Well guys, this is the end of the line for me on this story. I'd like to say that I have sincerely enjoyed writing this, and you guys have made it all the more exciting for me. Every review you left, every moment of fangirling you described, every vote you placed...it all made a huge impact on me and my writing. So I want you to know, that even if you don't hear from me about every review you leave, I'm reading them and they matter.

So thank you for sticking by me on this, especially for the last few months when it's been a long wait. You have no idea how much that means to me. So without further ado, I give you my last Dreams chapter.

Hiro Mashima

CHAPTER 22: THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING...

I stepped out of my house and glanced up to see the sun nearing its peak in the sky. It had taken me the better part of the morning to come to a decision, but now that I had, I felt a sense of relief. I had agonized over the choice, at one point wondering if it wouldn't be better to simply deny them all to avoid hurting any one of them. Of course that was a foolish notion, because no matter what I ended up doing, someone was going to get the short end of the stick.

I'd never liked hurting people, never liked disappointing them, especially not the ones closest to me. But this situation was unlike any I'd ever been in. There was no way to come out of this with everyone happy, and I was forced to accept that to find the truth of how I felt. This wasn't something I could control, and I had to simply let whatever happened...happen. As much as I didn't like being the one to cause another pain, I couldn't let things continue the way they had.

The truth was my heart had decided a while back. I had simply been too trapped by my fear of hurting the guys to see it. All along, I'd been working to forge a connection with these men, to learn who they were beneath what they showed to the outside world, and I'd done it. They had each given a part of themselves to me, and in turn I had given them a piece of myself as well.

But now, after spending the last few hours going over every moment I'd shared with Laxus, Gajeel, and Natsu, I'd come to realize that I had given one of them more than the others. Somehow, during the course of my time with them, through the dates and the silly interactions, Gajeel had managed to sneak his way into my heart. True to his magic, he'd carved himself a spot there and had stubbornly refused to leave.

It stunned me to realize that I had made the decision so much harder than it should have been, because the knowledge that my feelings for him were so much stronger than for the others had been sitting there inside me, seemingly just waiting for me to find them. It was like my heart had just been waiting for my mind to catch up, to review and obsess and ultimately come to the same conclusion. It was strange, but also kind of frustrating to know that I'd only had to get out of my own way to realize what I wanted.

Now that the understanding was there, I was anxious to get to the guild and see Gajeel. I couldn't wait to throw myself into his arms, to lean up and take those tempting lips in a long-awaited kiss, but there were things that had to be done first. There was still Natsu and Laxus to consider, and I refused to make this harder on them than it already would be. They deserved to hear the news from me first before I started up with Gajeel.

My chest ached at the coming confrontation, at having to turn them down, but I knew without a doubt I'd made the best decision for myself. Though the sting of guilt was still there, I knew Gajeel was right. I had to be true to myself, because anything less would simply hurt us all. I couldn't make a choice by trying to avoid hurting anyone. I had to pick the man I wanted, the one I could see a future with.

Laxus and Natsu deserved my honesty, and I would give it to them. I would face them with it and pray that what they'd told me before would hold true. They'd all promised that my decision would change nothing, that we'd all remain friends, and I was counting on that. I didn't want to lose them over this.

Looking up, I found the guild standing tall just before me. Somehow, I had made the trek without thought, my mind so lost in contemplation that I hadn't realized how much time had passed. And now that I was here, I found myself getting nervous, because I knew...once I passed through those doors, there was no going back. My future sat just inside, and though a thrill of excitement shot through me at the thought of being with Gajeel, I had some sad business to deal with first.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed through the double doors, and finding the guild as lively as always, I smiled. It was a pleasant reminder that things here tended to stay the same, and I felt a weight lift off of my chest. The sight of my guild mates laughing and having a good time left me with only a sense of peace. I was doing the right thing, and Laxus and Natsu would understand. They wouldn't abandon me or scorn me for my choice.

With that thought, I squared my shoulders and made my way across the busy room to Natsu. He looked up as I drew closer, his face morphing into his trademark grin. "Hey Luce!"

