Page 35 of Rhadan

Her eyes narrowed. “Women disrobe in front of you?”

“More times than you can conceive, and it isn’t just the women.”

“Oh, dear.”

CHAPTER 19

Tempest had lived a life of darkness, but it wasn’t devoid of feeling or love. While her world had shrunk and she didn’t see the true evil that she lived with until Mara and Legion saved her, she had been blessed with a mother that loved her until the day she died. In some ways, she was thankful her mother had never learned the truth about Devlin. She died believing he loved her and that her daughter would grow up with love and acceptance. The latter was true.

Tempest would have all those things and more. It just wouldn’t be with Devlin. “I am glad I met you. I thought my life as I knew it was over when I lost my sight. You had every advantage. Looks, power, and immortality and you would have traded it all for one true connection.”

“Yes.” His eyes were on her. It was strange to see herself, but she was getting used to her dragon’s eyes on her. His love was in every look. His devotion was exposed when he created the connection so she could see through his eyes.

“You’ve explained what happens, but I don’t think anyone can truly understand the loneliness of your power. It’s horrible, but I have to believe we will find out its purpose.”

“Even if there isn’t one, I am thankful for you. As long as I know you are real. That your feelings for me are not influenced, then I am content.”

She winked at him. “I am influenced by your kindness and your loyalty, but I won’t lie to you.”

“About?”

“You still need a haircut.”

He tickled her before he kissed her. She was breathless when he finally raised his head. “I love you, Tempest.”

Her fingers moved over his cheek, and she wished she could see his face. “You are beautiful Rhadan, but it isn’t just your looks. It’s your soul that I love. Your commitment to protect those around you, even when it isolated you and broke your heart.”

He took his time as he kissed her. His tongue dipped into the cavern of her mouth with infinite slowness. In minutes, she was clutching at his shoulders, urging him to do something more.

Rhadan moved down her cheek and to her earlobe. Each soft caress and tiny nip of her skin sent her temperature soaring. “Make love to me, Tempest. Let me have you. Prove to me you are real and that I didn’t make you up to appease the torture of my existence.” “

Time stopped as she stared into her own eyes. She broke the connection as she wanted to feel him. For this moment to be theirs. She had lived in the darkness, but so had he, and they would create color and beauty in the dark. “Yes.”

While the thin sheet gave her the illusion of modesty while he lay in bed with her, the feel of the soft cotton on her heated skin irritated her. She kicked it off as Rhadan pulled her against his body. Heat surrounded them, and she wasn’t sure if it was her magic or his.

Rhadan’s muscles pressed against her sensitive breasts as his hands slid down her side to cup her ass. The coarse hair of his chest rubbed against her nipples, making her moan into his mouth. The sensation in the darkness so much more than in the light.

Her mother had told her when she learned her sight would never return that the other senses compensated for the loss and as her mate’s hands mapped her body, she had to agree. It was a fiesta of feeling, and she never wanted it to stop.

A wave of heat rolled over her body like a storm of fire. He growled in her ear, and she could sense his dragon’s anticipation. Her hands moved over the hard lines of his chest, pausing when he broke the kiss. Her breath caught in her throat as he squeezed her ass gently. His intensity was thrilling and scary. All centered on one woman. Her.

Tempest knew exactly what she was committing to with Rhadan. This wasn’t just sex. Love. This was an eternity. A bond unlike anything she had known. Still, how could she deny him? He would give up everything for her, including his life. His immortality. If she chose not to bond with him, he would age beside her and follow her when she left this realm. The reality of that kind of love was heart-wrenching, scary, and an unbelievable gift.

Rhadan touched her chin and ran his thumb lightly over her lips. The light caress sent a surge of power racing through her blood, and the room shook for a few seconds. “I have waited an eternity for you. Whether we have a day or a century, I am thankful for every second.”

She flinched, and he pulled back. “I’m not experienced.”

“You think that is not a gift to me? That you waited for me? Is this truly what you fear?”

She wanted to say that it was the uncertainty. That he was a dragon, and she was still coming to terms with the magnitude of his power, but that would be a lie. “I don’t want you to be disappointed. I have read a few romance books but...”

“I will take pleasure in exploring the things you like and discovering what we enjoy together.”

“What if I’m not... enough for you?”

Rhadan slipped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him. His lips were a hair’s breadth away from hers as he spoke. “I realize with your human upbringing it is difficult for you to understand what a mate is, but you are my world. Without you in this life, it is not worth living.”

“The mate thing is a little scary,” she whispered.

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