Page 73 of Auctioned Mate

Bitter chuckles rose from my gut. “Ugh, I hate and love that you said that. I was self-conscious.”

“But you’re so beautiful, Macy. How can you be self-conscious?”

“You just don’t get it yet with this realm. People can be mean.”

He nuzzled his nose into my neck and inhaled me. “I won’t let them near you.”

“I can’t imagine why I’d go near anybody when I have you.”

“Don’t you want to travel with me?”

My eyebrows practically launched into space. “Travel?”

“Galanthia and Izdor—we’d been planning to travel the world. I want to go to Paris. I want to take you with us.”

“But…what about your friends? The baby?” I looked at my stomach. “Won’t I just slow everything down?”

He chuckled huskily. “You never slow me down, little wolf.”

“Juriah!”

“Yes, that’s my name.”

I shook my head as giggles took me over. “You’re such a strange man. How did I end up with you?”

“As I recall, I bid approximately four million dollars on your head.”

“Alright, we’re going to have to come up with a safe word or something because that seems to be going to your head.”

Confusion struck his features. “What’s a safe word?”

“Did your dear friend Izdor ever explain the many varied kinds of sex we have in this realm?”

Blush crept into his cheeks. “He might have mentioned some things.”

“Finally, you’re getting bashful about something,” I teased. “Well, if you want to hear more about it…”

But he didn’t give me time to get into details as he tackled me gently to the ground and pinned me with a kiss.

It was just a kiss, but it was the sweetest kiss of my life.

When he was through, he pulled me onto his lap while holding my waist. “So, will you travel with us?”

“I guess I wouldn’t mind traveling.”

“You guess?” He snorted. “I’ve never known you to be hesitant.”

I laughed. “Did you just learn sarcasm? I feel like that’s sarcasm.”

“It might be sarcasm.”

“I’m glad to see you adjusting.”

A faraway look crossed his face until he focused on me with an even bigger grin. “I’m trying. It’s been hard.”

I kissed him lightly and then slid from his lap, choosing to stick my feet back into the water. Though it helped to have him by my side, old habits died hard. Cold water was just my thing, especially being pregnant in this heat. “I understand.”

“Raven and Rynar have been working night and day trying to find Percy. I offered them help, but they don’t want it.”

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