"Hey Natsu," I said, my lips lifting into a cautious smile in response. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He eyed me curiously but nodded. "Sure. What's up?"

"Let's talk in here," I murmured, reaching out and tugging him toward the back hallway and into a small storage room. I could feel my nerves once again making waves. It was no longer about worrying over losing anyone. It was about having to say the words.

He arched a brow at me as I pushed the door shut, his head tipping in puzzlement. "Um Luce...you're being weird again."

My mouth twitched at his description of my actions, and I shook my head in amusement. I could always count on Natsu to take the levity out of a situation, and boy did I need it. "I...I needed to tell you something."

His eyes widened marginally, and his face softened with a seriousness I seldom got to see outside of a fight. "You've decided, haven't you?"

I nodded, biting my lip and pushing down my cowardice so I could explain. "I wanted to tell you and-"

"You picked Gajeel, didn't you?" he asked.

His question came out softly, his words strangely certain as if he'd already figured it all out. I opened my mouth to ask how he'd known, but I closed it a moment later. I didn't need to ask. Outside of Levy, no one knew me better than Natsu, and he had proven it once again.

Seeing my stunned look, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged awkwardly. "I thought I saw something that night he taught you to use a sword."

"That long ago?" I couldn't believe he'd noticed it so far back. It had taken me weeks to figure out my own mind, and Natsu had caught a glimpse of something back then. But as I thought over the time he'd mentioned, I realized that was the night Natsu had expressed his interest in me. "Then why..."

His lips lifted a little at the edges, but the sadness he was trying to hide still slipped through. "I had to try, right?"

"Oh Natsu," I whispered, feeling my eyes well with tears. I felt like someone had ripped a hole in my chest. I never wanted this...to hurt someone so important to me. "I'm sorry..."

All at once, I was pulled forward into his hard body, his arms closing around me like he'd done so many times before. He tucked my head into the crook of his neck and sighed, brushing a light kiss over my forehead. "Don't be sorry, Luce. You didn't do anything wrong."

I sniffed and clutched tightly to his shirt, letting that familiar scent of burning embers wash over me. "I didn't mean to hurt you guys..."

"Shh...it'll be okay. I've still got you, right?" he asked, tightening his hold on me for a moment before easing away to look at me. "I told you that day that we'd always be friends. Remember?"

I nodded as he lifted a rough hand and brushed his thumb beneath my eye. "Then don't cry Luce. I'm not going anywhere. I couldn't bail on my best friend, could I?"

He smiled gently, and that small action tugged at me, forcing a little hiccup from my mouth in the most pitiful laugh I'd ever heard. He frowned down at me, his face edging into a look of reprimand. "Come on Luce. You can do better than that."

With that, he pinched my cheeks, lifting them to pull my lips into what I knew had to be a gross version of a smile. "Eh...that's not much better," he muttered, cringing at my distorted face.

A giggle bubbled up from my chest as I leaned back and slapped at his hands. "That hurt," I whined, then sent him a pout. "And my smile is fabulous."

"Yeah it is," he agreed with a grin as he reached up to tousle my hair. "So let's keep it that way. I don't like seeing you sad."

"I don't like seeing you sad either."

Natsu shrugged his shoulders and said simply, "Then I guess we should both get happy."

I shook my head at his logic. Just be happy...as if it was so easy. Still, he had a point, much like Gajeel had. We all had to do what made us happy, and I couldn't feel bad for doing that, for going after my happy ever after with Gajeel. Natsu didn't fault me for that, and I needed to stop feeling guilty for it too.

"I will," I said, leaning in and giving him another hug. "Thanks Natsu."

His voice was low as he whispered a soft, "Anytime..."

The door swung open a moment later, revealing the tall form of the other man I'd planned on talking to next. I stared up at Laxus from the circle of Natsu's arms and found myself nearly flinching at the tenseness of his expression, but his face softened, his lips curving slowly into an understanding smile.

