As she lifts her head to kiss me again, my claws move from her hips, one slipping up her back to cradle her head, digits tangling in her hair. The other slides down to her thigh, gripping it firmly as I pull her even closer. Her moans vibrate against my lips, sending shivers down my spine.

“Eleanor,” I murmur against her mouth, my voice thick with need.

“Zynar,” she whispers back, her voice trembling with a mix of hesitation and longing.

The way she says my name, it’s like a plea and a promise all at once. I can’t get enough of it. I deepen the kiss, my tongue exploring her mouth, savoring every taste of her. Her hands slide up my chest, nails grazing my scales in a way that sends electric jolts of pleasure through me. Again she shifts against me, rubbing the center of her thighs against my abdomen. I don’t even think she realizes what she’s doing. That she could want me this much makes something deep inside me flutter and come to life.

My Little Bird has been chained. Locked in a cage. I want to set her free. I want her to find release and if she must use me to do it, it would be the honor of my life.

I groan, pulling back slightly to look into her eyes. They’re half-lidded, darkened with desire, and it’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. “You’re driving me crazy, Little Bird,” I whisper, my voice rough.

She smiles, a real smile this time, not the forced one from before. It lights up her face, making her look even more stunning. “Good,” she breathes, her hands moving to cup my face. “Because you’re doing the same to me.”

She pants as our lips meet again. The sensation coupled with her sweet scent filling the air makes my cock swing back so hard it slaps her on her behind. She pauses and lifts her head, her eyes going wide.

No. Oh no no no. I don’t want to lose this moment.

But instead of climbing off me like I think she will, my Liora whimpers, a look coming into her eyes that I’ve never seen before. Her hips shift, the center of her thighs rubbing against me again and I growl, fangs baring in raw, primitive need.

“I shouldn’t be doing this,” she whimpers. “You’re here to work. You’re not here for me to have sex with.”

My palms slide up her thighs, eliciting a tremble from her.

“Do you want to?” I growl the whisper.

With another whimper, Eleanor gives a slight nod. But I can feel the fight within her. I can feel the uncertainty. Demons of her past chasing her. The relationship with her previous mate maybe. I can already tell he was a fool to let her go. But even though she’s said yes, even though she wants to, I can’t do it. Not when she might regret this later.

“Use me,” I whisper.

She stops moving. Stops rocking her hips against me. “What?”

“Use me, Little Bird. Take your pleasure. There are no bonds or commitments. No pressure. This is about you and what you need.” I let the words sink in, wanting her to understand that this moment is hers, and that I’m here for her in any capacity she desires. “You are in control. Always.”

Her breath hitches, and I can see the conflict in her eyes.

“You are perfect, Liora,” I growl softly. “Everything about you, as you are now, is all that matters to me. If you want this, I’m here. And if you don’t, I will stop. Just say the word.”

“Zynar…I…” But she hasn’t climbed off me. She hasn’t tried to get away. Hasn’t tried to stop this. So I hold her at the hips, and I move her against me, making her press her center of her thighs against me as her hot core rubs across the tight muscles of my abdomen.

Eleanor whimpers, hands rising to grip my shoulders as her eyelids flutter.

“Feel good, Little Bird?”

“Mm,” she murmurs and her hips shunt in my grasp. So eager. So mesmerizing. So beautiful. My cock slaps her on the behind again and her eyelids flutter up as she meets my gaze.

“You’re making me crazy,” she groans.

I can’t take my eyes off her. Gripping her tighter, I force her down on me, hoping the friction is enough to provide her with some relief. She seems to be craving it, and I know I’m right when she whimpers. Holding on to me, her grip gets tighter as she moves her hips before a frustrated sound leaves her lips.

“Not enough,” she pants. “I need more.”

My core-beat hammers at her words.

“Zynar…Can I…” She reaches back as my cock slaps her behind again and I freeze, grabbing her wrist before she can make contact. My chest is heaving as our gazes lock—hers searching mine in surprise and mine frozen on hers.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t— I thought—” She begins to rise t o get off me, and I stop her with my other arm.

Words fail me.