“It’s too soon for that.” Why did these people keep making her repeat it? It was getting annoying.
“You wouldn’t be reacting like this,” Roxy made a flourish with her hand, “completely devastated if you didn’t have strong feelings for him.”
“I do have strong feelings for him, but marriage …” she pushed out a breath. “We’re not ready to take that step.”
“We?” Roxy raised her brows and cocked her head. “Really, Tamara? Are you sure you can speak for him when you say that? Have you even asked him how he feels? Asked him his opinion on all of this.”
“Yes, we agreed on this. We agreed we would take it slow. Thunder has told me more than once that there’s no rush.”
“Did he tell you that because it’s what he wants or did he say it for your benefit?”
Tammy lifted her eyes in thought. She went over their conversations. “It may have been more for me, but he was fine with it … more than fine. What are you trying to get at?” She sat up.
“I can safely say that Thunder is more than ready to mate you.” Roxy rubbed her belly. Her back was straight.
“I know that he would mate me in a heartbeat if it meant keeping me here, but he might regret it.” Her lip quivered so she bit down on it. “We both might end up regretting it. I don’t know him that well yet. He hardly knows me. I would hate it if he regretted the decision. Either one of us for that matter.”
“Would you ever blatantly hurt the guy or cheat on him or …?”
“No!” Tammy yelled. “Of course not.” Softer this time. “What are you trying to get at?”
“You say that he hardly knows you, but I can guarantee that he knows enough. He’s a dragon shifter. They know pretty quickly when someone is for them.”
She shook her head. “He just thinks he knows, but—”
“No!” It was Roxy’s turn to yell. “He’s a shifter. When I tell you he knows, he knows. He is calling you his female. He’s biting your neck, fighting for you, he’s willing to throw everything away for you and probably will because he already sees you as his mate. It’s not my place to tell you all this but someone has to before it’s too late. Thunder loves you, you idiot!” She sucked in a breath through her nose and grimaced. Then she rubbed her belly. “It’s a Braxton hicks … it’s a fake contraction.” She took a couple more deep breaths before continuing. “If the two of you mate, he will never stop loving you. He will never cheat on you.”
“You can’t know that for sure.”
“I can and do.” She grimaced again. “I swear, if you make me go into labor …! It’s shifter DNA. It’s how they are wired. You can stop speaking for Thunder because you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Why didn’t he tell me all this?”
Roxy rolled her eyes. “Because he loves you. He doesn’t want to scare you off. Blaze mentioned that you were with some dickhead who broke your heart and that it’s part of the reason you are running scared. I get it. But Thunder loves you,” for the first time her voice softened, it sounded coaxing. “He’s completely smitten. He’d do just about anything for you, including going against his own instincts. In other words, he would’ve given you as much time and space as you needed even if it killed him. He would’ve given you space to figure things out.”
“Yes, space,” Tammy said, another tear rolled down her cheek. “That’s exactly what we need.”
“No,” Roxy shook her head. “It’s what you need. Thunder would’ve taken some serious strain. It might’ve killed him – not literally,” she rolled her eyes again. “But close enough. You have no idea what agony it is for a shifter to go against his instincts.”
“Physical pain?” Thunder would’ve suffered, for her. He wouldn’t have told her either. He would’ve waited because he was sweet like that.
Roxy nodded. “Physical. Mental. All of it. In some ways, this whole thing has been a blessing in disguise.”
Right. Tammy didn’t say it. She didn’t feel it either … not really. It killed her to think of Thunder suffering though. Especially if his suffering was because of her.
“So, this has nothing to do with Thunder. He loves you and he wants to mate with you yesterday. You need to decide what you want. What are your feelings for him? You need to set your fears aside, don’t let bullshit clutter your thinking. Listen to your heart.”
“It’s too late,” she whispered. “I’m leaving in the morning. Thunder will come for me … he has to.”
Roxy made a sound of disgust. “You would let him destroy his life? He’ll be banished. A dragon shifter cannot be complete without his tribe. He will suffer. You would allow for that to happen?”
It was so selfish, she felt guilty for saying it. “I can’t live without him.”
Roxy smiled, she put a hand on Tammy’s arm. “You have your answer then. You can’t live without him. Thunder can’t live without you. Surely you have your answer. Don’t make me call you an idiot again.”
Tammy felt like she couldn’t catch her breath. “It’s too late though. I do want Thunder. I can’t live without him.” She rubbed her temples. It felt like the start of a serious headache. Then she rubbed her sternum and anticipated some serious heartache too. “It’s too late to do anything about it.”
Roxy put a hand to her back and another anchored behind her, then she stood up slowly. “My back is killing me.” Once she was fully upright, she gave another tired smile. “Thunder is in the chamber next to you,” she pointed to the wall on the left.
Tammy gasped, clasping her hand to her mouth for a moment. “So that’s why I keep hearing banging?”
Roxy nodded. “He’s tried to escape a couple of times.”
Thunder was right next door but that didn’t mean anything. “But there are guards outside. They’d never let me …”
“The guards have been instructed not to let Thunder leave. They have no orders to prevent someone from visiting him.” She feigned shock. “I guess my darling husband forgot to tell them that part.”