All of a sudden, I realized he knew. It had been foolish of me not to remember that he'd be able to hear everything Natsu and I had talked about. Did that also mean that Gajeel knew? Would he be joining us too?

Ignoring that for the moment, I pulled away from Natsu and asked, "You heard?"

"Yeah I heard," he answered with a nod. "And Natsu's right. We told you we'd all still be here no matter what you decided. That hasn't changed."

I swallowed hard at his firm assurance, and found myself moving towards him. He folded me against his large frame and held me tightly as I fought not to cry again. I couldn't understand how he and Natsu could be so understanding, but I had never been so thankful to still have their friendship after all we'd been through. "Thank you..."

Laxus gave me a quick squeeze and released me. "That Iron Jackass better be good to you," he announced shortly.

"Yeah cause if he makes you cry, I'm gonna kick his ass," Natsu added, throwing his arm around me.

"I don't think you have to worry about that," I laughed softly as I wiped at my eyes.

Natsu's lips lifted just a bit. "Be happy, okay Luce?"

"And stop worrying about us. We're big boys," Laxus teased, smiling wolfishly down at me.

I glanced between the two men and found myself suddenly overwhelmed. How many people were blessed with such amazing friends? I couldn't deny that it still pained me that I'd put them through so much, but as I stood there in that little room with them, I knew they were right. Somehow, we'd all be okay.

Natsu and Laxus left shortly after that, and I took a few steadying breaths before following them out. Laxus had let me know that Gajeel hadn't been in the guild when he'd arrived. Considering how much he'd heard of my conversation with Natsu, I figured he'd shown up just after me, so that meant Gajeel had to have left just after I'd gotten there.

Now that all the hard stuff had been taken care of, I was anxious to see Gajeel. There was so much I wanted to do and say, and I was tired of waiting.

A smile ghosted across my face, and I scanned the room for the small form of Gajeel's best friend. Finding the Exceed sitting at a table with Wendy and Charle, I hurried over, calling out, "Lily!"

Hearing his name, the cat turned around. "Lucy?"

"I need your help. Where's Gajeel?" I asked, all but dancing in my excitement.

His little brow furrowed at my behavior, his expression curious. "He went home not too long ago. Why?"

Wendy giggled at me and answered the question. "She's made her choice."

Lily's eyes widened, and then his lips cranked up into a large grin. "You mean..."

I nodded, my own smile growing larger at his happy countenance. "Now...can you tell me how to find your house? I really need to talk to him."

"Oh of course!"

Two minutes later, I was on my way, my feet moving swiftly down the path to the house Gajeel shared with Lily. The small Exceed had said it was only a 5 minute walk, but I couldn't wait. I wanted to see his face, wanted to finally let myself touch him without reservation.

It had been so hard for me to resist him during out date, to push down the urge to run my hands over his body. I could still remember how his hands felt moving up and down my legs, still remember how his arms felt wrapped around me. I wanted to feel that again and so much more.

He'd told me that he wanted me to want him, and even then I had. I'd felt how his body longed for me, and my body had ached for him too. But it was more than that. I'd felt a connection with him, something profound and unlike anything I'd ever experienced. It had continued when he held me in his arms, blossoming into that sense of familiarity and safety. It had felt so natural.

That same night, he'd said he wanted me to finally give in and kiss him. If he'd only known how much I'd longed to do that. It had been so hard to pull myself away from him, to resist the pull of those deep red eyes and those tempting lips. I'd thought of his kiss more than once since that night, and the memory was still fresh in my mind.

Now, I didn't have to stop. I could have everything I wanted with him. I could finally let myself go, let myself touch him and taste him... I could feel myself flush with desire, and I shook my head with a grin. I was getting a little ahead of myself. I had to get there first.

Moments later, the house Lily had described came into view, and I slowed to a walk. I didn't want to show up breathing hard and looking a mess, so I drew in a deep breath and held it, forcing my pulse to slow back down. Using my hands, I checked over my hair and clothes, making sure I looked okay before I approached the rustic cabin.

