I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. I’d known Lucian for centuries, watched him command rooms with a single look. Nobles and warriors alike bend to his will without question. And here was this human woman, barely five and a half feet tall, going toe to toe with him.
She was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
And from the look on Lucian’s face, equal parts furious and fascinated, he was finally starting to realize it too. Those two were going to be a disaster. The fun kind. The kind that ended with either a screaming match or a kiss, and my money was on both.
Mira turned to us, a wicked grin spreading across her face. “So... are we going or not?”
I stood and stretched, letting my shirt ride up just enough to catch her eye. Her gaze flickered to the strip of skin above my waistband before snapping back to my face.
Gotcha.
“Do you want to meet my baby?”
Her brow furrowed. “Your... what?”
I just grinned and headed for the garage.
***
The Ducati sat in the corner in its matte black, chrome accents. I’d spent three months restoring her, and she was worth every sleepless night.
Mira stopped dead in the doorway.
“You are not making this on a firefighter’s salary.”
I laughed and grabbed the spare helmet from the shelf. “You’d be surprised what one could have if they’re dedicated enough.” I tossed it to her. She caught it on reflex, still staring at the bike as if it might bite her.
“Are you getting on or not? Thought you wanted to go to the firehouse.”
“I thought we were taking a car!”
“Solomon and Lucian are taking the car.” I swung my leg over the seat and settled in, then looked back at her over my shoulder. “You’re riding with me.”
Solomon appeared in the garage doorway, keys in hand. His pale eyes moved from the bike to Mira to me.
“Be careful.” It wasn’t a suggestion.
“Always am.”
“I mean it, Percy.” Lucian materialized behind Solomon, arms crossed, radiating disapproval as they moved to the car. “One scratch on her-”
“She’ll be fine.” I patted the seat behind me. “Won’t you, love?”
Mira’s cheeks flushed at the endearment, but she squared her shoulders and marched toward the bike. She fumbled with the helmet for a second before jamming it on her head. Lucian rolled his eyes one last time and followed Solomon who’s already in the driver’s seat.
“How do I...?”
“Leg over. Hands on me.” I reached back and caught her wrist, guiding her arm around my waist. “Hold tight.”
Her body pressed against my back and my wolf howled with satisfaction. Her thighs bracketed mine, her chest flush against my spine as her fingers curl into the fabric of my shirt. I could feel her heartbeat, could smell the spike of adrenaline mixed with sweetness.
I leaned back, my lips brushing the shell of her ear through the helmet gap. “Tighter than that. Unless you want to fall off.”
Her arms clenched around me, pulling herself flush against my body. Every point of contact burned.
“Very good,” I murmured. “Now hold on.”
The engine roared to life, and I felt her gasp vibrate through my spine. Then we were moving, shooting out of the garage and down the driveway, and her grip on me turned bruising. My body responded to hers with zero subtlety. I shifted forward on the seat, putting an inch between my hips and her thighs, and prayed she hadn’t felt the reason why.
