It wasn’t until late that night that Roman was able to head over to Larissa’s apartment. When he knocked on her door, a strange sense of tension and anticipation floored him. The longing to be close to his mate intensified, especially after spending the day in search of another potential threat.

After Larissa confirmed it was him, she unlocked the three locks and opened the door. When he caught her gaze, the apprehension, that had held him hostage, lifted.

“Larissa.” He stepped over the threshold and caressed her cheek. Her skin was like the softest petals of a blooming rose.

She closed the door and faced him. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

He trailed his fingers down over to her bottom lip. “Me, too.” An urge to take her in his arms grew so strong that he wrapped both around her, perhaps a little too tight for any human.

“Oof.” She gasped. “You must’ve really missed me.” She had a hint of amusement in her voice. “What has it been–a few hours?”

He loosened his grasp and pulled back to search her eyes again. “Still, it’s been too long since we’ve had the chance to be alone.”

Her eyes flickered with questions as she searched him. “Is everything all right?”

He didn’t want to talk about that now. He’d been vigilant for countless hours, chasing a threat that may or may not exist. All he wanted was a short reprieve with the comforting touch of his mate.

“Everything’s fine for the moment. My sentries can reach me if they need to.”

Yet, things might not have gone as well for her. With all the new discoveries about her family and her nature, it was enough to leave anyone on edge, especially in the aftermath of the attack. Larissa was tough and could withstand a lot. He’d witnessed that when she’d held her own against the demons. Yet, she had a vulnerable inner core he was certain few others ever witnessed. To be let inside her secret world as she discovered her true nature as a witch was an honor. An honor for a gargoyle, and an intimate gift for a lover.

“How did everything go at your grandmother’s?”

Her expression contorted with sadness. “She’s sick, Roman. She has cancer.”

He released a sympathetic moan. “I’m so sorry.”

“I don’t think she has long.” She squeezed her hands into fists. “I wish I could do something. But, I can’t. I’m as helpless here as I am with everything else right now. A big fuckin’ incompetent mess!” She rubbed her eyes. “Oh my God, I’m getting riled up, already. My grandmother spent the afternoon trying to teach me to calm my racing emotions through deep breathing. She said that’s key to helping me work with my magic, and then I can use that to try and break through the dark magic inside Janie.”

Roman stepped closer. “How can I help?”

She tilted her head and eyed him with a wondrous expression. “Hold me.”

After he pulled her into his arms, he relished the warmth of her body pressed to his. It comforted him as much as he attempted to ease her distress.

When she pulled away, she searched his eyes. “Your touch whisks my demons away.” Her gaze dropped to his lips. “Distract me from the world caving in.”

Such an irresistible invitation from his mate. He was surprised he hadn’t pounced on her the second he entered her apartment. Years of watching from stone had taught him patience. But, the time for waiting was over.

After lowering his mouth to hers, he caressed her lips with his. Heated sparks tingled his skin, lessening the inner agony of longing for her. A soft sigh escaped her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. Her touch comforted him.

He ran his hands down her back, tracing his fingers over the supple roundness of her ass. After he pulled her body closer, he squeezed her buttocks.

As he moved his lips to kiss down her jawline and over her neck, he murmured into her sweet-smelling skin. “I’ve missed you so much.”

He scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground.

She let out a gasp of surprise. “I wasn’t expecting that.” She laughed. “Next time, give me fair warning.”

He grinned at her. “I’ll give you one right now. Anytime I walk in here and see you, I’m going to want to do just that. So be ready.”

Her face spread into a decadent smile. “I could get used to that kind of greeting from you.”

He carried her into her bedroom and lowered her onto the bed. She scooted back, resting her head on the pillow as she gazed at him. How lucky he was to have someone as beautiful, caring, and courageous as his mate. He would spend every moment they could steal together worshiping her body, so she’d know how much he appreciated her. Even now, he didn’t know where to begin. He wanted to kiss and touch and taste every inch of her.

