Page 61 of Dragon Awakened

How can I still want her more--when she's consumed me since I knew what wanting was?

She shakes her head, pressing herself against me tighter. "Not now."

"But--"

"Show me," she entreats me instead, tilting her hips, and I'm lost to the power of our connection, to my need.

To her.

Chapter

Sixteen

EMBER

This is so stupid. Storm broke my heart into a million pieces. It doesn't matter that we're true mates. I should never trust him again.

But I can feel his heart beating beside mine. His remorse reaches into the deepest places within me; there's no doubting his sincerity. He did what he did for a reason. How long can I stay mad at a man for hurting me out of some misplaced hope that he could save his family and his kingdom?

He's here now. He came to me, armed with enemy intelligence and an unqualified apology, and I just miss him so damn much.

My other mates' touch healed so many of the broken pieces inside of me, but there were still wounds that their love couldn't reach.

Now? Here, with Storm's mouth both soft and hot against mine?

My eyes burn, so I close them, focusing on the firm planes of his chest, the warm embrace of his arms. The gentle exploration of his kiss--so achingly familiar and yet so strange.

He was my first kiss--my first everything.

I can't believe we're here again. I always dreamed he'd be my fated mate, if only I could call forth my dragon. But it never happened, until now.

What changed?

An immediate answer rises to my thoughts.

Everything.

I changed. I suffered a heartbreak and the loss of the closest thing I had to a home. But it was a home I was dumped in, where I never fit.

I found a new one, here in Unity. I found a friend who's like a sister and three other incredible men.

The Shadow Queen's Bracer chose me, and I discovered magic running through my veins. I'm literally a different person--a different dragon--than I ever imagined becoming.

An ugly, scared hiccup of a laugh threatens to escape me.

I'm still terrified of everything I might be. But that fear only makes me throw myself into this moment with Storm all the harder.

Grinding down on the huge bulge of him through his jeans, I gasp aloud. Hot sparks of pleasure zip up my spine, igniting the tender points of my breasts. He groans, gripping my hips, but I can't tell if it's to egg me on or slow me down; I'm not sure if he knows, either.

"Ember," he breathes, over and over against my lips, and it's too plaintive. Too emotional by half.

I'm wrung out, and all I want to do is lose myself in this. In my mate.

I start to murmur his name, but it gets lodged in my throat, the shape of it still too painful to force past my lips.

But it could be worse.

"I'm so glad you aren't Fury," I mumble between kisses.