Break the Day - Lara Adrian Page 0,79

her hand as she stared down at his bewildered face. A challenging gleam lit her gaze. “Before you try to argue, I’d like to remind you that you just said you’d do anything for me.”

“I did say that, yes.”

“But what?” She frowned. “You don’t want to put in a recommendation for me?”

He turned toward her, gently cupping her face in his palm. “What makes you think I haven’t already?”

“You did?” She blinked, clearly astonished. “When?”

“Before we left the London command center, I spoke to Lucan Thorne and Commander Chase. I told them we were heading back, but we were a package deal now. If you wanted it, that is. Those were my terms. And they agreed.”

“You did that for me?”

“I did it for us.” He smiled, caressing her pretty mouth as the smile broke over her lips. “I did it because nothing would make me prouder, or happier, to have you at my side, Devony. As my partner, my lover. My mate.”

“Rafe.” On a quiet sob, she grabbed his face and kissed him, no gentle melding of their mouths, but a fiery claiming.

He loved that about her, how she could be both vulnerable and tender, yet the hottest, most exciting woman he’d ever known. She was headstrong and fearless. Innocent, yet wise.

But most important of all, she was his.

On a possessive growl, he rolled her beautiful body beneath him on the bed.

She was already wet and ready for him when he entered her, her tight sheath gripping his shaft as he sank to the hilt inside her heat. Devony cried out, her short nails raking his shoulders as they moved together in a rhythm they both knew well now, their shared need for each other both urgent and tender.

Earlier tonight, they drank from each other’s veins for healing. Now, it was desire that ignited their mutual thirst. It was need that brought Rafe’s mouth to the side of Devony’s neck as he rocked against her. It was pleasure that made him shout in erotic torment the instant her fangs sank into the muscle of his shoulder.

God help him, he would never get accustomed to the intensity of their bond.

He bit down on her delicate throat, moaning as the sweet taste of her blood roared over his tongue. Her climax swelled into a wave that broke against him as his own release reached its peak too.

And it was love—bright and hot and eternal—that powered through his veins and into every particle of his being as he wrapped Devony in his arms and prepared to take her over that steep edge with him again.

They had hours before they would touch down in Boston.

He was going to make the most of every second.

CHAPTER 30

“Relax. You’ll do fine.”

Rafe’s reassurance as Devony stood in front of the mirror in their quarters at the Boston command center helped soothe her, but she was nervous. She couldn’t help it.

They had arrived from London yesterday, and tonight everyone was gathering to meet her and welcome her into the fold as one of their team.

She smoothed her palms down the front of her new black pants and V-neck top, the outfit a gift from Carys and Tavia. As soon as they’d heard Rafe was bringing her back with him, the two women had stocked half of the large closet with brand-new clothes, boots, and every other item she could possibly need in order to be comfortable when she arrived.

She’d never had a sister, but Carys seemed excited to step right into the role. Even Jordana had been gracious and forgiving, so much so, she’d actually hugged Devony upon meeting her despite the terrible way they’d first been introduced at the museum.

But in just a few minutes, Devony would be meeting her teammates and some of the Order elders in the command center’s war room.

Rafe came up behind her and pressed a kiss to the curve of her neck and shoulder. His aquamarine eyes met her gaze in the mirror’s reflection. “You look beautiful. And you’ve already got a room full of support down there. Gideon’s been raving about your fieldwork to anyone who’ll listen.”

She smiled. “I just want to make you proud.”

“You already do, so cross that worry off your list.”

She turned around to face him, unable to resist putting her arms around him. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”

He smirked, pulling her against the hardness of his body. “I think I have some idea, but why don’t you give me a hint right now?”

He