A duet.A perfect, magical duet with my mate.He stepped behind me and wrapped an arm around my waist as we sang together.Maribelle’s magical snowflakes fell around us.When I encouraged the audience to join in, many sang, others danced, and the festivities continued.
I could barely keep my hands off him while we sang, but once we were finished, I threw myself into his arms.He held me against him as if he’d never let go again.Then we broke apart just enough to look at each other and came together in a deep, searing kiss to the sound of more whistles and shouts.
When we pulled away, breathless, I said, “Let’s get out of here, dragon.It’s just the two of us now.”
A deep rumble poured out of him.He scooped me into his arms and I squealed in surprise.
He turned to the crowd.“Merry Christmas, everyone, and goodnight.”
Then he carried me out into the night.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
DARIUS
Christmas Morning
I woke up holding Bria and breathed in her scent.Her alluring scent washed over me with a soothing vibration, telling me she was truly here.
After almost losing her, I had to be sure that this wasn’t just my imagination.I spooned closer, craving the warmth of her silky skin.The morning sun drifted in from the balcony windows, casting her in a golden glow.
My dragon stretched, satisfied.Mate.Home with us.
Home.That was what it felt like to have her here again.Home.Fulfilled.Happy.
When I replayed last night, the running around the ship to search for staff who could help me put my crazy idea together, I grinned.I’d talked to Kylie about my idea, wondering if it was over the top.She loved it and thought Bria would too.Soon, Kylie enlisted others to help, including Maribelle and Rick.Once word spread across the ship, a legion of supes swooped in from across the ship to help or witness my grand gesture—or to watch it burn out in flames.Even Cedric and Marlene came, which made my debut on that stage a thousand times more difficult as they reminded me of my usual state of control during business negotiations.I’d never felt more vulnerable, more on display, than when I stepped up on stage and sang to a woman I loved, hoping she wouldn’t tell me to piss off.
But she was worth it.
And when she sang with me with such brightness in her eyes, it gave me hope.
The whisper-soft murmur of the sea drifted in through the balcony doors, and the salty breeze caressed our bare skin.
I kissed her soft, exposed shoulder, and she stirred.She slowly roused, turning over her shoulder to smile at me with her eyes barely open.
“Merry Christmas, kitten.”I brushed my fingers down her arm.Her skin was warm and as soft as silk under the morning sun.
She smiled, and my heart skipped.“Merry Christmas, dragon.”She nestled back against me, stirring my already stiffening erection.
When I pressed it against her ass, she chuckled.“Someone’s awake.”
“Just thinking about you,” I murmured.Needing to touch her again, to ensure she was back here, I traced my hands down her sides, over her breasts, up her thighs…
She rolled onto her back and I slid over her, kissing and marking every inch of her with my lips.Last night, we’d rushed back here, burning with fire and desperate to surrender to each other.Now, I took it slower, wanting to savor every exquisite moment, bringing her pleasure again and again.
When I finally slid into her, she clung to me.
“Yes,” she purred.“I need you.”
“Need you too,” I rasped.
Her eyes glowed brighter with a feral gleam, her panther shining through, yearning for me.My dragon burned, agonizing to mark her, seal our bond with the mating bite.
“Darius,” she hissed in a low rumble and arched closer to me.“I’m ready.Mark me.”
I paused, staring into her eyes.“Are you sure?”We’d talked about it last, when the mating instinct had surged, and we’d said there was no need to rush.We’d claim each other when we were both ready, because the mating bite was sacred.Permanent.Forever.
Of course I was ready then, but I had to be patient.
