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“Yeah?” I rolled over beneath him and looped my arms around his neck. “It’s the shirt, isn’t it? You like that I smell like you.”

Steph’s eyes widened minutely, and his ears flushed red.

“You seriously thought I couldn’t tell?” I teased. “You thought you were being sneaky?”

“I can’t help it. It’s the perfect combination.” He tucked his face into my neck again and inhaled deeply, then followed it with a kiss.

I shivered with pleasure as his lips touched my skin.

“Harley,” he murmured, his voice suddenly low and serious, “Are we…?”

“Yes,” I said immediately. “I want you to claim me.”

He pulled back and met my gaze. His eyes were a burnished gold, a deeper color than I’d ever seen on him. It was intense, but beautiful. Desire rolled through me again, and I pressed my thighs together, suddenly desperate for any stimulation. My body needed him just as much as my heart did.

“I love you, Harley,” he said.

“I love you too, Steph. My mate.” I tilted my head to the side, just as I had in the mirror. “I’m ready.”

It was like a switch had flipped inside of him. He leaned back and pulled his shirt over his head, then tossed it aside. I touched his perfect, muscled, tattooed torso—impossible to resist all that inked skin on display—tracing over his abs, his obliques, up to his ribs and pecs.

I drew my hands over his chest until my fingertips found the fresh scar near his heart. I’d seen it countless times now. I’d changed the dressings as it healed, cleaned it, kissed the unmarred skin around it.

“Does it still hurt?” I asked quietly.

His expression softened. “Sometimes. The doctor said it might ache a little for the rest of my life. Not all the time, but sometimes.”

“I’m sorry. I wish you hadn’t been hurt like that.”

“It’s okay.” He folded his hand over mine and pressed my palm to the scar. “I don’t mind it. In a way, it’s like a reminder.”

“A reminder of what?” I asked. “Of that time you almost got killed because of me?”

“No,” he said firmly. I’d been teasing, but Steph’s voice was serious. “It reminds me that I made the right choice. That I protected my mate, at any cost. And I’d do it again, in a heartbeat.”

My heart stuttered. I pressed down harder on his chest, savoring the feeling of his heart beating steadily beneath my hand.

Still alive. Still with me.

“I’d prefer you not have to do it again. Ever.”

He smiled. “Me too. But I would.”

“I know you would.” I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back down. “My protector. My mate.”

He kissed me again. It started deep and slow, the warm press of his lips against mine. He pressed his chest to mine, covering me, and our kisses became deeper. More intense. More desperate.

He growled into my mouth, and I felt his fangs drop.Fuck,that turned me on. I loved that I could have such an intense effect on him. I drew my tongue over his fangs as we kissed, and that only riled him up more.

In a flurry, we got out of our clothes. I tossed my T-shirt aside and flopped back on the bed as Steph got out of his jeans. I moved to take off my panties, but he stopped me with a hand on my wrist.

“No,” he said in a low growl. “I want to do that.”

He grabbed both of my wrists in one hand and pinned them to my belly. I gasped at the sensation—the pressure of his fingers around my wrists was firm and steadying, and sent a thrill down my spine. It made me feel… Safe.

As he held me, he kissed my neck, my chest, over my breasts. Then down to my belly, over my hands in his grip, and then over the waistband of my panties. He exhaled hard, and his warm breath washed over the fabric and my skin. The warm glow of desire became a raging fire.

I pulled against his hold, just to feel the resistance. I squirmed on the bed and threw my head back with a gasp. “Please,” I said. “Please, Steph,please.”