Drantos nodded and sprinted home. He found the front door unlocked and entered. The lights were on but Dusti wasn’t in the living room or kitchen. He sniffed the air and followed her scent through his bedroom and into the master bathroom. She was in the tub with her head tipped back along the rim, eyes closed.

“I’m home.”

Her eyes opened and she sat up. “You’re early.”

“I missed you.” He opened the link between them and a wave of sadness swept through him. He crossed the room and crouched next to the tub. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“I want to fit in but I don’t ever see it happening.”

“It will. Give it time.”

“Your mother thinks I should have a baby but I want us to get to know each other better first. No marriage should start off with a baby. We have enough stress without adding in sleepless nights and changing diapers.”

“I agree.” He caught her word. “Do you want me to marry you? I know that’s important to humans.”

She lifted one of her hands from the water, staring at it. “A band would be nice but I honestly don’t want the whole ceremony thing.” Her gaze met his. “Or maybe we can buy matching necklaces. Just something we both have that shows we’re a couple. I noticed none of your mated couples wear rings. You could hide a necklace under your shirt.”

He didn’t want to remind her at that moment that he shifted into another form, and how jewelry wasn’t a good idea to wear during the change. “We’ll smell the same as we keep strengthening our bond.”

She looked away and tried to lower her hand. He snagged it and curled his fingers around hers. “I’ll get us rings.” He could just remove his when he was on patrol, then put it back on when he came home. That way he wouldn’t lose it when he shifted forms.

She smiled and stared into his eyes again. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You’re giving up a lot to live in my world. I can compromise, Dusti. Your happiness is important to me. How did it go with my mother?”

“She tried to be nice. She got an A for effort. We’re just really different.”

“Did you talk to anyone else?” He wondered if she’d tell him about her other visitor.

“Yonda stopped by.”

He clenched his jaw at her unhappy tone. “It won’t happen again.”

“I thought she’d come to kick my ass at first but she was just mildly insulting. I will never be a fan of hers but it was okay. She wanted to give me pointers.”

“I just hate that it’s so difficult for you.”

“It’s not too easy living in my world either. You’d stick out like a sore thumb.”

“I’ve been in your world before. I made sure I fit in.”

She grinned, her mood lightening. “Baby, you stand out. Trust me.”

“How so?”

Her gaze lowered and he felt arousal came through their bond. “You’re hot, tall, sexy…they’d have to be blind not to see you.”

He stood and grabbed a towel, holding it out for her. “Come out of there.”

She rose and he admitted enjoying the sight of her naked and wet. Her nipples pebbled from the cooler air. He wrapped the towel around her and lifted her right out of the tub, carrying her to the counter and gently depositing her there. He spread his legs and leaned in, putting his lips close to hers. He wanted to kiss her but resisted. She needed more than sex at that moment.

“I love you. That’s the most important thing of all. We’re together. Don’t let bullshit clan politics get to you, Dusti. I don’t give a damn what anyone says or thinks. I won’t have you unhappy. I own some land that borders the territory. We can move out there before the winter sets in if you want space from my people. I can’t imagine anything better than spending months snowed in with you. We’d be alone in our cozy cabin. It’s not this big but I think you’ll like it.”

She smiled. “Wouldn’t we get bored?”

He shook his head. “We’d keep each other occupied. Open up to me. Let your inner guard down.”

She did. He felt it instantly, as if she’d opened a window and her emotions and thoughts breezed through him. She wanted to touch him, kiss him, but was holding back.

“I want you too, sweetheart.” He stopped fighting his urges and took possession of her mouth. Passion exploded inside both of them. He groaned and reached down, shoving the towel out of his way so he could play with her pussy. She spread her thighs wider apart, hooking them around his hips.

She was already getting wet from the sexual tension between them so he used his thumb to rub upward, using the pad of it to tease her clit. The little bud hardened as he stroked it up and down. Her moans urged him on but mostly it was the needy thoughts he could pick up. She wanted him inside her. His dick stiffened painfully.

I want you, Drantos.

Easy, sweetheart. I want you to come for me first. That’s it. You’re getting so wet and hot for me. Don’t tense up.

I can’t help it. I need!

He could feel how close she was to coming. Broken moans tore from her parted lips and he clenched his teeth, shutting down their link since he knew he’d end up coming in his pants if he didn’t. He applied a little more pressure against her clit, strumming it faster. Her inner thighs squeezed his hips, her breathing turning choppy and harsh. He loved the way her fingers clawed at him where she clung.

She threw her face forward and her body shook. He glanced down to see where the towel had fallen, loving the sight of her nipples beading as she climaxed. They were tight little pebbles he wanted to suck on and nip with his teeth.

He eased his thumb away from her pussy and reached down to open his pants. The next hours he’d spend fucking her were going to be heaven. He opened his mind to her again, sending flashes of images of the things he wanted to do. He said them as well, just in case their bond wasn’t strong enough yet for her to get those visions.

I’m going to bend you over in front of me and fuck you until we both collapse, then I’m going to keep going until we can’t move. You want me, sweetheart? You’re going to have me. I can’t wait to—

“Drantos!”

He snarled, enraged at the interruption. Dusti’s irritation was felt inside him too, or it was possible she was mirroring his. She released him with her legs and he eased her off the counter. He kept hold of her for a few seconds since her legs seemed shaky.