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The words settled deep within me as his eyes moved over my face as though he was searching for something he had waited a lifetime to find. Then his forehead lowered to mine before gentle words followed.

“There she is.”

The tenderness in his voice undid me far more effectively than any teasing remark ever could. Then, with the distance between us now eliminated, his lips finally met mine. A kiss that felt less like surrender and more like coming home. I let out a breathy sigh of pleasure as I arched into him. My hands put pressure on his hold, telling him silently to release me. The desperate need to touch him had me fighting for freedom, and he quickly got the hint.

As soon as my hands were free, they immediately sought him out. The second my palms touched his bare skin, I felt the reaction ripple through him, a subtle tightening beneath my fingertips. A shudder that seemed to travel the length of his body before every muscle became taut.

His strength had always fascinated me, but now, feeling it beneath my hands, knowing he was reacting to me just as strongly as I was reacting to him, sent another wave of heat spiraling through my chest.

Atlas lifted his head slightly, studying me with an expression that was becoming increasingly difficult to think around. There was satisfaction there, but beneath it lingered something that made me feel seen in a way I still hadn’t entirely grown used to.

Which was why my hands wandered lower, skimming down his sides before hooking into the waistband of his trousers, my intentions becoming considerably less subtle.

“Are you being impatient again?” he asked, the amusement in his voice made me narrow my eyes.

“I don’t know. Are you being ridiculously slow?” I countered, and he lifted a dark brow.

“You mean taking my time?” His answer only made me groan.

“New plan,” I informed him. “How about you stop taking your time and then later, when you’re ready for more, you can take all the time you want?”

The laugh escaped him instantly, but this time, Atlas threw his head back, the sound filling the room before he leaned down again. Now, brushing his nose lightly along my cheek until his lips hovered near my ear.

“I must say, I do enjoy this eager side of you.”

“Of course you do,” I muttered. “It feeds your ever-growing kingly ego.”

His chuckle vibrated through me.

“It’s nice to know that time between us has not dampened your desire, but only made it burn brighter.”

He could say that again. But instead of replying as such, my pride wouldn’t let me. So, I rolled my eyes instead, though there wasn’t much conviction behind the gesture, and he knew it.

“Yes, well, if you don’t make love to me soon, it’s going to become a bonfire, and then there’ll be nothing left but a pile of ash on your bed. So, I suggest you do your kingly duty and satisfy the one you called… your queen.” The last part came out as little more than a whisper as I leaned closer, my lips brushing his, and oh boy, the effect was immediate.

Every muscle in his body tightened above me, and for a moment, the playful banter vanished entirely. In its place was a look that made my pulse stumble.

Then came the growl of words.

Low.

Dangerous.

“Say that again.”

I blinked innocently and questioned, “That I’ll become a bonfire?”

His jaw tightened, and another growl rumbled from deep in his chest.

“You know exactly what I want, Alexandra.” His voice dropped lower. More urgent. “Now stop playing with me and give it to me. Tell me who you are to me.”

Something inside me melted at the demand.

I reached up and cupped his face between my hands, drawing him down until our foreheads almost touched. His eyes never left mine, and the intensity burning there stole the remainder of my breath.

When I finally answered, the words were spoken directly against his lips.

“Your queen.”