She’d once described herself as a mess, having issues that her ex couldn’t deal with. Well, that human was a fool. There was nothing about Larissa that Roman couldn’t handle, and wouldn’t want to handle. He admired her, and as a blessing, one he would never take for granted.

“Roman, is everything okay?”

“I’m thinking how lucky I am to have you as my mate.”

Her brows knitted together. “You know, I don’t fully understand how that works.”

“You feel something between us, right?” If not, it would destroy him. No, he wouldn’t let that happen.

Her expression softened in that gentle way he’d only seen when they were alone together. “Of course, I do.” She smiled. “But, you’re killing me. I need you. Don’t make me wait.”

That image made him moan with pleasure. He crawled on top of her and ran his hands over her body as he kissed her neck. He traced along her collarbone with his lips and tongue. When she pulled at his shirt, he leaned back and pulled it over his head.

Her eyes darkened with desire as her gaze traveled down his body. Her hands followed that path, with fingers trailing over and in between the contours, igniting his desire. He instinctively tightened his abs and pushed out his chest, realizing he was flaunting like a peacock for his mate, but enjoying her reaction, nonetheless.

When she reached the top of his pants, she unfastened and unzipped them. He was already achingly hard, but when she stroked his shaft, it twitched with eagerness.

“Take these off,” she said, her voice husky, yet smooth as aged bourbon.

While he removed his pants, she scooted to a sitting position and took off her shirt, revealing a black satin bra. With her eyes fixed on him, she slid her pants and socks over her legs and tossed them to the floor. Her black satin underwear matched the bra. An angel of seduction.

His angel.

She adjusted her position and moved to all fours facing him. The mounds of her breasts presented such an enticing display as their weight spilled into the cups of her bra.

He stood ramrod straight at the side of the bed, entranced by her. She kept her gaze fixed on him as she crawled across the bed. He sucked in a breath. She was only inches from his thighs.

She wrapped her hand around the backs of his legs and stroked with a feather-light touch to the bottom edge of his boxers. She pulled her head up before his erection. The way she gazed at him with her eyes so dark with lust and lips parted made him ache for more.

She ran her lips over the fabric covering his stiff member. “How do you like this?”

A low groan vibrated in his throat. “So much, it’s killing me. I need you.”

She stirred his beast into action, and he took over, laying her on her back. He pounced on top of her and kissed and touched every part of her the way he’d been aching to do.

She sighed with pleasure. “Oh, Roman. That feels so good.”

As he trailed soft kisses on one breast, he said, “I want to spend the night exploring what makes you feel even better.”

Fuck, why did he say that? He didn’t know how long they had. One of his sentries could interrupt at any moment with terrible news.

Since their time might be limited, he’d make the most of it.

Larissa sighed. It was amazing how quickly Roman could get her to forget all her problems for a brief respite. How could she think of anything else with his lips on her skin?

Tremors of awareness rippled through her. She ceased to move, eager for him to continue.

When he licked along the bottom edge of her bra, she moaned. His tongue sent hot shivers of pleasure through her. He thumbed the soft fabric covering her nipples, and they instantly responded to his touch. As he reached for the back of the band, she arched to grant him greater access. He unclasped her bra and freed her breasts. When he pulled back to appraise her, his eyes smoldered with dark desire.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said in a reverent tone.

He leaned forward and claimed her again with a kiss. His tongue snaked in, curling around hers, as he deepened the kiss. His hands traveled down her body, igniting a thousand fires with a feather-light touch on her skin. He moved his mouth to follow the path of his fingers. When he reached a breast, he alternated between licking and sucking each nipple.

She ran her fingers through his hair, seeking purchase as she trembled with anticipation. He trailed his fingers along her side, dancing them down to her hip. His lips followed, between her breasts and down around her navel, setting her ablaze with desire.

“That tickles.” She squirmed beneath him. “And it feels so good.” How he could bring out different responses from her at the same time was mind-boggling, but so was everything she’d discovered about him so far.

He nuzzled her skin at the top seam of her panties. “I’ve been aching for you, Larissa.”

