Page 42 of Chomp's Challenge

Jerry is screaming as Chomp holds him in place, refusing to give up his prey completely.

Spike kneels in front of Jerry. His words aren’t for Chomp. I don’t think he cares that the gator is biting into one of Jerry’s ankles. “You’re going to die now, but you should know, the gator got your brother too.”

“And Ricky,” I rasp.

“We’ll get every man you named,” Spike promises before he opens his mouth and a stream of fire erupts, coating Jerry’s body in a thick wave of scorching flames.

His agonized cries echo throughout the forest as we all watch him burn until nothing remains but soot and paper-thin pieces of ash. Dragon fire must be different than normal flames because it consumed all of Jerry, even the bones. There’s nothing left to identify him. No DNA at all as the wind picks up and blows the dusty remains into a swirl, lifting them away from us until they merge with the lake.

Jerry is gone. And with him, so is Perry, Ricky, and the horror I suffered. It’s been burned away with Jerry.

My chest releases a pent-up breath and I feel a weight slide from my shoulders that’s as physical as it is metaphorical. And in that moment, I smile. I’m truly free.

My gaze instantly locks on Chomp. He’s already watching me, a look of pride on his handsome, whiskered face. He’s completely nude, covered in tattoos and splatters of blood, and he’s never looked more wonderful. I want this man in my life. He needs to know.

“Chomp.”

I don’t get out more than that word before he’s rushing to me, picking me up, and our lips meet. It’s the best kiss I’ve ever had in my life. I’m almost sad as my feet touch the ground. “We should go home.”

He arches a brow, wondering which location I mean. “Home?”

“Our home.” I gesture to the forest. “Your house is mine, right?” I scratch my nails along the back of his neck as he shivers. “I want to go to our home, Chomp. Right now.”

The desire I felt before comes flooding back and I see his nostrils flare and his eyes widen before he catches me in his arms and holding me close, he states to Spike, “We’ll be back later so we can figure that other shit out and formulate a plan, Pres.”

Spike smirks at him but waves us off as I grin, my arms now wrapped around his neck. I’ve never had this sort of reaction to anyone in my life and while I’m excited about what’s hopefully going to happen, I’m also nervous. What if I disappoint him? What if I’m no good in bed like Perry always told me?

Chomp claims I’m his mate; I feel a strong attraction to him and his gator. I can’t let them down like that. As my heart rate increases, Chomp must notice because he looks down at me and asks, “What’s wrong?”

I hesitate to answer.

His knuckles brush my cheek. “My gator says you have nothing to worry about. We accept and care for you just as you are.” His mouth captures mine. “You are loved, my enchantress. My perfect mate. There is nothing about you that I don’t want, need, or desire. Whatever is holding you back, let it go, my dove.”

Love? “You love me?” I ask, sounding as shocked as I feel.

“Little dove, I’ve loved you almost from the day we met.”

“Because I’m your mate?” Is what he feels real or because of what I mean to him? How do I know?

“Here.” He takes my hand and places it over his heart. “It beats differently since I met you. It’s sped up to match yours. Strange, but true.”

“It’s a heartbeat,” I whisper. His palm rests over my chest and I jolt because I can suddenly feel how our hearts are connected. They beat almost in sync. His cold-blooded reptilian heart shouldn’t be able to match mine. “Wow.”

“That’s how I know this is real, that what I feel is real.”

He knows what I’m asking and wondering without me putting it into words. “Chomp.”

“This is real, Ariel.”

“That means I love you back, right? If I can feel our heartbeats match?” A silly question, but it's all gotten so convoluted in my head. The past made me doubt myself and my ability to sort through my feelings. Not anymore.

“Dove, it’s not just the matching heartbeats, it’s the warmth inside and the glow in your eyes.”

Glow? I have a glow? Like his gator?

Chomps laughs. “You’ll figure it out. Take your time. Give yourself grace and we’ll find our way.”

God. This man. He knows exactly what to say, how to make me fall even harder for him without even trying. “Okay.”

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