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But I can’t not be with Midas. It wouldn’t be the right choice for me, or him, or his people.
Midas stares at me dumbstruck for a few seconds before letting out the loudest growl I’ve ever heard. He yanks me into his arms and kisses me so thoroughly my knees give out. Gasping for breath, I say, “I thought we weren’t going to have sex in front of everyone this time.”
“I’m not going to fuck you, my queen. I’m going to make love to you.”
My heart flips and my breath steals out of my lungs. We haven’t said we love each other, but it’s there in each quiet look and heated touch.
“Don’t say it.” My voice is quieter than the pound of my heart. “Not yet.”
I need to know that we’re going to be okay. That I can stop this challenge before I really let myself acknowledge that this is real. If we say it now, it feels like jinxing it, like testing the fates.
Midas does as I ask, but he kisses me with enough feeling to communicate what he doesn’t say. When he starts to undo my blouse, I place my hands on top of his to stop him. “I thought we agreed we’d wait until we got home.”
“Fuck, say it again.”
“Home.”
He groans against my lips. His hand slides behind me and squeezes my ass hard. “We’re leaving. Now.”
That’s exactly what I want to do, but I force myself to step away from him and meet his gaze with as much firmness as I can muster. “I want to get to know your horde, and this is as good an opportunity as any.”
“Our horde.” His correction is harsh due to his irritation. “Ten minutes.”
“Twenty. And you let me be. I want to talk to people without you distracting me or throwing me over your shoulder like a caveman.”
He grabs the back of my neck and squeezes while his other hand cups my pussy. “I like distracting you.”
I bite back a whimper and use every ounce of strength to wiggle out of his hold. It’s impossible, of course. He’s far too strong and his grip on me is tight. Not painful, but firm. He doesn’t give an inch.
“Twenty minutes,” he concedes. “But when we get home, you’re going to run from me, and when I catch you, you’re going to choke on my cock as punishment.”
My body tingles with nervous excitement. I wet my lips, and his eyes track the movement like a predator.
“I thought we were going to make love.”
“You gave me a command, little queen. One I don’t like. You’re going to bear the consequences.” He grips my arms a little tighter and lifts my feet off the ground, holding me so we’re eye-to-eye. “Your little cunt will get nothing but rough, ruthless fucks until you admit you love me and let me admit the same. Understood?”
I swallow, body shaking with the thrill of his words. Part of me wants to run, like he dared me to that first night, sprint out of this temple so he can catch me and fuck me senseless right now.
But I force myself to stay focused. I didn’t ask to stay at the party in order to taste the food or meet a few dragons. I have work to do, and not much time to do it.
When Midas releases me, he immediately turns his back and stalks down the steps towards the table of food. I know he’s putting space between us so that he doesn’t fall into the temptation of claiming me right here on the steps, but it still hurts a little to see him walk away.
There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to choose him, even with my uncertainty about being Queen, even with my sister still not fully on board. I can’t leave him. And I won’t lose him.
I gather my strength and head directly across the room to Lennox first.
“Ra’a,” he says, dropping his head.
“Lennox.” I dip my chin in return. “Do you believe I’m Midas’s mate?”
“I do.”
“Good. I need you to promise me something and not ask questions.” I feel my mate's gaze hot on my back. “Laugh so he doesn’t know this is a serious conversation.”
Lennox laughs softly, and I do the same. Then I make my request. “I need you to promise me you’ll look after my sister if anything happens to me any time between now and… forever. Can you do that, Lennox?”
His brow pinches together. “Are you planning on something happening to you?”
