She didn’t want to be strong anymore. She wanted to be touched and wanted.
She wanted Seath to touch her, hold her and love her.
As if he could hear her silent plea, Seath stood up and walked towards her, keeping his burning gaze on her.
Piper stared at him, not bothering to disguise the desire in her eyes.
At that moment, the only thought in her foggy brain was: How would those sexy lips feel against mine?
Piper whimpered as a jolt of lust hurtled through her body. She hadn’t been kissed in such a long time. She hadn’t been with anyone at all.
Was it wrong to want Seath as badly as she did?
Maybe she had been alone for too long. But she couldn’t remember feeling this way about any other man before.
Seath stood before her, looking deep into her eyes. They were standing just inches apart, but he kept his hands at his sides.
His green eyes blazed with primal hunger and desire, but Piper knew that Seath would not touch her without her permission. She only had to say the word, and he would turn around and leave.
But she didn’t want him to leave.
She felt so much better and safer with Seath in the house with her and Zander. There was more life and laughter in the house, and for the first time since she moved in, the broken little house felt like a real home.
Tentatively, Piper stretched out her hand and placed it on Seath’s broad, powerful chest.
Both of them jerked at the same time. Piper gasped as the sizzling electricity arched between them.
The attraction and desire between them was intense and undeniable. Piper stepped closer to Seath, and the world fell away from them.
This wasn’t just lust. This wasn’t just a whim or a want. Oh, she wanted Seath all right. But right now, she needed him.
There was only the two of them. She could feel every beat of his heart, and every nerve in her body seemed to come alive.
Pressing her palm over his thundering heart, she whispered, “Seath...”
She wanted to murmur his name over and over again. When Seath finally pulled her into his arms and embraced her, Piper wanted to weep with pure relief and joy.
It just felt so right. This was where she belonged. In his arms.
Piper blinked her tears away. “Oh, Seath...”
Seath leaned in, and Piper was lost. She lost herself completely in his kiss.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Seath inhaled sharply as his lips touched Piper’s. Her lips were so soft and moist, and she felt so right, so amazing in his arms.
He gripped her waist and slanted his mouth across hers, deepening the kiss and coaxing her lips apart with his tongue.
Piper moaned, and Seath listened to her quickening breaths and heartbeat. She was nervous, but he could scent her sweet arousal. Her body felt so warm and soft in his arms, and an exquisite, intoxicating scent was flooding the air around him.
Seath felt his dragon rise within him as he inhaled the delicious scent of her arousal and desire.
When their tongues tangled, a firework seemed to explode in his head. Seath growled and thrust his tongue deeper into her mouth. He needed to have more of her, to taste all of her. She was like a drug, and Seath knew that he was already addicted to her. He was never going to get enough of this intoxicating little female.
Piper moaned into his mouth and melted against him. When he moved his hand up to her breast, Piper arched her back to lean into his touch. Seath could feel her puckered nipples under her t-shirt and bra. He pinched her nipple lightly and Piper gasped.
The scent of her sweet moisture between her legs drove Seath wild.
“Seath...” she rasped breathlessly.
Pushing her t-shirt up, Seath unhooked her bra to expose her dusky nipples. Piper whimpered as he lowered his mouth to her breast and suckled her.
Piper panted as he teased her sensitive peaks with his tongue and teeth. She speared her fingers through his hair, urging him to take more.
Mate! His dragon roared.
Seath gasped and stared at Piper with glowing, hungry eyes.
“Piper...” he growled.
She was breathing hard as she stared up at him. Her skin was flushed and tendrils of brown hair fell from her ponytail to frame her face. She looked so sexy, so beautiful.
Seath could feel himself fast losing control of his beast. His dragon wanted to take Piper and claim her.
His dragon roared in anger and agony. Seath clenched his fists and gritted out, “Piper...tell me to leave.”
“Why?” Her amber eyes widened in confusion.
“If I stay, I will claim you.”
Piper gasped. “Claim?”
“Yes.” Seath slammed his hands against the wall on either side of her head, caging her in. “I will claim you and make you mine, Piper. I want you, and I want you forever.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Piper stared into Seath’s glowing green eyes and saw his dragon staring right back at her. The animal lust and hunger in his eyes ignited her own want and desire.
She could feel the ferocious power and passion of his beast. And she wasn’t afraid at all.
This was the dragon who had saved Zander. It had exploded out of Seath’s body to protect her little boy. Seath was a dangerous, deadly dragon, but he wasn’t a predator. He was a protector.
Seath would never hurt her. Neither would his dragon.
Piper knew that when shifters claimed a mate, the mate bond was unbreakable. Mates were for life. Before meeting their mates, a shifter might sleep around, but he would never give any of his lovers a mate mark unless he was absolutely sure that she was his forever mate. Once mated, a shifter would remain committed and faithful to his mate for the rest of his life.
Seath had just told her that he wanted to claim her and make her his. He wanted to claim her—as his mate.
His mate.
Piper closed her eyes for an instant, feeling overwhelmed.
She was his mate. And Seath knew.
The realization slammed into her with the force of a sledgehammer.
