Page 214 of Nine-Tenths

"Thank you," Dav pants, as we find our rhythm. "For letting me stay."

"It's not about… hnnng… it's not aboutletting you, come on, it's… it's part of… holy,fuck, Dav I… ngk! Rule four! Relationships are work, right?"

"Rule six," he groans back. "Don't give up on soulmates."

"Oh, are we playing a game now?" I ask, straining against him, loving the way he’s surrounding me, holding me safe. "Rule one?"

Dav huffs a laugh. "I think we're being pretty explicit right now, Mine Own."

"Fair."

"Rule seven," Dav cranes around and whispers against my mouth. I wait for him to go on, or to kiss me, orsomething."Rule seven, Colin," he prompts, lips moving against mine.

"I am—" I start, but something hot, a surge of something big and wonderful and terrifying in only the best way, cuts my words off. I dig my fingernails into Dav's hips, press my tongue against his. Drag in a breath through my nose and smell sweat, and lube, and a ridiculously delicious whiff of black pepper and basil from the shampoo.

"You are…?" Dav presses, pulling away, teasing.

"I am…"

Shit.

I can't do it.

I wrap my arms around his waist, hide my face between his shoulder-blades. He pets over my arms. "Go on."

"Dav," I moan. I try to thrust,something, but Dav’s planted himself. Immoveable. Using all that draconic strength to thwart me, and that’s just notfair, the bossy little—

"Keep going, sweetheart," he says, low and rich with emotion. The same emotion that has a strangle-hold on my lungs, my heart, my mind. "Say it."

"I am…" I can't do it. Ihave todo it. The toppy bastard isn't going to let me come otherwise. "Worthy."

"You are, darling." He resumes pushing back against me. It's sweaty, and slippery, and oh so fuckinggood."My good boy, my handsome Colin. Mine Own."

"Dav," I complain, feeling my ears burn.

"Say it again."

"I'm worthy," I pout, arching and squirming… so close, so fuckingclose…

"Worthy of…?"

"Love, you big stupid lizard," I groan. "I'm worthy of love."

"You're worthy of love. You're worthy of everything. I would doanythingfor you."

"Even fight a duel, and destroy the very architecture of your society?" I tease.

As I knew he would, Dav laughs. "Yes, Mine Own. Even that."

He twists around for another kiss, but I get my fingers up between our lips. His nose scrunches in confusion, adorable and sonot-polished, and I love it.

"You too. Say it."

"I am also worthy of love," Dav parrots diligently, sending a shiver of delight up my spine, and a hot surge of lustdownit.

"Damn straight you are." I move my hand so Dav can have his kiss. I love that split tongue. I reach around him to clean the fog off the mirror. He raises his head so we can both watch the waythe flush rises on his chest. God, those big, beautiful honeyed eyes. "Mine Own."

"You know," he pants, "Only dragons are supposed to say that."

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