Ransom pressed a gentle kiss to her lips and pulled back.“You were born to stand out, Scarlett Mitchell.”
She wrinkled her nose.“It appears I have a dragon mate.”
Ransom stilled.“Mate?”
“My feline knew all along, but I ignored her to blindly focus on my life plan instead.”
“Mate.”This time his tone held reverence.“Mine.”
“Yes, as you are mine.Felines mark their mates with a bite here.”She fingered the fleshy patch where the base of his neck met his shoulder.
“Dragons bond with dragon mates.An invisible bond clicks into place, and both experience the tie.It doesn’t occur with every dragon.Only a special few experience this oneness.”
“What about between different species?”
“I’ve never asked Gryffnn and Kaya because I thought it was too personal, but I do not doubt the strength of my brother’s relationship,” Ransom said.
“Would you let me mark you?”
“Yes.”He never hesitated.
“Along with stealing me, it appears you pilfered my heart, Ransom Drake.”A sense of rightness and celebration settled in her.The certainty that this curveballshouldbe part of her life plan.“Make love to me.”
“My pleasure.”
Their lips met, and hands caressed and stroked.Pleasure and delight—happiness—soared through Scarlett.There was no hurry this time, but still, the passion between them built and flew.He entered her with one smooth stroke, filling her body as he filled her heart.
“I love you, Ransom,” she whispered before her lips teased the pad of flesh at the base of his neck.He groaned, his hips flexing and driving his cock deeper.
Scarlett finally understood the possibilities and the freedom in loving another being this much.As the beginning prickles of her climax started, she bit down until she tasted Ransom’s blood.With the stroke of her tongue, she lapped away the coppery lifeforce and felt the wound stitch together.
Ransom cried out, stroked into her twice.She shattered, and something clicked inside her mind.Togetherness.Seconds later, Ransom climaxed, his big body shaking with the force of his passion.Both of them were breathless as Ransom rolled onto his back and draped her over his chest.
“That was amazing,” he whispered.“The moment you bit down.It both hurt and shoved pleasure through me.”
“Let me see.”She parted their upper bodies to study the mark she’d given him.“Oh.I wasn’t sure if it would stay.You have a tiny black cat tattoo now.”
“The dragon bond locked into place,” Ransom whispered.“We belong to each other.”
“We mind-speak!”
“We did before.”Satisfaction filled his words as they popped into her mind.“You’re a better conversationalist than the prince.”
Scarlett shuddered.“Please don’t say that, even in jest.Fancy a swim, or are you hungry?”
“A swim then food.”
Scarlett nodded and rolled off him.Once they were both standing, she stroked the tiny black cat tattoo.
Ransom shuddered and released a moan.“If you keep doing that, we won’t reach the pond.”
Laughing, Scarlett wove her fingers with his, and they ambled toward the pool.
“The water looks refreshing.”
“Refreshingly cold,” Ransom said.
“Is it deep enough to jump?”
