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I shove my hands into the pockets of my trousers as I force myself to walk towards her at a normal pace instead of dragging her into my arms and checking if she’s real.

“What are you doing here?” My voice comes out rougher than intended.

Elara studies me for a second before answering softly.

“Watching Outlander.” She lifts one side of the blanket, making room for me beside her on the couch, the simple gesture slamming into me violently.

I lean down first, pressing a long lingering kiss to her forehead, letting my lips stay there a second too long just to feel the steady warmth of her skin beneath them.

Then I slide onto the couch beside her, immediately pulling her against my chest beneath the blanket.

“Have you ever fucked on a boat?” She asks me.

My eyes widen as I turn towards the television to find Jamie Fraser kissing the absolute hell out of his wife against the railing of a ship. A laugh rumbles out of my chest before I can stop it.

“Isthatyourtakeawayfromthisscene?”Iask incredulously.

Elara shrugs beneath the blanket, entirely unashamed. “It’s an important question.”

I look down at her, amusement tugging at my mouth for the first time since waking up in a panic. “No.”

“Well?” she presses impatiently.

“You really want to fuck on a boat?” I lift a brow.

She nods immediately, eyes drifting shut as if she’s already picturing the fantasy in her head. The expression on her face is enough to make heat coil low in my stomach.

I grab her harshly by the throat, thumb resting beneath her jaw as I study her.

“A girl can dream.” She murmurs, licking her lips in a way that’s entirely fucking deliberate.

A rough snort leaves me as I lean closer, breathing in the sweetness of her scent, my nose pressed against her pulse.

“Say less, baby girl.” I drag my tongue slowly across her cheek just to hear the sharp little inhale she gives me.

I lean down, pressing slow kisses along her neck, letting them trail lower until I reach the soft skin just above her stomach before I pause.

My hands settle on her thighs, thumbs brushing absent circles there as the thought slips out before I can stop it.

“Would you mind if I knocked you up?”

“W-what?” Her head jerks up so fast I almost laugh.

“Would you mind if I knocked you up?” I repeat.

“I’m surprised you haven’t already.” She sits up more fully, her shorts riding higher on her thighs, pale skin flashing beneath the dim light like she’s intentionally trying to test my self-control.

I force my eyes back to her face. “Do you want kids, Elara?” I straighten up.

“If I say no, will you break up with me?” She asks, her voice small and filled with terror.

Disbelief slams through me so hard I almost recoil.

“Break up?” I repeat flatly. “What the fuck is a breakup?”

Her lips part slightly at my tone. “Like when people separate—”

“Like when they die?”