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“For what?” she asked with a smile.

“For everything. Listening. Being here.” That made the tears that had threatened to spill earlier fall down my cheeks. I laughed, embarrassed and quickly wiped them away.

“Aw, Harley.” Mia pulled me into a tight hug. “Girl, you’re my sister now. I’m here for you no matter what.”

I hugged her back. “Still. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s see what our kids are getting into out there. If Zoey’s swimming in the lake again, I’m going to flip out.”

As it turned out, Zoey had gotten in the lake and was shaking the water off on the kids.

The rest of the afternoon was a lot more relaxed. Dylan gave Zoey a bath while Cassidy supervised, I played with Bella, and Mia and Striker made lunch as well and pre-prepped meals to freeze. Since it looked like I was going to be stuck in this house for God only knew how long, I was grateful for the company and the support. When Steph texted mid-afternoon and said he wouldn’t be back until late, my heart sank, but I knew whatever he was doing was important.

When the sun set, Mia took Bella and Zoey home. The night dragged on. Cassidy and I had dinner, watched a movie, and eventually Dylan and Cassidy went to bed. Striker was in one of the guest rooms, and two more guys were outside the house for extra protection. Even with all these people around me, ensuring my safety and well-being, I couldn’t help but feel alone.

There was no way I’d be able to sleep until Steph got home, so I curled up on the couch with a book and a glass of wine. Even that didn’t help distract me from worrying about Steph.

It was nearly midnight when the door finally opened.

Steph looked exhausted.There were dark circles under his eyes, and a furrow so deep between his brows I could see the permanent wrinkles already forming. “You’re awake,” he said in surprise.

“I missed you.” I put my wine glass on the coffee table and closed my book. “I wanted to see you.”

“Missed you too. I’m really tired, though, Harley?—”

“Hey.” I stood up and crossed the living room, then cupped his face in both hands. “Let me take care of you.”

He tipped his head to the side slightly, looking more like a confused puppy than an alpha dragon. Something about that gesture made my heart break a little. Steph spent so much time protecting the clan and everyone in it. When was the last time someone had taken care ofhim?Even if someone had tried, I’m sure he wouldn’t have been comfortable with it. I had a feeling, however, that it’d be different with me, his mate.

I took his hand and led him upstairs to the en suite bathroom in our bedroom.

I slowly peeled off my clothes, then Steph’s. His hands fell to my waist, and he pulled me in for a kiss. There was passion in it but no urgency, no intense hunger like there often was. In this moment, we both craved closeness and intimacy. I turned the shower on, and once it was warm, I tugged him under the spray.

He sighed in quiet relief as the water pounded on his shoulders and closed his eyes as I worked shampoo and then a bit of my conditioner through his hair. I washed his body next, moving slowly over his shoulders, arms, and muscular torso. I mapped his skin with my touch, tracing the dark ink of his tattoos, then turning him around to do the same to his broad back. When I pushed my thumbs into his shoulder blades, he groaned in pleasure and tipped his head forward.

“You need a real massage,” I said, then kissed the top of his spine.

“I’m fine,” he mumbled.

“I bet your dragon needs one too.”

He shivered, then turned around and pulled me into his arms. Under the warm water, he kissed me on my lips, cheeks, and neck.

“Let me do your beard,” I said, laughing.

“Too rough for you?”

“Mm, no, it feels good, but you seriously need a shape-up.”

I pulled him out of the shower, dried off briskly, then put on one of the plush cotton robes hanging on the towel hook. Steph had a towel around his waist, and beads of water rolled down his muscled chest. Part of me wanted to lick it off, but tonight wasn’t about that.

I picked up his razor, then his shaving cream. He tilted his head to the side, and I applied the shaving cream to his neck.

“I know this has been a lot for you,” I said. “Everything with me, and Blakely, and Sean, and now Forrest. I don’t want you to feel like you have to carry this alone. You can talk to me about anything, Steph.”

“You’re dealing with enough?—”

“We’re both dealing with this. Together.”