“I know.” She drew the words out. “But in this case, what exactly does that mean?”

  It wasn’t a comfortable place to have this discussion. They were jammed into a tin can with no room to maneuver. He couldn’t even hold her properly in his arms, not unless he punched a hole through the roof and the door, which she wouldn’t appreciate. “We can talk at our destination.” And it would give him a reprieve in case she objected to his proposal.

  “Oh no. You can’t drop a bomb like that and expect me to leave it. We’re so doing this now.” She shook her finger at him, her lips turning down in a frown. “I’m not sure what it means to be a mate, but if we’re in a committed relationship, you need to level with me. I need to understand what I’m getting myself into.” Her stubborn chin was tilted up. She wasn’t going to let this go. If he didn’t tell her, she’d keep talking until he did.

  “My blood.”

  When he added nothing else, she frowned. “What about it?” She tilted her head to one side. He could practically hear the wheels in her brain turning. Her golden eyes widened, and the lines in her forehead smoothed as the perplexed expression gave way to one of wonder. “It’s healing, but it’s more than that, isn’t it?”

  “We know it won’t kill you.” As terrifying as it had been at the time, it was good to have that worry gone. “If you ingest a small amount on a regular basis, it will heal any physical problems with your human body and prolong your life.” Would she tie herself to him indefinitely? It was a lot to ask.

  “You would do that?” When he went to speak, she pressed her fingers against his lips. “Really think about this. What happens if after seventy-five or a hundred years you change your mind?” She rubbed her forehead. “That’s a very long time.”

  His heart shrank and his body grew heavier, weighed down by regret. It was enough that she’d told him she loved him. It would have been smarter to broach the subject in a decade or two. Give her time to get used to being with him, to show her how good their life together would be.

  What she’d experienced so far did nothing to recommend it. They’d had unknown people trying to kill them. All the money they’d spent had been hers. He’d destroyed her bed and some of her treasures. She’d been forced to leave behind her beloved cat. Hell, he’d threatened to kill her. Not exactly prime mate material.

  She loves me.

  He could work with that. Disappointment dissolved beneath his new resolve. He’d shower her in jewels, only she didn’t seem the type who enjoyed jewelry. Tiny silver hoops adorned her ears. Other than an inexpensive watch, she wore nothing else. Come to think of it, back at her home he had noticed only some stretchy bangles made from semiprecious stones. He could provide her with beautiful houses, but she already had a home that she loved. She made her own money, had a career.

  There had to be something she desired. All he had to do was discover it.

  In the meantime, he could slip some of his blood into her food or drink. He discarded the idea as quickly as it formed. If she ever discovered he’d deceived her in such a fashion, she’d never forgive him. And she was his mate. She deserved his total honesty.

  And she’d certainly notice if she didn’t age.

  “I understand and will take whatever years you want to give me.” His spine was stiff, or as straight as it could be in this cramped vehicle. The urge to break out, to fly, beat at him. His dragon was not happy with him.

  “You’re doing it again.” She caught his face in her hand, her grip surprisingly strong. “Assuming the worst. I. Want. To. Be. With. You. You get that. I want you to be sure you’re ready to commit to me. I have it on good authority I’m a handful.”

  Laughter rumbled from him. “I’ve heard that.” Pressing his forehead against hers, he inhaled her unique scent. It was buried beneath the flavors of the chips they’d eaten, but it was there, along with the delicious perfume of her arousal.

  His cock jumped to life, ready to seal their commitment. “We need to get out of here.” There was no way he could make love to her in this small space. He glanced toward the wooded area but discounted it. She deserved better than a tumble in the trees.

  I have a mate. One who wants me. Deep within him something snapped into place. Raine belonged to him. The certainty sizzled in his blood, solidified into his bones.

  “I will take care of you.” This was his reason for waking, the purpose that had been missing. He wanted to build a life with her, to wake in the morning by her side and go to bed alongside her each night. “I will raze the earth to the ground if I have to in order to keep you safe.”

