Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 93267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93267 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Salem?”
“Hmmm?”
“You dead?”
“Still breathing, promise.”
With a groan, he pulled himself up off the ground. That was to say, he got as far as sitting on the edge of the bed and then all willpower and motivation to move any farther died. To hell with it, this was what magic was for. He used the cleanup spell with a wave of his hand and then flopped down next to Gregori.
Who immediately pulled him in closer, cuddling as he was wont to do. This time, Salem had no problem with it.
“I feel like you’ve been trying to tell me something all evening. Mind putting it into words for me?”
And the man claimed he wasn’t a telepath. Well, Salem should say this aloud, though.
He propped himself up a little so he could look Gregori directly in the face as he spoke. It just felt right to do so.
“Look. This is hard for me to say, so just listen. I still don’t believe in soulmates, or fate, or any of that. But. I choose to be your mate. I—” He gulped. Come on, courage, don’t fail now. “I love you a lot. More than I ever have any other person. For you, I think I can be anything. Screw destiny, my choice is you.”
Gregori snatched him in close, kissing him hot and hard, his joy nearly vibrating through his skin. “I love you.”
“I know.” He found the courage to say it again, and for some reason, it felt easier this time. Less panic inducing. “I love you too. I know it took me a while to catch up with you, but I’m confident in this now.”
“That’s all I need,” Gregori said against his mouth. “I’m so full of joy I feel like I’m about to explode.”
“Don’t, I’m not cleaning it up. Also, I can’t do this anymore. You gave me space to think. I’ve done my thinking and I know precisely what I need. I need student loans paid off, a fully equipped clinic, nightly cuddles, someone to make sure I eat, regular sex, and do not ever give me space again or I’ll smack you.”
Gregori’s lips parted in absolute delight. “Then…?”
“I’m not leaving you again. If you’ll just say the word, I’ll move back in with you tomorrow—”
Gregori snatched him up in a tighter hug. Or he tried. They were practically glued together as it was. “Word.”
“You smartass, I didn’t mean it literally.”
The hug tightened a little. “I mean it. I don’t want space from you, either.”
“Good.” Such a relief to be on the same page. “Then, lesson learned, let’s not repeat this. Now. What do you need from me?”
“You.”
“I’m being serious, fav.”
“What does fav stand for?”
“Favorite person. Because you are, clearly. Now, answer me. What do you need from me?”
Gregori pulled him in closer, either unable or unwilling to tamp down his grin. “Just you. And home. It’s really all I need.”
Salem gave him a look, wondering if Gregori was being difficult on purpose. “I’ll figure this out eventually. But is that all you want to say to me?”
“No.”
“Then what else?”
“Ilove you.” The words were slightly choked and trembled as bad as the rest of him, but he said them with strength and purpose.
He loved his mate. Salem was his everything. He loved his giant heart and his desire to heal the world. He loved his twisted sense of humor, his stubbornness, and his relentless drive. And he loved how Salem threw himself into anything that was important to him, which now included Gregori.
“I love you so much, Salem Hunter. You’re the perfect soulmate, the very person I didn’t realize I needed. You complete me in a hundred little ways. I love you and don’t ever want to be parted from you.”
Salem slammed into him, knocking him back onto the mattress, his arms wrapped around his neck as he peppered his face with kisses. “I love you. You are my mate and I’m never ever letting you go. All those other mages and non-mages around can go jump off a bridge. You’re mine.”
A bright laugh burst from Gregori, but it was cut off when Salem’s mouth covered his, drawing his tongue into a deep, satisfying kiss. He hugged Salem against him, reveling in this moment.
Salem broke off the kiss and lifted up enough to meet his gaze, eyes shimmering in the low light. “I love you, Gregori Valerii. Thank you for never giving up on me.”
“Never.”
“Good. Then what about this bonding thing? When are we doing it?”
Gregori shrugged one shoulder. “Whenever you want. We can talk to Rodrigo and work on scheduling—”
“Now.”
Gregori almost choked on his tongue. As it was, he was gasping for air and pushing against the mattress to sit up against the pillows. “Now?”
“Yes. Now. Sam said that when we’re bonded, no one can separate us. Your dragon magic will extend my life so I’ll live as long as you. We’ll also be able to sense how each other feels.” Salem pressed his hand to his heart. “I want it. I want to feel you in here all the time. Can we do it now?”