“Did I do something wrong?”
“Not at all,” I murmur, brushing my lips over hers, luxuriating in her touch and the way her body lifts to mine, so I can feel the little swell of her belly. “You did everything right.”
“Everything? He worked out we were mates.”
“I doubt the baron ever believe we were anything but.” I slide my finger under her chin to get better access to her mouth. “And it suits me he did.”
“It does?”
I put my other hand under her buttock, pulling her against my shaft. “It does because it’s high time I spent some credits on you.”
MAGGIE
We take the elevator down multiple floors within the huge atrium. We haven’t descended all the way when the doors open and Driok steps out.
“This isn’t the floor with the shops,” I say as I follow him.
“This is the floor for the vendors only the elite of Xracak City use.” Driok gives me a flash of fang. “And as I expect you’re going to expand very soon, I believe you are due a wardrobe to suit.”
I think he might be salivating a little.
“As well as plenty of items to adorn your beauty and make sure you look like the mate of a Sarkarnii warlord, rather than his elite guard.”
“Hey, I rather enjoyed that part,” I grumble. “Makes a change anyway.”
“What do you mean?” Driok studies me.
Despite everything we’ve done together, everything we’ve said…in this moment I feel a flush of embarrassment which runs from my feet right to my hair line.
“Nothing. I don’t mean anything.” I push past him.
Driok follows me, even though I don’t know where I’m going. He catches up with me, keeps pace, but doesn’t say anything.
“It’s just...this is not what happens to me,” I blurt out. “I don’t get kisses, I get kicks.”
I get a growl, and it’s a big one. I get a set of hands on my shoulders, turning me to face him.
“If anyone…anyone touched you, spitfire…I will kill them, slowly.” His eyes are burning. “No,” he adds, and I blink at the sudden change. “I won’t kill them.” He growls low.
For a moment I fight against him.
“I’ll hold them. And you can kill them, my mate. Any way you choose. And I will hand you the weapons. I will even be your weapon, should you so wish.”
Something blooms in my chest, something I have never, ever felt before.
It’s a feeling of power so strong I could float on it, like I could take flight with Driok in his Sarkarnii form, alongside him, forever. I am finally an equal to everything I’ve ever encountered in my life. Driok has given it to me, he has given me the freedom to be what I want.
“Spitfire,” he growls in my ear.
“Thank you.” I stumble out the words. “For giving me the choice.”
“Everything belongs to you, including my heart, Maggie. Whatever you want, it’s yours,” Driok rumbles.
“Even a heart on a stake.”
“Even a heart on a stake, or hearts, or any organs you desire.” Driok studies my face. “But first I want to buy you something else.”
“Oh, yes? And what might that be?” My heart is no longer pounding at my chest. Instead it is filled with emotion, emotion I’m not yet ready for.
