“The pull was so strong when you came to me, asking to dance. I knew it was something. But I was worried about Connor and Cat. Afraid to open myself fully to you. To the emotional weight you would bring to my life. You were safer as a dream. A dance I’d always remember when I needed a moment of light in the darkness.”
“And now?”
“I was right.”
Unable to help himself, he laughed softly, slipping his hand onto her waist and stroking her, pulling the fabric back and forth over her skin.
“You are an incredible emotional weight,” she continued. “But now I know how wrong I was to want to stay safe. Even the worst day with you is better than the dream.”
Heart blazing from her words, he squeezed the perfect crevice of her hip. Tugging her forward, he captured her lips in a kiss of sensual heat. Bracing his weight on his arm, he kissed his way up her neck to nip at her ear the way she liked. Through the open connection between them, he could feel her excitement rise, matching the racing beat of his heart.
Rooloo!The osa, who Celina had named Jed, bounded through the gap in the tent opening, bouncing at them and chortling. Wisely, the creature stayed an arm’s length from Rodric, focusing on gaining Celina’s attention.
Dropping onto his back, Rodric groaned in frustration. A familiar snicker caught his attention from outside. “Damn it, Cass! That’s not funny!”
The crazy wolf just laughed louder, Sev’s familiar booming voice joining the melee of disruption.
“Just for that, you both can handle the watch tonight!” he yelled. “Out, Jed!”
Celina laughed as the osa scampered out. The peaceful joy radiating from her warmed the remaining cold spots in his soul from the events of the day.
“Find that amusing, do you?”
“Yes.” She grinned, trying and failing to stop her laughter.
“Come here.”
Shifting closer, she returned to her position from before their interruption and pressed her hand to his chest.
Their meddling friends could most definitely handle the watch. Stroking her hair, he kissed her deeply, coaxing her to shift the lighthearted moment into something more intense.
Celina dipped her hand under his shirt, and he quickly pushed it up and over his head before reclaiming her mouth.
A wave of heat poured through their connection, bathing him in tantalizing fire as she drew her fingers along his ribs.
Rodric groaned, biting his lip to keep from sinking his teeth into her delicate skin. “Never thought about using the bond that way.”
“Mmm.” Celina sent more flames to him. “So, some magic is good?”
“Stars, yes.”
“Finally, he agrees.” Eyes dancing with merriment, she pushed him far enough away that she could remove her clothes.
Rejoining her, he reverently kissed every bit of her skin, reveling in the gift of having nothing between them. Warm vanilla tempered her usual citrus scent, the essence of his mate making him want to purr in delight. Breathing deeply, he let her scent wash over him, filling his senses and marking him deep inside.
“My beautiful, sweet enchantress. What am I going to do with you?”
“I’ve got some ideas.” Grinning, she pushed on his chest to flip them.
Laughing softly, he took her hips and settled her over him. Waves of auburn cascaded in a shield around them as she bent to kiss her way up his collarbone to his jaw.
Be mine, Celina.He instinctively sent the words directly into her mind with a spark of crystal-blue magic.
I already am.Her voice had the same lilting caress in his mind as it did aloud.Join with me.
Elation at her words drowned out his shock that he’d actually spoken with her mentally. Or through the soul-bond? It didn’t matter, he was astounded either way.
Sliding an arm around her, he rolled her onto her back. He was in love with his fierce leopardess. The strength of the emotion made him hold her tighter, not wanting any space between them.
