He growls, a deep rumble that vibrates through me, and leans forward to bite my shoulder. The sting is followed by the gentle press of his fingers against my clit, coaxing me back into rhythm. I move on him, tentatively at first, but his hands guide me, steady and firm.

I ride him with growing confidence, the intensity building with every motion. His claws dig into my hips, keeping me steady, and I let myself go, surrendering to the sensations, to him. The sharpness fades, replaced by a deep, consuming pleasure that has me gasping his name.

When I come, it’s with a cry, my body tightening around him as he spills inside me, his growl echoing in the stillness of the garage. He holds me close, his breath ragged against my neck, , there’s nothing but the sound of our breathing and the pounding of my heart.

I lean back against him, my limbs heavy and my mind hazy with the glow of subspace. His arms wrap around me, and I feel safe, cared for in a way I’ve never experienced before. Later, I think. I’ll bring up the dam later. For now, I just want to stay here, wrapped in him, and forget the world exists.

CHAPTER 13

GUVAN

Reily’s head rests on my chest, her soft breaths warming my scales. Her fingers trace idle patterns over my stomach, , I forget everything—the war, the dam, the grolgath. All that exists is her. This tiny, infuriating, irresistible human. How did she get here? How did she getinsideme? I was supposed to punish her, break her, make her regret ever crossing me. Instead, she’s unraveled me, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same.

"Have you ever been fishing on Mirror Lake?" Her voice breaks the silence, casual, as if she’s not sitting naked in my lap in my garage.

I glance down at her, my brow ridge lifting. "No."

"Do you want to go?" she asks, tilting her head to look up at me.

"Now?" I blink, caught off guard. The idea is absurd. It’s the middle of the day, and I’m in my true form, half-expecting Pyke to call and remind me of some duty I’m neglecting.

"Why not now?" She sits up, her blue eyes challenging me. Her lips curl into that damnable smirk, the one that makes me want to both strangle her and pin her against the nearest surface.

I sigh, running a clawed hand through her fiery hair. "No reason we can’t, I suppose. It’s just… sudden."

She exhales heavily, her expression softening. "If you’re going to flood Mirror Lake, you should at least spend one day out on it. To remember how it used to be."

There’s something in her tone—a weight, a plea. I narrow my eyes, studying her. This isn’t just about fishing. She’s up to something. But then again, when isn’t she? I nod, giving in because, at this point, I’d follow her anywhere.

"Very well. Let us go… fishing." The words feel strange, foreign. I haven’t done anything so mundane in… ever.

Reily grins, triumphant, and slides off my lap. She grabs her clothes from the floor and starts dressing, her movements quick and efficient. I watch her, my gaze lingering on the curve of her hips, the way her skin glows in the dim garage light. My cock twitches, reminding me of how easily she can best me in this game we’re playing.

"You’re going to need clothes," she says, throwing my shirt at me. It hits me in the chest, and I catch it before it can fall. "Unless you plan on going as your scaly self. Which, actually, might make for an interesting fishing story."

I snort, standing and pulling the shirt over my head. "I’ll use the inducer. No need to scare the fish."

She laughs, the sound light and free, and it does something to my chest—something I don’t want to examine too closely. "Fair enough. But don’t blame me if you don’t catch anything. You’ve got the patience of a toddler on a sugar high."

I growl, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "And yet, I’ve managed to reel you in, haven’t I?"

She looks up at me, her eyes darkening. "Maybe. But I’m the one holding the rod right now."

I kiss her, hard and demanding, because it’s the only way to shut her up. She melts against me, her hands tangling in myshirt, , I consider forgetting about fishing altogether. But then she pulls away, her smirk returning.

"Later, big guy. We’ve got fish to catch."

I shake my head, following her toward the door. She’s going to be the death of me. And yet, I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Reily jingles the keys to her rusted Gremlin with a grin. “I’ll drive.”

I raise an eyebrow, skeptical but amused. “That thing? It’s a miracle it hasn’t disintegrated yet.”

She rolls her eyes. “Come on, big guy. Get in.”

I try. I really do. But even with the seat all the way back, my knees are jammed against the dashboard, and my head brushes the roof. I grunt, extracting myself from the sardine can. “No. Absolutely not.”

Reily leans against the car, arms crossed, smirking. “Too good for the POS, huh?”