her shoulder, letting the very tips of his lengthening canines hold tight.
“Ranger. Ranger, oh, my Goddess, yes,” she panted, her heels digging into the taut muscles of his ass. “Yes,” she screamed one final time as he bit down on her heated flesh, the magic of their bond flowing from Dragon to Witch, heart to heart, soul to soul.
Screaming her release, Ellie came with such force that Ranger was right there with her in the next thrust. Pulling the last waves of pleasure from her with long steady strokes of his cock, he licked the spot he’d bitten on her neck, carefully letting the magic of his Dragon remove any soreness.
Leaning back, he smiled like a well-loved and incredibly proud man as he looked at his mark on Ellie’s neck. She'd probably kick his ass or turn him into a toad or both when she realized it was there, but he just couldn't care. She was his, and he wanted the whole damned world to know it.
Raising his head the rest of the way, Ranger looked upon his Mate, sated from their lovemaking, her skin flushed, and her eyes closed and thanked the Universe for the hundredth time for bringing Ellie into his life. Giving her a quick peck on the lips, he begrudgingly slid his half-erect cock from her warmth, grinning from ear-to-ear when her eyes popped open, and she asked, “What’s that look for?” Her voice, scratchy and sexy from their lovemaking, gave him even more to be proud of.
He chuckled, "The look or the…" Stopping, letting his eyes flash to his crotch, then back to her, he winked.
Rolling her eyes even as she smiled and blushed, Ellie playfully groaned, “The look, ya’ big goofy Dragon.”
“Just looking at the most beautiful woman ever created,” he answered with a wink while letting her feet touch the ground and holding her close until he was sure she was steady.
Swatting his shoulder as he bent down to gather her clothing, she lightheartedly sniffed, “You seriously need glasses, Ranger. Did the Chimera mess with your eyes as well as your ribs?”
Knowing he had to finish telling her what had happened with the Chimera, remembering the feel of her fingers running across his scar and the fear that had dashed through her mind as they were making love, the Guardsman first needed to get something straight with his Mate. He had to be sure she knew where he stood right from the get-go. Backing his all-too humble and way too self-deprecating Witch against the tree again, Ranger slid his thumb and forefinger under her chin.
Lifting her striking face to his, Ranger lovingly growled, “Please don’t ever talk about yourself that way, Ellie. I mean it. You are the most beautiful, kind, wonderful, amazing woman in the world. You hold my heart and soul in the palm of your hand. You are my sun, moon, and stars. Everything I am, my whole world revolves around you. I will not stand for you putting yourself down now or ever again.”
Expecting her to argue or at the very least give him one of her cute and snarky comebacks, Ellie changed it up. She damned near drove the big, strong Guardsman to his knees.
He was helpless to do anything but watch and listen as his little five-foot-five bundle of dynamite and love laid her hand to his cheek. "You make me madder than a wet hen and ready to spit nails most of the time," she eloquently and unashamedly admitted. "And, dammit, Ranger Evans, I don’t know what I ever did to deserve you, but I’m real glad I did it.”
Leaning his forehead against hers, the Guardsman breathed, “I just love you so very much, Ellie.”
“I love you too, Dragon Man,” her whisper reached his waiting ears, and his heart leapt for joy.
Looking into Ellie’s, he caught the twinkle just before she teased, "I guess I better get dressed unless you plan on keeping me out here naked and well-loved for the whole day."
Laying his lips to hers, Ranger let his words float directly into her mind, “You can get dressed later, pretty lady. Right now, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve that I need to show you.”
Chapter Nine
Wrapped in the warmth of her Mate, hidden from prying eyes by an exceptionally tall and very round flowering bush, Ellie couldn't believe she'd spent most of the day making love, sleeping, making love, and talking with Ranger. If a week ago anyone had told her