“I’m your mate,” she whispered, staring into Seath’s burning eyes.
“Yes.”
Piper pressed a hand to her heart. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. If this was a dream, she never wanted to wake up.
She had given up almost all hope of ever meeting a kind, sweet, loving man. All her ex-boyfriends had been selfish and manipulative and those relationships had been turbulent and short-lived. Those jerks took more than they gave, and they were always looking out for themselves. Her horrible experience with a creepy stalker didn’t help either.
She had never been lucky in love, so how could Seath be her mate? Seath was kind, caring, sweet, sexy and protective. He had gone out and fixed her roof in the pouring rain and rescued her son. He had cared for her and Zander, and his concern was genuine. He was honest and upfront with her, and he told her everything about his family and his past. How could this wonderful man who had just walked into her life be her mate?
“Tell me I’m not dreaming,” she said.
“Why would you think you’re dreaming?”
Piper shook her head. “If something is too good to be true, it usually is.”
Seath tilted her face up gently. “I can’t believe this is happening either,” he whispered. “I never thought I would find you. But here you are. You’re here and you’re real. You awakened my dragon, and my dragon rose to save Zander. You are mine. You and Zander are mine.”
Piper swallowed hard. Tears filled her eyes suddenly. Long buried emotions bubbled to the surface and her heart felt like it was ready to burst.
She had longed to be truly loved and cherished. For so long, she had felt unwanted and unloved.
She didn’t want this to be a dream, a cruel joke.
“The moment I saw you, my dragon rose within me,” Seath said, holding her shoulders firmly. “My dragon recognized that you’re my mate instinctively and im
mediately. And I loved Zander the instant I set eyes on him. You and Zander are mine. My mate, my son, my family.”
Piper stifled a sob. “Oh Seath...”
Seath brushed away a tear from the corner of her eye. “Let me love you,” he whispered. “I know you feel something for me. I can see it in your eyes. Don’t doubt your feelings, Piper. Everything between us is real and true. You are my mate, my life and my future.”
Piper touched Seath’s handsome face and stared deep into his eyes. She saw love, joy and pride in his eyes.
“How...” She blinked away her tears and smiled. “How did this happen? I’ve never been lucky and my life has never been smooth. I’ve learned to roll with the punches and just take it on the chin.” She laughed softly. “I guess everything changed when I inherited this little house from my Aunt Jenna. I owe it to my late aunt. She gave me a house, and she made me come to Shadow Point. If I hadn’t moved here, I would never have met you.”
Seath took her hand and kissed her palm tenderly. “I wish I could have met your Aunt Jenna. Your aunt loved you. Your mother and sister didn’t care for you, but it’s clear that you were in your aunt’s thoughts. She might have met you only once, but she never forgot about you.”
Piper nodded. Seath was right. She was loved. She was loved and she had a family.
Her aunt was her family. Her aunt had passed her beloved house down to her. It was an incredible gift. She could start a new life, a happy life here.
She would no longer let fear and doubt stop her from boldly taking what was hers.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Piper pulled Seath down to her. “Make me yours,” she whispered against his lips.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Seath pinned Piper against the wall and kissed her hard. She returned his kiss with equal fervor and ardor. She clung to him and clawed at his shirt, letting him know how much she wanted and needed him.
With a growl, Seath scooped Piper up and carried her to her bedroom. He locked the door behind them and laid her on the bed. His dragon was thrashing and roaring inside him, eager to claim and mark his fated female.
Seath didn’t want to wait any longer. He tore Piper’s t-shirt and bra off, and licked his lips at the sight of her bare breasts.
“So beautiful,” he said hoarsely. “You are so beautiful, Piper.”
Kissing down her undulating body, Seath teased her nipples into puckered, hard nubs with his tongue and teeth. Incoherent pleas tumbled from Piper’s lips as he caressed and stroked her curves. When he tugged her sweatpants and panties off, Piper readily spread her legs for him.
Seath hooked her legs over his shoulders and pressed his mouth to her wet pussy. Her pink, quivering folds were coated with her juices and Seath lapped greedily, desperately at her delicious honey. He was so hungry for his mate.
Seath growled as he swallowed every drop of her sweet, sticky juices. Piper tasted so amazing and he wanted more.
Piper thrashed her head from side to side as he fucked her hard with his tongue. Her walls rippled and tightened as she cried out in ecstasy.
Seath circled her swollen clit with his thumb and Piper orgasmed with a soft cry. Her body bucked off the mattress as she shuddered violently. Trembling and shivering, Piper gasped his name and dug her nails into his shoulders.
When Seath kissed Piper on the mouth, she eagerly licked her own juices off his lips. Seath groaned at the erotic sensation. His mate was so sensual, so responsive. She knew just how to drive him crazy with desire.
Pushing her legs wider apart, he began to inch his cock into her body. “You’re so tight,” he grated.
“I...I’ve been celibate for almost three years,” she confessed. “After I adopted Zander, I hardly dated.”
Seath felt his heart surge with pride. He was no virgin and he didn’t expect his mate to be a virgin. But the fact that she hadn’t been with any man for such a long time made their mating even more special and precious.