Now that I was here, I was feeling a bit nervous. Was I expecting too much? Here I had all these ideas about what would happen between us, and the truth was I couldn't be certain about anything. I knew at least that he wanted to date me, and he'd been pretty clear that he wanted to sleep with me. But did he feel as strongly about me as I did for him?

I didn't know anything for sure, but I wasn't going to find out unless I took a chance. So I pushed down my doubts and stepped up onto the little porch and was just about to lift my hand to knock when the door flew open. Gajeel stared down at me, his expression bordering on expectant. "Lucy..."

"Hi Gajeel."

I eyed him for a moment, wondering if he'd figured out why I'd come to see him. But as he stepped back and invited me in, I shrugged it away and smiled up at him, trying for normalcy.

He led me into a small kitchen decorated in hues of gray and white. It was all very modern looking with every appliance made of sleek metal and a glass dining table with a heavy iron frame. The effect was rather stunning, and I found myself musing about the rest of his house. I couldn't help being curious if metal was a running theme for his home, and if it was, how did he restrain himself from eating it?

Suppressing a grin at my private joke, I gave the room another once-over as I debated how to start this conversation. There was always the direct approach, simply throw the information out there, but the thought of spilling the proverbial beans so nonchalantly sent my stomach rolling. No, that wouldn't work. Maybe I should just ease my way into it. Start with a little casual conversation...

"So..." I muttered awkwardly. "I like your kitchen." The moment the words were out of my mouth, I wanted to call them back. Could I have sounded more ignorant?

But Gajeel gave me a small grin, and said, "Thanks. You want something to drink?"

"Sure. Water's fine."

Anything stronger wouldn't go over well. I was far too anxious, and with my mouth feeling as dry as cotton, I was happy to accept the cool drink. With a murmur of thanks, I eagerly tipped the glass to my mouth and took a long swallow.

I could feel him watching me, his gaze heavy on my shaky form, and I wondered if he could tell I was procrastinating.

I wasn't even sure why I was so panicked. We'd talked about this before. He'd been up front about his feelings for me, so why was I having so much trouble doing the same? This was ridiculous.

Setting the glass decisively on the table, I took a deep breath. "Gajeel, the reason I came by was-"

"Oh I haven't shown you the rest of the house," he spoke up, cutting off what I'd been trying to say. "How about a tour?"

I frowned at the sudden offer, uncertain about why he hadn't let me finish, but I brushed it off. Maybe he really did just want to show me his house, and to be truthful, I could use a few more minutes to pull myself together. So, with a small shrug, I agreed. "Okay."

Taking me by the hand, he moved into the living room, where I found myself once more impressed. This room, like the other, was oddly sophisticated with black leather furniture trimmed in shiny metal and each end table boasting glass and beautifully crafted wrought iron. I stood there agape for a moment, taking in the stunning quality of the work. It was a perfectly masculine room, the fact that it belonged to a bachelor obvious in the simplicity of everything, but it was incredible nonetheless.

"Gajeel...did you make this?" I asked, stooping down beside one table to run my fingers along the twists in the dark metal.

"Yeah." His response was soft and matter of fact, but as I looked up at him, I found his expression filled with a mix of pride at his accomplishment and pleasure at my reaction.

For some reason, that made me smile. I liked that my opinion mattered to him, that he enjoyed my appreciation for his work. Standing to my feet, I moved closer and shook my head. "It's really remarkable. I had no idea you were so talented."

"I'm glad you like it," he grunted, shifting towards me and raising a hand to brush my hair out of my face.

I closed my eyes and leaned in as his fingers grazed my cheek. "Gajeel..."

"Yeah?" he answered in a quiet rumble.

Opening my eyes, I stared up at him and felt my heart catch. "I...there's something-"

All at once, he pulled away, his hand dropping to his side and leaving me both bereft and confused. I reached for him again, and he stepped back, motioning for me to follow him.

"C'mon."

