Page 108 of Moonlight & Mayhem

“So I've been told.” Moon walked toward him, and Mayhem straightened. His eyes followed her—not possessively or hungrily. Well—maybe a little hungrily. Her wolf noticed. Mate. Moon almost rolled her eyes. I know. Her wolf seemed particularly pleased by that answer.

Moon stopped in front of Mayhem, and he looked down at her. “You sure you still want this?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said without hesitation.

“You don't have to prove anything,” he said. “Nothing changes if you decide you want to wait.”

“I know,” she said.

“We can unlock the door, go upstairs, and pretend I wasn't about to have the best night of my life.”

Moon's eyebrows rose. “You seem very confident.”

“Nope, just hopeful,” he teased. She smiled, and Mayhem became serious. “The bond is already ours.” Moon's chest tightened. “You don't owe it anything.” There—that was Mayhem. He wasn’t just a wolf or the Silverfang VP. He wasn’t just her bonded guardian. He was the man Moon loved. She reached for him and her hands settled against his chest as his heart beat beneath her palm—strong, steady, and healthy. She still couldn't get over the fact that Mayhem was alive and well.

“You're really okay,” she breathed.

His expression softened. “I'm really okay.”

Moon's fingers curled into his shirt. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“You didn't,” he assured. Mayhem covered her hand with his. “I'm sorry.”

“For what?” she asked.

“For scaring you,” he said.

“You should be,” she insisted.

“I'll try not to get poisoned by ancient ritual magic again,” he promised.

“I'd appreciate it,” she agreed. “And you need to stay away from silver blades, bullets, and bar fights.”

“I see that you’re already establishing boundaries,” he teased. Moon laughed, then rose onto her toes and kissed him. Mayhem immediately kissed her back. His hands settled at her waist, and Moon felt the bond stir. Her wolf pushed closer, and Mayhem's answered, but neither took control.

Moon broke the kiss. “Mayhem.”

“What?” he whispered.

“I love you.” His expression changed, and she was beginning to enjoy doing that to him.

“Say it again,” he ordered.

Moon smiled. “You're needy.”

“Very,” he agreed.

“I love you,” she whispered, peppering his jawline with kisses.

His eyes flashed gold. “Fuck.”

Moon laughed. “That's your response?”

“I'm working on something better, but all the blood is rushing away from my brain right now,” he said. Mayhem pulled her against him. “I love you too.” He kissed his way down her neck, and her girl parts seemed to hum to life. “I love your smart mouth.”

“Dangerous choice,” she teased.

“Your shitty bedside manner,” he continued.