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“Hey.” I tilt her chin up gently with my finger so she has to look at me again. “You’re the one I want. The only one.”

Her lips part at my words, eyes searching mine for any hint of deception.

“I don’t expect you to believe me right away.” I pause. “Not after how I hurt you. But I will prove it to you every day for as long as it takes. I’ll earn back your trust. I’m sorry.”

“Elijah...” She blinks like she’s holding back tears.

Unable to stop myself, I capture her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. At first, she doesn’t respond, but then her mouth moves against mine.

I murmur against her lips, “Tell me to stop.”

But instead of pulling back, she grabs me by my shirt, deepening the kiss.

Fuck too soon.

“I’m so sorry,” I say between kisses.

She melts into me, and I grip her hips, pulling her onto my lap. She gasps into my mouth, her fingers tangling into my hair.

“I’ve missed you. Missed this.” I break the kiss, grazing her neck with my teeth.

Her breath hitches as I find that sensitive spot below her ear. “We shouldn’t… I can’t…”

“Shh. Stop thinking so much.” I nip at her earlobe, making her whimper in response.

My hands travel up her sides, thumbs brushing the underside of her breasts as she arches into me.

“Doesn’t this feel right?” I trail kisses down her neck. “Being here with me?”

“Elijah...”

I love when she says my name like this. Begging me to take her right here. Make her mine.

“Tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll stop right now.” I meet her gaze, giving her the chance to put an end to this. But she says nothing, chest rising and falling rapidly, eyes dark with desire.

My hands slip under her shirt, caressing the smooth skin of her back.

“Fuck it.” She leans forward, capturing my lips, fingers tugging at my shirt.

I groan into her mouth, rapidly losing control. “The things you do to me...”

Gemma rolls her hips against the hard bulge in my pants.

A growl rumbles from within me. In one swift movement, I push her onto her back on the couch, caging her in with my body.

I slam my lips back onto hers, devouring her mouth with an animalistic hunger. My hands roam over her body, squeezing her tits through the thin fabric of her top.

“Elijah?” She breaks the kiss, her eyes searching mine.

I’ve got her right where I want.

This gem is mine.

“Yes, little gem?” I trail kisses down her throat. “Something you need?”

“Off. Now.” She tugs at my shirt.

Chuckling, I sit back and yank the shirt over my head, tossing it aside. Gemma’s eyes rake over my bare chest and abs, her teeth worrying that plump bottom lip.

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