  Her eyes were damp. She swiped at them, even as she gave a ragged laugh. “A girl can’t ask more than that, but let’s forego the razing. I’m not sure if you’re exaggerating or telling the truth, and I don’t want to take chances.”

  “I make no promises.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” The yard appeared empty, but Raine searched the wooded area, certain each shadow was someone waiting to pounce.

  Anyone could be lurking there. The trees seemed to lean forward, their presence ominous rather than comforting.The sky was growing lighter, but the clouds blocked the rising sun, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

  Or maybe it was just her mood. Now that she’d admitted her love for Lucius, she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. As much as she wanted to scream in delight, to sing and dance at the idea that she was the mate of this wonderful man, a skeptical voice in the back of her head whispered that it was all too easy. She almost snorted at that. Nothing had been easy since she’d laid eyes on him.

  “If anyone is searching for us, they’ll have already checked here. They’ll assume we fled and won’t expect us to double back.” Lucius turned off the engine, deepening the silence.

  She prayed he was right. A sense of desolation and abandonment had settled over the place, even though they hadn’t been gone that long. Or maybe it was her that had changed. The house she’d loved no longer seemed safe, was no longer her refuge, her haven from the world. It appeared it belonged to another person, another lifetime.

  “Wait here.” He opened the car door, gripped the outside edge, and pulled himself up and out. An owl hooted, and the breeze teased the bare limbs of the trees, making them sway.

  She fumbled with the lock and got out. Cool air seeped down the collar of her coat. Shivering, she went up the short walkway.

  “I told you to wait.” Looming behind her, heat and impatience rolled off his big body.

  “If there’d been anyone around, you would’ve told me. You have super hearing and smell.” After only two tries, she got the key in the lock. The scent of disuse clung to the place. Or maybe it was her imagination. She felt around until she found the switch and turned on the lamp in the foyer to drive back the gloom.

  He put his hand over hers and turned it off.

  “The car is parked out front,” she reminded him. “Anyone looking is going to notice. A light won’t matter.”

  “I’m going to hide it down the road.”

  “There’s a shed around back. The roof leaks but the walls are sound. It’s mostly empty. There’s enough room for it there.” And it would be closer if they had to flee.

  “I won’t be long.” His lips grazed the back of her neck. Then he was gone. She half-turned to call him back but pressed her lips together. This was her home, a place she’d spent many, many hours on her own and loved every moment.

  Besides, she needed a few minutes to herself. The emotional rollercoaster she’d been on was making her queasy. They hadn’t talked about the whole “mate” thing during the rest of the drive, tacitly agreeing to table the discussion until a better time.

  It wasn’t that she was having second thoughts. It was just a lot to process in such a short period. Was there some kind of ceremony or were they already considered mates since they’d both declared themselves? Wasn’t like there was a handbook—How to Date and Mate Your Drakon. Her laugh sounded a little wild.

  “Focus,” she muttered. There’d be time to iron out the details when the threat was dealt with. Otherwise, none of it would matter a damn because she’d be dead.

  Hand on the wall for support, she crept down the hallway toward her bedroom. It was strange not to have Penelope run out to meet her. As much as she missed the cat, it was safer for her to be away from this madness.

  The mattress lay on the floor, a stark reminder of what had occurred last time they were here. Cheeks flushed, she turned away and headed toward the kitchen. A snack might not help, but it couldn’t hurt. The light from the refrigerator made her squint as she perused the contents. There wasn’t much. Lucius had cleaned her out. His appetite was huge.

  When the front door opened, she jerked back, heart pounding. Her gun was in her purse, which she’d stupidly left in the car.

  “It’s done.” He shoved the door closed and dropped their bags on the floor. He dominated the small space as he walked toward her and tossed the keys on the counter. “Are you hungry?”

  She closed the refrigerator and leaned against it in relief. “I don’t know.”

  “You need to rest.”

