Page 127 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“My fangs are telling me we do.”

Noah pulls back, smiling softly. “Should we go to the bed?”

I nod, looping my arms around his neck.

I expect him to lay me on the pillows, but he sits me at the end. Standing above me, he removes the two remaining sedative-laced pins from my hair. “I don’t think you need these right now.”

“They’re my favorite accessory,” I joke, wondering if I’ll ever feel comfortable in public without them.

But Noah is right. I don’t need them here. I’m safe.

After he removes the hair pins, he takes out the bobby pins, one by one, until my hair falls across my bare shoulders.

“I’m never going to get tired of that,” he murmurs, running his fingers through the curling strands.

I look up at him, so in love with this man.

He kneels in front of me, taking my hand. “Just because we’re married doesn’t mean I’m going to ask you to do anything you aren’t ready for. These last few days have gone very quickly, and if you’d like to wait until we’re home, I can accept that.”

“I don’t want to wait any more than you do.” I pull him up so he’s sitting next to me. “We’ve waited long enough.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure. Now, make me a proper vampire and help me with my fangs.”

Noah pulls me onto his lap and trails kisses up and down my throat, driving me absolutely mad.

“Are you ready?” he breathes.

“I’m ready.” I tighten my grip on his shoulders, close my eyes, and…

Noah nips my skin gently, barely grazing his fangs over me, and then pulls back.

Smirking, he says, “You survived.”

I lift my hand to my neck. “You didn’t break the skin.”

“Of course not—that would hurt.”

“Are you serious? That’s all?”

“What were you expecting?” he asks innocently, knowing the answer.

“I was expecting something a little more…fun?”

Noah laughs, his hands claiming my waist as he moves me onto the bed. “There’s time for that later. I can think of something that’s far more fun than biting. Want me to show you?”

I smile up at him. “I’m so grateful you were the conservator who showed up on my door.”

“You know that wasn’t an accident, don’t you? I had to bribe Daniel with donuts.”

“I remember you mentioning something like that.”

“A box a week for a year—I’m still paying. It wouldn’t have worked if he was a vampire.”

“You wanted to be assigned to me that badly?”

“I did, and I still do. I’d give all the donuts for you, Piper.”

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