I eased out of our glorious kiss and looked up at Vex. “I was wrong. I had to risk myself. I had to honor what's between us. If I didn't, it would have weakened our love. I think even this day, containing what I thought were missteps, unfolded perfectly.”
“I'm part of your destiny now,” Vex said.
“Vex, you've always been a part of it.”
“You're right. I can feel it.” His stare went distant. “There has been a place in my heart reserved for you from the momentof my birth.” He refocused on me. “I thought I had loved before, but when I found you, I realized I had no idea what love was.”
“Damn it, Vex!” I snarled.
His head jerked back. “What did I say wrong?”
“Nothing. That's the point. I thought I said something really romantic and then you outshone it. Again.”
Vex snorted, but then he went serious. “Staying silent through that fight was the hardest thing I've ever done. When Bale pinned you, I nearly jumped the rope and pulled him off you. I wanted to kill him. Tear his throat out. Making a tiger watch his mate get tested is cruel. I need to speak to my father about it.”
“Maybe that's why they're testedbeforethey mate,” I said gently.
Vex grimaced. “Probably. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.”
“It's all right. You already apologized.” I glanced down the expanse of his bare chest. “That dance more than made up for it.”
His grimace turned into a grin. “I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's normally done at a mating celebration. Since that was sort of our mating celebration, I thought it appropriate.”
I removed my belt and tossed it aside. “What would be appropriate is if you got naked now.”
That grin turned wicked. Vex licked his lips. “Is it time?”
“If you still want to try it.”
“I do.”
“In that case, grab the oil.”
Vex went to a bedside table and retrieved a bottle out of its drawer. As he did, I got undressed. It didn't take him long to catch up to me, what with him only wearing pants. Then, grinning like fools, we crawled onto the bed together.
“Lie on your stomach,” I said.
“Not on all-fours?”
I shivered as that image bombarded me. “That sounds incredible, but no. I want to massage you first.”
“Massage me?” Vex lifted his brows. “You're the one who fought today. I should massage you.”
“Yes, but you're the one who's about to be penetrated for the first time.”
He made a disgusted expression. “I don't think I like the sound of that.”
“Penetrated? How about entered?”
“Better, but it could still use some improvement.” Vex chuckled and laid down on his belly. “How about made love to?”
“Yes, definitely.”
Staring at the expanse of Vexen's muscled back, the upper part wreathed in tattoos that swept around from the front, I sighed. Was there anything more beautiful than a naked man lying like that, with his bouncy bottom begging to be played with? Nope. Nothing better.
I took the oil from Vex, and he pulled a pillow beneath his chest, folding his arms around it before smiling at me. “I'm ready for my massage now.”
“All right, all right.” I laughed. “Don't be so impatient.”
