As much as Wonder was fascinated by all the things Annani had been telling her, it was already evening, and the goddess didn’t show any signs of being ready to dismiss her.

In her previous life, Wonder, or rather Gulan, would’ve said nothing and waited patiently for Annani to be done. This time around, however, she was going to assert herself. Politely, of course, and with as much deference as Annani deserved, but she wasn’t going to jump and obey the goddess’s every whim with no regard for her own needs and wishes.

If she were to resume her post as Annani’s companion and bodyguard, she’d better define the new rules of engagement from the start.

Rule number one, Wonder hadn’t addressed Annani as ‘my lady’ even once.

At first, she’d had to force herself to squeeze out the goddess’s given name, but with each subsequent utterance, it had become easier, until it felt completely natural.

On her part, Annani seemed delighted by it.

“Okidu is about to serve dinner,” Syssi said. “He is asking that we take our seats at the dining table.”

Kian’s wife had returned from work more than an hour ago, but she’d gone to her bedroom to give them privacy.

It was time to go home.

“Thank you for inviting me, but I need to get going. Anandur must miss me.” Wonder rose to her feet.

Annani didn’t try to stop her, which was a relief since Wonder wasn’t sure she had the guts to insist.

Following her to the door, the goddess pulled Wonder into a quick hug. “Are you ready to leave tomorrow?” She glanced back to see if Syssi was still there. “I do not wish to outstay my welcome,” she whispered. “Kian is stressed enough as it is, and playing host to his mother does not contribute to his peace of mind. I should let him and Syssi return to their routine.”

Wonder had been expecting that, just not so soon. Only she should’ve known better. Once Annani set her mind on something, she didn’t wait. It was full speed forward from the get-go.

“I need to check with Anandur. He said that he’d already asked Kian for a transfer, but I don’t know if he can leave by tomorrow.”

Annani smiled. “And I guess that you are not willing to leave without him.”

“I can’t. The thought of not seeing him for more than a few hours makes me feel physically uncomfortable.”

With a sigh, Annani put a hand over her heart. “Love. I still remember how it feels.” She patted Wonder’s arm. “I kept you long enough. Go to your guy.” She gave her a gentle push out the door. “Just let me know when the two of you are ready to leave.”

“I will.”

Wonder didn’t walk home, she ran, crossing the distance which usually took ten minutes at a leisurely stroll in less than three.

She halted at the door, deliberating whether she should knock or just walk in. Officially, she’d moved in, but it had been only yesterday. She hadn’t even moved her things here or said goodbye to her roommates.

Not that her meager possessions were a problem.

Last night, Okidu had delivered her trip suitcase to Anandur’s, and most of what she owned was inside it, but she still had a few things at her old place, and she needed to say thank you and goodbye to Gertrude and Hildegard.

In fact, she would have to say goodbye to a lot of people she’d grown to care for.

With a sigh, Wonder reached for the handle, but the door opened before her hand made contact with it.

Without saying a word, Anandur crushed her against his bare chest and kissed her like he hadn’t seen her in weeks. She rubbed against him, feeling the same urgency to get as close as possible to her mate.

Talking could wait, as could dinner. Right now Wonder had only one thing on her mind. “Take me to bed.”

“Yes, ma’am!” Anandur lifted her up, turned around, kicked the door closed, took two long steps into the living room, and deposited her on the couch. “This is closer.”

He had her naked in seconds.

At first, Anandur tried to slow down, kissing and caressing to prepare her.

But Wonder lost patience in moments. She didn’t need the foreplay, she was as ready as a female could get, throbbing with the need to be filled.

“I want you inside me now.”

Between one breath and another, Anandur pulled off his jeans and cast them aside. Fisting his shaft, he positioned it at her entrance.

“Yes!”

As the tip touched her wetness, he groaned. “You’re so ready for me, lass.”

She was. So what the hell was he waiting for?

Like a lioness in heat, she arched up on a harsh growl.

Eyes glowing and fangs dripping venom, Anandur looked mindless with need as he surged inside her, filling her with one hard thrust.

They both groaned, their arms tightening around each other like they were never letting go.

At the back of Wonder’s mind, a thought skittered by. Was this the result of the addiction Anandur had been talking about?

If it was, she saw nothing wrong with it.

Their lovemaking wasn’t tender.

The ferocity of need made their coupling more explosive than ever. Wonder welcomed the total abandon, the lack of rational thought, the bruising hold they had on each other. Even the animalistic growls coming out of her own throat didn’t alarm her.

Consumed by lust for her mate, she gave herself up to the pleasure.