She approaches the bed slowly. At the edge, I stop her. "Naked."
A dangerous smile plays at her lips as she lets the silk pool at her feet. Moonlight caresses every perfect curve, and my mouth goes dry.
She slides beside me, and I pull her close, burying my face in her hair. Vanilla and lavender wrap around me—clean, fresh, but still uniquely her.
"Erik." Her voice trembles as she rolls to face me, platinum hair spilling across the pillow, her golden skin luminous in the candlelight. "I just—"
I move before she can finish, pinning her beneath me. I can't bear to hear the rejection in her voice, not after feeling her come apart in my arms, not after tasting her surrender. Her body was made for mine—every curve, every sigh, every tremor a testament to our connection.
The mating bond howls through my blood, demanding. To make her mine for eternity. But I hold back, muscles trembling with restraint. The choice must be hers—a willing surrender, not a forced submission.
"Look at me," I demand softly, catching her chin when she tries to turn away. "I feel your pulse racing, little bird. Your body still trembling from my touch. You can't deny this."
"It's not that simple." Her beautiful magical eyes shine with unshed tears, but that familiar warrior mask starts to slip into place. "I'm not meant for—"
"For what? Love? Connection?" I press my forehead to hers, letting her feel the tremors running through my body. "You think I'm not terrified too? Lifetimes of control shattered by one fierce Valkyrie who won't leave my thoughts."
Her hands push against my chest, but I capture them, pinning them beside her head. Our fingers intertwine automatically, betraying her body's instinct to connect with mine.
"Erik, please." Her voice breaks. "I'll only disappoint you. I'm not—"
"You'reeverything." I brush my lips across her jaw, feeling her shiver. "Every breath, every heartbeat screams for you. The way you fight, the way you love, that sass that drives me mad—it's all I want. All I need."
"But what if—"
"No more what-ifs." I roll my hips against hers, showing her how ready I am again, drawing a gasp. "Feel this. Feel us. Your body knows the truth your mind keeps fighting."
A tear escapes down her cheek. "I don't know how to do this. How to be..."
"Mine?" I kiss away the tear. "You already are. Just as I'm yours, we will figure it out together."
Her breath hitches as I trail kisses down her throat, tasting the salt of her uncertainty. "You've spent an eternity being the fierce one, the warrior. Let me be your shelter now."
"I don't need—" Her protest dissolves into a moan as I capture her nipple with my mouth, her back arching instinctively.
"No?" I raise my head, watching her pupils dilate. "Your body says different, little bird." My hand slides down her ribs, feeling goosebumps rise in its wake. "Every touch, every kiss—you bloom for me."
"That's... that's just physical." But her thighs part as my hand drifts lower, betraying her words.
I catch her mouth in a searing kiss, swallowing her gasp as my fingers find her still-sensitive flesh. "Physical?" I growl against her lips. "Is that what you call this connection burning between us? This need that consumes me every time you're near?"
Her nails dig into my shoulders as I circle slowly. "Erik—"
"I feel your heart racing." I press closer, letting her feel every hard line of my body. "Feel how you respond to my touch. Your warrior mask can't hide this, Bryn. Can't hide us."
A sob catches in her throat. "I'm scared."
"I know." I gently touch her, pressing soft kisses to her temples, cheeks, and trembling lips. "But I'm here. I'll always be here. Let me show you," I murmur against her collarbone, tasting the thunderstorm beneath her skin. "Let me prove how perfect we are together."
Her hands tangle in my hair as I worship down her body, mapping every curve with reverent kisses.
"I can't—" She arches as I find a sensitive spot. "I can't think when you do that."
"Then don't think." I raise my head, meeting those mystical eyes dark with need. "Feel, Bryn. Just feel."
My hand slides under her lower back, lifting her closer as I settle between her thighs. She's still slick from our earlier passion, her body ready despite her mind's protests. "Look at how your body welcomes mine."
"Erik—" Her voice breaks on my name as I align ourselves.