They’d been so crazed in the aftermath of the attack that she’d had little time for fantasies. Images of their previous intimate moments flashed before her, inciting the need building within. She wanted him. Needed him. She’d never needed any man the way she craved him.

Not a man, exactly, but gargoyle shifter. It was hardly the time to think of the difference, not when he distracted her with such delicious pleasure.

When Roman slid her panties down her hips, the air met her hot, naked sex. She raised her hips, and he removed the last article of clothing, sliding them off her legs and tossing them to the floor.

Damn, she had to touch him. She ran her fingers over the hard planes and muscles of his chest, fascinated by his body. How he managed to transform into different forms was utterly perplexing. She wouldn’t have believed it had she not seen him shift. Unreal.

A pleasurable moan emanated from deep within his chest. “I like how you touch me, my mate.”

It was still so foreign and strange that he called her that. He believed they were meant to be together, like some sort of fate or something. One of the many fascinating things about his kind.

“You still have clothes on. We should fix that problem.” She tugged at his boxers.

He obliged by removing them the rest of the way, and his cock sprang free.

“You must need me as much as I need you.”

As he stood before her, naked and fully erect, she raised her eyes to his. “Desperately.”

He lowered his large frame over hers and captured her mouth in a deep kiss. He kissed along her jawline, nuzzling her neck, and renewing his efforts to slowly worship her body.

When he reached her sex, he let out a deep growl. The animalistic sound both frightened and excited her and her heartbeat quickened.

“I have to taste you first.”

No objection from her. He had a way of entrancing her with such pleasurable sensations.

He explored her with a languid stroke, quickly seizing control of all her senses.

“Oh, Roman,” she murmured.

Her muscles relaxed and the earlier tension drifted out of her. As he increased the pressure, she tensed in a more pleasurable way. Sounds of pleasure escaped in between her moans. When he added his fingers, slipping in and out of her channel, she writhed on the bed and grasped at the sheets.

She clutched them tighter as he pushed her closer. Damn, she was quivering, completely under his spell. He pushed her forward, relentless, until she crashed over the edge.

“Oh my God–Roman....”

Her climax went on as she exploded like a burst of stars on a silent night. Roman kept his mouth on her as her body quaked. Waves of intensity rippled through her, slowly subsiding as the pieces of her shattered body floated back to her and rejoined, making her whole once again.

When he pulled away, she clutched his muscular biceps. “I need you inside me. Now.”

He slid his body against hers and teased her with his erection. She reached for him with impatience and let out a small cry of protest. He slipped the tip in and paused. She eased back onto the bed, bracing for the intense penetration. He pushed into her slowly, allowing her body to adjust to his presence. Once she’d adjusted to the delicious way he stretched her, she held onto his lower back and pulled him deeper still.

“Oh, fuck,” he murmured. “You feel so good.”

“Yes,” she cried.

It felt phenomenal. Why hadn’t they found some more time alone in the craziness? It made the world seem less insane when they found their sliver of paradise. Like they could somehow handle all the problems the world threw at them if they were together—a more powerful force joined than they could ever be alone. It connected them on some deeper level; something beyond what she understood.

“You’re exquisite, my mate.”

Mate. The skeptic within reminded her it was too much, too soon. Sure, he was the best lover she’d had. And yes, she believed they were meant to be together, despite all the rational arguments reminding her otherwise, scoffing that it wasn’t logical to fall for someone so quickly.

She had four words for rational thought at the moment–shut the fuck up.

When he drove into her, it silenced her thoughts. She abandoned herself into the sensations and forgot all the complications that existed outside their embrace. He was her sanctuary from the world. Her shelter. One who’d vowed to protect her. For someone so independent and closed off from feeling too much, yes, it was a bit much. But he was freakin’ worth it.

He’d started off by pumping into her with slow, even thrusts, but as the intensity increased, he pounded into her with wild abandon. When he let out a feral growl, it excited her on some primal level.

“Yes, Roman. More.” She clutched at him, rushing into that secret wilderness where only the two of them existed.