We need a new deal. The words tumbled carelessly from her mouth.
A new deal, huh? I suppose we do, especially since we just broke the last one. He looked at her quizzically, and a smile played at his lips. One hand drifted down and rested on her ass, pressing her harder against him, and his voice dropped to a seductive tone. What did you have in mind?
Sex with no strings. He gave her a wary look, but she continued. Look, this attraction, she said, waving a hand between what little distance was between them. It has a crazy hold on us, right?
Agreed, he said slowly.
And as far as I understand it, the bonding rite must be said during sex in order for the mating to be finalized. So I don’t think there’s any reason we can’t have sex as long as we don’t say the mating rite. She leaned closer, popped on her toes, and kissed his throat. See? Sex with no strings.
Is that what you want? The winds of the realm picked up and blew briskly around them as Dominic peered down at her through those eyes of wildfire. Are you sure that’s all you want?
I want you, Dominic. Tatiana pulled back and looked at him through the glowing eyes of her clan. She did want him. That wasn’t a lie, but as he studied her intently, a little voice inside of her disagreed. She’d never been a one-night-stand girl. In fact, she’d only had two lovers—both of whom she’d been in relationships with. However, as her body burned against his, the fire consumed her doubts. We’re consenting adults with the will to choose what we want. So do we have a new deal?
Thank God, he groaned. You bet your sweet ass, we do. In one fluid motion, Dominic swept her into his arms as the winds blew harder. His mouth crashed down, and as his lips tangled with hers, all she could do was think about getting more. Hands linked around his neck, she kissed him back desperately and reveled in the feel of his arms wrapped around her.
The winds whistled past as he laid her down on a soft bed of grass and covered her body with his. Straddling her on his knees, he broke the embrace long enough to take off his shirt, and Tatiana let out a gasp when she saw the multitude of scars that marred his muscled chest.
Tatiana sat up and ran her hands over the battle scars that marked him, and her throat tightened with emotion. Where on earth did you get these? She looked into his face as a tear rolled down her cheek. You really do put your life on the line for the Amoveo, don’t you? It’s not some macho badge you wear or something you say… you would die for them.
I would do anything to protect my people, Tatiana, and that includes you. He pushed her back gently and covered her small frame easily as the weight of him settled between her legs. He brushed the hair from her face with his fingers and kissed the tip of her nose. Mating ceremony or not.
A tsunami of emotions battered her. This man she barely knew was telling her he would lay his life down for hers, protect her at all cost. Tatiana remembered how gentle he was with the baby and the concern he expressed for Courtney. The man was fiercely devoted, and it was evident he loved the people he protected, though she doubted he would admit as much.
Running her hands over his back, she felt the unmistakable ridges of scarred skin. He had experienced more pain in his life than anyone she’d ever encountered, and looking into those fiery eyes, all she wanted to do now was to give him pleasure. Afford him an escape from the weight of his responsibility.
Tatiana pulled him to her, and just as his lips met hers, the haunting sound of a woman crying filled the realm. Dominic’s body tensed. He jumped to his feet and pulled her up with him. Holding her in the shelter of his body, he scanned the realm, which had become unrecognizable.
Tatiana had been so wrapped up in Dominic that she hadn’t even noticed the change to the environment—neither of them had. The sky was awash in angry, gray storm clouds, and the winds, once warm and inviting, were now cold and damp, as the woman’s wailing grew louder.
Who’s there? Dominic’s voice, deep and commanding, thundered through the unsettled dreamscape. Show yourself.
Dominic. Tatiana huddled deeper into his embrace and looked around the unstable new world. What’s going on?
Someone has invaded our dream. His jaw clenched, and he held her tighter against his taut frame. We have to leave. Come on. He took her hand and started climbing up the hill. Picture some place safe, he shouted above the wind.
Like where? She put her hand up to block the rain that stung her face and blinded her. Tatiana stumbled, and Dominic’s hand slipped from hers as she dropped to her knees and slid in the muddy ground. Dominic?
Tatiana! One strong hand encircled her arm and pulled her to her feet. We have to wake up.
I’m not as good at this as you are, she shouted over the thunder.
The sound of weeping grew louder still. Tatiana strained to listen more closely, and then she heard it… Liar.
Did you hear that? Tatiana shouted.
Before he could answer her, a clap of thunder blared overhead, and lightning cracked across the black sky as the crying welled and throbbed, like a spirit lost in the night.
The haunting wail came again… Betrayer.
There it is again. She looked around, but couldn’t see anything through the sheets of rain.
We have to go, Tatiana, he yelled over the thunder. Right now. Tatiana shook with fear as Dominic grabbed her hand and ran. Blindly, she followed him through the pelting rain, and they stopped suddenly at the edge of a cliff. Tatiana screamed and grabbed onto Dominic for dear life as mud and rocks skidded off the edge into the roiling sea below.
Do you trust me? He yelled as he stuck his hand out.
The crying grew louder and swirled around them in the storm. Traitor, the voice wailed.