Not as much as this does, I tell him, dragging a slick finger through my folds. My movements make a wet sound, and I could swear he visibly tenses at the sound. Good. So he’s not immune to my display.

I must be gentle with you today, he tells me, leaning in and nuzzling at my neck. Though every scale on my hide demands that I throw you down and shove into you so I can fill you with my release.

His rough words are at odds with the gentleness of his touch, and I whimper. “You don’t have to be that gentle.”

Kael’s hot mouth moves down my throat, his claws dragging at the fabric of my bunched-up shirt. Remove this.

“Removing it,” I tell him quickly. The last thing I want is to lose another shirt. My arms tremble as I sit up, my body still weak, and I’m surprised when he tenderly supports my back and carefully helps me remove my shirt. That’s a first. Normally he just gets impatient and rips everything away. “Thank you.”

You are my mate. I will take care of you. His dark eyes gleam, and then he leans in and presses his mouth to mine in a kiss. And I like to see you in your skin. Kael’s tongue traces along my jaw, then grazes my neck.

“Better than out of it, I suppose,” I joke, stomach fluttering at the feel of his mouth.

He pulls away and stares down at me, frowning. I would never wish for that.

“It was a joke. You know, humor.”

Kael blinks at me slowly, and then his mouth curves into a wicked smile that makes my pulse flutter. Do you tease your mate, my Claudia? Shall I tease back?

Something in the heat of his eyes tells me he’s not talking about verbal teasing. I squirm a little under his intense gaze. I can’t imagine you teasing anyone.

Can’t you? He dips his chin, and his lips graze my nipple. It immediately puckers in response to his touch. Is this not teasing?

I moan, panting. I don’t know if it’s teasing if it feels so good.

Mmmm. He continues to play with my nipple, taking it between his teeth and gently nipping, then rolling the tip against his tongue. You are my mate. It is my job to ensure you feel good. Better than good. He lightly sucks on the tip of my breast, until I’m crying out with need. Your pleasure is my pleasure. Your pain my pain.

I arch under him, but that movement makes my side flare up again, and I wince, collapsing and putting a hand to my side. Somehow, I don’t believe we’re sharing this pain.

His mouth lifts from my skin, and his gaze catches mine. The look on his face is so intense, his eyes swirling a furious black, that I look away. He reaches up and grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him again.

You think I do not notice your pain? You think it does not destroy me inside when the humans attack you with their fire sticks? You think I did not feel my world end when you collapsed at my feet? Or that it began again when you opened your eyes?

“Oh, Kael.” I’m being a dick, aren’t I? “I’m sorry. I—” I hesitate, then brush my fingers over the high, pronounced dappled cheekbones that I’d first thought so strange. Now I adore them. “I love you.”

I know this.

I frown. Not exactly how I’d planned this moment going. “Well, that was arrogant.”

You have already told me this, Claudia. When you were attacked with the fire stick, you told me you loved me.

Did I? I don’t remember. “Yeah, well, you don’t have to sound like such a high and mighty jerk about it.” I’d pictured this moment so different. Me, dramatically declaring my love and him, getting all soft and happy with my confession, not giving me a smug, impatient look. “You’re so…arrogant!”

How can it be arrogant if it is truth? The smile he gives me is arch, even as he drags his tongue over my nipple, making me crazy with need. You tell me things I already know.

“You could at least pretend to be surprised,” I grumble, but it’s hard to be angry when the man you love is playing with your boob.

How can I be surprised? I know that you love me when I taste your response on my tongue. When I smell it in the air. When I feel your thoughts as you awaken and are eager to feel my flesh pressed to yours. His arms brace at my sides, and he kisses further along my belly, avoiding my bandages. He moves lower, and then slices away my panties with one flick of his claws. I can’t even be sorry about the underwear—I’m too fascinated by what he’s doing. He leans in and kisses my mound, and then glances up at me, smile wicked. Shall I taste how much you love me, my Claudia? The scent of your loving perfume is already filling my nostrils.

I giggle. “Loving…perfume? Never say that when Amy or Melina are around, please.”

The warmth of his humor echoes in my mind. Can I not love the taste of my mate on my tongue? He nuzzles lower, carefully parting the folds of my pussy with his claws.

“Yes, but…” My laughter turns into a moan as he swipes his tongue over me in one long, delicious stroke. All humor vanishes, and my hands go to his head, and I cling to his thick golden hair. “Oh god, Kael. I love you.”

I know, he tells me again, even as he begins to lick and suck at my clit. You have finally accepted that you are mine.

“Arrogant…beast…” I gasp between licks, but I love this. I love every swipe of his tongue, every stroke, every flick of pleasure he gives me. I love that he’s so possessive. I love all of it, and all of him. It doesn’t matter that he’s a dragon-man, or a drakoni, or the enemy.

He’s just…mine.

His hot tongue slides lower, pushing against my core. Now tell me you love me again, my mate.

“Oh god, I love you!” I cry out as his tongue thrusts obscenely. “I love you! I love you!” I repeat it with every thrust of his tongue deep inside me that seems to brush against every nerve ending in my body.

You are so wet. He growls low against my pussy. My mate is delicious.

“Please, Kael,” I beg shamelessly. “Take me.” I send mental images of his cock sliding deep into me, stretching me around him. “I need you inside me.”

With another growl, he drags his big body over mine, and I spread my legs eagerly as I feel the thick head of his cock press against my core. Then he thrusts deep inside me, sinking to the hilt in one smooth motion, the thick crown of his cock rubbing deep inside me in a way that drives me absolutely insane every damn time.

“Oh god! Oh god!” I cling to him, nails digging against his dappled skin as he rocks carefully into me. My side gives another flash of pain at my movements, but I don’t care.