“I love you,” he said hoarsely, and then he tumbled her into the grass, his strong hands gentle despite the hunger of his kisses.
He kissed his way down her body as she moaned. For long minutes, he teased her nipples with his tongue, playing with her until her thighs were slick with her need and all thought had fled.
And then he moved further down.
She gasped as his tongue explored her folds. He caressed her until she felt her body was on fire—and then his tongue found her clit.
His hands were on her wrists, holding them gently pressed down as his tongue circled her. She arched against him, pleasure surging through her like electricity.
His tongue was demanding, driving her on, higher and higher while his hands held her pressed down.
The feeling was incredible. She felt as if she was drowning in golden light.
And then her climax flooded through her, wave after wave of pulsing pleasure while his tongue made it last and last.
Her thighs were still trembling when he finally released her. Weakly, she grasped his shoulders as he moved over her. She could feel his shaft against her thigh, hot and hard—and she wanted it inside her again. She wanted to feel his pleasure, too.
He slid inside her easily, and the sensation was enough to make her cry out again. After the almost endless orgasm, she felt so sensitive that every move of him inside her sent prickling flames sizzling up her spine.
Breathlessly, she clutched at him, squeezing her thighs around his hips to encourage him to take her harder, deeper.
His skin was hot against hers. His hair smelled warm and smoky, the aroma of fire mingling with the virile musk of his arousal. In the distance, she could hear the ocean lapping at the rocky shore, like a great, distant pulse.
And the golden light was pulsing in time with it.
It had grown brighter and brighter. No longer a gentle glow, it was so bright now that she had to close her eyes.
Even then, she could still see it. It was as if ribbons of light were wrapping around them, pulling tighter and tighter as they moved together.
Alyx's fingers dug into his skin as she moaned. She pressed her lips to his damp shoulder, her inner walls tightening around his hot length—and then he groaned, the golden light intensifying until it was so bright it hurt.
With thrust after thrust, Braeden spilled himself inside her. At the same time, pleasure broke over her again, even more intense than the first time.
Dimly, she heard herself crying out his name. Through the bond, she could feel his pleasure, her own streaming out of her to mingle with his until she could no longer tell whose pleasure she was experiencing.
It no longer mattered. They were truly one now.
Long minutes passed until she felt recovered enough to move again. Carefully, Braeden rolled to his side, wrapping his arm around her to hold her close.
She sighed in contentment.
She could still feel the mate bond. Before, it had been a fragile thread. Now, it was as strong as steel.
She could reach out to the golden glow of it—and when she did, she could feel Braeden's amazement and love rush straight into her heart. It felt as if a door she never knew existed had opened between their souls.
And it would never close again. She knew that. No matter what happened—they'd always have this bond.
“Thanks for rescuing me earlier,” she said softly. “I didn't want to lead the cops to your friends' island. I didn't even know they'd show up. I called my best friend because I missed her terribly, and I wanted to talk to her—”
“She was probably worried about you,” Braeden said. “I would have done the same.”
Alyx sighed and nodded. “You're right, of course. I didn't think this through last night. I just really wanted someone to talk to.”
“When this is over,” Braeden promised, “when the chimera has fixed whatever is wrong with me, and I've dealt with Steele, I want to get to know your friend.”
Alyx smiled softly. “I'd love to show her this island. I know she won't believe me until she sees it. But I think once she does, she'll know that I'm perfectly safe and happy now.”
Braeden brushed a kiss to her lips. “What about breakfast at Chameleon Coffee? They should open soon.”