Page 49 of All's Fair in Love and Magic

“Lose their minds how?” I finally asked.

“They didn’t explain the details, but I guess it grows more difficult to think as your mate’s pain gets worse, and harder to ignore the sexual need as well. With you being turned on instead of in pain, I imagine my need will continue getting worse. I don’t expect I’ll lose my mind, but I doubt anyone does.”

“I thought you didn’t feel the same need I did,” I said, staring daggers at him.

The red of his blush spread to his cheeks. “I don’t expect anything from you.”

“So you do feel it.”

He dipped his head in a nod.

I tilted mine back against the couch cushions, letting out a long breath. “Do you ever admit how you feel about anything, Steam?”

His lack of an answer was the only reply I got.

Nope.

“So if we keep fighting it, you’re going to go crazy and just what? Attack me?”

“It usually doesn’t get that far before people give in.”

A bitter laugh escaped me. “That’s justgreat.”

“I’m not saying we have to seal the bond,” he began, “But?—”

“That’s exactly what you’re saying. Don’t bullshit me.”

There was a moment’s pause. “Alright, that’s what I’m saying. We should consider sealing the bond before it gets much worse.”

I lifted my head, and found him red-faced.

He was embarrassed.

Or uncomfortable.

Or… maybe he’d realized he didn’t want a mate any more than I did.

“Do you even want this?” I asked.

Liam looked surprised by the question.

“Do you even want this?” I repeated. “Me? A mate bond? If we do this, we’re going to be stuck together for the rest of forever, whether we like each other or not. If you don’t want this, we need to fight it. We can at least try to resist heat. We?—”

He leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “Why the fuck would you think I don’t want this?”

“You just told me this wasn’t a date. You didn’t try to sit by me. You’re possessive, but you said that’s just instinct. You only wanted a mate to save your resort. You?—”

“I want this,” he growled. “And I didn’tonlywant a mate to save the resort. I was tired of being alone all the time. I wanted someone to take care of. Someone to spend time with.”

“You could accomplish both of those things by adopting a dog.”

“I’m a fucking phoenix. I wasn’t adopting a dog. I wanted a mate. A partner. And I wanted it badly enough to claim you even whenyou were completely uninterested and against me. That’s why I’m sitting over here.”

He gestured between us. “And I don’t consider this a date, because that would imply that we’re testing the waters. We’re not. Wearegoing to be mates. Only one dragon has ever successfully made it through heat without giving in, and he only did it because his mate’s life was on the line if he didn’t. They fell in love along the way.”

“But do you even want us to be in love?” I countered. “I’m sure mates can be just friends, but I don’t want that. If we’re going to be bonded, I don’t want a half-assed relationship. I want love. And dates. And a mate who sits next to me because he can’t stand not to.”

Liam’s nostrils flared. “You think I don’t want to?”