Her heart clenched as Vector circled once, then angled downward, descending toward the cliffs.
He landed with practiced grace, the wind from his wings sending waves rippling through the tall grass. His claws dug into the stone pathway that led up to the front of the house, smoke curling from his nostrils as he exhaled.
Raven hesitated, confused. “This is the property I listed. Why are we here?”
Home, Dragon replied.
“I don’t understand.”
Suddenly an envelope appeared in her hands. She opened it, a little rattled that he could magically make something appear. But then, he was a dragon, so why not? She tore the flap open and pulled out the papers inside, quickly skimming the contents. “Oh my god. This is a deed to a house. It––it has my name on it.” She began to cry. “You bought me a house? My dream house?”
Gift.
Raven laughed through her tears. A home. The dream she’d whispered, and he’d made come true. The estate was massive. Breathtaking. All the more awe inspiring because she neverexpected it to be hers. “I love it, but my home is wherever you are, my love. Always.”
Always.
For one breathless moment, she just sat there, perched on his massive back, feeling the warmth of him, the steady rise and fall of his breathing. She never wanted this feeling to end. And she desperately wanted to feel Vector’s arms around her. She wanted them both.
We are both yours, mate. Dragon sent her images of them flying again, high above mountains, chasing whales in the ocean, dancing with the stars. Every night, if you wish.
“Thank you.” She spoke aloud as she slid off his back—slowly—her feet touching solid ground again with a jolt she wasn’t prepared to feel. She didn’t want to give him up. This all felt too surreal, as if he would vanish the moment her back was turned.
She kept her eyes on him, her dragon, her protector, her love.
He watched her, those molten-green eyes unblinking, endless.
She exhaled, heart hammering, chest tight.
Then, without thinking?—
She reached up and placed her hands on his snout.
His scales were hot beneath her palms, smooth and solid, and alive.
He shuddered beneath her touch.
A deep, soul-rumbling sound vibrated from his chest, a low, rolling purr that sent shivers racing down her spine.
She let out a breathless laugh, stroking the length of his jaw, running her fingers over the ridges of his face, touching him like she’d dreamed of doing but wasn’t sure she would find the courage because…dragon.
“I can’t believe this is real,” she whispered, pressing her forehead against him, closing her eyes.
He exhaled deeply, a warm gust of dragon-scented air ruffling her hair.
She pulled back just slightly, her gaze softening.
And before she could stop herself, she leaned up and pressed a kiss to his massive cheek.
His body went completely still.
The world held its breath.
Then—
A low, pleased rumble shook the earth beneath them, content, wild, absolutely wrecked.
Her dragon liked that.