I watched his retreating figure in despair. Why was he pulling away from me? Had I done something wrong? Hearing him call out my name, I forced my legs to follow him, but my mind was still somewhere else. I couldn't let go of his strange behavior. For as long as these dreams had been going on, Gajeel had never tried to distance himself. In fact, he'd done everything he could to get as close as I'd allow.

Was that it? Was he tired of me making all the decisions, of waiting for me to make a choice? What I'd done hadn't been fair. I knew that, but when it had started, it had all seemed like a bit of harmless fun. And all the guys had agreed to it. I guess I'd convinced myself that it was okay since the guys seemed to be fine with everything, but now...

Now, it seemed like it was backfiring. Gajeel was moving away from me, and it couldn't have come at a worse time. Here i was, ready to commit to him and only him, and it was all going wrong. I didn't want to lose him, not when I'd finally realized how much he meant to me.

Stepping into the bedroom behind him, I pulled him to a stop. "Gajeel, I need to tell you something."

He lifted a hand and looked away. "Just...don't. Please..."

My heart clenched in my chest at his apparent dismissal. "Gajeel," I whispered plaintively, turning him back towards me. "What's wrong?"

His deep red eyes stared down at me, and there, I found something that surprised me. Pain and sadness swam in those depths, and I felt everything inside me weep. Had my indecision hurt him? Had I done this? "I'm sorry...Gajeel, I'm so-"

"Don't say it," he muttered, dropping himself down onto his bed and setting his face in his hands.

I watched as he sifted his fingers through his hair, then slapped his hands onto his knees. He gave a deep sigh and shook his head. "This was a really bad idea."

I swallowed hard, feeling tears sting my eyes. Did he mean everything? All the time we'd spent together, all the things we'd learned about each other, our date, his kiss... Was all that a bad idea?

"Gajeel, don't say that..."

"I'm sorry, I just...can't do this right now."

Hot tears spilled down my cheek sat being turned away. Was this it? Had I lost him? Discarding my pride, I dropped myself to the floor in front of him and pleaded, "Gajeel, please...I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I already told you that," he assured, giving me a sad smile as he wiped the wetness from my face. "No matter what happened, we'd be friends, right?"

My heart sank. Friends... A sob slipped from my throat, and I clung anxiously to his hand, knowing this might be my last chance to change his mind. "I know I waited too long to pick you. I screwed everything up, but please Gajeel...give me another chance."

He stilled at my words, then commanded softly, "Say that again."

"Please give me another chance, Gajeel. I swear I'll-"

"Not that part...the part about picking me," he murmured, pulling me up to my knees and cupping my face in his hands. "Tell me again."

I gazed up at him, confused by his abrupt change in demeanor, but did as he asked. "I thought a lot about everything morning, and I realized that it was you I wanted. So, I went to the guild to tell you all. I already talked to Natsu and Laxus - I didn't want them finding out from someone else. Why-"

My words were brought to a sudden halt as Gajeel yanked me forward and crashed his lips down on mine. My mind seized, unable to comprehend what had just happened, but my body was perfectly content to sink into him and hold on tight. His mouth dominated mine, igniting that spark of desire inside me, and before I could even think, I was pouring myself into his kiss, angling my mouth to taste more of him.

Instant heat speared through me, all the pent up lust I'd tried to fight, all the feelings I'd tried to suppress. It all came roaring back in a wave of unbearable need.

My hands slid up his muscled chest, over his broad shoulders, my fingers mapping and memorizing every tantalizing inch of his masculine form. I dove those questing hands into his hair, into that dark mane I'd longed to sift my fingers through since the night he first kissed me.

Gajeel's arms closed around me and pulled me flush against his body. Once more, I was struck with that deep sense of safety, that familiar feeling of comfort and...home. It was as if I'd finally found my way to where I belonged, and I sighed in contentment as he drew back and set his forehead against mine.

"I thought you'd picked Natsu when I saw you take him into that back room," he mumbled before tipping his head down and pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

Leaning back, I gazed up at him in confusion. "You saw me at the guild?"

"I was coming in from out back when you got there, and I almost called out to you. But then you went to Natsu, and I...thought that was the end."

