I’d prefer a different way, I replied in a cheeky manner.
I raised my hand slowly as I approached Darius.“Okay…?”
He dipped his head in permission.
I touched his scales.They were smooth and warm—hard yet satin-smooth.He rumbled his approval, and I climbed up, straddling the width of his powerful spine.
I leaned forward and awkwardly wrapped my arms around his neck.
With a few powerful beats of his wings, Darius soared from the ship.
The night wind whipped through my hair, cool and exhilarating.Below us, the Moonlight Siren glittered like diamonds on the dark sea.Stars stretched wide above, with little light pollution to dilute them, and the moon bathed us in silver.We climbed higher.It was breathtaking.Magnificent.I’d never felt so free, so unstoppable.
Several minutes later, Darius circled back toward the ship, landing with surprising grace.I slid off his back and wobbled, grabbing a rail to steady myself.
The dragon’s scales shimmered and light rippled as he reshaped.A heartbeat later, Darius stood before me in human form.Completely nude.
Liquid heat shot through me and I averted my gaze.Shifters didn’t blush over nudity,but this was Darius.Gorgeous, muscular, perfectly sculpted Darius with magic hands and…
He reached into a storage bin for his clothes and slipped into his pants.“I’d hate to put the suit back on.”He extended a hand toward me, head cocked in invitation.“Come with me to my suite so I can change.”
I bit my lip, then cocked my head with a slow, seductive smile.“I have a feeling you won’t need clothes there.”
He let out a low chuckle before his golden eyes burned me with hunger.“I hope not.”
My pulse fluttered wildly as we headed to his suite.He held my hand in his large one, and it still wasn’t enough.I needed to get closer to him.I wanted more.His touch.His fire.
He opened the door to his penthouse—pure luxury from the massive bed, full bar, and gorgeous view from his private balcony.I turned to him and raised my slightly trembling hand to touch his cheek.He curled into it and kissed my palm, then took my wrist and kissed up my forearm.
“Bria,” he said with that slight roll of the R, which affected me.
I swallowed.“I’m right here.”
He lifted his smoldering gaze and fixed it on me.“Don’t leave.”
God, no.The air was already so thick with heat, charged with energy, that it threatened to ignite.
My heart thudded once.Twice.And then we came together hard—mouths crashing and hands exploring.I let out a breathy gasp as I threaded my hands through his hair and he kissed my neck.His bare chest pressed against me and we worked together to quickly shed my clothes.While we moved toward his bed, we shed our clothes as if they affronted us.
By the time I dropped my head onto his pillow, I breathed hard, staring up into his intense eyes.
“You’re so beautiful,” he uttered, his voice as smooth as whiskey.“I want you so bad.”
He bent down and kissed me, moving his body over mine.
“I want you, Darius.”I sighed, pulling him closer.“I want this.”
A low groan vibrated from his chest, sending another wave of need to my core.He moved down my body, kissing and caressing me as if he’d already memorized every curve and response.My desire grew urgent.Terrifying.I’d never wanted anyone more than this shifter.
As he snaked his tongue up my inner thigh, I sucked in a breath and waited, breathless with anticipation.And then he tasted me and I moaned.He played me, slowly, deliberately, skillfully, using both his mouth and hand to bring me to an exquisite height, and I cried out as I shattered with the stars.
And when he finally settled on top of me, sliding inside where I desperately needed him, I wrapped my arms and legs around him, never wanting to let him go.He was my one and only, my mate.
My teeth sharpened as I grew desperate to mark him.To claim him as mine.
But how could you claim someone when you knew they would soon leave you?
Two daysbefore Christmas
