“Only since I met you.”
My heart does that stuttery lurchy thing again. “I love you too.” It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to say. “And yes, I want to be brave with you. I want us.”
“Thank fuck.” He closes his eyes for a second. “Can I kiss you now?” he asks.
“Please,” I say.
He leans forward, and his mouth finds mine. The kiss is gentle at first, like he’s afraid I might change my mind. But then I thread my fingers through his hair, and something shifts. The kiss deepens, becomes more urgent.
He cups my face. I moan. When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathing hard. His forehead rests against mine.
“I want to give you something else now,” he says, his voice rough.
“What?” I ask, a little out of breath.
“My dick.”
I laugh. “That sounds perfect.”
He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around him.
“Which way to your bedroom?” he asks.
“Oh, we’re going to the bedroom now?” I ask. “Not the sofa or on the coffee table?”
“Nope,” he tells me as he walks into my bedroom, finding it without my help. “I’m going to fuck you. Then I’m going to hold you. I’m warning you now that there will be kissy-kissy shit.”
I laugh.
“Then we’re sleeping…together. I’m going to hold you so fucking close.”
“Sleep? It’s the middle of the day, Grim.”
“You’ll be worn out. We’ll sleep. I’ll hold you. When we wake up, I’m making love to you.” He puts me on the bed.
“Slow and tender?” I giggle. “You?” I lift my brows, going up on my elbows.
“Yes, it’ll be sweet, passionate love.” He pulls his shirt off, and my mouth goes dry. “I might stick my finger up your ass while I’m doing it.”
I laugh, but quickly turn serious when he pulls down his pants.
“I can’t wait,” I tell him, and I’m not just talking about the sex.
51
Grim
One year later…
Wren excuses herself from the group gathered in the main living area. “I will be right back,” she says as she walks toward the kitchen.
I watch her go, noting the slight flush in her cheeks. She’s so damned beautiful.
“Excuse me,” I tell the small cluster of people around me.
I follow her through the archway into the kitchen, my eyes fixed on her ass in those pants. Damn fine. My dragon rumbles his approval, and I have to suppress a grin.
Wren picks up one of the platters on the counter, her back to me.
