Page 121 of Bid For Me

“About what?” he asks, his tone light but curious.

“You,” I admit, my voice breathy. “Us.”

Seb’s brow furrows slightly as he steps closer, his focus entirely on me now. “What about us?”

I exhale, letting the heat that’s been simmering inside me rise to the surface. “I want you, Seb. I’m tired of waiting.”

His eyes widen slightly, and I see the way his throat bobs as he swallows. “Elle…” His voice is low, almost pained.

I reach for him, placing my hands on his chest. “I’m not scared,” I whisper, my voice trembling with urgency. “Not of you, not of this. I’m ready, Bas. So fucking ready.”

Seb’s hands come up to gently hold mine, his touch steady and grounding. “Elle, I—” He pauses, his jaw tightening. “You don’t have to rush this. I want you to be absolutely sure.”

“Iamsure,” I insist, my fingers curling into his shirt. “Seb, I’ve never felt like this before. I’m done holding back.”

His grip tightens slightly, and for a moment, I see something flicker in his eyes – a deep, primal hunger he’s keeping carefully in check. “It’s not about holding back,” he says, his voice rough. “I need you to understand something.”

“What?” I ask, my breath catching.

Seb leans in, his forehead resting against mine. His voice drops, dark and velvety. “Once I have you, Elle, I won’t let you go. Not for anything. Not ever.”

His words send a shiver through me, heat pooling low in my stomach. My pulse quickens, and I can feel the strength of his restraint as if it’s a physical barrier between us.

“I don’t want you to let me go,” I whisper. “I meant every single word of our vows, Seb. This marriage is real. You’reitfor me. Forever.”

Seb closes his eyes, exhaling slowly as if steadying himself. “The contract,” he murmurs, his voice tight. “The things between us…I don’t want you to feel pressured.”

“I don’t care about the contract,” I say, my tone fierce. “This isn’t about that. This is us. I want to be husband and wife ineveryway.”

He opens his eyes, and they’re blazing with an intensity that takes my breath away. “You need to be sure, Elle. Because once I get a taste of you, I’ll never stop wanting you. I’ll never stop claiming you. I’ll possess you. Own you. Mould your pleasure into whatever I want it to be.”

His words hit me like a spark to dry kindling, igniting something raw and desperate inside me. I pull him down to me, capturing his lips in a kiss that’s anything but tentative.It’s hungry, demanding, and Seb responds with equal fervor, his hands sliding to my waist to pull me closer.

For a moment, the world narrows to just us – the heat, the pull, the overwhelming need. But then Seb breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine as we both catch our breath.

“I want you more than anything,” he says, his voice hoarse. “But I need you to understand what you’re asking for. Once this starts, I won’t be able to stop. I’ll want everything.”

“I want everything, too,” I say, my voice firm. “I’m not afraid, Seb. I trust you.”

He searches my eyes for a long moment, and then he exhales, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “We can still take it slow,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple. “But just know…slow doesn’t mean I want you any less.”

“No.” I shake my head, emphatic. “Not slow, Seb. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“I just think your first time should be special. Give me time to plan something and make it memorable.”

It takes everything in me not to stomp my foot and jump on the stubborn mule.

“No!” I take a deep breath and force myself to calm down, but keep my tone firm so that he knows I’m not backing down over this. “I don’t want anything special. No hearts, no flowers, no romance. I want you to fucking ruin me, Seb. And I want it to happen at the club. This weekend.”

Seb’s lips curl into a slow, wicked grin, his gaze darkening. “Careful, Elle,” he murmurs, his voice like velvet and smoke. “If you ask me to ruin you, don’t expect to come out the other side unscathed. This weekend, I’ll show you exactly what that means.”

His words are both a promise and a warning, and they send a thrill through me. I know we’re teetering on the edgeof something life-changing, but with Seb, I’m ready to take the leap.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Seb

I keep lookingat the final gift. The one I bought the day I chose Elle’s engagement ring, earrings and forget-me-not pendant.