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Shifting was always a relief, like taking off a pair of tight dress shoes at the end of a long day. I spread my wings, stretched my neck, then gracefully took to the air. The breeze rippled over my scales as the scent of the mountain air, the rich soil, the animal life in the woods, and the crisp cold water assaulted my senses. Everything came to life around me as I soared high into the air.

The next time I flew like this, it’d be with Harley on my back and our bond tying us together. I wanted her to feel the same sensations I felt, the joy, the freedom, and the pure animal release of flying.

Soon, I promised myself.Soon.

I was more determined than ever to end this conflict with Sean.

After a few loops around the lake, I turned back toward the house. I soared down toward the A-frame, and my sharp dragon’s eyes saw a familiar motorcycle parked outside thehouse. I shifted as I approached the deck. My human feet landed softly on the wood, then stepped back into the house.

“Jesus, man, put some pants on!” Hawk said from the kitchen.

I rolled my eyes. “You’re inmyhouse.” But I went into the laundry room and pulled a pair of sweatpants out of the hamper. “What is it?” I asked as I walked back out. “It’s the middle of the night. You couldn’t just call me?”

“Levi called me,” Hawk said. He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Levi?” I frowned. “He said he wouldn’t be in contact with us anymore.”

“That’s what I said. Levi said it was important. He asked for a meeting. Tonight.”

“Tonight? Seriously?” I ran my hand through my hair. “God, I’m ready to have a normal sleep schedule again.”

Hawk snorted. “Yeah, that’s definitely the biggest problem we have right now. Go rinse off and put on some real clothes. You smell like a horny teenager.”

“Again, you’re inmyhouse,” I said as I climbed the stairs.

I tapped my knuckles on the bedroom door before I pushed it open. Harley groaned, then rolled onto her back and blinked into wakefulness. “Time is it?” she murmured. She was so cute when she was sleepy.

“Still late,” I whispered. “Hawk’s here. I need to go. Rome will be downstairs if you need anything.”

Her brows pulled together. “Everything okay?”

“Yes,” I said.

Harley raised her eyebrows at me. “You know, I don’t have to have dragon senses to know you’re lying.”

I sighed and stepped closer. “I think everything’s okay. I’m not really sure what it’s about yet. It’s a meeting with someone who was supposed to be gone for good.”

“Not Forrest, right?”

“No, one of Sean’s guys.” I sat down on the edge of the bed, and Harley smoothed her hand over my lower back. “I’ll try to be back before Dylan comes back from Hawk’s. I know I haven’t been around enough.”

“He knows you’re busy keeping us safe. Remember? You’re his badass dad.”

I huffed a laugh, but the reminder did make a warm sense of pride glow in my chest. “When this is all over, I’m taking both of you on a vacation. Somewhere with a beach.”

“Can you swim in your dragon form?”

“Of course, I can. Look at that big lake.”

We both laughed. I leaned over her and kissed her. She still smelled of sweat and sex, and my dragon rumbled with a renewed desire to claim. Our gazes met, and I knew mine was burning gold again.

“But until all this is over…” she whispered. “If you can’t claim me, I think maybe we should hold off. It seemed like it was hard for you to not do it, tonight.” She flipped the pillow over and poked at the rip in the fabric.

I cleared my throat. As much as I hated to admit it, she was right.

“I don’t want you to suffer,” she said. “I want our sex to be good.”

“Itisgood,” I insisted, “It’s just?—”