Page 42 of Magic and Muffins

“You’re mine, Shepard.” I wrapped my legs around his waist and hooked them over his firm ass. “And I acknowledge it’s hypocritical for me to be possessive and ask for monogamy when my heart belongs to two people. I’m sorry for that.”

“I love you the way you are. I loveyou.”

Stroking his cheek, I leaned up and gently kissed him. “I love you, too, Shepard.”

“I’ve waited so long to hear that.”

He kissed me tenderly. It melted me and brought back my thoughts from earlier.

He pulled back and studied me. “Your scent just changed. What are you worried about?”

“Worry is a strong word. I’m never going to be able to get away with anything with that nose of yours.”

A small smile tugged at his lips, and he kissed me lightly again. “Talk to me.”

My stomach did a little flip with nerves.

“You said you can accept Cross in my life. Will that change once we’re mated?”

A tremor ran through Shepard's body, and I watched flecks of gold appear in his irises.

“No.”

“Okay.”

I leaned up and kissed his chin. Then, his Adam’s apple. He swallowed hard, and the tremors increased.

“What do you mean by okay?” Even as he asked, I could hear the desperation in his voice.

“Okay, as in, I’m ready, Shepard. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”

“Everly, do you know what you’re doing?”

I playfully licked the column of his throat. “If you have to ask, I guess I’m not doing a good job convin?—”

His kiss was savage in its intensity, and I would have forgotten where we were when he reached for the edge of my shirt if not for the sounds of a nail gun.

Tearing my mouth from his, I caught his hand and said, “Not here.”

He lifted me. I saw a blur of color, and then we stood in the master bedroom.

“Will this work?” he asked.

I glanced at the closed door and nodded.

He growled and kissed me hard. His hands shook as he tugged my shirt off over my head roughly. He caught my wince.

“Sorry. I’ll try to control myself,” he said.

“Don’t. I want the wild part of you, Shepard. I love knowing I make you lose control. But there’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” As I spoke, I reached for his shirt and eased it up his torso.

A shiver ran through him, and he reached for the material. His nails had grown, and he used them to tear his shirt off and tossed it aside.

“If I get too rough, tell me.”

“I think I might like it a little rough.”

His growl turned into a groan as he shook his head, his golden eyes flickering.

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