He answered before she could ask. “I love you, Kristen, and that has nothing to do with our soul bond. You heard my mother. A mate of the heart is just as precious, and in many instances more rare.”
“But I’m so…average.”
“Average? Are you kidding? Did you not just hear my mother? You have a strength of heart and character that she didn’t have.”
“But she was so beautiful.”
“On the outside. And so are you. But you’re more beautiful on the inside than she ever could have been. And that’ s where true beauty lies.”
She managed a small smile. “If you say so.”
“I say so.”
She shifted in his arms and kissed his sooty cheek. “I’m so sorry about your mother…and about Micah.”
Aidan kissed the top of her head. “My mother lived a long life, and I truly think she died doing what she wished she could have done in life. As for Micah, at least he’s alive. And maybe he’ll find his way. I hope he does.”
Kristen smiled broader this time. “I hope so too.”
“I do love you, Kris. Only you. And it’s not just because you’re my soulmate.”
Happiness melted over Kristen. She had no doubt Aidan spoke the truth. “Take me home, Aidan.”
A quick motorcycle ride later, and they were in Kristen’s bedroom, undressing each other.
“Let me love you,” Aidan said. “Just tell me yes. Tell me you want me to make love to you.”
“I…I…” She was ready for him. Ready to take him into her heated body, her open heart, her destined soul.
“Please, Kristen.” He stroked her wet folds.
“Of course, I want you.” God, did she want him. Her pussy was drenched.
“Tell me to take you. To make love to you.” His finger pierced her pussy.
“Aidan!” She gyrated her hips, helping him go farther.
He added another finger, and she nearly exploded.
“Not yet, baby. We come together.”
“Make love to me, Aidan. Come with me.” She curled her fingers around the hard curve of his bicep and pulled him onto the bed. “Take me now. Hard. No foreplay. Just your cock inside me, where it’s meant to be.
“God, Kris.” He traced one finger over the curve of her cheek, down her neck, over the swell of her breasts and down to her navel. “Damn, you’re beautiful. So fucking beautiful.”
Kristen’s body hummed. Every nerve in her body sizzled. She was so aware of Aidan. His chest was golden, smattered with dark hair. So beautiful. She reached for him, gripped his marble pecs, thumbed the silky softness of his nipples. He groaned, and they hardened under her touch.
She bent to lick one. Mmm, he tasted of salt and cinnamon. So very male.
He fumbled with his jeans until they were puddled on the floor next to the remains of her sweats. She gasped when she saw his cock. Gorgeous, it stood magnificently from his black bush. So big, so beautiful. Her pussy pulsated as she licked her lips.
His lazy smile stabbed at her heart.
“Now, Aidan. Take me now.”
He turned her quickly and plunged his cock into from behind. Vivid colors swirled around her. She envisioned the fires she had rushed into, and her fear left her. The flames no longer held pain and torment. Now she saw only the golden dragon who loved her.
“I can’t hold on too long, Kristen,” Aidan rasped in her ear. “I need to come. Need to complete the bonding.”
“Come, Aidan. Come inside me.” She fingered her clit. The spasms began slowly and then heightened, taking her on a whirling ride.
“Yes, Kris, yes!”
She was soaring again, on the back of her golden dragon. Above they flew, over the mountaintops and into the moonlight.
Aidan’s skin was scaled yet soft, and she gripped him tightly as he began his descent toward the burning building.
You need no longer fear, my love.
A whoosh of his dragon’s breath erased the flames from her memory.
I’m sorry about your store, Kris.
She leaned down and brushed her cheek against his soft scales. “It’s okay. I’m insured. We’ll rebuild it together. Rebuild our lives together.”
He responded not in her mind, but straight into her heart with warm joy. Love.
He loved her. And she loved him with all that she was. Yes, they would rebuild their lives together. Smiling, she leaned her whole body into his. His skin vibrated in soothing thumps. His heartbeat.
The sun edged over the tip of the mountainous horizon. Aidan landed gently and then shimmered back into his human form. Kristen stood spellbound.
He stroked her cheek with one long finger. “You’re amazing.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. “Will it always be like that for us? There’s still a lot I don’t know about you, Aidan Butler.”
“I know. But I swear you have nothing to fear now.”
She let out an anxious laugh. “I’m not sure it matters what I don’t know about you and your kind.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No, Aidan, because what I do know is that I can’t exist without you now. You’re part of me. I can’t explain it any better than that.”