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I swallow, that pesky burning at the back of my eyes coming back in full force, before drawing in a breath of fresh perspective and remembering who the fuck I am. I let my face drop into the same cold neutrality I use when speaking to my men. “Calm down, Harvey. We fucked. If I’d have known you’d get so wobbly over it, I wouldn’t have gone down this road with you.”

He sucks on his teeth, his nostrils flaring as we pull into the drive, the guard on the gate giving a wave as we pass. Parking inthe garage, he turns the engine off and faces me with thunder in his eyes. “Don’t do that. Don’t you dare do that.”

“Excuse me?” I sneer.

“Don’t pretend this is nothing, that it meant fuck-all last night.” His finger is pointed in my face and his eyes are burning embers. “I came to you out of desperation, I had no other options, I just wanted to keep my head down and occasionally beat the shit out of someone who pissed me off. I’m allowed to be confused by these feelings.”

My breath catches in my throat, something like butterflies fluttering low in my belly. “What feelings?”

He blinks at me, his lips moving as if he’s going to say something, but he stops himself. Breathing heavily, his chest moves deeply with each inhale. “Feeling like…you’re not the worst person in the world.”

I can’t help the amusement pulling at my lips. “There’s worse people than me, huh?”

“One or two.”

“I don’t know what I’m doing here either, Harvey,” I say, hating the vulnerability in my voice. “You weren’t exactly who I would have ever imagined being the first man I invited into my bed. I never pictured myself in handcuffs.” I raise my eyebrow at him, and he laughs.

“Oh,rainha,I can’t count how many times I’ve pictured you in handcuffs.” My smile is bright and genuine, he looks at it, bringing his thumb to trace over my lip. “That is beautiful.”

I lean in and hesitantly brush my lips against his, he grips my jaw to hold me in place and deepen the kiss. Kissing Harvey is my new favourite pastime, his lips are soft, his tongue teasing. I whimper into his mouth, the ache I’ve been living with all day coming to the forefront. I’m practically clambering over the centre console to get to him when he starts chuckling.

“Are you feeling needy,rainha?” I nod against his continued kiss and his fingers tangle in my hair with a biting sting. “Tell me how it feels,” he growls.

“Harvey,” I whine, frustrated that’s he’s still making me wait.

“Tell me, or you’ll go another twelve hours without coming.”

I groan in annoyance, and he reaches over with his free hand to pinch my nipple over my blazer. I gasp as my clit throbs with the bolt of pain. “Empty,” I pant.

“What’s that now?”

“I feel empty,” I cry. “So empty and achy, I’ve been wet all day. It’s like I’ve been at the beginning of a rollercoaster for hours, just clicking slowly up a track without ever reaching the precipice.”

“Hmmm,” he hums against my neck, his lips fluttering over the sensitive skin. “That’s very poetic.”

“Will you make me come yet?”

“Upstairs,rainha. You know how I want to find you.”

I break away from his kiss and try not to run into the house. It’s late, we were at The Starlight Lounge longer than we anticipated so the girls are already in bed. Guinevere is sat at the kitchen island with a steaming mug and a magazine in front of her.

“Miss Wolfe” She smiles at me.

“Guinevere, it’s late, are you okay?”

“Of course. I was just waiting until you were home to head up.”

“Because?”

She stands, looking nervous as she approaches. “I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you, Annika.” I’m taken aback by the use of my name; Guinevere’s unwavering professionalism is one of her best qualities. “You have done a lot for me over the last few years, not least of which is giving me a home and security. I will be forever grateful.”

Panic flares in my chest. “Are you leaving?”

She chuckles. “No, not until you ask me to. I will be here for you and your family.”

“Family?” I frown.

“Your girls,” she answers with a smile, and I’m surrounded by a warmth at her words. The door to the garage opens and closes and Harvey walks past.