I slid my hands to his face, brushing gentle fingers over his pierced brow. "Is that why you were acting so strangely?"

With a small nod, he pulled me in for another kiss before answering, "I knew you would come to tell me what you'd decided, and I didn't want to hear you say you wanted someone else."

My heart soared at his honest answer, and I leaned in, letting my lips take his once more. I couldn't seem to get enough of him. I had fought to keep from touching him, from kissing him through all this mess, and now, I could do all I wanted.

He was mine...

The notion was startling to me. It felt surreal. All the indecision, all the anguish was over, and I had found someone more incredible than I could have imagined. This startlingly sweet and sexy man was mine, and more than anything, at this moment I wanted to be his...wholly and completely.

Our kiss trailed off, and I looked up at him, letting him see the truth in my eyes. "You don't have to worry about that, Gajeel. I don't want anyone but you."

His nostrils flared at my admission, his eyes the color of molten lava as he dove for my mouth. He was harsh and demanding as he molded my body against his, his need speaking clearly in his almost desperate touch, and I could do nothing but cling to his broad shoulders. There was no suppressing the moan that crawled up my throat as he nipped and sucked his way down my neck.

There was no debate, no questioning this. I wanted him...with a fierce, urgent hunger that refused to be tamed. There would be no slowing down, no taking it easy. There could only be complete and total surrender.

My body clamored for his, every inch of my skin crawling with need as I reached for his shirt. The buttons came away with remarkable ease, and in a matter of seconds, I had his chest deliciously bare. My hands skated over his skin, and I couldn't help but marvel at what I'd revealed. Cords of muscle covered his chest and stomach, each one cut and honed to utter perfection, and all I could think was...mine.

My attentive perusal of his body drew a low rumble from his chest, and he tugged at my shirt, stripping it up and over my head in one fluid move. Not even a moment later, his head dropped back down, his lips sealing over mine with barely restrained passion as he slid his hands around to the clasp on my bra.

With a deft flick of his wrist, the constricting bit of clothing released, and I pulled at it impatiently and dropped it to the floor. My eagerness served to inflame him, pushing an approving growl from his mouth as he yanked me up off my knees. He drew me into his lap, and I wasted no time sinking down over him, over the rigid tent in his pants.

My legs spilled to either side of his body, and I nearly groaned as I settled over his swollen length. He was so thick, so hard against me, and it set my pulse racing. I wanted to rip away the clothes that separated us and lower myself down onto all that hardness.

I was antsy, my body burning with fervor, and I watched as Gajeel's eyes sparked with an answering need. He was feeling it too, that driving need to be joined, but he tamped it down, seemed determined to take his time with my body.

His mouth came down on my neck, his lips brushing teasingly over my heated skin as he edged down my body to my chest. He kissed his way over the swell of one breast, using his hand to push the aching mound up to his mouth. His ministrations sent my body shuddering against him, and I all but howled when he wrapped his lips around my nipple. Adept fingers kneaded my tender flesh as he sucked languidly at the pebbled tip, using his tongue and teeth until I was moaning out his name.

It was erotic and incredible, his touch on my body both ardent and tender, and in that moment, I realized how far from my dream I really was. This was not the same man that had bent me over a large boulder and taken me like a voracious animal. And though something told me that I could indeed find him in my Gajeel, I relished in the knowledge that he also possessed a slow hand.

I was no experienced woman in the realm of physical things, but I had heard enough to know that many men didn't bother with soft touches. Those kinds of men only aimed for their own pleasure, but Gajeel had done nothing but see to my needs.

And now, as he laved over my chest so earnestly, I found myself yearning for both sides of him. I loved this taste of gentle loving, but I also wanted to watch him lose control, wanted that feral beast inside him to burst out and take me over and over again. The thought sent arousal coiling in the pit of my belly, and all at once, I writhed with pure lust.

"Gajeel..." My voice was a soft groan, a pitiful plea, but whether it was for him to stop his wonderfully persistent treatment or to beg him for more, I didn't know. All I knew was this unbearable ache inside me, these flames that licked along my veins and longed for relief. And he could give it to me.

