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“No, you didn’t.”

“I’m not asking now.”

I lift my eyebrows.

“I don’t ask, Ella. I take. I took your virginity without asking, and I wish I could tell you I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m not sorry. I’m glad it was me. I’m glad I was the first man to ever be inside you.”

I open my mouth, but no words emerge.

What do I say to that?

It’s hardly a declaration of love. He doesn’t love me. He never will. I’m a maid, after all.

Damn him! And damn me for still wanting him.

He stalks toward me and grabs me.

The kiss is different this time.

Not less hungry.

Never that.

The hunger is there, as wild and deep as ever.

But it’s not a collision this time.

It’s more than that.

He makes a rough sound against my mouth, and I feel it everywhere.

I answer by sliding my hands up around his neck.

The room falls away slowly.

For a little while, there is only Nathaniel looking at me like he sees both the maid and the woman and can’t decide which one he wants. Or maybe he hates himself for wanting both.

He unbuttons my uniform and slides it off me until I’m standing in my bra and panties.

“Those fucking white panties,” he growls.

“They’re what I’m supposed to wear with⁠—”

He cuts me off with another hungry kiss.

After drugging me with his tongue and lips, he moves his mouth away from mine and rains kisses over my neck, shoulders, top of my chest as he unhooks my bra.

My breasts fall, and he captures a nipple between his teeth, tugging gently. Then not so gently.

I exhale sharply as tingles shoot through me.

He’s still fully dressed of course. Will I ever actually see his body?

I don’t know. So I close my eyes and let myself feel.

His hands.

His breath.