Page 76 of His White Moonlight (Dominant CEO Shifter Romance #1)

Miranda waved her off and stayed with me until Bennett showed up with Konni almost fifteen minutes later. The pair made heads turn.

Miranda made a sound beside me. “Now that’s a fine specimen there.”

I knew she wasn’t talking about Bennett, but Konni.

“He’s single,” I said, “and will steal my man soon for inappropriate things we’re not allowed to talk about.”

Bennett was close enough to hear me despite the loud music and frowned as he closed the distance. Konni flushed. Feeling guilty, I stood and hugged him before I hugged Bennett.

“No hard feelings,” I said. “I’ll loan him out to you whenever you need, as long as there aren’t any women involved. Unless you need me to witness whatever it is you two do.”

I pulled back and arched a brow at him, thinking I was being funny. However, the look in Konni’s eyes wasn’t amused. He was looking a lot like Bennett had when I’d first come home. Intense, expanded pupils, and barely in control.

“Who were you with?” he asked, his voice rough.

Bennett had me out of Konni’s arms and in his a second later.

“You need to calm down, Konni,” he said. “You’re going to scare Wrenly.”

He wasn’t scaring me, but I didn’t correct Bennett. Instead, I watched Konni take a slow breath and close his eyes.

“I’m sorry. The scent on you is…confusing.”

Bennett leaned in and smelled me.

“Her friend, Sophia, a male I haven’t met, and Miranda. That’s all I smell.”

“Ooh! Me! Pick me!” Miranda said, popping up from her place on the sofa. She pulled her hair aside to expose the long line of her neck and the Zellon’s necklace resting there. “You can sniff me right here.”

Konni glanced at her and shook his head slightly. “It’s not you. I’m sorry.”

And he did sound sorry.

“It’s all right,” Miranda said with a shrug.

“My knight will come along someday. But if you’re not interested in me, that means you're either interested in the man on the dance floor or a woman who was just talking about gender transitioning. Good luck.” She patted his arm as she walked by him on her way out.

Konni looked at Bennett.

“She wasn’t lying,” Bennett confirmed.

“Wait, can’t Konni smell lies?” I asked.

“His nose is good, but he has a harder time with the subtleties emotions can cause in someone’s scent. Is your friend actually thinking about a gender transition?”

I thought of Sophia’s stance on committed relationships.

Her parents had divorced when she was younger, and she’d confided that marriage had ruined her mom in ways she never wanted to experience herself.

Loss of self-worth. Fear of men. Questioning herself on every decision she made, no matter how small it was.

Any man who approached Sophia with the intent of a serious relationship was always met with rejection. She told me she would never make herself smaller for a man to feel bigger.

Knowing what Konni was, I understood that his interest in Sophia was exactly the kind she was trying to avoid. So I answered like a best friend should.

“She’s not thinking about it; she’s already talked to several people about it.”

Konni nodded, but his eyes had lost their focus. I knew he was thinking, but about what?

“She’s been through a lot, Konni, and just wants to be free to be whoever she wants to be.”

“I understand.” He looked at Bennett. “Thanks for the drink. Enjoy your night.”

I watched him walk away and felt a tinge of guilt. I knew what it meant for their kind to find a mate, but I also knew how Sophia felt.

“It’s not your problem,” Bennett said, kissing my temple. “He’ll be fine. Are you ready to go home?”

My stomach did a little flip, and I quickly threaded my fingers through Bennett’s to lead the way out. When we reached the sidewalk, he stopped me.

“You’re nervous. Why? Because you danced with another man?”

I grinned at him and shook my head.

“No. I know you won’t be mad about that.”

He looked down, and I knew he was struggling with his jealousy.

“It was a pity dance. He just needed a little courage to get out on the dance floor, and I probably looked like the person least likely to be mean about turning him down.”

Bennett crushed me in a hug. “Thank you for explaining when you didn’t have to.”

I wrapped my arms around him, running my fingers through the hair at the back of his neck.

“My poor, needy mate. Why don’t you take me home so I can reassure you in private?”

He made a pained sound and had me buckled in the car less than a minute later. I was laughing and breathless from how he’d carried me, which seemed to provoke him because he paused to kiss me as soon as he took his seat.

“We’re never going to get home this way,” I teased.

The intensity in his gaze heated my blood, and the unspoken promise in mine had him smoothly navigating the lingering traffic to get us home in fifteen minutes.

We started kissing in the elevator and didn’t stop until the backs of my knees hit the bed.

Drawing away, I smirked at him.

“If that was the tour you promised me, I think I blinked and missed it.”

“Tour later. I need to taste you again. Now.”

He reached for my dress pants, and I caught his hands.

“What if I want more than a taste tonight?”

His gaze filled with torment. “You know more is dangerous. The last time—” He swallowed hard. “I don’t think I can feel you come apart around me again and not mark you, Wrenly. No more sex until you’re ready to be my mate.”

Sex with Bennett had been amazing, the handful of times he’d allowed it. But it had tested his control and his promise to me. And I’d loved how he’d kept his word but had been driven wild because of it.

“What if I told you that I am ready?”

“What?” he rasped. His gaze sparked with hope as it searched mine.

“I’m ready for you to mark me, Bennett. I want to spend the rest of my life being loved by you and loving you back.”

I saw fear extinguish his surge of excitement.

“Maybe we should wait. You just graduated. You start your new job?—”

I covered his mouth with my hand.

“We promised honesty. No lies. No holding back information. Remember?”

His shoulders slumped, and he set his forehead against mine. I removed my hand.

"I’ve hurt you unintentionally so many times. The thought of hurting you intentionally…I don’t think I can.”

“Then don’t. What we’re doing tonight isn’t about the hurt but the result. I choose you, Bennett. Be my mate. I’ve waited long enough, and you’ve waited longer.”

He groaned and kissed me. While he was tentative, I wasn’t. I kissed him hungrily, showing him how much I wanted him and how sure I was of my decision.

We fell back onto the bed, a fumble of hands and clothes. And when he finally entered me, it felt like I’d found my way home to where I was meant to be. He did everything he knew I loved until I was begging him not to stop. I toppled over, and as I floated in that bliss, he carefully bit me.

It hurt, but I’d never felt more connected to him than in that moment.

He was my everything. And I was his.

“I love you, Bennett. Thank you for waiting for me.”

“From beginning to end, you were always mine. I would have waited a lifetime for you if you needed it. Thank you for loving me and agreeing to be my mate. I love you, Wrenly. Now and forever.”

Smiling, I relaxed into his arms, glad Bennett had found me and even happier that I’d given him a chance.

* * *

Thank you for reading His White Moonlight . If you’re hungry for another story in this world, check out His Flash Mate , Sophia and Konni’s story. (And, yes, you will learn what happens when a dragon molts!)