“We’ll escort you back to the Black Ice Pack tomorrow. Given the conclusion we just came up with, I don’t feel comfortable with you traveling on your own.” Derrick straightened up and watched as both Freja and Hunter’s eyes danced in amusement.
“Son, we travel with a demon and a guardian. Plus, we are well-seasoned in war.” Hunter chuckled.
“All it takes is a second. If that stuff is loaded in a sniper gun of sorts, one hit is all it could take to lose everything.” Derrick shook his head. “This is a special situation. Besides, this way I’ll get to be with Lucie a bit longer …”
“Well, boys, if we are traveling tomorrow, then I suggest we all get some rest,” Freja said, standing up and Hunter joining her.
Derrick stood up and glanced at his room. “She’s already asleep. I, umm …”
Freja placed her hand on Hunter’s back and gently shoved him. “Don’t wake her. Just let her rest.” She put a bit more force against the back of her protective mate with a small smile. How quickly he forgot what it was like to find your mate. She winked at Derrick and then walked out of the room with Hunter. She remembered. Nothing could tear her apart from him. Not even him wanting to kill her.
Derrick smiled in appreciation and slowly crept back into his room. He eased back into the bed and curled his arms around Lucie, who snuggled right back into him. Tenderly kissing her head, he closed his eyes, taking in her sweet scent and her comforting warmth.
Holding her while she slept was therapeutic, everything inside him calming down. He was happy knowing he would be traveling with them tomorrow, too. It would give him more precious time with her … his little mate.
CHAPTER 26
Lucie smiled. The feeling of being wrapped in Derrick’s arms was incredible. She felt contentment she never had before. It was like being in a safe, warm, cocoon. But there was also something else … deep desire. The scent from Derrick was somehow more intoxicating than before.
She opened her eyes to look at his sleeping face. His eyes were closed and his face was right there. Her focus went to his lips, which were deliciously right in front of her.
She would be leaving his side soon. She was about to be forcibly put on a mate diet. And she wasn’t sure how long she would have to go without him. How long would it be before she tasted his lips again? How long before she would bear his mark? If you know you’re going on a diet tomorrow, would you not have one last dessert today?
Derrick was her dessert. She knew she couldn’t have all of him right now, but his lips were fair game. She’d tasted them before and was going to taste them again.
She leaned in closer and gently brushed her lips against his. The sweet, tingling sparks ignited where their lips touched, and her breath hitched at the sensation. That was all it took. His lips covered hers immediately, and he pressed his body into hers, holding her captive beneath him. He kissed her like he’d been starving for it, his hand gripping her face possessively, tilting her exactly where he wanted her.
She reached up and brushed her fingers through his hair, tugging him into her. The groan that rumbled from his chest vibrated against her lips, and the sound did something dangerous to her resolve. He deepened the kiss, dipping his tongue into her mouth with deep, slow, massaging strokes that made her toes curl. Her fingers tightened in his hair, and the kiss shifted. His slow, deliberate rhythm quickened, turning fiery, desperate. He kissed her like he was claiming her, like if he stopped she might disappear.
She gasped as she felt his teeth graze her bottom lip. He bit down lightly, pulling on it before a low growl poured into her mouth. The sound sent heat rushing through every nerve in her body. Her back arched into him on instinct, and she felt his grip on her tighten, his fingers pressing into her skin like he was fighting to keep himself in check.
Their breathing was getting faster and faster, Lucie’s cheeks flushing from their passion. His warm kisses explored her face and down to her neck, where he began to tease a special spot. He licked and pulled on the soft skin, growling into her as his other hand wandered over her body.
He returned to her lips and desperately kissed her, growling and claiming her lips. She clutched his shoulders, pulling him deeper into her, the tingling sensation and sweet jolts ofelectricity overtaking them both. She arched into him again, and his low growl of approval made her body shudder beneath him.
He pulled away, gripping the pillow on the side of Lucie’s head while they both panted for air. His eyes were fixed on hers, and he growled lowly. “Mine”. Then he kissed the tip of her nose very slowly before he forced himself into a sitting position.
Lucie grabbed his hand and he pulled her into a sitting position beside him. She snuggled into his chest as his arms came around her.
“Don’t you think you should leave your mark on me now? I’m liable to change my mind.” Lucie teased and felt his chest tighten against her.
“I’ll kill anyone who touches you.” He listened as Lucie laughed happily. “I’m serious. It’s our nature. If anyone touches you, whether with your consent or not, they’re dead. So you may want to tell me now so I can chalk it up as the past … has there been anyone else?”
Lucie smiled. His voice had shifted from low and angry to almost meek. She looked up into his eyes and brushed her fingers through his hair. “What do you think?” She giggled, but then she noticed his very serious reaction. “Seriously?” She raised up on her knees and wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning her forehead into his. “I was betrothed since before I was born. No one messed with me. I was the girl who was always alone. No one to go to parties with, no one to take me to dances, because no one wanted to waste their time with someone already taken.”
“But there was one guy recently …” Derrick growled lowly.
“That was the first time that ever happened. Ever.” Lucie shrugged. “Honestly, it was the first time anyone ever looked at me that way before …”
Derrick growled and grasped her sides. “You are mine to look at, Lucie. Only mine.”
“What about you? Going around as Ryan … no one knew you were unobtainable.” Lucie pushed back and sat on her heels, quirking a brow at him. He smiled at her, his hands still resting on her sides.
“Were there girls interested in me? Yes. I won’t lie, there was a lot of interest. But I refused them all. It was always you, Lucie. I told you this, and I meant it. I have loved you for a long time now. You were the only one who occupied my thoughts. I just wasn’t interested in anyone else like that. I went to parties and hung out with others, but never as a date. I only went to get to know my peers better as a future leader. But I’ve never been with anyone else, Lucie.” He held her gaze to show how serious he was. “In my eyes, no one else existed but you.”
This lined up with what Tonya had told her. Lucie leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him so she could hold him close. “I don’t want to leave you,” she breathed out.
“I won’t be washing these sheets or pillows. I’m going to need to keep your scent there.” Derrick tilted his head into the crook of Lucie’s neck as he took in gentle whiffs of her scent. “I’ll give you my shirt, so it’ll help you sleep without me by your side.”
