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SEBASTIAN

I sensed Ella’s presence behind me before she even spoke. Her arm slid around my waist and her body pressed against mine as we stood at the window in our bedroom, looking out at the serene scenery below.

“It’s all an illusion,” I said to her. “Everything appears to be peaceful and beautiful below us, but underneath it’s dark and chaotic.” My gaze dropped to meet hers, and her emerald eyes filled with understanding. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close. “What can I do? How can I help you feel safe again?” I asked, my voice heavy with concern. I leaned down to kiss the top of her head, feeling a sense of comfort and security wash over me now that she was near.

“I need to stay close to you,” she admitted, her voice strained from the intensity of her emotions. “The flashbacks are overwhelming, but when I’m with you or the guys, they’re not as bad.”

“I wish I could have kept you safe. This shouldn’t have ever happened. I was lulled into a false sense of security out on the property.”

She ran her warm palm up and down my back in a futile attempt to soothe me.

“Me too. I should have been more alert and aware. We can’t spend time pinning the blame on someone when we need to find Xavier. He’s still out there.” She shuddered against me, and I brought her closer.

“Never again, Ella. You’re safe. You have my word … and his.”

She glanced up at me. “I’m not used to you referring to him. Are you talking with him? Has he told you what he knows?”

“Some. We’re not connected all the time, and I haven’t adjusted to the idea that he’s in my head.”

“I’m back now, so I can help. I’m so sorry you had to deal with my kidnapping and then on top of it connecting with Death.”

My body trembled with pent-up emotion as I turned to her. “Losing you was too much, and it triggered everything,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “We both thought we’d never see you again. But he was … is planning revenge.” The words tasted bittersweet on my tongue. I wanted to be a part of whatever he was plotting, to avenge my wife.

Ella nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation without needing any more explanation. “I know him well enough to understand that he will do anything to keep our children and me safe,” she said confidently.

I reached out and smoothed a stray strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Is that why you love him?” My tone was laced with anger at the thought of anyone else being able to protect her other than me.

Her response was hesitant, as if she were choosing her words carefully. “There are times that he scares me. But it’s kind of our thing.”

The sound of her confession made my blood boil. “What do you mean? Does he hurt you?” I gritted my teeth with the question. How dare he hurt her.

She placed her warm palm on my chest directly over my heart. “There are two parts of you. One is gentle and loving, but the other is fierce and unpredictable. Death can be rough with me … but I like it. I crave both sides of you.” She moved her hand to my tense jaw, trying to ease the anger bubbling inside me. “I love both sides of you. In my mind, I’m lucky enough to experience all of what you have to offer. Sometimes it’s hard or confusing, but I chose to be here with you. I chose to have your children. I chose to marry you.” She looked into my eyes with unwavering love and determination.

“Sebastian? Are you going to be okay? I’m worried about you. I can’t imagine how horrifying this is.”

I leaned down and pressed my mouth to hers, ready to stop talking about him. “This is what I know, Ella. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I love our babies. That’s all I can tell you right now. Just try to be patient with me.”

She slipped her arms around my neck and pushed up on her tiptoes, kissing me gently. “I love you too.” Ella bit my lower lip and tugged on it.

“Baby, you should stop before I can’t.”

She nipped on my lip again. “Promise?”

“You’ve just been through a traumatic experience and in the hospital. You died. It’s too soon.”

“The doctor didn’t say anything about not having sex. Please, I need you to remind me that I’m alive and safe at home with you. I need to kiss you and feel you inside of me, erasing the horror I lived through for just a little while.”

I couldn’t help but smile. She wasn’t going to let it go, and I was okay with that as long as there wasn’t a risk.

“Then relax and let me show you how much I missed you.”

Her laugh went straight to my cock, and he was giving her his undivided attention. I cupped the back of her neck and placed a soft kiss beneath her ear. She shuddered against me, her hips pressing into mine.

“My girl likes that.” I pressed my lips to the curve of her neck and across her collarbone. I traced down her side, then slid my hand beneath her shirt, my knuckles skimming her bare skin. She arched into me as I brushed her hard nipple through her lace bra.

“You’re playing dirty.” Her voice was breathy with desire.

I chuckled, my fingers tracing circles around her sensitive peak. “I’m just making up for lost time.”

Her body trembled beneath my touch as I treasured every second of the moment, knowing soon the world would intrude once more. For now, though, it was just the two of us.

Slowly, I lowered my hand, trailing it down her stomach until I reached the waistband of her pants. She gasped as I slipped my fingers beneath the material and felt the heat of her skin against mine. My dick strained against my jeans, begging to be released as I explored her soft curves, then my fingertips brushed against her wet pussy.

Her breath hitched as I gently massaged her slick opening. She moaned softly and arched into me again, desire plainly written on her face. Her eyes were dark with passion, reflecting her longing. It was all I needed to spur me onward—to push further, to make her forget everything that had happened in the last week … to forget him.

I hooked my thumbs into the waistband of her shorts and gently tugged them over the curve of her ass and slowly over her hips, careful not to hurt her. The wound from the knife in her thigh was healing nicely, but I took time to pepper soft kisses on each bruise and cut, my chest tightening as I mentally noted how many times she was hurt. Death stirred inside my mind, and I understood that he was also taking note in order to inflict pain on the men who did this to her.

