Page 61 of Dragon Compelled
Paige looks at me with all the pain and anguish I feel reflected in her eyes. Despite my reassurances, she looks more distraught than ever.
“You say I’m your world now,” she tells me sadly, “But what happens when that’s more than just a phrase? When I am literally all that you have left in any world?” I wince, unable to offer an answer that will satisfy her. But she goes on, “What happens when this is all over and you want to take me home, but there’s no Astronia left to go back to? What about your family, Aries?”
Her words are a knife twisting inside me because I know she’s right. And yet, I can’t leave her. Doing so would likely kill me anyway. “It’s not a choice I want to make.”
“If you’re worried about hurting me, please don’t,” she says, and I open my mouth to argue with her and remind her what she means to me when she adds, “I’ll get over it, someday. Knowing you’ve chosen your queen... it will suck, I won’t lie, but your world deserves to survive more than I deserve you.”
“Paige.” The heartbreak in her eyes guts me and only reminds me of the secret I’ve kept from her for too long already. “I already chose a queen.”
Her eyes widen as she understands my meaning, but then she shakes her head. “I’m all wrong to lead a kingdom. Look what a mess I’ve made of this place. And it’s only one library. Not an entire world. Besides, you already told me you turned down those women your mom tried to match you with because you want to find your mate. You deserve to find her—”
“I already have.” The words are out before I can stop them, and Paige’s eyes widen in surprise. I kick myself for telling her the truth this way, but it’s done.
“What?” she whispers, face paling.
“You are my mate, Paige. That is why I can’t leave you. It would literally kill me to be separated from you, which means saving my kingdom instead of you isn’t an option even if I wanted to.”
“But... I’m not even a shifter,” she says, “or … or anything. I’m notanything.”
I grab her hand, squeezing it in hopes she realizes how utterly wrong she is. “You are everything, my love. Absolutely everything. And my dragon has chosen you.Ihave chosen you.”
“But...”
She trails off, and I can’t help lifting a brow at the way she’s already run out of arguments. Good. Maybe now, she’ll stop fighting her destiny. Stop refusingourdestiny.
“You really chose me for your mate?” she asks, hope replacing fear in her gorgeous eyes.
I reach for her, cupping her face in my palm and staring earnestly at the only woman I’ve ever loved. “I won’t settle for anyone else.”
Before she can think of another excuse against our future together, I cover her mouth with my own. Paige relaxes instantly, giving in to my touch and to the words I’ve spoken. Maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow, but one day soon, I will return to my kingdom with my mate and take the throne. When I do, the horde will face my wrath, and I will once again restore peace to my lands.
Until then, I can only put every ounce of my passion and determination into claiming Paige for my own. Over and over until she understands the depth of my devotion.
When my tongue sweeps hers, Paige moans softly, and I deepen the kiss, grabbing her and pulling her onto my lap right here on the floor. We haven’t been alone together in days, it seems, and now that we are—now that she knows what she is to me—I can’t seem to stop myself long enough to move from this spot.
Needing to feel more of her than just her delicious mouth, I pull away long enough to yank her shirt down and pull her bra aside, closing my mouth over her breast. She hisses as my teeth scrape lightly over her skin, her arms tightening around me as her core presses harder against my stiff erection.
Paige has always been mine, but declaring the words out loud ignites something inside me—something possessive and urgent that drives me to want to bury myself inside her and show her we are truly one.
I’ve never spoken to her of a claiming bite, but it’s all I can think of now. My dragon has waited far too long for it. For her.
“Too many fucking clothes,” I growl, my beast driving me toward a need that already borders on desperation.
At my words, Paige reaches down and peels off her own shirt. I reach behind her and unclasp her bra, flinging it aside. Then I suck her nipple into my mouth, teasing it with my tongue until she’s panting and pleading. With my other hand, I reach beneath the waist of her pants and slide a finger through her already wet folds. My movements are rough, but I can’t seem to slow down. The need inside me is a compulsion to claim her.
Paige’s hips thrust to meet my fingers, and I slide two inside her, relishing the way she’s already ready for me. Recapturing her mouth with mine, I fuck her with both my fingers and my tongue until her walls tighten around me and she comes apart in my hands with a soft cry.
A moment later, her hands reach for my shirt, yanking it up and over my head. The moment her palms close over my bared back, I shudder, my body sensitive along my shoulder blades where my wings are tucked just beneath my skin.
“That feels so damned good,” I murmur, kissing a trail across her jaw while I continue to tease her clit with my hand.
“Aries,” Paige pleads on a whisper, and my cock aches with need at the sound of my name on her lips.
My dragon stirs more strongly than before, and I snarl, grabbing her hair and guiding her mouth back to mine so I can taste her again. Still, the barriers between us are too much. Pulling back, I lift her and stand quickly. She makes a sound of surprise, but I don’t stop there, setting her on her feet so I can peel her pants off her legs. Then, I drop my own to the floor, letting my massive erection spring free, and watch as Paige’s eyes darken with desire.
My heart thuds, my pulse quickening at the sight of her bared body—all mine.
Claim her, my dragon roars.
