“Because you wanted to or because your military demanded it?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes, because there is a difference between following orders and killing for enjoyment.”
“Only a psychopath revels in death. I had to turn off my emotions to do my job.”
“Because it bothered you. Still does, hence the nightmares.”
My lips pinched. “What I’ve done will always be a part of me and is why I’ve said you deserve better. I mean, look at me. A few strangers show up, and I’m ready to go to war.”
“To protect those you love.”
I almost said I didn’t love Percy but that wouldn’t be entirely true. The dragon had grown on me, and not in that unpleasant way the fungus did when I spent too much time in a damp jungle. “Preparing myself for battle shouldn’t be my first response.”
“Being ready for a threat isn’t a bad thing. I think it admirable that you’re willing to stand up for those you care about. Some men choose the easier route and walk away.”
“I envy them.”
“No, you don’t, because this is who you are.” She leaned forward to whisper against my lips. “You are a hero. A protector. A man who cares more deeply than he likes to admit. Who doesn’t like to see injustice. Who would give everything, even his life, to keep the innocent from harm.”
“Are you sure you’re talking about me?” I tried to quip through a tight throat.
“I am. It’s part of the reason why I’m falling in love with you,” she stated.
My entire being froze at her claim. “You don’t love me. I’m not worthy?—”
A finger to my lips shushed the rest of that sentence as did her hissed, “Don’t you dare say you’re not. I’ve spent the last decade around bad people. I know the difference. Know how you make me feel.”
“You’re just grateful to me.”
“Grateful is me cooking for you. Me baring my inner secrets, my scars, and giving myself to you is a choice I made because I wanted you.”
I wanted to believe her. She sounded so earnest. But how could she love me?
“Stubborn man,” she grumbled before dragging me close for a kiss.
A kiss full of passion and need. An embrace that spoke of her desire.
For me.
I proved too weak to resist. My arm wrapped around her and hugged her close. Her legs straddled my hips so she could sit in my lap properly, letting us kiss without straining. Letting me touch with ease, my hands gliding up under the fabric of her pajama top.
But while she allowed me to caress, she took complete and utter control, lifting the hem of my shirt until I stripped it. Before I could do the same to her, she’d already whipped off her top and tossed it aside.
She stood for a moment and kept her gaze fixed on me as she lowered her bottoms and removed them along with her underpants. She then stared down at me, a beautiful goddess in all her nude glory who had a simple order. “Undress.”
I stripped my joggers so fast, it had to be a record.
She reseated herself on my lap, her legs folded on either side of my thighs, straddling my cock, guiding it into her wet pussy, making me groan in surrender.
She’d discovered my weakness.
Her.
I couldn’t tell her no. Couldn’t do anything but give her what she demanded for as long as she allowed.
As she fully sheathed my cock, she cupped my face and kissed me. Kissed me as she slowly bounced, pushing and lifting, and pushing…
