Oh, I wanted him so badly; I didn’t even know what to do with myself. A fire burned within me as I shifted in his arms.
Heat coiled low in my belly as I studied him—my mate. My dragon.
He was waiting. For me. That he respected me, even in this, was incredible. And it made me want him even more.
“You are mine,” I murmured, lowering my lips until they hovered just above his. I could taste the smoke on his breath as I reached out and ran a finger down his chin. “And I am yours.”
A low groan rumbled through him as his grip tightened around me. He held still, waiting until I closed the distance between us. Once our mouths touched, it was like he lost all control. He pressed me against him as we kissed. We were nothing but lips and tongues and teeth as our mouths said everything that was still unsaid.
My hands trailed down his face, touching every part of him as we kissed. I ground myself against him, trying to ease the growing ache in me.
“Xander,” I moaned as his tongue darted out and touched my lip.
In response, he deepened the kiss. This felt soright.
My fingers began their perusal over his body again. I ran my fingers through his hair, down his neck, and over his shoulders, before he gasped.
I pulled away from him, my eyes wide.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, trying to put distance between us. The moment I pulled away, a chill ran down my front. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Don’t stop,” he growled, grabbing my hands and putting them back on his torso. “For Kydona’s sake, Aileana, don’t stop.”
And so I didn’t. I ran my hands over his arms and shoulders and chest as he showered me with kisses. He touched my breasts over my dress, tenderly at first, but then with more urgency. The fire within me grew hotter with every passing second, and I squirmed on his lap, seeking relief that wasn’t coming.
As we kissed, the space between our bodies was non-existent. He murmured in my ear. “You are mine. My mate..”
“The ceremony,” I whispered. “Coming together…”
He shook his head. “There is no pressure here. I will wait as long as you need, Aileana.”
Be ready. As much as I wanted that moment to be now, I knew this wasn’t the right time. He was injured and there was still so much to do.
But I wasn’t scared. I knew Xander would keep me safe.
And one day, when the timing was right, we would solidify our mating bond. Be bound together for eternity. One day, we would bring our bodies together and become one in a union that no person could rip apart.
A sound of contentment rumbled up from deep within me. I pressed my lips to his exposed throat, and a thrill ran through me as he moaned.
“Xander,” I whispered against his skin, “I’m your mate.”
My heart pounded in my chest as this thing between us took on a life of its own. I knew, right then and there, that nothing would break us apart. We were bound together in a way that wasmorethan us.
Fated.
“I’m yours.”
“And you’re mine.”
We kissed until everything else lost all meaning.
* * *
When our lips were sore and our kisses were nothing more than tender brushes against each other, we pulled apart, panting.
I rested my head on Xander’s shoulder as he brushed a lock of hair back from my face. “Aileana, there’s still so much to talk about.”
I nodded. “I know.”