His mate was giving him a very precious, beautiful gift. She was giving him her body and her heart.
Seath gathered Piper in his arms and kissed her forehead. He gently tugged at her nipples, teasing them to hard, erect peaks. Piper gasped and he felt her growing wetter.
Slowly, he slid deeper into her pussy. Her walls stretched and rippled around his cock, and he groaned at the sheer bliss and torment. He forced himself to move slowly into her so that he would not cause her pain.
“Piper,” he growled.
In response, she raised her hips to urge him deeper into her body. Seath kept pushing until finally, he was buried to the hilt inside his mate.
For a moment, they simply gazed into each other’s eyes, not moving, not breathing. The sensation of their bodies becoming one was incredible.
“Mine,” he growled. Piper was his to take and pleasure, protect and cherish forever.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Slowly, Seath moved his hips and Piper threw her arms over her head in surrender. Seath laced his fingers through hers and surged into her.
Piper moaned with pleasure as Seath thrust harder and deeper into her. It felt so amazing and her body felt like it was on fire.
She had never felt so alive. Every nerve ending was tingling and vibrating. Being with Seath felt so right and perfect. She did belong in his arms. And...she belonged in his life.
Piper cupped Seath’s handsome face in wonder. She felt her heart fill with so much love and pride. This was her mate, her forever mate.
Piper gasped when Seath flipped her onto her belly. Pulling her hips up, he took her from behind.
Piper fisted the sheets as her pleasure began to build. She pressed the pillow to her mouth to silence her scream as she came.
Seath continued pounding into her. She could feel the tips of his claws digging into her hips and the pinpricks of pain heightened her pleasure.
Piper gasped when she felt a searing heat race down her back. Turning over her shoulder, she saw Seath breathing a stream of translucent flames down her back.
The explosive heat coursed through her body and Piper climaxed again. She came again and again as Seath took his release. She could feel his hot seed shooting deep into her and her pussy pulsed rhythmically around his cock.
Finally, completely sated and exhausted, they both collapsed in a heap, their limbs entangled and entwined.
For a long while, they lay in each other’s arms and fought to catch their breaths. “I...I saw flames,” Piper said at last. “Beautiful, bluish translucent flames.”
Seath smirked. “Yes. I marked you with my dragon fire.”
Piper pushed herself up. “Can I see the mark?”
“When I am in dragon form, the mark will appear on your back. But now, it’s invisible to you.”
“Invisible?”
“Humans can’t see the mark. But shifters will be able to see the mate mark. The tip of my dragon mark starts at the base of your neck, so everyone can see that you’re mine,” he declared proudly.
“And you are mine,” she said.
“Yes I am. Forever.”
Resting her head on his shoulder, Piper sighed and said softly, “I never thought I was worthy of love. My family didn’t love me, and they made me feel unlovable and unwanted. I knew I had done the right thing by telling the truth and refusing to lie for my mother. But...sometimes, I can’t help wondering if there’s something wrong with me. Maybe I’m just an unlovable and unlikable person.”
“How can you say that? Do you know just how strong and awesome you are?” Seath said, turning her to face him.
“Yes.” Piper smiled. “Lisa said the same thing to me. She was my best friend and she was like a sister to me. A real sister. If only she could see Zander now. She would be so proud of him.”
Seath kissed the top of her head. “I’m sure she’s proud of you too. You and Zander have gone through so much together. The two of you are amazing.” He hugged her and grinned. “Aren’t I the luckiest guy? I have the most amazing family!
”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Seath hummed to himself as he flipped the pancakes. Piper had just gotten Zander out of bed, and he could hear her telling the kid to brush his teeth properly.
Seath smiled as he listened to their happy, lively voices. He had never felt such profound joy in his heart before. Holding Piper in his arms while she slept, waking up to her scent and warmth, having breakfast together...this was what he’d always wanted and dreamed of. A little family of his own, a home filled with love and laughter.
Seath thought of his own empty house and sighed. That house wasn’t really a home. In fact, he rarely spent time at home. He would rather go visit Sky and Storm and play with his sweet nieces, or hang out with some of his friends at the local pub.
He had never thought of himself as a homebody. Until now.
He never wanted to leave this tiny, crumbling, cozy house. There were cracks in the walls and the roof was broken, but there was nothing that couldn’t be fixed. After all the repairs were done, all that was needed was a new coat of paint and the house would be as good as new.
Seath placed the plate of pancakes on the table and rubbed his hands. He would get started on the repair works as soon as possible. After breakfast, he would drive into town and get all the supplies he needed.
“Good morning!” Zander yelled as he bounced into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Seath answered, grinning back. “I hope you like pancakes.”
Zander beamed as he took his seat at the table. “I love pancakes!”
Piper smiled at Seath and a hint of color bloomed in her cheeks. “Wow,” she said. “Those pancakes look delicious.” She helped Zander smear honey over his pancakes and cut them into small pieces.
As Seath sat down beside Zander, Piper placed two cups of coffee on the table and poured a glass of milk for her son. Piper hid an amused smile when she saw Zander surreptitiously putting pieces of his pancake on Seath’s plate and whispering urgently in Seath’s ear.
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