Page 37 of Hidden Fate

Now, a look and lightness like hope filled him and stole my breath. His sky blue irises were brighter, the flecks of diamond standing out more, and his face didn’t show the lines of worry that were usually there unless we were making love.

My heart expanded. He’d always been gorgeous, but this version of him was transcendent. “What’s going on? I’ve never seen you like this.” My smile was reflected in my voice.

“I…” He blew out a breath, grinning. “I understand what you’ve been trying to tell me. That this magic isn’t a curse. That was only how I’d been taught to feel about it.”

“Really?” I arched a brow, my heart fluttering. I didn’t care how he’d gotten here, just that he had. I could only hope that his eyes were truly opening to the amazing man he was and was still becoming. “Justnow?”

He snickered and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, the sizzle of our connection thrumming between us. He murmured, “I know. I should’ve believed you, since what you think is most important to me. In fairness, it’s the only reason I’ve come as far as I have.” His smile drooped. “But to hear the history that people either didn’t bother to tell me or didn’t know confirmed what you were saying all along. My magicisa gift, and it’s about keeping the balance and ensuring our race doesn’t die off. Helping to heal injured dragons and create new ones so they don’t have to endure what Emily did is also a blessing.”

Balance.Sacrifice. Two words that always seemed to circle magic. “Well, the bad always seems to outweigh the good and instill fear.”

“It does. It has.” He settled his hands on my hips. “And I have a mate standing beside me who never knew about my past, yet she still tried to convince me that my magic could be used for good.”

His love poured into the bond, and I felt as if I could combust from happiness. I cupped his cheek and connected,It’s because I know you. Even before we became what we are now, when everything indicated I shouldn’t trust you, Iknewyou weren’t bad. You are a pure soul who was misunderstood for far too long, and a fundamental change won’t happen overnight. You have to believe that yourself—I can only get you so far. And I’m happy that the conversation tonight changed that for you. You deserve to be happy and not hate your reflection in the mirror or the mark on your back.

You own me, Everly Woods.His pupils slitted as his dragon peeked through.You have my heart, my body, my soul, and my trust. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I won’t give you up. No matter what, I need you by my side.

Warmth flooded me, and my stomach clenched with desire.You own me, too. No matter what. When things settle, I plan to have Errol sign our marriage certificate so I can take your last name.

That would make me so happy,he replied and kissed me hungrily.

His tongue swooped into my mouth, and I answered each stroke with my own pent-up desire. I bit his lower lip. Growling, he placed his hands on my ass and lifted me to settle against him. He was already hardening as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

He moved forward, his hands kneading my cheeks, and had me tumbling back onto the bed. My hair fanned out around me as he leaned over and paused.

“So damn beautiful,” he murmured, and his lips landed back on mine.

My hands slipped under his shirt, tracing the curves of his hard muscles. His stomach quivered with each brush, showing the power I had over him.

His hands moved under my shirt and slid underneath my bra, caressing my nipples. I moaned, not even trying to hide the effect he had on me. His deep, sexy chuckle had me writhing inside.

Pulling away from my lips, he whispered, “I love how you respond to me.”

“I feel the same way.” I winked and dropped my hand to his crotch, touching his hard outline.

He growled as he kissed his way down my neck, his teeth scraping the skin where my pulse pounded. My dragon roared inside, thrilled by the attention. I unfastened his jeans, tired of the barrier between him and my hands, as he continued to suck on my neck.

His jeans dropped on the floor, and he shifted his weight as he continued to stroke my breast. With his other hand, he pushed his boxers down, giving me the best view of the entire day. The only way it would be better was if he were shirtless, too.

My hand wrapped around him, and I stroked him. He groaned as he dropped to his side and removed his hand, leaving me bereft. Within seconds, he was removing my jeans and panties. Then he lifted up, pointing to my shirt, and grinned. “That’s kind of in the way.”

I bit my bottom lip. “Oh, is it?”

“Very much so,” he responded as his hand slid between my legs. I sucked in a breath, eager for him to continue. But his hand disappeared.

My eyes popped open, and I glared.What the hell?

Shirt and bra off.He narrowed his eyes.If you want me to continue.

The spicy scent of arousal swirled between us. I loved it when he got bossy. He was never over the top with me, just the right amount without being disrespectful.Only if you do the same.I quirked a brow.

He beamed and quickly removed his shirt, then tossed it to the floor.Your turn.

I laughed. His eagerness was so endearing and made me feel desperately wanted. As I rose to remove my shirt and bra, I took in his body. Hard and tanned, it was better than any painting I’d ever seen, which was saying something. Just looking at him had me pulsing with a need that wouldn’t be satisfied until he was inside me.

His eyes reflected the same hunger, and the world tilted. From what I’d heard through my school acquaintances, the undying love you felt for someone and the thirsty need for their body faded with time, but so far, that wasn’t the case with us. In fact, it was the opposite. Every day, every touch, and every time we had sex had me jonesing for my next hit of Thorn. The thought of having any sort of life that didn’t include him next to me was so devastating, I couldn’t consider it.

Hand sliding back between my legs, Thorn moved his mouth to my breast. His tongue rolled over my nipple as he teased the spot that already had friction building inside me. My hand circled him again, and I stroked in time with what he was doing to my body.

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