The fear.
I roll my hips, forcing Ezra’s fingers deeper, which sends another orgasm crashing through me so violently I briefly experience a moment of pure, blissful nirvana.
Just clear blue skies, warm wind, a field of wildflowers, and peace so profound a tear slips down my cheek.
I wrap my arms around his neck. His mouth is everywhere—my throat, my chest—devouring me in pieces, growling so deep I feel it in my bones.
“Meum. In aeternum,” he whispers. The voice isn’t just Ezra’s. It’s older and deeper, something monstrous and eternal curled beneath his skin.
I should be afraid.
But I’m Aurora Fucking Hagan—Destroyer of Rapist Cocks and Queen of Forcing Ancient Shadow Monsters to Eat Humble Pie.
What do I have to fear?
Okay, that may be the afterglow talking, but if I were in real danger, wouldn’t the Cù Fèidh protect me?
When my body goes limp, Ezra lays me down, wraps me up in his arms, then whispers, “Good girl.”
How the hell can two little words make me want to fall to my knees and give him everything?
A bark pierces through the haze of my orgasm.
Then another.
Then, “Aurora! Open the goddamn door right now! Fucking useless paws!”
Ezra growls when I wiggle out of his arms and put my robe on.
“Um, you should probably get dressed. I’m not sure how Louie will react to you being naked in my … well, our … house.”
Louie said she’d support me, but I’m not sure how far she’s willing to extend that support.
Ezra stomps around like a pissed-off cryptid, yanking on his clothes and muttering what I can only assume are ancient Gaelic curses.
He’s throwing a full-ass tantrum, which is kind of adorable coming from a six-foot-nine shadow god.
It’s honestly a little fucked up how much his grumpy mood is turning me on right now.
“Bloody hell-mutt,” Ezra grumps as he follows me to the front of the house.
When I open the door, Louie comes bounding in but immediately stops in her tracks, baring her teeth. She stalks toward Ezra, who is sipping a cup of coffee thanks to my pre-programmed machine.
“You motherfucker,” Louie growls. “I thought I told you to keep your fucking hands to yourself, you ancient twat!”
Panic claws up my spine. This isn’t a fight between two assholes at a bar. They’re supernatural beings with actual, world-ending magic. What the fuck am I going to do to stop it?
Thankfully, Ezra chuckles instead of losing his temper.
“Sweet little pup. A gentleman never kisses and tells, but I’ve been told hellhounds have incredible noses.”
Louie abruptly turns toward me and growls. I know she won’t hurt me, but she’s pissed.
“I know I promised I wouldn’t interfere with your choices, Aurora, but think about this for one second! Even he doesn’t know what he is.”
When she gnashes her teeth, the Cù Fèidh bursts from Ezra, materializing in slow, black swirls between me and Louie. The hellhound freezes, then rolls onto her back, fully submitting to the furious shadowed beast.
“See, Aurora? He’s fucking dangerous!”
