Dark Surrender (The Dark Ones Saga 3)

“She is our Queen.” His eyes pleaded.

“And she is my mate.”

“Not yet.”

“I love her.” It was the first time I said it out loud, the first time I allowed myself to admit it.

I loved her.

Loved her more than anything.

And in that moment, Timber, man of steel, smiled a radiant smile. “Then you better show her just how much.”

I exhaled in relief.

While Hope laughed against my neck.

“I hate your new bodyguard.”

“He grows on you.”

“Doubt it.” I glared back at Timber and weaved through the restraint where demons with blue eyes looked at me with hesitation.

“It’s fine.” Timber called behind us. “They are… mates.”

A cheer rose out from the demons making Hope’s cheeks blush.

“That, I can get on board with.” I set her down on her feet once we were outside. “Demons cheering for sex.”

Her blush just deepened.

“You’re beautiful.” I kissed her plump lips, swiping my tongue across the bottom one, it tasted so good like home, like my past, present, and future, I needed her, I needed her so bad. “Come on,”

“Aren’t we going back to Ethan’s?”

“Hotel.” My eyes greedily searched down the street. “See? Hotel Monaco, perfect. Sex, room service — no werewolves or demons cock blocking me.”

“Alex,” She tugged my arm forcing me to stop mid-stride. “Why? Why did you stop?”

I hung my head. “I stopped for love.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Do you remember… everything?”

I didn’t want to go there. Not now. Not when I needed her so bad. The old Alex would have seduced the hell out of her and forced her to have a heart-to-hea

rt later.

But the new Alex, well he was really enjoying the way her hand felt pressed against his palm.

With a sigh, I pressed a kiss to her open palm and led her down the street to a small café. I pushed open the door, a bell above rang announcing our arrival.

Hope said nothing as I went to the front of the café and ordered two black coffees with room for cream. It didn’t even occur to me to hide what I looked like, the woman behind the counter gaped for a few seconds before swaying on her feet, giving her head a shake and then blinking up at me. “Are you… I mean…” Her cheeks went bright red. “Sorry, long day.”

“You and me both.” I offered a smile that I hoped wouldn’t have her leaping across the counter in an effort to tackle me to the floor and rip my clothes off.

A slow smile curled around her lips. “As much as I’d love to give you free coffee, I’d probably get fired, so unless you have money…”

“Huh?”