  “I’m too wound up.” Her body hummed with a low-level anxiety that wouldn’t stop. “I need to take my mind off things.”

  A low growl had the fine hairs on her body standing on end. “I can think of a way to do that.”

  She just bet he could. The man was walking, talking sex. Her breasts swelled and her sex began to throb. Her body was on board. Her brain, however, had other concerns. “It’s not smart. Maybe I should meditate.” Not that she’d ever been able to quiet her mind before, but it was worth a shot.

  He nuzzled her neck, his breath warm against her ear. “Why not?” His teeth nipped her earlobe. It was impossible to think as he slid her coat down her arms and tossed it aside.

  “Ah. Um. What was the question?” Tilting her head to one side, she gave him better access, shivering when he traced the tip of his tongue over the swirls of her ear.

  “Why shouldn’t we make love?”

  No good reason she could think of. It was a splendid idea. No, wait. She shook her head, trying to clear the sensual haze. “Making love when we’re being hunted isn’t smart. In the romance books I’ve read and movies I’ve seen, whenever the hero and heroine make love when it’s dangerous, something always goes wrong.” She didn’t want to be TSTL, or in layman’s terms, too stupid to live. “We need to be on our guard.” It pained her to say it, but it was the truth.

  He caught her chin between a thumb and forefinger. “Do you think anyone could sneak up on me?”

  “Yes. No. Maybe.” She clasped his thick wrist. “An angel could pop in unannounced.” Gabriel had appeared out of nowhere when summoned. Maybe it was an archangel skill, but it made sense that all angels would have that ability. And there was another thing. “When you think about it, it’s kind of insulting to me if you don’t lose control and forget your surroundings when we’re making love.”

  His chuckle was low and deep. “Only you.” His lips pressed the spot between her brows.

  What did he mean by that?

  “Those worry lines are back. I promise, I’ll get carried away, but my dragon will alert me if anyone comes close.”

  Her resolve weakened. Damn it, she was tired of worrying about everything. She ached to have his arms around her. Leaning against him, she let her breasts rub against the hard planes of his chest. Her heart pounded, her blood flowed through her veins like thick honey, warm and sweet. She slipped her hands around his neck and went up on her toes. “If you’re sure.”

  “Very.” On a groan, he lifted her off her feet and kissed her. One hand cupped her bottom, the other spread across her back. Holding her easily, he took her mouth again and again, tongue delving deep.

  It was different this time. They’d had sex before. Stupendous, earth-moving sex, to be sure, but they hadn’t known each other that well. Now they’d made a commitment. Each stroke of his fingers heightened her senses, the nerve endings in her skin alive with sensation.

  “Take me to bed.” She was more than ready to get naked. Maybe it was stupid, considering angelic forces might be searching for them, but if not now, then when? There might never be a better opportunity. If that made her TSTL, then so be it.

  She wanted to make love to the man, the male, the drakon she loved. As much faith as she had in him and his friends, there was a chance she might not survive. Being human, she was the weak link. This might be her last opportunity to be with him.

  When he began to walk, her lower body pressed tighter to his. She wound her legs around his waist, grinding against the hard bulge behind the zipper of his jeans. Groaning, he pushed her against the wall, his kisses ravenous and hot. He didn’t just kiss her, he consumed her. And she loved it.

  Desperate to touch him, she yanked at his shirt. “Take it off.”

  He reared back and tore it over his head, dropping it to the floor. Licking her lips, she ran her fingers over the heavy, defined muscles, teasing his hard nipples. It was such a pleasure to touch him.

  A deep rumble emanated from him. Not a groan. More like a low purr of pleasure. Rip! Cool air washed over her torso as her sweater and shirt were reduced to rags. “Can’t get enough.” Lifting her, he buried his face between her breasts. A quick tug and her bra was gone.

