A bad idea.
He hadn’t lied. It was too soon to make love to her. Things needed to be said and information shared to ensure Cate understood the magnitude of accepting his claim. The decision to mate a Dragonkind warrior always rested in the female’s hands. She held the all the power. The male owned nothing but blind hope. Which meant…
No more messing around.
He needed to come clean. Be honest. Tell her truth before she went so far, she couldn’t go back.
Mating him would change her life. His world would upend hers. Forget about Savannah, Georgia and the garage. Accepting him meant leaving her old life behind. Halfway didn’t exist for his race. Dragonkind went in whole hog. All or nothing. High stakes. Big consequences. A tough pill to swallow for anyone. Heartbreaking loss for a female who loved her sire, and had worked hard to build a career she enjoyed in the city she called home.
The realization shook him.
Murmuring in regret, Rannock retreated, breaking the kiss.
“No. Don’t.”
“Bellmia—”
“No talking.”
Breathing hard, Rannock grabbed the tail end of his control. He yanked, dragging it out of the void. His beast snarled in frustration. Clinging to resolve, he squeezed her waist and raised his head. Dark blue eyes full of heat met his. Wanting nothing more than to kiss her again, he swallowed and soldiered on.
“Catie-mine, we need tae talk. There are things you need tae know before we go any—”
“I already know, Ran.”
“Know what?”
“About Dragonkind.”
Surprise lashed him. Rannock froze. “What?”
“Irish twins.”
He frowned, not understanding. “Irish twins?”
“Niki and I… we’re Irish twins, born eleven months apart.” Seeing his confusion, she cupped his face. Tracing the ridge of his cheekbones, she held him in the palms of her hands. “We’re close. So close, we share everything with one another. And when I say everything, I mean everything.”
His jaw dropped.
He stared at her as incomprehension spun him around the lip of the impossible. One second ticked into more before his brain came back online. Shock bled into understanding. Goddess help him. Someone needed to tan Nicole’s hide. Either that, or cut off her access to the internet. The fewer videoconference calls Vyroth’s mate made, the safer Dragonkind would be.
A low snarl escaped him.
“Relax.” Drawing soothing circles on the side of his neck, Cate pulled his attention back to her. “Niki hasn’t told anyone else. She won’t either. It’s just—”
“Irish twins.”
“Sisters.” Cate shrugged. “It’s a thing.”
“Undoubtedly.” Still surprised Cate possessed knowledge she shouldn’t have, he shook his head. Unbelievable. Two females had managed to game the system, doing what no one else in the history of Dragonkind ever had—share classified information across continents without anyone being the wiser. “How much did she tell you?”
Her eyes wide, Cate tilted her head, answering without words.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered, realizing everything really did mean everything. “Vyroth’s going tae lose his shite.”
“Love my sister, Ran, but…” She pursed her lips, dragging his attention back to her mouth. “Her dragon, her problem. Right now, I’m more interested in getting to know mine better.”
Her comment jolted through him. His chest tightened. Fighting to stay even, Rannock drew a much-needed breath. “You accept me?”
“Yes.”
“Truly?”
“Do I look unsure?”
Hunting for the truth, he tapped into her bio-energy. Steady stream, clear intentions, no spike her aura or nervousness in his mate. Nothing but certainty in a female who knew her own mind. The realization freed him. He could take her, make her his without guilt or reservation. Cate wanted him. Really wanted him. Not for a night. Not for a quick fuck in a bathroom lined with ridiculous wallpaper. But for a lifetime.
“Fucking hell,” he rasped. “You mean it. Just like that, no hesitation at all.”
“Babe,” she said, unleashing an American endearment.
Any other time, he would’ve laughed at her audacity. Right now, all he could do was hold on as she leaned forward. Soft lips brushed his. A gentle kiss full of understanding. A touch meant to reassure and soothe—to help him move toward the mental space she already occupied.
Goddamn.
His female… one-hundred percent spectacular.
So strong she humbled him.
Another soft kiss, and Cate leaned away. “I spent the last month with you in my ear, wanting nothing more to be there while being a world away. I know you, Rannock. I trust you. I’m yours, and you’re mine. We may only have just met, but I’ve been certain of that for a while. Now, can we please—”
Rannock didn’t let her finish.
Accepting her words as gospel, he dipped his head and invaded her mouth. Heated kisses turned into busy hands. She shoved the jacket from his shoulders and dragged his T-shirt up his back. Her lips left his as she yanked it over his head. Cotton left his skin. Small hands landed on his chest. She exploded, touching him everywhere she could reach. Needing her naked, he lifted her arse off the counter.
A quick snap undid her jeans.
A quicker zip bared her to open air.
His fingers slid beneath denim and… all the way in. Slick, hot, and wet met his fingertips. She jerked in his arms, raising her hips, giving him more access, encouraging him as he played in her heat.
One stroke. Another between her folds, then more.
He broke the kiss to watch her squirm. Amping her up, he buried two fingers deep. Her breath hitched. Showing no mercy, he flicked her clit, circling the tight bud, watching her respond, adjusting the pressure, learning what pleased her. Thighs spread wide, she tipped her head back. He upped the pace and shifted her to end of the vanity. Her arse slid along marble. Working her hard, finding all her sensitive spots, he palmed the side of her throat with his free hand.
Her gaze met his.
“Lie back, Cate.”
A needy sound left her throat.
Sinking his fingers deep, he stroked over a place she liked. Twisting, she arched against him. Rannock growled in satisfaction. So close. His mate was so close to coming. With just his fingers inside her. He murmured the instruction again. Cate complied. As her back touched down, she raised her arms and curled her hands around the opposite end of the counter.
“Beautiful, lass.”
“Ran.”
“Hold on, Bellmia. Gonna ride you hard the first time.”
Her hips shifted. “Oh yeah.”
He grinned, then got to work. In seconds, he stripped her down, flipping her boots off, yanking her jeans down and socks off. Scraping his teeth along the arch of her foot, Rannock paused to admire her. Pretty pink lingerie showcasing her beauty. Pale skin on display. Full lips parted. Heated blue eyes pointed at him.
She made a low sound in the back of her throat.
Ignoring the prompt, he ran his hands over her, tracing her curves before cupping her breasts over the lace.
“Ran,” she breathed.
“Christ, you’re glorious, lass. A feast just waiting tae be eaten.”