†††
THE silver car pulled into the familiar driveway.
This manor with a classic exterior was Zelaide’s current residence. The gate closed behind his car, all the sensors and defense systems activated, and the IHT panel in the car’s dash showed the rooms being scanned for biological activity. It showed one marker moving around inside.
Somebody’s inside. Who?
Doubt coursed through Zelaide for all of a second until he saw that marker speedily move from the second floor to the first, turn down the hall, and race to the entrance. Excitement tingled in his veins.
Only one person he knew moved like that.
Wilds take me. It’s like nothing’s changed… He cracked a wry smile, jumped out of the car, and raced to the porch fogged up by the rain. He made it there just as Euphemia burst through the front door, her face glowing.
At that moment, one bright color lit up his achromatic world.
“Zel!” Euphemia dashed out onto the porch, her untied golden tresses bouncing behind her, and leapt into the early morning downpour. By leaping she skipped the trouble of going down the steps. She didn’t doubt for a moment that the man running toward her would catch her.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Hey! That’s dangerous!” Zelaide shouted, his heart dropping to his stomach that he might not catch her in time.
But a sweet aroma washed over him, filling his nostrils, and taking the words out of his mouth. His patience, which he’d barely maintained until that moment, dissipated the second he breathed in the honeyed scent emanating from Yumi.
The woman closing her eyes in his arms wanted him. Just as he wanted her.
“Welcome home!”
“…I’m home.” It took everything he had to say those two words.
Zelaide had never been told “Welcome home” before.
When he reflected back on this night, he couldn’t quite remember his reaction. All he remembered was scooping Euphemia into his arms as she twined her arms around his neck, running inside the house, kicking the door shut, and flying up the stairs faster than a Bijour. He vaguely recalled Tipsy circling over his head, joyfully yipping over his master’s return.
But those cries disappeared behind the door he kicked open.
The sweet scent drove him wild.
Zelaide’s room was mostly empty. There was a huge disparity between the empty room and the marvelous assortment of weapons lining the walls and hanging from the ceiling.
The echo of rain filled the room in place of furniture.
A bed with an exposed mattress sat in the center of the empty space. They fell onto the bed hugging. Neither wanted to part even an inch. Zelaide stole the lips Euphemia tilted up for him.
The Beast Blood had obtained his mate.
“Mmph!” Euphemia gasped for air, but the sound didn’t reach Zelaide.
He single-mindedly devoured her soft, pink lips. Zelaide drove his tongue between her parted lips and stroked hers.
This was a Beast Blood’s kiss—wild and instinctual.
Euphemia didn’t know how to react at first, but his passion was contagious, and she eagerly responded to it after the first kiss until she melted against him, a molten puddle of uselessness.
It continued to pour outside while they passionately welcomed each other in euphoric bliss after being separated for so long—they were once again in each other’s arms.
Zelaide’s long, disheveled hair cascaded over Euphemia’s cheeks. There was no time to breathe. She moaned as he pressed against her. His burly arms pulled her closer. She dipped her eyes lower, to the muscular expanse of his oaklike thighs.
His fingers traveled down to the hem of her loose, cotton dress and pulled it over her head in one smooth motion, exposing her skin to the cool night air.
“Zel—mm!”
She opened her mouth to talk but he sealed the words with a kiss.
Guiding her down onto the bed, Zelaide slid over her and laid claim to her mouth once more. They dueled with their tongues, thrusting and parrying.
Zelaide wondered what he needed to do to satisfy and fulfill her. Was there a method of loving that wouldn’t break what he cared for most? He breathed against the place where her pulse throbbed at her neck. He nipped and sucked at the sensitive flesh. His hand cupped her buttocks. She let out a breathy sigh.
Euphemia was panting so heavily her head was in a daze, but she thought she heard a belt being unbuckled. She thought of the complicated silver belt buckle he always wore.
He can undo that with one hand? Her thoughts went to something unrelated, but things were moving so fast, her mind had a hard time keeping up.
The man who was always calm around her and always tried not to touch her was now possessed by such passion he embraced her. A piece of her wondered why that was. But even if there was no deep meaning behind it, she was all right with that.
Because I love him.
He slipped the last piece of clothing off her.
Euphemia shivered with embarrassment, but she didn’t want to stop. Sure this wasn’t the result of a romantic date night, but it was exciting and what she wanted.
He’s finally looking at me.
Euphemia closed her eyes and reveled in the pain and bliss that came after.
They both believed in this blissful moment together and gave everything over.
Just this once. Please forgive me for loving you, Zelaide thought.
And, just like that, they became mates in body and soul.