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Our tears mix together, her words healing lacerations I never thought would close. I drag my thumbs over her damp cheeks, and when she kisses me back with the same desperation, I groan. She pulls back, pressing her forehead to mine, breathing hard. “I’m here.”

I break for her. I gather her body against me so fast the table rattles. She wraps herself around me with zero hesitation and holds me like we were made for each other. I clutch her to my chest, one hand on the back of her neck, the other at her waist.

“I missed you,” she says.

“Fuck,” I say, choking out a small laugh. “You have no idea.”

After a few gasped breaths, the realization I’m not losing her hits and I draw Anna close enough to kiss her again, this time slower and less hurried. My hands skim over her body, something I savor because for the last eleven days I thought I’d never get to do it again. She touches my jaw like she’s memorizing me too, and I turn my face, pressing my lips to the center of her palm.

I want to kiss every part of her—the tattoo can wait, I can’t.

She slides her hands to my back, lifting up the hem of my shirt and scratching her nails down my flesh. I squeeze my lids shut.

Anna pauses and chuckles. “Wait, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” I drop my head between my shoulders and laugh. “Just fighting for my life is all.”

“Aww,” she says with a pout, and puts a finger on my nose. “You’re cute when you’re losing control.”

“That’s going to cost you.” We study each other, needing it after going too long without. Fuck, I love her. “Up.”

She wraps her legs around me and I lift her, peeling her underwear and leggings down her ass; I set her back down on the table and crouch to unhook them from her ankles. Considering I want to paw at her like a fucking animal, I’m quite proud of my patience. I reach under her ass again, picking her up and walking her over to her bed, where I toss her down.

She scoots back onto the bed, taking the clip out of her hair and tossing it across the room while I strip out of my clothes in record time. Crawling onto the bed, she parts her thighs; her pussy fucking glistens and I can’t help but dip my head and wrap my arms around her thighs, tugging her into my face, relishing every pleasured moan she makes. I get my fill before getting to my knees.

I smile, climbing over her. “Duchess.”

“Casper.” Her voice is breathy, and she peers at me with wild possessive eyes. “You’re mine.”

She claims me, exactly as I am.

I align my cock and press inside, loving the way her lips part.

“You don’t understand how long I’ve needed you like this,” I mutter on an exhale. She’s still choosing me. I’m not too much.

Anna nods. “Yes, I do.” Her fingers thread behind my neck and she ushers my mouth to hers. There’s hunger in our kiss as the grief loosens between us, and my mouth moves against hers, just as desperate to make up for every minute we spent apart.

I sit back on my heels and marvel at her body taking me like she was made for every inch. I rake my teeth over my bottom lip while I grip her waist on each side, holding her in place while giving her exactly what she needs.

“Fuck, you’re so tight and wet. I’ll never get enough of this.”

Her delicious moans spur me on.

“That’s right. Give me all of it.” My hips snap into her. “More.”

I work her into a frenzy, then slow my thrusts, taking long drags in and out of her cunt until she’s shaking . . . bringing her right to the edge and making her ride the line.

“I’m going to come,” she mumbles.

“No, you’re not. Not until I say so.”

“Please, Casper . . .”

“Nuh-uh,” I lean forward, sweeping my grin over her panting lips. “Say my name like you fucking mean it.”

I manhandle her, gripping her trembling body, then ease up the second I feel her tense.

“You’re going to let me come now.” She digs her nails into my shoulders. “Casper.”