and he unbuttoned the fabric. A moment later, the dress lay on the floor. She’d thought the dress a little weird herself, but given what he’d just said, she didn’t plan to mention that.
“Make love to me, Devon,” she whispered, pushing his robe over his head and tossing it to the floor.
“Your wish is my command.”
She expected his lips on hers to be hungry. To celebrate her win and exalt in her joy. Instead, he was slow and reverent, touching her as delicately as if she were one of the china cups she’d served tea in.
He moved between her thighs and wrapped her in his arms, running his length along her wetness. Her breathing turned heavy, and she arched toward him, catching him just right. He plunged in to the hilt, gloriously filling her to bursting.
She groaned against his lips, savoring the feel of him. Soaking in the rightness of his body within hers. She was certain he was the one. He was the last man there would ever be for her.
“I love you,” she said, and a tear slipped down her face.
“I will love you forever, Charity,” he replied, his voice filled with emotion. “Never doubt me. The love I feel for you will never dim. I will always do what’s best for you. I will always protect you.”
She stilled, her arms around him, somewhat confused by the gravity in his tone. But a moment later, the moment swept her away.
He pulled back and pushed forward, so good at sensing what she needed. He thrust again, and she arched to receive him, desperate now, wanting all of him. Wanting his body to imprint on her as heavily as his heart had.
His arms held her close. She clung to him, swinging up her hips to meet his downward thrusts. Her labored breathing rang through the room. Her body wound up, impossibly tight.
“Yes, Devon,” she said, ecstasy washing through her, pulling her under.
He crashed into her again and again, his control obviously slippery, hers nonexistent.
She wanted more of him, all of him. She swiveled her hips and moaned as he pounded into her. The pleasure was so sharp that it cut. So heartfelt that it nearly tore her in two.
Without warning, bliss slammed into her. She cried out from the onslaught of the orgasm. Wave after wave of glorious pleasure rolled through her, lifting her to a place where there were no words, just feeling.
Devon groaned, shuddering. He thrust one last time, and another barrage of sensations made the world go fuzzy. She clung to him and squeezed her eyes shut, her teeth clenched and her body tight, riding the tidal wave of pleasure.
Devon relaxed on top of her and buried his face in her neck. She kept her arms around him, loving this feeling of absolute certainty that had engulfed her being.
Finally, she knew what she wanted.
Finally, she had found her home.
Contented, she breathed a deep sigh, closed her eyes, and drifted into a deep sleep. Tomorrow, she’d finally pay a visit to the shifters’ lodgings, and together they’d figure out what came next for all of them.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Devon twirled the strand of reddish-brown hair between his fingers. Inky night could be seen from the window, the glow from the moon soft upon the ground. Charity’s deep, even breathing spoke to her contentment.
After a small nap, they’d gone for round two, and immediately moved into round three. He’d wanted to savor every moment and get his fill.
He was an idiot. He’d never be able to get his fill of Charity. It was stupid to even try.
He breathed in the smell of her, floral, spicy, and feminine. It occurred to him that she embodied this place better than the people within it did. Most of the time she was kind, gentle, open-minded, and willing to compromise—but when she flipped and turned on her aggression, watch out. She was a perfect storm.
He loved her more than words could say. More than he’d thought possible. It was why this was so damn hard.
He kissed her on the forehead and his heart broke. Still, he forced himself to roll out of bed. Even if the Seer hadn’t advised this path for him, he knew it was the right thing to do. She was destined for greatness—for royalty and leading her people back to their purpose. He couldn’t let her strap herself to him and waste this opportunity. He was a mid-level alpha relegated to one part of the world. It was no place for