He looked startled and uncertain. "Are you sure about this?"
"The mere fact that you're asking me that question when you know what you'll lose if I say no proves to me just how right I am about you. Yes, Vane Kattalakis. I'm sure."
A slow smile spread across his face two seconds before he pulled her into his arms and kissed her breathless. Vane pulled away with a deep, wolfish growl. "I really hate that I had to drive this damned thing. Otherwise I'd have us both in bed right now."
"Can't you poof the car home?"
"No. It's too big and heavy, and if I abandon it, it'll get stolen and Otto will never forgive me. He loves this damned hunk of junk." He released her and settled back in his seat.
And damn near gave her heart failure as he drove home in record time.
Richard
Petty had nothing on this guy as he weaved in and out of traffic.
They squealed to a stop outside of Valerius's door and Vane flashed them from the car to their bedroom. One second they were standing next to the bed; in the next, they were naked in it.
Bride laughed at his eagerness. "You don't waste time, do you?"
"I don't want you to change your mind."
"I'm not going to."
Vane kissed her deeply. He was already hard for her.
Bride ran her hand over his back, delighting in the feel of him. His skin was so warm and masculine. "Just remember, this doesn't get you off the hook for a big Irish wedding."
He laughed at that. "Whatever it takes to make you happy."
Her smile faded as seriousness set deep in her heart. "That would definitely be you."
He kissed her again, nearly devouring her.
By the time he pulled away, she could barely breathe. "Okay," she said quietly. "What do we need to do?"
Vane rolled over onto his back and stole her breath at the way he looked there. His tanned skin was set off to perfection against the cream sheets. His hair was loose and made him look all the more alluring. "You need to press your marked palm to mine."
Bride laid her palm to his warm and callused one. Vane laced his fingers with hers.
"Now you have to take me into your body without my interference."
"That's kind of strange, but okay."
"Not really. It was set up as a safeguard to protect our females. The Claiming can never be forced on a female. She must complete it by her own free will."
Bride sat up on her knees and carefully straddled his lean waist. She stared down at him, wondering how this would change them.
Would it change them?
How could it not?
After this they would be mated. She would belong to him and, until the day she died, he would belong to her.
Vane took her free hand into his and kissed it gently.
Her heart pounding, Bride shifted her body until he was deep inside her.
They both moaned at the sensation.