  When he touched her, there was no room for thoughts of death. Only life. Her nipples were tight nubs, begging for attention, and he provided it, licking and sucking one and then the other. Panting, she raked her fingernails over his broad shoulders, marking him as hers. “More,” she demanded, almost breathless with desire. “Bedroom. Now.”

  For a big guy, he could move fast and had her on the mattress in a flash. Supporting himself on his forearms, with the weight of his lower body pressed against hers, he brushed his lips over hers. She bowed up, stimulating her clit through their clothing. Delicious, but not nearly enough.

  “Get naked,” she ordered, as she toed off her boots and reached for the button of her pants.

  He pushed her hands aside and peeled her jeans away, taking her panties and socks with them, leaving her naked. He licked his lips. “Mine.”

  The declaration wasn’t exactly politically correct, but she didn’t care. It made her heart sing and filled the emptiness inside her. Their connection was special.

  Her breath caught in her throat when he shucked his jeans. His cock sprang free, hard and ready. Keeping their gazes locked, he tugged the drapes together, shutting out the light, leaving them cocooned inside. “I won’t let anything harm you.”

  It was a promise he might not be able to keep. Not with such powerful forces after them. That he wanted to meant everything to her.

  She flung her hand toward the night-light in the nearest outlet. It wasn’t something she needed, but she enjoyed the way the delicate glass fairy glowed when it was on. Now it would give her enough light to see him while, hopefully, not giving them away to anyone who might care to look at the house.

  A quiet snick was followed by a low glow. Green, blue, red, and yellow patterns splashed across the wall and over his face. Fierce was the only word that fit. With his strong jaw, straight nose, and high cheekbones, he was too rugged to be classically handsome. Lucius was a force of nature, bold and powerful and compelling.

  “Lie down.”

  Arching a dark, questioning brow, he rolled, landing on his back, nostrils flaring when she threw one leg over him and settled on the top of his thighs. His chest rose and fell. The veins in his shaft pulsed with life.

  The tattoos on his body began to glow. Starting at his neck, she traced them with the tips of her fingers. “They’re so beautiful. Do they have a meaning?”

  “Birthmark.”

  “The color is the same as your dragon form.” She skimmed the edgings. “The pink outline matches your eyes.” Having this much strong, hot male at her disposal amped up the heat. Her sex aching, she rubbed it against his muscled thigh, spreading her juices over him.

  His hands fisted at his sides, his biceps bulging as he struggled for control. It gave her a heady sense of feminine power, tempered by a deep, abiding love.

  “What about the other ones? These are regular tattoos, right?” Some looked vaguely familiar, variations of stars and other religious symbols. Some were totally foreign.

  “Protective symbols.”

  Protection from what? She’d ask when she wasn’t so busy. Continuing her journey downward, she scooted back to give herself a better vantage point to explore. The meager light gave her a perfect view of his cock. Lowering her head, she ran her tongue over the swirls that covered half of it.

  “Raine.” His fingers tangled in her hair, but he didn’t pull her away or force her to take him.

  “I’m busy.” Wrapping her hand around the lower half, she held him steady. His lips were curled back, his face a mask of pain and primal longing. The pink of his irises had spread to the entirety of his eyes. His breathing was ragged. Sweat covered his chest.

  His moan broke the spell. Licking her lips, she took the plum-shaped, velvety tip into her mouth. His roar shook the room.

  So much for being stealthy. If anyone was outside, there’d be no doubt they were inside.

  His hips bucked, pushing him deeper. Liquid seeped from the tip. She flicked it with her tongue, capturing more. It was salty with a slight hint of spice. Using her hand to guide him, she began to glide up and down, hollowing her cheeks and sucking.

  “Ride me. I want to be inside you when I come.” He tugged on her hair until she released him with a gentle pop.

  “Yes.” That’s what she wanted, too. Clumsily, she scrambled into position, poised over him. Taking him in hand, she lowered herself, biting her lip to keep from screaming. Her inner walls rippled as he forged deeper. Gasping, she shoved down until he was fully seated.