“Yes. All of it,” I murmured.
Viol threw his leg over my side and straddled my waist. He put his palms on my chest as if touching a precious artifact. As his thumb drew circles across my skin, he sucked in a slow, ragged breath.
“You’re so beautiful, Poppy,” he growled, as if that beauty pained him. “You always have been.”
His praise warmed my soul. It was always heartfelt, and I knew he meant every word of it.
Viol leaned over and let out another soft growl against my lips. The vibration felt good, as did the suspense of what came after it. He captured my lower lip and sucked it gently before his tongue snaked into my mouth. I moaned into the kiss. The velvet heat of his mouth dissolved all my thoughts, and I sank into a pool of bliss.
As we made out, our bodies grinded against each other like two magnets unable to resist the other’s pull. Viol’s heat and weight on top of me was like armor, a shield against all the bad things in the world. When he was by my side, I felt invincible. Protected. Loved.
Emotion and arousal swelled up within me. My slick entrance twitched, impatient and longing for my alpha. I wrapped my legs around his lower back. A keening whine escaped me, disappearing into the open-mouthed kiss.
“Please,” I murmured against Viol’s lips. “I’ve needed you for so long...”
I felt the violent, pleasurable shudder ripple down his back. His hips grinded against my lower belly. His thick bulge was evident behind his jeans. But the sensation of denim on my bare skin felt like he was teasing me. He’d stripped off my clothes, yet left his pants on.
“No more,” I grumbled. To drive my point home, I dug my heels into his waistband.
Viol smirked. “All right, all right. You know I can’t resist you.”
Holding my gaze, he sat upright and slowly undid his zipper. I was breathless as I watched my mate strip. He was so unbelievably handsome. Irresistible.
Suddenly, tears sprang to my eyes.
“W-why are you crying?” Viol asked with his fly halfway down.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured. “You’re just so attractive.”
“And you’recryingabout it?”
I chuckled wetly. “No, it’s not that...”
Viol frowned as he reached out a gentle hand to wipe my tears. “Tell me what’s bothering you, Poppy.”
I shook my head, feeling silly now. “I was thinking... if youwerea bachelor on the Dragonfate Games, you’d be the most handsome one. You would have a huge line of omegas wanting to date you. To be your mate. None of them could resist you.”
Viol’s mouth twisted in flustered confusion. “What the hell? I don’t give a shit about that! Even if a million omegas wanted my attention, I’d tell them to fuck right off because none of them would beyou.” He lurched closer, his mouth hovering above mine. His warm breath contained a hint of fiery dragon smoke. “Poppy, you know damn well you’re my fated mate. You’re the only one I love, and the only one I’lleverlove. You’re the most beautiful, kindest, hottest, mosteverythingman I could possibly imagine.”
By the time he finished his proclamation of love, Viol was breathing hard.
Adoration swam in my chest. His aggressive devotion was magical.
With a sheepish smile, I reached up to stroke his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. I was mostly thinking about how lucky I am.”
Viol snorted. “If anyone’s lucky, it’s yours truly. The sweetest omega in the world belongs to me. In my arms.” His voice dropped to a sultry murmur, and his mouth curved into a grin. “In my bed...”
A tingle danced along my skin. Hearing him say that caused the kindling warmth in my chest to expand until it filled every inch of my body.
Suddenly, the distance between us—however minimal—was too much. I wanted him on me, in me.
I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, cognizant of the powerful muscles beneath his skin. His warmth only added fuel to the fire of my arousal. I dragged my fingernails down the back of his neck, teasing. Demanding his attention.
Viol shuddered as he let out a rough growl. He angled his hips lower, and I felt his trapped bulge push desperately against me. Then I recalled that I’d interrupted his strip show with my silly nonsense.
“Um... can you take the rest of your clothes off?” I asked.
His reply was a breathy chuckle. “Sure, Poppy.”
