“Nah, Honey. Not conceit. Fact. Look how hard I am for you,” I growl and her eyes drop to my crotch.
I lower my voice, more serious now.
“All kidding aside, you’re my mate, Marigold. That’s not just a line. I marked you. I claimed you—but maybe I didn’t realize what it really meant until I was halfway to the hospital and couldn’t breathe without thinking about you.”
I feel her tense.
The zipper is down.
Her dress is loose.
But I can’t move.
Not until she listens.
“I didn’t just claim you, Honey. I fell in love with you. Completely and totally in love,” I whisper the truth even though it’s scary as fuck to admit.
“You claimed me? You love me?” she asks, her voice small but sure. Hopeful. Like she wants it to be true but needs to hear me say it again.
I look at her, gaze locked on her like she’s the only star in the sky.
“Yeah, I did and I do, Honey,” I say, low and steady. “And I’ll spend every damn day proving I’m worthy of it. If you’ll let me.”
She turns slowly, the velvet slipping from her shoulders like melted chocolate. She sucks in a breath and lowers her arms.
The dress pools at her feet in a gentle swoosh of fabric, hope, and best intentions.
And I almost forget how to stand.
She’s wearing this thing.
A teddy—I think it’s called.
And now I’m harder than stone.
It’s all shimmering gold thread and sheer, teasing patches that show me just enough to light my blood on fire and not nearly enough to satisfy my craving.
She’s glittering like the treasure she is.
And I know I’m the beast who was born to guard her.
Gods help me, I covet this woman.
“I-I want you to claim me again,” she whispers. “Here. Now.”
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
My cock starts twitching inside my boxers, already dripping precum.
This woman is going to kill me.
I growl—deep and primal—as I step forward and scoop her into my arms again. This time, I don’t bother pretending I’m in control. I’m not.
Marigold owns me now.
And she doesn’t even know it.
“I was hoping you’d say that,” I whisper against her mouth.