Tammy jumped up and hugged Roxy. “Thank you! Please thank Blaze for me.”
“You can invite me to the official mating ceremony when you take the plunge,” she grinned.
“Thunder has to forgive me first. I pretty much told him I didn’t want him.”
Roxy’s smile didn’t waver. “There’s nothing to forgive. Love and forgiveness go hand-in-hand. Let me tell you a few more things about dragon shifters, they …” Roxy sat back down on the bed.
Thunder’s muscles bunched as he gazed out over the terrace. Three shifters paced out there, blocking his exit. Three more were outside the door. There was fuck all he could do about it. He wasn’t sure what he would do if he managed to escape anyway.
Tammy wasn’t ready to commit to him. He would be wasting his time but he had to try to talk to her. Maybe he could convince her. He strode towards the door, ready to tear it from its hinges ‒ yet again ‒ when it opened. Thunder stopped in his tracks. His mouth fell open.
One of the Fire dragons held the door so that Tammy could enter his room. He was tempted to rub his eyes. Had he hit his head? Maybe he had fallen asleep and he was dreaming. “Tammy,” he whispered her name.
She thanked the Fire dragon and he growled. It couldn’t be helped.
The Fire dragon smiled. Fucker! “It is my pleasure, female. If there is anything that …”
Thunder took a step towards the male, he rumbled low and extra deep. The lesser male’s eyes bugged out of his skull and he lowered his gaze, backpedaling as quickly as his legs would take him. That’s more like it!
Air filled his lungs again as soon as the door closed.
Thunder picked Tammy up and pulled her against him. “I don’t know how you managed to escape, but I’m so fucking glad you did. Although I’m not sure why that male let you in.”
“Me too.” She put her arms around his neck. “I can’t believe you even want to see me … then again, I can believe it.”
“Of cours
“You really would give everything up for me?” Her voice was soft and timid, her eyes filled with tears. Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed. He could see that she had been crying. It got his back up.
Thunder nodded. “Most definitely.” He hugged her close for a moment. “Please don’t cry, I can’t take it.”
She sniffed. He felt her head nod so he drew back, needing to look into her eyes. “Do you remember when you said that that my asshole ex didn’t deserve me?”
His eyes darkened up. “Yes, I do. You were far too good for him.”
Tammy cupped his cheeks, his stubble caught against her fingers. “Well I don’t deserve you. I’m the asshole in this relationship.”
What? She had this all wrong. Just like when she thought she was a gold-digger. “That’s not true.”
“You are far too good for me, although …” she narrowed her eyes on his. “I do need to give you a piece of my mind for not telling me a few things.”
“Like what?” he blurted, frowning. “And for the record you do deserve me, you’re fucking perfect for me.”
Her stern look softened up a whole lot. “Why didn’t you tell me that shifters have this mating urge? Roxy spoke about it in our crash course training but I had no idea how bad it could get for you.”
“You weren’t ready. I can wait. I’m a grown male.”
She ran a hand through his hair. “It would’ve hurt you. Physically hurt you. Mentally hurt you. Pure torture.”
He nodded. “It isn’t easy to dismiss your instincts, but I would’ve been fine,” he tried to sound nonchalant.
“You should’ve told me. You also should’ve mentioned that shifters become really attached. That you can’t end up cheating.”
He put her down, breaking the contact. “If I had told you, it would’ve been hot air. You needed to figure that out for yourself. You would’ve figured it out … you will. I meant it when I said I was coming for you. There will still be time for that to happen.”
She shook her head. “You’re not giving up your life for a woman who’s not willing to take a risk on you. Blaze was right.”
Thunder’s jaw ticked. “Blaze doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about.” This was her attempt at a ‘Dear John’. Tammy was going to try and talk him out of giving up on his people for her. It wasn’t what he wanted but he couldn’t help what he needed. Tammy had become a part of him.
“Blaze is right. I’m the one who was wrong.” She grabbed both his hands. “I love you too. Very much.” She pinched her lips and seemed to hold her breath.
Thunder frowned. What was Tammy trying to say? Then he smiled and squeezed her hands as hope unfurled. Then he frowned some more. Did she mean it? Was this a trick, a test? What the hell was this? “What do you mean too? I never got a chance to tell you.”
“Yeah, you did. You’ve shown me what I mean to you. Through your actions, those little gestures. They mean so much to me. You mean so much to me. Thank you for showing me your love. I’m here to tell you that I love you too and I plan on showing you right back … every day if you’ll let me. I plan on doing a much better job of it.”
Thunder grinned. “You love me?” She loved him. His female really and truly loved him!
“Yes, I do. I’m sorry it took me so long to figure it out.”
He picked her up and swung her around. “I’m so happy. So unbelievably … Wait a minute. You leave in the morning. This doesn’t change anything.” Fuck!
“Yes it does. Blaze is a sneaky sneak.”
“A what?” he growled.
“He’s a sneaky shit,” she grinned. He didn’t catch her point but Blaze was a sneaky motherfucker.
