He nods. “Though, I want what you want, even if it means staying at Qualtechnics.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. Now that I’ve tried being a fairy, I can’t imagine just doing HR work. Though, I’d still like to put in my two weeks’ notice and try to do what I can to make sure we hire someone good who will take care of the employees after I’m gone.”
“We can do that,” he says.
“So your kingdom…” I trail off, unsure what to say about it.
“They’re fine,” he says flatly. “I’m not sure what was going on with those letters. I’ll have to figure that out later. But my family is totally fine. In fact, they’re doing even better without me.”
“How?”
“I guess because they love me, and because I trained them, and they wanted to do well so I’m not stressed.”
My heart feels warm at the thought of Tanner having such wonderful people supporting him. I’m sure when I meet them, I’ll definitely form bonds.
“So yes, we should go there when we’re ready. Just so you can see my world and meet my family. But for now, I’m happy here in the human world with you.” He cups my cheek now, stroking one thumb lightly over my skin. “I want to go sit in the park with you. Throw balls for dogs with you. Make love to you. Laugh with you. Protect you forever.”
“Me too,” I say, smiling into his hand because his touch just feels so perfect. “This soul bond thing, it really is powerful, isn’t it?”
“Yes, but we’re also perfect together.”
“The VP and the commander?” I laugh. “I suppose so.” I clear my throat. “Speaking of which, your friends are still trying to find and protect other beacons, right?”
He nods.
“I think it might be fun to help out with that. Or any other way I can use my powers to help in this or any world.”
He grins. “Now you’re talking.” He pulls me in against his chest, keeping me close. “Honestly, as long as we have each other, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
The world seems bright now in a way it didn’t before.
The future is so open, and even though everything I thought mattered is lying in shambles behind me, somehow I know that was never truly my home.
I tried to fit in at Qualtechnics, but the truth is I never could quite get them to see the way I did.
Now my desire to actually help and protect people can be put to good use.
I pull back from him, taking in a big breath, then releasing it. “So what do you want to do now?”
“We’re good?” he asks, dark eyes sparkling.
“More than good,” I say. “We’re perfect.”
He grins. “Then maybe… for our bond…”
I smile, feeling warmth move through me as my bond swirls with his. After our fight, I long to connect with him.
To put all the danger, all the frustration, all of our stubbornness behind us.
And just hold him in my arms.
“Okay, big guy,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck as he stands, picking me up easily. “To the bedroom, commander of darkness!” I say, pointing my finger bossily.
“Aye-aye, princess,” he says as he carries me down the hall.
30
Eva
Tanner kisses me as he lays me back on the bed, and as every nerve in my body comes alive in anticipation, there’s no question in my mind.
He’s the only one for me, and we were always meant to be right here, right now, together.
He kisses along my jaw, making me arch back with a gasp, and nuzzles against me.
There’s something about how this big, powerful man can be so affectionate sometimes and so dangerous at others.
I don’t think I could love him any more if I tried.
“You’re all I want, all I need, Eva.” His voice is husky as he pins me with his gaze.
My entire body is already going hot and languid, and I’m wet and ready for more.
Every day, I know I will hunger for him.
And him for me.
He lowers his head and takes my mouth hungrily, fiercely, possessively, as if there was always a part of him holding back, unsure I would want him, but he’s utterly confident now.
And he should be.
As he kisses me, warming me down to my toes, all fear, worry, or stress that may be in the background of my mind is fading, replaced by a pure sense of need.
To be closer. To feel his love for me. To let my body feel everything.
To show him how much I want him by my side.
His tongue strokes mine, and I open more so he can go deeper. No matter how intensely he kisses, it’s never enough.
It only teases, makes me want him more, which is probably his intent based on the way he smiles against my lips when he pulls back and I let out a mewl of impatience.
He comes back, parting his lips with mine again, stroking in possessively, claiming me even deeper than ever before, and I kiss him back fiercely, letting him know he has a partner now.
Someone who can give as good as they take. Someone who won’t let anyone hurt him either.
God, it feels good to know I have the power to watch the one I love’s back.
My arms pull him closer, and he props himself up with only one elbow to use his other arm to hold me as well.
With my body pressed to him like this, I can feel every hard muscle, every bit of strength flexing and tensing against my softer body.
When he breaks away, we’re both panting, already so caught up in the moment it’s like I’m swimming in a haze of want.
I reach for his shirt, pulling it over his head to reveal a perfect, ripped abdomen, the hard body of a warrior.
He works on my shirt, gently pulling it over my head and tossing it to the side. Then our hands are hungrily pushing at each other’s pants, then underwear.
It feels like I’ll die if I can’t get him naked.
He easily unhooks and pushes aside my bra, the last thing between us, and moves both of his hands over my breasts, using his thumbs to gently please my already hard nipples.
At the same time, he comes down to softly kiss and nip at my neck, and shocks of pleasure make my legs tense and go rigid, but I slowly relax as I remember that no matter how strong this may feel, with him, it’s safe to just give in.
One hand leaves my breast to move down between my legs, stroking expertly as I writhe and gasp out his name.
He sits up slightly, his eyes intense as he moves harder, faster, pushing my body toward a release I couldn’t stop if I wanted to. And those black eyes are burning me as he watches my every movement.”
“You’ll always be mine,” he says, his voice rough. “From now until forever.”
“Yes,” I reply, my voice almost inaudible above the sound of my heartbeat in my ears, the rising pleasure that’s about to explode in me.
“Eva, you’re so damn beautiful. Come for me, baby.”
His finger strokes just the right way over me, and I orgasm immediately. Tanner sits back, kneeling between my legs, one hand gently caressing my sex and the other cupping my hip as I buck and arch against the mattress.
Everything he does to me is just out of this world.
And when he comes down to take my mouth in a deep kiss again, I can’t help but feel the bright-blue light inside me glowing, connecting and sealing itself to the darkness I can now see swirling in the air around him.