The next day, she woke with a new sense of purpose. Keeping her mate. She kissed him softly, rubbing her hands over his chest.

His eyelids cracked opened and a ghost of a smile spread over his lips. “You’re so beautiful,” he said softly.

That look of love in his eyes. That made her life worth living. It made her feel cherished. Wanted.

“I love you,” she told him, the words coming with a lot more ease now that she had admitted her feelings for him.

“I love you so much, Harper. There are no words.”

He might have brought her into this relationship with some strange blackmail, but she wouldn’t trade it for the world. Their lips met in a kiss so raw, she lost all ability to think. Right when she thought he couldn’t make her love him more, he did. She clung to him, digging her nails into the back of his neck, sliding her fingers through his shaggy blond strands.

Their tongues rubbed in a wild mating dance. He stroked his mouth boldly over hers, licking and sucking her lips and driving her crazy with need. She tore her mouth from his, groaning at his hands cupping her breasts.

“Sebastian,” she moaned. “I need you.” She slid a hand down to grasp his cock. God, he was hard. She wanted him inside her. Deep.

“Baby—”

She shoved her hand into his pajama bottoms. Her hand filled with his shaft. He groaned and pushed her on the bed, looming over her. His hand slipped between her thighs, cupping her slick sex. “God, Harper. You’re so wet.”

She licked her lips and tugged his head down for another kiss. “I am. Always.”

“The things you do to me, sweetheart. I’m going crazy from wanting inside you.”

She curled a leg around his hip. “I can’t wait, Seb. I want all of you in me.”

“You’re ready for me,” he groaned. 

She moaned. His finger sliding in and out of her felt like a wonderful torture. “I am. Fuck me.”

He pressed at her clit one more time, watching her gasp and groan. With the head of his cock at her entrance, he stopped to stare at her. 

“I love you.”

She smiled, her heart bursting with love. “I love you, too.”

With one single thrust, he filled her. So deep. So full. So perfect. Their lips met once again. The passion grew intense between them.

She clawed at his shoulders, her nails scratching him and she licked at the blood from his wounds. A soft growl sounded from her. “I fucking love how you taste, Seb. I’ll always love it.” 

“Ah, baby girl,” he grunted, his cock filling her like the sweetest caress. “I knew from the moment I saw you that you’d be the only one for me.”

He pulled back and thrust forward. And she forgot everything again. He kissed the corner of her lips, down her jaw and to her shoulder. He sucked one of her nipples into his mouth and continued driving harder and harder into her body. 

“Seb...” Tension gathered tightly at the pit of her womb. “God, that feels so damn good.”

He sucked her nipple, biting down, then blowing on the sensitive tip. Over and over again. Hot shudders raced down her spine. Her pussy felt on fire with each of his driving thrusts. 

He continued to plunge hard and pull back. Then did it again, grinding his pelvis with her pussy. Slow flutters started at her channel.

“That’s it, baby,” he growled, licking and biting up to her shoulder. “Come on my dick. Squeeze me hard with your hot, tight pussy.”

She gripped his hair, plastering her chest to his.

“Oh fuck, Seb. I’m— Fuck me harder!”

He slammed into her with so much force, the bed banged against the wall, until the tension broke inside her. He bit down on her shoulder again. Pain and pleasure exploded through her limbs. 

She screamed his name, the sound hoarse and raw. Then he was there, his body tensing as his thrusts slowed until he stopped and filled her with his cum. He snarled into her shoulder, a giant wave of vibrations that traveled the length of her body. 

He lay on the bed next to her, pulling her up to his side, her body half-draped over his. “I love you so much, Seb,” she whispered. “I’m going to keep you alive. You’re mine.”