He had to cringe though. “Don’t let him hear you say that.”
“I happen to really like the guy.”
“You do?” It came out sounding like a grumble. His female liked the fucker. Thankfully Blaze was mated or Thunder might get jealous. Who was he kidding, he was seriously jealous.
“Not in that way … sheesh! This whole mating instinct thing is affecting you badly.”
“Yeah, it is,” he gave a half smile and he could see that she forgave him in an instant.
“Blaze put us in rooms right next to each other. He sent Roxy to set things straight with me. I needed to know a few things.”
“Like what?” He didn’t look too sure.
“Like what an ass I am. Like how sweet you are.”
“You’re not an ass,” his eyes glazed over a little. “You have a stunning ass though.”
“Let’s not talk about my ass just yet. He did all of this in the hope that I would come to my senses, and I have. We have until first light to make this official.” She chewed on her lip. “If you’ll still have me, you can mate me now.”
“As in, right now?”
“Yes.” She was suddenly nervous that he would turn her down. “It’s now or never because I won’t let you give up your throne. I can’t let that happen.”
Chapter 23
Thunder looked thoughtful for a moment. Three steps later and he was tossing her on the bed. The need to claim her was overtaking everything. His scales rubbed like mad. He ripped his pants off. Couldn’t get them off fast enough. Tammy’s eyes widened. There was excitement in their depths. Then he got onto the bed, unable to take his eyes off of her. Thunder straddled her. Claim. Now. He ripped her clothes off as well. Buttons went flying and fabric tore between his fingers like paper.
“I can’t promise to be gentle,” he growled.
“Please don’t be.” She gripped his shoulders.
“I love you, Tammy.”
“I know.” She reached up and kissed him. “I love you too.”
Claim.
Now.
“I’ll try not to hurt you.” His hands shook.
She squirmed, her eyes glinted. “You won’t.”
“I might.” He was worried. “Turn over,” his voice was guttural, his beast taking over. It wanted her on all fours.
Tammy rolled over, his female put that lush ass of hers in the air. Her pussy glistened. “I’m going to mate you now and you need to know upfront that I will bite you. I will hold you down but I swear I’m going to make you feel good.” His mouth watered, his teeth felt sharp against his tongue.
“Sounds good,” she was out of breath even though they hadn’t done a damn thing yet. She pushed her lush ass towards him.
“You are perfect for me.” He gripped her hips.
“We’re perfect for each other.” She cried out as his thumb skimmed over that tiny little bud of nerves. All he wanted was to take her. His dragon was still insisting he do it now but he needed to prepare her.
He dipped the tip of his finger into her snug pussy. “So fucking wet.” His scales rubbed a whole lot more. His teeth felt sharp against his tongue. He strummed her clit and she mewled. Arching her back.
“I’m going to mate you now, Tammy.”
“Please. I need you,” she sounded breathless and needy. Her legs were splayed wide but he pulled them wider still. He needed her open and submissive. He needed her, period.
“Don’t fight me,” he growled as he positioned his dick against her slick channel. “I’ll try and go easy.”
“Need you. Please.” His tiny human knew how to beg. “Oh God!” she shrieked as he sheathed himself inside her in one hard thrust. His hips hit her ass. Her lush ass.
“Say my name,” he growled.
“Thunder,” her voice quivered.
“Do you want this?”
“Yes.” A whimper.
“You are mine, Tammy and I’m yours.” He struggled to stay still. His whole body vibrated with need.
“Yes.” A breathy whisper. “I love you, Thunder.”
“I’m very far fucking gone. I need to claim you but I’m scared of hurting you.”
“I won’t break,” she moaned loudly and he realized that his thumb was turning lazy circles on her clit. His other hand held on tightly to her hip, his fingers making indents on her flesh. “Please, Thunder. I want you. I need you. I won’t fight you. I know this whole mating instinct thing is driving you nuts. Believe it or not, I feel it too. You can fuck me hard and hold me down and do any of the other things you want to do. I’m yours, let’s make it official.”
He pulled out on a low growl and plunged back in. Thunder pushed her down on the bed, he continued to thrust into her welcoming flesh. He could feel the sweat bead on his brow. “Feels so good,” his voice was gruff. Her ass bounced each time his hips collided with the lush mounds.
She arched her back. His dragon didn’t like it. In the beast’s mind she was trying to get away. He gripped her shoulder, holding her down, using his other hand to push her flush onto the bed. Take it easy! He loosened his grip. His female moaned. Thunder crouched over her, caging her in with his body. His female mewled and her pussy fluttered. It felt like she was about to come. He couldn’t be sure though and it worried him. Tammy was breathing heavily, her eyes were wide, her mouth was open. She might also be panicking. He tried to ease off but couldn’t do it. If anything, the need to fuck her harder coursed through him, took ahold of him.
“Yes!” she screamed. “Please.”
Her sex tightened around him and she made a strange, high-pitched keening noise that told him she was diving over the edge. Thank fuck! At last, a feeling of calm descended. At the same time, his blood rushed and his balls pulled tighter than ever before.
“Mine!” he snarled as he sank his teeth into her neck.
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