"And that is how you kick ass," Colton said grinning from ear to ear.

"Kono-yaro!" Meryn called after the man.

Ryuu looked down at Meryn in shock. "Denka, where did you learn such language?"

Meryn whirled on Ryuu "Anime." She began poking him in the chest. "Where in the hell did you get the idea I'd be better off without you?" Meryn continued poking him while he smiled down at her. "Forget I said anything, denka."

Aiden walked over to the squire and clapped him on the shoulder. "We couldn't live without you; you're family."

Ryuu stepped back, placed his fist over his heart, and bowed low. "I swear to serve your house for as long as there are family members to serve."

"And cook yummy food!" Colton added.

"And be someone to have tea with." Rheia smiled at the squire.

Darian and Amelia nodded. "It wouldn't be home without you Ryuu," Amelia said gently.

Ryuu kept his head down, but Anne guessed it would be so that the others wouldn't see how much their words affected him.

"Now, time for your punishment." Meryn rubbed her hands together.

Ryuu stood straight, a faint smile on his handsome face. "Oh, and what would that be?"

"I want all that yummy Japanese food you promised us. Actually, Meryn two-point-oh really wants it." Meryn rubbed her stomach.

Anne turned to Kendrick. It had taken every ounce of self-discipline not to jump him after the door closed. He still stood with his feet planted shoulder-width apart, his arms crossed across his chest. The tattoos coupled with his stubble made him look dangerous and sexy. He caught her looking at him and gave her a questioning look.

She smiled sweetly and mouthed the words, I want you.

Colton must have seen what she said because he cracked up laughing. Kendrick grabbed her hand and made a beeline for the stairs.

"Heika, aren't you hungry?" Ryuu called, amusement in his voice.

"I'm going to eat upstairs!" Kendrick called down.

That sent Colton into convulsed laughter.

Anne gasped and ran to keep up with him.

*****

They checked on Keelan and then headed to her room. Never in her life had she wanted anything as much as she wanted her mate. As soon as she closed the door, she began stripping. Kendrick hurried out of his clothing and waited for her on the edge of the bed. Anne looked over at him and saw the smug expression on his face. She let her panties drop and was rewarded when his eyes began to darken. She could feel his magic now; it was racing through his veins like lightning.

Deliberately, she picked up her clothes and folded them into a neat pile on the dresser. When she bent over in front of him to pick up his magic clothes, she smiled when she heard him groan softly.

She carefully folded his clothes and laid them next to hers. She then turned and walked toward the bathroom.

"Anne, love?" he called.

She turned. "Yes?" she asked innocently.

"Where are you going?"

"To take a shower. The smell of burnt flesh from the clinic is in my hair."

"Oh."

"You're free to join me."

He stood up. "Thought you'd never ask."

She walked into the bathroom and went directly to the shower. She turned it on to the hottest setting. When steam was pouring out, she backed it off a little and stepped in.

Kendrick stepped in behind her and moaned when the water hit his back. "This feels like heaven."

"It's going to get even better," she promised.

Kendrick pulled her wet, naked body against his. "You know, I've never done this before."

"What, shower?" she asked playfully.

He tweaked her nose. "No. I've never bathed with a woman before."

Anne reached for the soap and began to lather up the washcloth. She took the cloth and began to work small circles over his chest, slowly moving downward. When she dropped the cloth and used her soap-slicked hands to stroke him, he swallowed hard.

"Gods woman!"

She worked him fast, then slow, torturing him in the same fashion he had her the night before. When she dipped her thumb into the tiny slit, his breath exploded from his body, and he slammed both hands against the tile on either side of her head.

He looked down at her. "Please tell me you're ready."

She nodded. Wielding so much power over him had tightened things low in her body. She was aching for him.

"We're going to make a mess again," he said, lifting her up and wrapping her legs around his waist. He turned off the water.

When her hot core made contact with his stomach, she began to grind against him, trying to find relief. "I don't care; that's what magic is for," she panted.

Kendrick walked out of the shower and went directly to the bed. The water from their bodies dripped onto the covers but neither of them cared. Without warning, he struck. He plunged so deep, she screamed out her pleasure. He took her wrists and pinned them over her head. Again and again, he slammed into her. She lifted her hips with each thrust. When he began to increase his pace, she knew he was close.

"Please," she whispered.

Grinning, he moved his hips, and suddenly, heated friction from his magic was twisting and teasing her clit in time to his thrusts. It didn't take long until she her body was exploding in waves of pleasure. He thrust twice more before he yelled out his own release, collapsed on top of her, and she held him close.

"I'm dead; you've killed me," she whispered hoarsely.