Finally, we were reunited. Blaise’s hands were hot against my waist, gripping me so tightly as though he was afraid I would slip through his fingers. After what we’ve been through, I couldn’t fault him.

I needed him as much as he needed me. Our tongues crossed, and I tasted the hint of curry on his tongue, the aftermath of a tense dinner that would have given anyone a stomach upset. We continued to kiss fervently until my lips were swollen red, and eventually, we had to reluctantly break apart for air.

"Harper... I thought you were dead," Blaise murmured in wonder, his breath grazing my ear. His hand tenderly cupped my cheek as he gazed into my eyes, "I’m so glad you’re alive. You’re alive. And you’re here right in front of me."

"Don’t be too happy about it." I tried to smile, but it was a wretched attempt. "Blaise, you’re in grave danger. Are you sure you’re feeling okay after the meal? Do you need to vomit? Maybe you should do it anyway, just in case―"

Blaise pressed a finger against my lips to shush me. "My dear, I would walk straight through hell for you. What is eating two plates of spicy curry compared to that? But you might want to avoid the bathroom later when I’m using it," Blaise added mischievously, and I could only give a watery smile in response, squeezing him tighter as I buried my face in his shoulder.

"Are you sure?" I prodded anyway, leaning closer to whisper in his ear.

My mother promised me privacy, but I could not forget the cruel glee on her face as she let my mates know that I had killed Dahlia Elrod. I could only hope Darach would forgive me, once Damon told him the news.

"My mother is terrifying," I quickly muttered to Blaise. "She said she would leave us alone, but―"

Blaise’s eyes darkened in understanding. "Leave it to me," he murmured. Then he hoisted me up without warning, causing me to squeak. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist, clinging to him without any reservations.

He planted a kiss on my lips, before quickly depositing me on the bed and pulling the covers over both of us, giving me a playful wink. The bright lights of my bedroom were muted under the blanket, bathing the both of us in a warm pinkish glow that made Blaise look even more devilishly handsome than he had any right to be.

I swallowed, my mouth suddenly dry.

"Now we could pretend to be tearing each other’s clothes off to throw your mother off whatever plans she had about spying on us, but I see no reason to pretend, do you?" Blaise asked quietly in wry amusement, and the despair that threatened to overwhelm me in the past few days faded away.

"No, I don’t see any reason to pretend otherwise," I whispered in reply, reaching up to pull Blaise’s shirt off, my hands trailing over his skin. He let out a hiss at my initiative, his body jumping to attention at this simple touch. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"You’ve gotten thinner," I couldn’t help but notice sadly. He must have been overcome with worry to eat his meals regularly.

"I’ll fatten up soon enough," Blaise replied, smiling softly at me as he leaned down to kiss me with the adoration of a man coming home from war to his wife.

Of course, he missed me as much as I missed him. Our souls had been desperately calling out to each other. My hands roved all over his exposed body; I wanted to memorize every nook and cranny, every bumpy scar, and the outline of his muscles.

Blaise groaned in pleasure as my fingers brushed over his nipples, and I snickered at his increased sensitivity.

"Don’t laugh," Blaise complained, but there was no heat in it.

"What? I’m just happy to see you," I said, fluttering my eyelashes with deliberate innocence that did not fool him in the least, for Blaise let out a playful growl and pounced on me, pulling off my T-shirt in one quick motion that left me breathless, exposing my breasts to his hungry gaze.

His pupils darkened as he focused on them. "I’m very happy to see you too. All of you."

"Pervert," I laughed, but my laughter was quickly cut short as his hands cupped my breasts through my bra, squeezing them roughly while he played with my nipples, his nails scraping gently at the sensitive skin, causing me to moan as my body jerked up instinctively, pushing more of my chest into his hands. Wetness began to grow between my legs.

I wanted — needed — more from him.

"Blaise..."

"Yes, darling?" Blaise asked. Now it was his turn to play innocent, and I could only huff in mock irritation.

"Touch me."

"I am touching you," Blaise said, and to prove his point, he placed a hand on my collarbone, gently tracing the outline of it with his fingers. "See?"

Oh, he was infuriating. But oh, do I love him.

Since I had been imprisoned in this tower, seeking pleasure had been the last thing on my mind. But now that Blaise was here, it seemed that my body wanted to make up for all those lost days that we should have spent as lovers.

I pinched his side, delighting in his surprised squeak. "Harper!"

"Touch me," I demanded, grabbing his hand to place on my breast, and just so there could be no misunderstanding, I continued. "Make me so wet that I’ll soak through my panties."

A wicked smile crossed Blaise’s face, and he snapped my bra clean off.

"As you wish."

And that was all he said before he proceeded to suckle at one of my nipples, fondling the other with his hand. Cries of pleasure escaped my throat as I felt his warm mouth over me, and I could feel my core getting steadily drenched at his expert ministrations, the ache between my legs growing stronger. I bucked my hips, wanting him to notice.

"Blaise... take off your pants," I panted out.