belt landed on the floor with a clack.
Wearing boxer shorts printed with clowns, he looked down at Ririko.
She lay against the pillows, the neckline of her loose, lace-trimmed top hanging open to reveal the beautiful curves of her body.
His fingers stopped just above the