But it wouldn't last for long. I couldn't imagine this need ever completely going away. It was so overpowering, a fire sweeping its way through my body and covering everything in a wave of red the color of his eyes.

My system was in shock, overwrought with a desire the likes of which I'd never experienced before. It was staggering, easily the most intense thing I'd ever felt, but I wanted more, needed to feel him inside me.

Shifting my hips, I brushed over his erection, forcing a hiss from Gajeel's mouth that vibrated across the sensitive flesh of my nipple and sent an answering pulse down to my center.

"Oh God..." I gasped, grinding myself over his thick staff again and again in a desperate attempt to ease the ache between my legs.

He pulled away from my chest with a sharp curse and rolled us over in one fluid move, pressing my back firmly into his bed. "Damn woman...you test my restraint."

"Then stop trying to restrain yourself," I muttered, reaching for the top of his pants. I was beyond caution, well past the point of embarrassment at my aggressive attitude. I was too far gone to care about anything but his incredible body and all the things I wanted to do to it.

With a low growl, Gajeel pulled back, tugging his pants down his muscled legs, and leaving me with my first unrestricted view of his naked body. My hungry gaze swept over his impressive form, and I felt that well of heat inside me go up a notch of two. He was so damn sexy, even with that knowing smirk slipping across his face.

I knew he could see what he was doing to me, knew he had already scented my fierce arousal at the sight of him ready and willing, but I couldn't care less. I wanted him to know how badly my body ached for him. I was empty without him, my achy form desperate for him to fill me up.

I'd thought him gorgeous in my dream, and had believed there was no way he could be so enticing in real life. But how wrong I'd been... because there he stood in all his naked glory looking like some deliciously dark god from one of my books. I'd believed that my imagination had created the perfect fantasy, but now I was finding out firsthand that reality was so much sweeter.

Keeping my eyes on the breathtaking sight in front of me, I reached for my skirt and all but ripped through the fastenings. I couldn't get out of the thing fast enough to satisfy myself. Seeing all that awaited me had demolished the tattered remains of my patience, and with a huff of excitement, I shoved the offending bit of cloth down my thighs.

Gajeel caught the short skirt at my knees and gave it a quick yank, tossing it over his shoulder while I shimmied out of my panties. I was tired of waiting, and it appeared Gajeel was too.

He climbed up my body quickly, easing his trim hips between my legs and nudging my entrance with the head of his shaft. A shuddering breath left my mouth at the feel of him so close, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, silently urging him to continue.

But he paused, dipping down to press a soft kiss to my lips before asking, "You sure?"

I nodded and slid my hands down his back, letting my fingers trace down over the curve of his backside. "Yes..."

Having secured my permission, he dropped his mouth down over mine and slammed his hips forward. His cock sank in all the way to the hilt, and I cried out as he broke through my virginal wall. A burning sensation swept through my lower regions, and Gajeel stilled as if he knew I needed a moment. His kiss turned gentle, his tongue prodding at mine, coaxing me back from the pain.

It was a side of him I had only recently gotten to see, and in this moment, it caused my heart to swell with emotion. This Gajeel was so different from the man in my dream, his touch so much more gentle, so generous. That other version had played my body like a flute, had worked it over good, but that was just sex. This was so much more.

He was taking care of me, using his body to love mine, and I was more touched by his actions than I could express. Because everything he'd done so far had shown me how he really felt, how much he truly cared. All at once, I felt tears sting my eyes, but I pushed them back. I didn't want this moment tainted by tears.

Angling my head, I deepened our kiss. My hands trailed over the wide expanse of his back, my fingers eagerly learning every dip and ridge to be found as I shifted beneath him. Slowly, his body retreated from mine until just the crown of his shaft was inside, and then he eased forward, all that smooth perfection sliding back inside and pushing a gutteral moan from my mouth.

