"Do you plan to leave after the gala ends?" Angela asked in a soft tone, looking straight into Edmund's eyes.

　　"Only if you want me to." He brushed a hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear. "What do you want?"

　　She was quiet for a while before looking up again. "I know you never said you love me. But I love you. Can you make me forget everything for the night? Can you be mine and only mine for the night?"

　　Edmund's heart swelled at Angela's words, her vulnerability touching him deeply. He saw the sincerity in her eyes, the raw emotion that mirrored his own feelings. He cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that had begun to form in the corners of her eyes.

　　"Angela," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I may not have said the words, but I feel them. I feel them with every beat of my heart. Tonight, I am yours. Completely and utterly yours."

　　Without another word, Edmund scooped Angela into his arms, her body light and warm against his. He moved swiftly and silently through the crowded gala, his eyes scanning the room for any prying eyes. He knew the layout of the venue well, having booked a room under his name earlier in the evening, just in case.

　　He carried her up a grand staircase, hidden from the main hall, and down a dimly lit corridor, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel Angela's breath against his neck, her arms wrapped tightly around him. He found the room, tucked away in a quiet corner.

　　The room he had secured was at the end of the hall, secluded and private. He shifted Angela's weight to one arm as he retrieved the key from his pocket, quickly unlocking the door and slipping inside. The room was elegantly furnished, with a large four-poster bed draped in luxurious fabrics. A fireplace cast a warm glow, the crackling of the flames the only sound breaking the silence. Edmund set Angela down gently, her body sliding against his as she found her footing.

　　Edmund reached out, his hand cupping her cheek, his thumb gently brushing her lips. "Tonight, it's just you and me," he murmured. "The world outside doesn't exist."

　　Angela's eyes fluttered closed at his touch, and when she opened them again, they were filled with a fierce determination.

　　"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper. He needed to know that this was what she truly wanted, that she wouldn't regret this in the morning.

　　Angela looked up at him, her eyes filled with desire and love. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life," she replied, her voice steady and sure.

　　Edmund's heart swelled at her words, and he captured her mouth in a searing kiss. Their tongues tangled, their breaths mingling as they poured every ounce of their desire and love into the kiss. Angela's hands roamed over Edmund's body, her fingers working quickly to remove his jacket and shirt.

　　He let her undress him, his own hands exploring every curve and contour of her body. He could feel her heart racing, matching the rhythm of his own. He reached around and slowly unzipped her dress, his lips trailing kisses down her spine as he revealed more of her soft skin. The dress fell to the floor in a whisper of silk, leaving Angela in nothing but her lace undergarments.

　　Edmund stepped back, his eyes taking in every inch of her. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," he whispered, his voice thick with desire.

　　Angela reached out, her hands working quickly to undo the buttons of Edmund's shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles. Edmund kicked off his shoes and pants, his body pressing against hers as he backed her towards the bed.

　　As Edmund's clothes fell to the floor, Angela's hands explored his toned and muscular body, tracing every ridge of muscle and the path of each scar. He felt strong and imposing, but beneath her touch, there was a softness that she found incredibly endearing. She ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and down his back, marveling at the way his skin felt against hers.

　　He reached down, his hands cupping her bottom as he lifted her onto the bed. Angela's legs wrapped around him, her body pressing against his as she pulled him down onto the bed with her. He propped himself up on an elbow, watching as she straddled his hips, their eyes locked together. She leaned forward, her breasts pressed against his chest, and kissed him deeply, their tongues dancing in a sensual waltz.

　　As their kiss intensified, Edmund reached up to cup her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. His other hand trailed lower, over her hip and to the thin strip of fabric covering her. With gentle fingers, he slipped the silk thong down her legs, revealing her soft, smooth skin. Angela broke their kiss for a moment to kick off her own shoes and step out of her dress, leaving them both naked and exposed.

