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Mia had slept like the dead last night, didn’t even remember dreaming after they’d returned to Tiber’s place. He’d sent Ilmari with a message to let the queen know what had happened, but Mia hadn’t even cared. Charles was dead and the threat was over.

She could finally rest, safe in the knowledge that he was never going to bother her or hurt her family and friends again. There was no longer an invisible threat hanging overhead, always buzzing at the back of her mind.

Once Tiber had brought her back to his place, she’d been asleep even before he had returned to bed—his bed, though maybe she should start thinking of it as theirs?

He’d been pretty insistent about that, and she didn’t hate it.

And she was glad that he’d been okay sleeping in the bedroom instead of up in the giant hammock.

She loved it up there, but she’d needed to be a bit more grounded.

She was still reeling from everything that had happened and wanted to talk to Tiber more about… everything.

But he wasn’t in his room, so she made her way to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and tossed her clothes in his laundry hamper.

As she headed back to his room, she started going over the things she needed to do today, with the main one being that she had to pick Neptune up.

She paused as she heard a sound, then realized it was Tiber talking to Ilmari if the responsive chirps were anything to go by. Okay, adorable.

She waited for a moment as she heard them having a conversation before she called out, “Tiber, I need your help.”

It didn’t take him long to hurry to his room, and she loved the way he froze in the open doorway.

Naked on his bed, she spread her thighs wider for him as he stalked into the room, kicking the door shut behind him. And there was no other word because he was stalking her like she was his prey.

Prey that very much wanted to be caught.

When she reached between her legs and touched herself, he sucked in a breath, his eyes flickering to a brilliant pulsing gold as he watched her. “I was coming back here to feed you,” he growled as he reached the end of the bed.

“Maybe you can eat me instead.”

He groaned as the bed dipped under his weight. “Fuck, you’re killing me.”

She grinned at him, feeling like a new person after everything that had happened. She’d probably be dealing with some of the trauma later, but she wanted to enjoy this moment for what it was, wanted to enjoy everything that Tiber was.

A big, sometimes grumpy, wonderful dragon she’d never expected.

He crawled up the length of her body, just staring down at her for a long moment, the weight of everything seeming to hang between them. “I’m not good with words… but I love you.”

She sucked in a breath at his admission. She understood that mating was a different beast for supernaturals and didn’t always equate to love, at least not at first. “You don’t have to say that simply because I’m human.” Even if she loved that he had.

Using one hand to hold himself up, he slid his other between her legs, cupped her mound gently. “I know.” The words a soft growl as he slid a finger along her slick folds. “I don’t say things I don’t mean. Not to you.”

He was killing her in the best way possible.

“I love you too,” she managed to rasp out, glad she could still talk.

And it was the truth. She’d realized it right before she’d been kidnapped, when she’d wanted to hash everything out with him instead of running.

Because she loved this big male enough to want to stay and fight for him.

“Even if it feels too soon,” she whispered, some deep part of her wondering if they really were rushing into things.

“Says who?” He slipped a finger inside her as he leaned down, brushed his lips over hers. “We make the rules for our relationship.”

She tightened around his finger, wanting a whole lot more than just that.

Nipping his bottom lip, she slid her hands over his chest, stroking all that power vibrating under her fingertips.

She wondered if she’d ever get used to being with him.

“I’m going with you when you leave.” She kept her voice pitched low as she slid her hand down his abdomen, searching out his hard length.

“We’ll talk about it later.” His voice was strained as she wrapped her fingers around his erection, stroked once.

“Nothing to talk about.” She pushed gently at his chest with her other hand, deciding she wanted to be on top and in control. Though the control thing was probably an illusion, she still wanted to ride him.

Even though he grumbled, he rolled onto his back and let her straddle him. “I beg to differ,” he growled, reaching between her legs again.

Not that she needed it, she was already wet and ready for him. The pleasure of having him teasing her overtook her brain for a moment. She’d been saying something… Oh right. “Just get used to the idea and deal with it,” she managed to rasp out.