“Be a good girl and part your legs.”

Once she did, I nipped at her creamy thigh, her scent nearly driving me over the edge. Placing a soft kiss through the material of her thong, I moaned against her.

“I’ve missed you so much, baby.” I cupped her ass cheeks as I ran my tongue over her pussy, teasing her.

She grabbed the short strands of my hair as I helped her step out of her pants and then her underwear. Ella leaned against the wall for support as I lifted one leg and placed it over my shoulder, allowing me the access I wanted while I spread her apart.

She cried out, her hips bucking, pushing herself closer to me. “Oh god, yes,” she breathed, her voice filled with need.

I couldn’t resist the scent of her, savoring every inch of her soft skin and exploring the tender folds of her pussy. I flicked my tongue over her clit, feeling it harden under my touch. Her taste was intoxicating, and I lost myself in it.

Her hold dug into my shoulders as I continued my exploration, teasing her with languid licks and nibbles. Her moans filled the room while she trembled beneath me, and I knew that she was close to release.

I slid two fingers inside her wetness, feeling how tightly she gripped me. I curled my fingers, stroking that sweet spot inside her, eliciting a loud gasp from her. Her hips began to move, matching my rhythm as I finger-fucked her in earnest.

“That’s it,” I whispered against her skin, “be my good girl and come for me.”

She cried out again, her body arching as she climaxed. The feel of her muscles clenching around me made my desire all the more intense.

I slowly retracted my fingers from her slick pussy and raised them to my mouth. She watched me hungrily, desire still shining in her gaze.

I hesitated for a moment and allowed her time to catch her breath. Her eyes never left mine as I stood, leaned in, and claimed her lips with a searing kiss. She moaned as she tasted her arousal on my tongue.

As our kiss deepened, I reached up to undo the buttons on her shirt. Her skin was warm and smooth beneath my fingertips.

Ella’s lips tasted like mint and her breath came in quick gasps as we continued. I reached behind her back and unclasped her bra, releasing her full, perky breasts into my waiting hands. Her rosy nipples hardened with my touch. My lips trailed down her chest, tasting the light sheen of sweat on her skin. When I took one nipple into my mouth, she sighed and tangled her fingers in my hair.

She released a low moan as I sucked, my other hand trailing down her body to her wet pussy.

“That’s my good girl, Ella. So wet for me.”

An emotional charge connected us, her eyes locked on to mine as I reached down to unzip my pants and step out of them. My cock bobbed free, grateful it was no longer restrained. Seconds later, I’d removed my shirt and tossed it on the floor.

I led her to the bed, and she lowered herself, then scooted up the mattress and parted her thighs for me, anticipation and arousal dancing across her face.

I crawled on top of her, ready to feel her tight pussy around me.

A moan escaped me as she wrapped her fingers around my thick cock.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, the emotion clinging to her words as I lowered myself over her.

“You too, baby.” I rubbed the tip of my dick over her wet slit and coated it with her juices. “You feel so damn good.” I lined my cock at her entrance and slipped the tip inside her. Her eyelids closed as her lips parted. I shifted my hips and allowed myself to enter her a little at a time, drawing out her pleasure. “You’re so beautiful.”

Her fingernails dug into my ass cheeks, pulling me closer as she wrapped her legs around my waist. I leaned down and licked her bottom lip, eliciting a soft moan. Our bodies moved in perfect sync, her back arching as she met my thrusts with eagerness. Her heavy-lidded eyes were filled with desire and her skin was flushed. Ella’s moans grew louder and more urgent, encouraging me to continue.

I reached down and found her sensitive clit, rubbing it gently as she clenched me tightly with her inner muscles. She clawed at my back, leaving marks with her nails as she cried out in pleasure. The heat between us was electric as we rode the waves of ecstasy together, our bodies tangled and lost in each other’s touch.

“Sebastian, don’t stop,” she whimpered, our gazes connecting.

I increased the pace, driving myself deeper inside her each time until I could feel her inner muscles pulsating around me. I slowed my movements and focused on savoring the moment, every inch of my body screaming for release.

Ella slowly and gently flipped me on my back and straddled me before she lowered herself onto my shaft.

She began to rock against me, her rhythm nice and slow. I reached up, grabbing hold of her ass to help guide her deeper onto me with each thrust. Her breasts bounced as she rode my cock, and I palmed them, playing with her nipples. She leaned in close, kissing me passionately while never breaking our connection.

Sweat dripped down our faces as we continued to kiss hungrily. Despite her best efforts to remain in control, she pulled back, panting heavily.

It was time for me to take over and give her what she so desperately craved. With one smooth motion, I carefully flipped us over, keeping an eye on her wound as I positioned myself above her once again and drove inside of her like a man possessed. I was. I’d almost lost the love of my life, and I wanted to feel her come undone beneath me.

I leaned over and my nose grazed the outer edge of her ear. “Be a good girl and come for me.”

Her back arched off the bed as her nipples brushed against my chest. I eased my hand between us and massaged her clit as she bucked against me.

“That’s it, Ella.”

She cried out loudly with her release, her muscles clenching my shaft as she rode wave after wave of her orgasm.

With one final powerful thrust, I let go, filling her completely as I exploded inside her.