He felt so damn good, his body a perfect fit for my own. Gone was the pain, and in its place was the most exquisite pleasure I'd ever felt. Every stroke sent heat billowing in the pit of my stomach, and I arched into him with a hum of approval.

"Damn, I've wanted you so much..." he growled just beside my ear, the deep timbre of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I've wanted you too..."

If he had only known how much I'd longed to be with him like this, how hard it had been to turn him away. I'd had to fight off the urge to kiss him more times than I could count, especially on the night I'd cooked him dinner. I could still remember him trying to take my sword away and then suddenly I was pressed up against the counter, his body boxing me in tight. In that moment, it had been nearly impossible to move away.

He'd been far too tempting then, and every day since, he'd only become more so. Now, I could scarcely look at him without heat blossoming in my belly and want crawling its way between my legs. Maybe it was a sign...a sign that he was always meant to be mine.

My body called to his, fit his like a glove. It was almost as if we'd been made to fit together...like two perfect puzzle pieces. More proof that we belonged together, and as he labored over my fevered body, I let the thought go, let myself get lost in this man that had stolen my heart.

His hips snapped against me, his body plowing into mine in an increasingly rough manner than before, this time slightly reminiscent of my dream of him. And I couldn't help wondering...would he really let go like my Spartan version of him had?

My breath caught as I remembered the feel of him pressed up against the back of me, his body slamming into mine from behind. The rough pace, the hard thrusts, the mind-blowing orgasm... the memory had my stomach twisting with desire and my body clenching around him.

"Fuck..." he rasped, his steady strokes faltering for a moment.

I gasped as he began to thrust with renewed zeal, his body meeting mine with a loud smack and sending the headboard slamming against the wall. It was every bit as hard and fast as our coupling in the dream and so much better. I could feel my body climbing, everything inside me coiling and tightening in pleasure as he moved between my legs.

My breath caught as he angled his hips, forcing the flared tip of his shaft across that fleshy bit just inside my body. My core throbbed with every stroke, my walls beginning to quiver in anticipation of my end, and I arched into him, nearly ready to beg for my release.

I was so close, so blessedly close, but I needed a little more. As if he'd heard my silent plea, Gajeel quickened his pace, effectively pushing me right over the edge. My tenuous hold shattered with the first spark of my orgasm, and I cried out, "Gajeel!"

My fingers dug into the flesh of his back as wave after wave of sensation washed over me, sending my sex pulsing around him. In the next moment, Gajeel uttered a harsh growl, and his rhythm collapsed. His body shuddered against mine as he sought his release, and with a final thrust, he came.

He collapsed atop my trembling body, then rolled to the side, pulling me with him. And we lay there in silence but for the sound of our heavy breathing for several long minutes as our bodies calmed. It was almost unreal to me that I was here in Gajeel's arms, our naked forms tangled together.

It was everything I could have ever hoped for, and as that deep-seated sense of comfort sank into my bones, I knew it would only get better with him.

He had somehow become the place I called safety, the place I felt most at peace, and after so much of my life being spent in uncertainty, that was something more precious to me than anything else he could have offered.

With a deep sigh of contentment, I snuggled into his side, sliding an arm across his taut belly and laying my head on his chest.

Tightening his hold on me, Gajeel pressed a kiss to my head and grunted thoughtfully, "You okay babe?"

I hummed in agreement, too relaxed to utter even a single word. Quite frankly, I'd never been so comfortable in my life. I was surrounded by him - his arm wrapped around me, his leg pressed between mine, and his scent drifting over me like the most intoxicating aroma ever invented.

The only problem was that he was too damn enticing.

In this position, I could look down the entire length of his body, see those rock hard abs, his cock lying semi-erect against his left leg, and all at once, I wanted him again. Slowly my hand crawled its way back across his belly, and I found myself inching it downward past the coarse curls that surrounded the base of his shaft.

Gajeel rumbled in approval, his cock already firming before my hand could make its first pass. "Something you want, Bunny Girl?" he rasped teasingly as he thrust into my palm.

"Mhmm..." I murmured hotly. "I want to know what else you can do better than my dream."