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I wasn’t going to let that happen. It was my turn to protect my mate.

“I need to make a call,” I said to Mia.

“Huh?” She blinked at me. “Now?”

“I’ll be right back.” I climbed the stairs to my room without waiting for her answer. I closed the door, scrolled through my contacts, and tapped a familiar name.

By the time the call had ended, Mia, Hawk, and Bella were gone. Dylan and Striker were still outside, but Steph wasn’t with them. I went back upstairs and knocked gently on the office door. “Steph?”

“Come in.”

I pushed the door open. Steph was seated in his office chair and turned away from the computer to face the door. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. He pushed his palms into his eyes, then sat back in the chair and offered me a small smile.

“Hey,” I said, closing the door behind me. “You and Hawk come up with a plan?”

“Not really, but we’ll figure something out.” There wasn’t much confidence in his voice. I knew he and Hawk were talking in circles, trying to find a way to intervene with Sean’s deal with Thames without working with Thames themselves. And yet, they were still coming up empty.

I stepped closer and raked one hand through Steph’s hair. He closed his eyes at the touch. Then, I climbed into his lap and leaned against his chest. Steph sighed and wrapped his arms around me. “I know I’ve been distant. I’m sorry.”

“I hate seeing you like this,” I said. “I hate feeling like there’s nothing I can do.”

“It’s not your fight, Harley.”

“Yes, it is,” I said gently. “It’s your fight, so it’s mine, too.”

I kissed him again, then stood up off of his lap and took both his hands in mine. “Come on. You need to lie down. You look terrible.”

He smiled as he stood up. “Is that all we’re doing?”

“I don’t know,” I teased. “Is it?” I squeezed his hands. “I miss you. I want to feel connected to you.”

“Harley…” Steph leaned down and kissed my neck. “Lead the way.”

We went to our bedroom, and I locked the door. Though the house was quiet with Dylan and Striker outside, I didn’t want anyone interrupting us, not when it felt like Steph had been away from me for so long.

I pushed him down onto the bed, then straddled him. His hands immediately fell to my hips. I slid my hands under the hem of his shirt and skated up the warm, smooth plane of his back.

Steph growled low in his chest and pressed his face into my neck. His lips were warm, soft, and the slight pressure of his teeth against my sensitive skin had me gasping in desire. I pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside, needing to get my hands all over that gorgeous, tattooed skin.

He pulled me close, so my clothed chest was flush to his bare one. His grip on me tightened, and I rolled my hips in response. He was already half-hard in his jeans, and I could feel him getting harder and harder. It sent an intense flash of heat through me. I loved feeling the effect I had on him. Loved seeing the flash of his dragon in his eyes and feeling him loosen that iron control he kept on himself.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he growled as he tugged at my shirt. “Take this off.”

“Scoot back,” I demanded in response. With some wriggling, Steph made his way up the mattress, and I pushed him down until he was flat on his back. Desire rolled through me as I looked down at him… Desire and power. I liked having him under me like this. I liked being the one in control. I rolled my hips again, and Steph groaned low in his chest.

I grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled it up over my head, then I reached behind my back, unhooked my bra, and tossed it aside. My full breasts spilled out, and I reached back and undid my hair, so it fell in waves over my shoulders.

Steph’s eyes burned gold as he looked up at me.

“What?” I said, playfully twirling a strand of hair around my finger. “What is it?”

He smirked. “You little tease.”

“Not today. I’m in a bit of a hurry.” I leaned down and kissed him hard on the mouth. “So let me drive.”

I wriggled out of my pants, then pulled off Steph’s, too—not my most graceful endeavor, but it was worth it once we were both finally naked. I straddled his hips again, but this time without the layers of fabric between us. I braced both hands on his chest and grinded my hips back, so the length of his hard cock slid over my slick pussy. I was nearly throbbing with desire. Desperate for it.

Steph groaned again and dug his fingers into my thighs. His hardness pulsed against me—he wanted it just as badly as I did, but he was letting me set the pace.