The pull we couldn’t fight this whole time was because we’d been madly in love before.
The tears turned to kisses. The kisses turned to cuddles. The cuddles turned to lying down together, still naked, under the covers.
He held me in his arms, our limbs entwined, hearts beating in harmony. I breathed him in—woodsmoke and pine—and for once I didn’t want answers.
I just wanted the moment.
Having Danny back felt like falling in love all over again. Under the covers we talked—every interaction, every hint, every missed clue, trying to make sense of reality.
Time blurred. And I dozed off in his arms as he ran his fingertips up and down my arm.
I woke to his voice. “Hey, Pickles?” “Yes?” I whispered.
His expression was heavy with thought. Had he been awake this whole time?
My hand disappeared in his as he held it, thumb stroking the back.
Then he asked, “Will you be my mate?”
I blinked a few times, trying to make sense of what he was asking. “Wasn’t that the plan all along?” I asked, confused.
“Yes,” he said. “But for real—not a business deal. Let me mark you right now. Stay with me, Delilah. Don’t go back.”
My breath hitched. Loose ends crowded my mind—but none of it mattered the waythisdid.
I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be. I’d been on the fence about leaving for a while, and now—finding Danny—how could I return to a world that had moved on without me?
“Yes,” I breathed.
His face lit with excitement. He moved over me, supporting himself on his forearms. I wrapped my legs around him as he positioned himself between my thighs.
“Are you ready?” he asked. “For what?” I whispered. “For me to mark you.” Nervous, I nodded.
He kissed beneath my chin, down my throat, until he stopped over my chest—slightly left, over my heart. His lips hovered, barely touching my skin, then he blew out a steaming breath.
It burned.
I flinched. Calpurnia had been wrong—it hurt far more than a sunburn. Maybe it was because I was human. Maybe it wasn’t painful for Fae.
He sealed the burn with a soft kiss.
“There,” he murmured. “Now you’re mine forever.” It was sweet… and possessive.
Our mouths crashed together. The passion from earlier returned in a rush.
“I’m going to do something with you I’ve never done before,” he murmured, hovering my lips.
“What?” I asked, suddenly nervous.
“I’m going to make love to you, Delilah.” My nerves evaporated into desire.
I shoved my tongue into his mouth, licked the inside of his top lip, then bit his bottom lip softly, nails digging into his back.
His hard length glided through my slick heat, scooping over my clit—back and forth—coating him entirely in my arousal.
He groaned, and the vibration sank straight into my core.
His hand reached between us, positioning him at my entrance.