“Goddess,” he gritted out as she tightened around his fingers.

She laughed, then groaned as he cupped one of her breasts, pinched, rolled her nipple in a way she’d come to enjoy.

Fuck, she needed him inside her and no more talking. She lifted up slightly and positioned herself above his thick erection before slowly sliding down his shaft. She gasped as he filled her, once again wondered if she’d ever get used to the feel and size of him.

Slowly, she began rolling her hips against his, feeling that normally elusive pleasure already starting to build each time the head of his cock hit that sweet spot deep inside her.

He held onto her hips, forcing her to slow down. “Goddess, Mia. I want to live inside you.”

She was beyond words as she picked up the pace, glad when he loosened his grip, meeting her stroke for stroke in a rhythm she’d quickly become obsessed with.

Because he wasn’t the only one obsessed; she never wanted to be apart from him. Maybe that would fade with time, but right now she couldn’t even imagine it as he brought her the most exquisite pleasure.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but he eventually took over, because of course he did, and she found herself bent over in front of him as he wrapped his fingers around her throat.

He held her so gently yet so possessively as he thrust into her from behind, the growls he made as he nipped at her neck primal and everything she’d always wanted.

Everything about being with him was raw and earthy and she loved that there were no barriers between them. Just pleasure.

She didn’t even have to tell him that she was close, he clearly sensed it because he dropped his hand down to her clit and began stroking in tune with his thrusts—sending her over the edge.

Stars burst in front of her eyes as her climax punched through her. He held onto one of her hips as he rode the wave with her, coming inside her in hard thrusts as they both lost themselves in each other.

Eventually they collapsed onto his sheets, but instead of letting her lie there, he turned her over and tugged her onto his chest.

“We’re mating as soon as I get back,” he growled into the quiet room.

“That doesn’t sound like a question.” She was still drowsy with pleasure as she traced a finger over one of his pecs.

“Good, because I’m not asking.”

“Is it messed up that I like how bossy you are?”

He lazily played with one of her breasts, making her gasp.

“But I’m still going with you,” she managed to get out, because no way was he leaving without her.

He gently pinched her nipple, making her arch into his touch.

She raised her head so she could look at him. “Stop trying to distract me with pleasure.”

“After everything you’ve been through—”

“Exactly. After everything, I don’t want to be separated. And I’m not asking. I’m telling you. I’m going .” She jutted her chin out mutinously. “You already said I wouldn’t be in the way or in danger if I stayed back at your basecamp. There’s no danger.”

She could see that he wanted to argue, that he wanted to keep her wrapped up here in a bubble of safety.

But neither of them could live like that.

It would eventually destroy them, something she understood on her most primal level.

And she was pretty sure he did too, because he closed his eyes and groaned.

“You have to stay at camp. No following me.”

“I would never. Besides, I can’t fly, how am I going to follow you?”

He grumbled as she laid her head on his chest, continued tracing along the hard lines and striations of his body.

“You’ll be happy that I’m there,” she added.

“Of course, I will be. I’m worried I’ll never leave our tent. Or I’ll put you in danger inadvertently. Or a million other things that might go wrong.”

At the real note of worry in his voice, she lifted her head again. “I won’t go if it bothers you that much. It’s okay.”

Holding her close to him, he settled one big hand on her hip, squeezed.

“No. I want to agree and leave you here, but… no. You’re coming.

I know you’ll be safe with me. Last night scared me in a way I’ve never experienced.

I’ve… always been aware of my own power, but if anything were to happen to you…

” Trailing off, he slid his hands through her hair, cupping the back of her neck as she leaned up to kiss him.

There was more they needed to talk about, because this fear of his was real, was emanating off him in waves she could almost feel. She would always worry for him, but he was powerful in a way she would never be physically. If anything, his enemies would be wise to give him a wide berth.

Right now, she didn’t want to worry about enemies or any darkness. No, she wanted to bask in this new relationship, simply enjoy what they were starting.