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“Your work is truly incredible.” He runs his fingers along a delicate piece of silk. “You have a gift.”

“Thank you.” My cheeks flush. For some reason, his praise feels more significant than any other compliment I’ve received.

I pull my eyes away from Elijah, admiring my work, and walk over to my bed. “Hey, why don’t we watch a movie? I think we still have some popcorn in the kitchen.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“I’ll get the popcorn.” I slip out to the kitchen to prepare the popcorn. As the microwave hums, I peek back into my room, the door half ajar, and see Elijah taking off his suit jacket and draping it over the armchair. He toes off his shoes as well, looking perfectly at home in my space.

This feels right.

The microwave beeps, and I get back into the kitchen, grabbing the steaming bag. I take a big bowl and pour the popcorn into it. Walking back into the room, Elijah sits relaxed on my bed, waiting for me.

“Got the goods.” I crawl onto the bed, placing the popcorn between us. “So, what movie should we watch?” I scroll through the movie options on the TV. “Any preferences?”

“Your choice.” He wraps his arm around me, holding me close.

We continue browsing movies, finally settling on a romantic comedy. I press play and nestle further into Elijah. His hand strokes my hair as we both focus on the movie.

About twenty minutes in, Elijah shifts, and I glance up at him, his dark and heated eyes meeting mine. I can’t even say a word before he captures my lips with his. Not breaking the kiss for one second, I climb onto his lap and his hands grab my ass, squeezing and tugging me closer to him.

“I’m glad you’re here.” I pull back, looking at his lips and back up in his eyes.

“That makes two of us.” He leans in for another kiss, but I put my fingers on his lips.

“Can I ask you something?”

“You can ask me anything.”

“Why did you choose Esther?”

His hands halt, the grip on my hips tightening. “It’s like I told you at the gala. It was all a sham because of my father’s wish. I had to make it happen, even if it meant entering into a fake engagement.”

“I didn’t mean why you did it. More… why her? Do you find her attractive?”

“Esther?” His hands drive up my sides.

I shove at his chest, trying to put some distance between us, but he tugs me closer, his grip firm.

“You really want to talk about her right now? When I’ve got you in my lap?” His teeth graze my skin. “The only woman I want is you. The only name on my fucking lips when I come is gonna be yours.”

My protests die on my lips as his hands slip under my dress, fingers trailing up the inside of my thighs.

“Esther doesn’t even register.” His words are a low rumble as his fingers brush against my core. “Not when I’ve tasted this sweet pussy of yours. Not when you screaming my name as you come on my cock is the best thing in the world.”

A moan escapes me as he strokes me through my panties.

“You’re everything I want, my little gem.” His fingers slip beneath the lace and find their way inside of me. “Everything I fucking need.”

I gasp, my hips rocking against his hand.

“That’s it, my gem. Take what you need.”

He chuckles, low and dark, pumping his fingers in and out. My head falls back, eyes squeezing shut. He knows exactly how to play with my body, fingers curling and twisting until I’m writhing in his grasp.

“Eyes on me.”

I force my eyes open at his command, meeting his heated gaze.

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