I paced the suite while I waited for the Duke of Marquis to return to the hotel. There was an agent posted outside of the door.

My insides melted. Brion was gorgeous and sexy. Funny and smart. He was a billionaire duke. And all this time he had been hiding a secret—he was a bear shifter. It was something so dark and mysterious I didn’t know how to process it. I didn’t know how I had landed here. Why I was here. But none of that mattered. I wanted him. I wanted us.

There was a story to explore. A man to discover. And I wasn’t backing down from the challenge. I didn’t know him long or well, but I knew he meant every word he said. And I couldn’t wait for those words to come true. He wanted to make me his. Completely his.

My body was already on fire waiting for him. I didn’t know how much longer I could pace like this inside his suite.

I wasn’t sure what time it was when the door finally opened.

I threw my arms around his neck and jumped onto him, wrapping my legs around him as he held me.

I kissed him with salty kisses as the tears blended between us. I was flooded with emotion. The anticipation had overwhelmed me.

“I guess you did miss me,” he teased.

I nodded. “So much.”

He walked me to the master bedroom. The doors locked behind us as he lowered me to the bed.

I watched in awe as his pants slid to the floor. I wiggled out of my skirt and threw my blouse on the floor. He growled, watching me undress. I didn’t know my body could react the way it did to a single sound. But I realized now it was his mating call to me. He was drawing me to him with a promise.

“I got here as fast as I could,” he explained, dragging my panties down my legs. He threw them on the dresser.

I nodded. “It wasn’t fast enough,” I teased.

He pushed a finger inside my pussy and I hissed, bucking off the bed.

“Not fast enough?”

“Oh shit,” I whimpered as he began to pump it in and out of me. I tried to roll away, but he held me down, reveling in the way he could make me wet so quickly.

“This is the day I make you mine,” he groaned. “The day you’re my mate.”

“Tell me,” I whispered. “I’ll do anything to be yours.”

“You’re killing me, Sabrina. You’re so perfect. So beautiful and sexy.”

He crawled on the bed. His huge frame towered over me. Over six feet of sculpted muscle and perfection was ready to claim me. My legs opened wide.

He grinned. “So perfect.”

“I want it. I want you.” I breathed heavily, feeling my chest rise and fall with rapid breaths. My nipples were hard and pointed toward the ceiling.

Brion kissed me before he withdrew, showing me the most incredible sight—his fangs extended like long glistening daggers. Shit. A shot of panic raced through my veins.

He pushed his cock inside me and we started a frenzied rhythm. He slammed into me, thrusting with exquisite force until we were both on the brink of our climax.

He eyed my breasts and I knew the fangs had a purpose. I arched toward him, offering my soft tits.

“Fuck, baby.” He licked his lips and began lapping at my nipples.

I pulled him closer and tighter and then I felt the white-hot pain as he slashed against my skin. I cried out, but soon the pain turned to pure pleasure as he began to drink from my spilled blood. I looked down and realized it wasn’t blood at all. He was lapping honey.

I watched in bewilderment and ecstasy as he performed the same ritual on my other nipple. As soon as he fangs sliced against him, I felt a zing of electricity in my core. I clutched at his massive cock. He sucked harder and I screamed, knowing my orgasm had peaked.

“That’s it,” he coaxed. “Just like that. Come on my cock. Come while I fuck you. Come for me, cher.”

“I-I’m yours, Brion,” I screamed to the ceiling as the rain cascaded on me. He thrust into me, grunting and growling.

I clawed at his back, searching for gravity, but there was none to find. We were spiraling dizzy and warm in our own sphere of heat and lust.

Brion pumped harder and faster until I felt his back tense under my palms.

“You’re mine, Sabrina. Mine.”

He roared as he emptied his seed inside me and I felt the heat of his essence coat my walls. He collapsed against my chest, kissing my neck in urgent fervor.

“Oh my God,” I whispered.

“Are you all right?” he asked, tucking me against his chest.

I ran my fingers against his skin. We were both sweaty and glowing. “Yes. I feel amazing.”

He kissed my forehead. His hand traveled to my belly.

I looked in his eyes. “That thing you did? I didn’t bleed when you bit me.”

He shook his head. “No. You won’t ever bleed when I do that.”

I sighed. “It was the most erotic experience of my life. I don’t think I could describe it.” I nuzzled in closer to him.

“I’m glad you liked it.” He chuckled.

“Loved it,” I corrected.

“It will always be like this between us.”

For a second I wondered if he was trying to be funny or promise me something to convince me I had made the right decision, but there was nothing but truth in his eyes.

“You are my mate, Sabrina. Forever. The mother of my cubs. The light of my world.”

I nodded. “And you’re the light of mine.” I brought his lips on my mouth for a kiss. I inhaled him, falling more in love than I could imagine.

Brion sighed. “You realize I’m supposed to fly back to Freychon tonight.”

“Oh.”

He tipped my chin upward. “And you will be flying with me.”

My frown turned to a smile. “Really?”

“Yes. Really. We have a lot to figure out, but this is forever.” He pressed my stomach. “We’re a family now.”

“There’s no way I’m pregnant.”

He winked. “Oh you will be before we leave Sangreaux.”

I giggled as he pulled me underneath his gorgeous body. “Is that so?” I teased.

“It’s a promise, Sabrina. And this duke never breaks his promises.”

He pulled the sheet over our heads and we got lost in each other for the rest of the day, and the night.

Nothing about falling in love with a duke was going to be easy. But falling for his bear was as simple as breathing. I looked in his eyes and knew the rest of our lives had started in this moment.

* * *

I’ve added a few special treats for you in this one, so keep reading!