I laugh and place a finger under her chin. “It was the most incredible experience of my life.”
She smiles and steps into the spray, rinsing off the mess I’ve made of her. The water’s gone cold, and our fingers are turning pruney. As soon as she’s done, I shut it off and guide her back to the bed.
“Do you want me to go back to my place?” she asks.
“No fucking way. I want you right beside me.”
“Okay,” she says softly.
“Do you need anything to eat or drink?” I ask, corralling her toward the bed. There’s no way I’m letting my mate go to bed hungry.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Thank fuck. I’m exhausted.” Without my saying another word, she crawls into bed and scoots to the opposite side. I crawl in beside her, loop an arm around her waist, and pull her to me with a growl of contentment.
With her head tucked under my chin, I start to drift off.
“Seb, what’s that sound you make? That purr? It’s really beautiful.”
I chuckle. “I’m glad you think so. You’re the only one who can hear it.”
She looks over her shoulder at me, rolling onto her back to see me better in the dark, although I know I must be nothing but an indistinct shape to her. “What? Anyone could hear that.”
“Stick your fingers in your ears.”
She does and then looks even more confused.
“The call is coming from inside the building,” I say with a chuckle. “Just settle down. It will quiet as soon as my dragon falls asleep. With how exhausted we are from tonight, it won’t be long.”
I lay my head back down, and she runs her fingers through the side of my hair. “You got the rings.”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t seem happy about it.”
I want to tell her everything, but I can’t keep my eyes open. “Tomorrow,” I say, pulling her into my chest. She settles down and falls into a deep, dreamless sleep.
When I wake, the sun is shining through the blinds and Zoe isn’t in bed with me. I run my hand over her side of the sheets and find them cold. After a few deep breaths, I surmise that she’s not nearby anymore either. She’s been up for a while, then. Probably back at her place. I need to find her and make sure she’s not second-guessing our mating last night.
Bed her again, my dragon rumbles. I think it’s the happiest he’s ever been, and I definitely feel better than I’ve felt in weeks. For once, I don’t feel feverish. Hell, if I don’t love the idea of luring Zoe back to my bed. I think of how she looked last night up against the shower wall, her neck flushed, her skin tacky from the steam.
I need to find her. Make sure she’s okay.
I bound out of bed and complete my morning routine in record time, throwing on a pair of jeans and a merino sweater. Then I go looking for her. I don’t have to go far. She’s standing in my kitchen, fully dressed, with a cup of coffee in her hands. She doesn’t look happy.
Only when she turns toward me do I notice who is standing next to her.
“Morwyn? When did you get here?”
“Just a few moments ago,” the Virgo doctor says, his wild dark hair making him appear far more unhinged than he actually is.
“He says Remus is still recovering. You didn’t tell me he was hurt last night.” Zoe’s brow furrows.
“It didn’t come up,” I mumble.
She looks down into her coffee and frowns.
Morwyn glances between us, his nostrils flaring. He smiles, no doubt picking up my mating scent. But before he can get distracted, I ask, “What’s happening with Remus?”
