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Like I’ve just handed him the universe and told him he could keep it.

“You never have to repay me, Mate. It’s my honor and my privilege to do so. Knowing how you’ve had to do it alone, realizing you’re so brave and strong that just makes it even more so. Now, will you let me take care of you, Petals?”

Heat rushes through my veins. Awareness sizzles between us and I nod my head because, yes, I really do.

I want Zeke to take care of me. He’s the only man I’ve ever trusted enough to do just that.

And I’m aware of how crazy it sounds. How impulsive and mad.

It’s too fast by society’s standards.

But not for us.

For us, the timing is perfect.

“Come here,” he murmurs.

He leads me into the bedroom, where the low afternoon light casts a golden haze across the room.

He doesn’t say a word as he starts to undress me, slowly, reverently, like he’s unwrapping something holy.

There’s no rush in his touch.

Just worship. Admiration. Devotion.

Every time his fingertips brush my skin, I feel lighter.

“So fucking soft, Petals.”

He bends his head, leaving plucking kisses across my shoulders and chest.

I’m breathing so heavily it’s a wonder I don’t pass out.

His purple eyes hold mine as he unzips his jeans and shrugs out of his clothes.

Holy. Shit.

I’ve seen him nude before, but each time it’s like the first time.

Zeke is what all those old bodice-ripper romance novels mean when they say the hero is physically devastating.

I mean, the man is built like a god.

Tall and wide, his body is made of ropes of corded muscle honed by years of hard work and acres of skin bronzed by the sun.

My gaze drops to his revealed Adonis belt, and I swear, my pussy clenches in response to the sharp lines, pointing the way to his gloriously thick, long cock.

Like an invitation I knew I would never ever refuse.

When we’re both bare, he takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom.

The water is already running, warm and steamy.

He steps in behind me, pulling me into the spray and then into his arms.

There, under the water, he holds me against his warm, hard body and I shiver in response.

Zeke kisses me everywhere he can reach, unhurriedly and with so much care it brings tears to my eyes.