“Well,” he says; a smile curves his mouth, promising wonderful acts of misbehavior, “in that case—”And, well. I like my body when it’s with his body.”

“That was real?”His arms tightened. “Yeah. The stench of all that bloodoverwhelmed you. It’s to be expected, you being a new mate.”“I think it was the flying body parts.”His mouth curved into a smile. “Life with me is neverboring.”

“He rolled his eyes. "You just like me for my body. Admit it." "Well, yeah..." His lashes lifted and his eyes glittered like jewels. "I feel like man-candy”

“We won't be having an affair." I stare dumbly, certain I just heard an organ in my body crack in my chest. His hands clamp around me, and he crushes me to his body as he slides his nose along the shell of my ear. "When I take you, you'll be mine," he says, a soft promise in my ear.”

“I lie on top of him, skin to skin. He's tall, I'm not, but when we lie like this, we fit together. All the curves of my body relax into the strength of his.”

“Well, thank you, ma’am,” he said still breathing hard, his heated body sleek with sweat, his smile angelic. “We … try.”