Page 26 of Into the Dawn
Oh, goodie. Now that the torture sessions were coming to an end, she would be able to fully wake up soon. Before she finished the tonic, she wanted to spend a little time with him, though.
He stiffened against her. “Explain.”
The harsh sound of his growl should have terrified her. Instead, it made her feel all tingly inside. She didn’t want to tell him the agony she had been put through every time she drank the magical tonic but knew they would find out sooner or later anyway. She gave him a brief explanation, trying to minimize the severity of what she’d experienced. Unfortunately, since he could hear her thoughts now, there was no use in prevaricating.
Turning, he wrapped himself around her as if trying to shield her from the pain. “We did not know. I am going to murder the Sun God once we return.”
Smiling, she snuggled closer to him. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea. If I’m going to be returning to your home world with you, I would prefer that you don’t start a fight with a god. I’m pretty sure that would end badly for all of us.”
He sighed. “You are probably right.”
“I’m sure the Sun God didn’t tell you because he knew you would react this way. I had to drink the tonic to get better anyway, so it was best that you didn’t know what would happen.”
“We could have helped if we knew.”
She knew there was nothing they could have done to help her through the healing sessions, but there was no point in saying that out loud. She could already feel his remorse that he hadn’t known she was suffering.
“I’m healing. That’s all that matters, right? That makes it all worth it. Besides, you saved me by coming to Earth to bring me that tonic. Without you, I wouldn’t even have this second chance.” Wanting to change the subject, she asked, “Were Buddy and Abby really here earlier?”
Ronan smiled. “They were. Buddy passed out after drinking with us, so Dominic is helping to carry him home. He also volunteered to help Jude resolve a problem they have been having with some coyotes that have been bothering their horses. Though, I believe that is simply an excuse to go for a ride in their big trucks.”
That made her giggle. Buddy was a big man, but Ronan and Dominic both seemed to have the strength of a dozen men. She didn’t want to think about how Dominic was going to take care of the coyote issue but figured that kind of thing was right in his wheelhouse. Jude’s horses were like his babies, so any help he could get to protect them would be welcomed.
“Is Layla still here?”
“Aye, she also drank too much and is now resting in one of the bedrooms upstairs that she claimed is hers. Jude had to return to take care of the horses, and Abby refused to let Benny and Jessi stay since the younglings have school in the morning.”
That made her groan. “They were all here?” She sighed before he could answer. “At least Caro was spared the madness.”
“You mean Caroline, Buddy and Abby’s eldest daughter? She was also here with her mate and her baby earlier, but they left after the meal.”
Her jaw dropped open. “You really had dinner with the entire Ross family?”
He nodded solemnly. “They are your family. It is only right that we meet them. They brought us a lot of food and also provided clothing for us that will help us blend in. They have been very accepting, though we only told them the bare factsregarding why we are here. The rest is for you to decide whether or not to share with them.”
Kylie thought that was sweet. She was very close to the entire Ross family, so she was prepared to tell them everything before she left. She couldn’t bear the idea of them grieving her when she was going to be living a full, happy life somewhere else.
She barely held back a gasp when her body suddenly felt like it was on fire.It wasn’t the same sensation that she felt each time she drank the magical tonic. Instead of pain, it was a relentless burning ache that seemed to invade every cell in her body. It felt like she was suffering from a severe fever that overheated her and made her shiver with chills at the same time.
The air instantly felt charged with electricity, and the heat within her burst into a wild inferno. Moving against him restlessly, he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. However, the closeness only made the fire burning within her grow even hotter.
“What is it, mate? What is wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
She wasn’t sure what was wrong with her. Only that she felt an overwhelming hunger for him that she couldn’t deny. It was the same feeling she’d had when she had bitten him in the shower, yet stronger.
But this time, she could actually do something about it.
She pushed him onto his back, then gripped his shoulders and crawled on top of him. Her every sense felt heightened again, but this time, everything within her was focused solely on him. She listened to every beat of his heart, savored every breath he took. Feeling his hard body beneath hers made her feel an overwhelming sense of possessiveness.
She wanted to claim him so everyone knew he belonged to her.
When she leaned down and brushed her lips against his, she felt his surprise through their bond. The touch of their lips was gentle at first, a soft exploration into unfamiliar territory. The kiss was filled with curiosity and tenderness, but it deepened into something darker and more primal in an instant.
As their lips met, a spark ignited between them, sending a shiver down her spine. She could feel the softness of his lips and the warmth of his breath mingling with hers, creating a heady mix that made her heart race. Her fingers threaded through his hair, pulling him closer and anchoring herself against the storm raging inside of her.
The connection between them intensified until the rest of the world simply faded away. She took the kiss deeper as she moved against him, desperate to ease the ache building within her. When she used her tongue to stroke over his lips, he let out a low growl that thrilled her. She could taste the sweetness of his lips, the hint of something familiar yet thrillingly new.