　　She felt so right in his arms, and as Edmund leaned in to press a trail of hot kisses along her collarbone, she arched her back, tilting her head to give him better access. Her hair spilled down around them like a fiery veil, caught in the warmth of the firelight. She couldn't remember ever feeling this free, this wild, this truly alive.

　　Edmund's body covered hers, his mouth finding her breast, his tongue circling the sensitive peak. He whispered a series of sweet nothings against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. When he finally took her nipple into his mouth, Angela's world came crashing down around her. The sensation was like nothing she had ever experienced before.

　　Edmund lavished attention on her, his hands and mouth working in tandem to draw out every gasp, every moan, every shiver of delight. He could feel Angela's body tensing beneath him, her breath coming in short gasps. Her hips began to rock, grinding against his, the friction sending sparks of pleasure coursing through her veins.

　　Edmund's fingers danced across her skin, teasing her belly button and then dipping lower, seeking out the sweet spot that would send her over the edge. As he found it, her body arched involuntarily, and she felt herself hovering on the brink of a precipice.

　　"Please," she begged, her voice barely audible. "I... I need you inside me."

　　He slipped a hand between her legs, his fingers finding her slick and ready. He stroked her gently, his fingers circling her most sensitive spot as his mouth continued to lavish attention on her breasts. Angela cried out, her body convulsing as waves of pleasure washed over her. Edmund held her, his body tense with his own desire, but he held back, determined to draw out every ounce of her pleasure.

　　As Angela came down from her high, Edmund positioned himself at her entrance. He looked into her eyes, seeing his own desire reflected back at him. "Look at me, baby, when I take you. I want you to see how I take you," he whispered huskily.

　　As he pushed inside, a jolt of pleasure radiated through both of them. They both gasped, their bodies stilling as they savored the sensation. Then, slowly, Edmund began to move. Their bodies moved in sync, a dance of passion and love. Edmund's lips found Angela's, their breaths mingling as their bodies moved together.

　　Angela's fingernails dug into his shoulders, her hips meeting his thrust for thrust as she lost herself in the rhythm. She felt like she was flying, her body consumed by a fire that only Edmund could ignite. He growled against her neck, his movements becoming more urgent, and she could feel the tension building deep within him.

　　The room filled with the sounds of their lovemaking, the soft moans and gasps, the whispered words of love and desire. Edmund could feel Angela's body tensing beneath him, her breath coming in short gasps as she neared the edge once more. He increased his pace, his body driving into hers with a desperate need.

　　As their bodies writhed together, Angela felt the world falling away, leaving only the two of them. There was no past, no future, only this moment, this connection. The room seemed to disappear, replaced by the flames dancing in the fireplace and the sweep of Edward's dark hair across his forehead. She screamed his name, her voice raw and primal, as ecstasy crashed over her in waves after wave.

　　She arched her back, pressing her breasts against his chest, her nails digging into his shoulders. His name was a prayer on her lips, and as he drove deeper into her, she felt the build-up of tension coiling tighter and tighter. With each thrust, they came closer to that ultimate release, the culmination of all they had been waiting for. Her walls clenched around him, milking him for everything he had to give.

　　And then, without warning, it happened. A burst of light filled her as Edmund's hot release spilled inside her, sending her tumbling over the edge with a cry of pure ecstasy. The room spun around her, her fingers digging into Edmund's shoulders as she rode out her own private storm.

　　Edmund collapsed onto Angela, his body spent, his breath coming in ragged gasps. She held him, her arms wrapped around him, her body still trembling with the aftershocks of her pleasure. For long moments, they remained joined, trembling and gasping for air. Finally, Edmund pulled out of her, rolling onto his back to admire the sight of her sprawled across his chest. His own body was spent, but the adoration shining in his eyes made it all worthwhile.

　　As their breaths returned to normal, Edmund rolled off Angela, pulling her into his arms. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, his hand stroking gently up and down her back.

　　"You are incredible," he murmured, brushing a tender kiss over her lips. "The most perfect woman I have ever known."

　　Angela smiled softly, tracing patterns on his chest with a fingertip. "And you are mine," she whispered.