Hera should be protesting sleeping with a man who was in love with another woman, but the sad truth was she desired him. Their attraction was growing stronger, and if she wasn’t careful, she’d fall hopelessly in love with him and be miserable. Maybe if she indulged in this one time, he’d heal, then set her free. If she didn’t, he’d be in misery and could even die. That she couldn’t let happen. Especially if she possessed the power to heal him.

Damon pulled her down onto the bed. Even wounded and beaten, he manipulated his hands, his lips, and his tongue to awaken her desire. He devoured her mouth, leaving her dazed, chasing away her doubts.

She took the lead and gently rolled on top of him, almost laughing at his surprised look. She plundered her lips down the length of his bruised throat, discovering every sensitive spot. His salty skin was something she’d never tasted before–not like a man’s skin–but delicious, exhilarating, and stimulating. The same fluttering power stirred inside her. It pushed harder and harder and harder against her ribs as if it wanted to be unleashed.

Suddenly, he groaned.

She immediately stopped. What was she thinking? He was hurt, and all she could think about was satisfying her own desire. She stared into his hooded eyes. “I’m so sorry. Am I hurting you? Should I get off you?”

“No, I want you right here,” he whispered coarsely. “Don’t stop.”

Before she could answer, he slid his hands up the back of her shirt and unclasped her bra, freeing her breasts. His growing erection pushed against her jeans.

She gasped. “Damon.”

He brushed his thumbs over her nipples, turning them to hard buds.

Desire reflected in his eyes. “I want to see you.”

Her boldness lessened at his command, and she hesitated.

“Please,” he begged.

He’d done so much for his people, risking his life. He’d protected her in the bar twice––once inside and the next outside. This was even before he knew her. She couldn’t deny him.

She slowly pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it onto the floor, followed by her bra.

Dropping his hands, he smiled. “You’re beautiful.”

Cold rushed over her where his hands had kept her warm, and she shivered.

His heated gaze mesmerized her. He put his hands on her belly, and she sucked in her breath, then he cupped and squeezed her breasts. She was breathing hard, wanting him to do more, but was too afraid to ask.

As if knowing what she wanted, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her toward him. He shifted his body to a different position and hissed.

“Damon, you’re hurting yourself.”

“No, I want this.” His lips captured one breast, taking one nipple into his hot mouth, and he suckled greedily.

She arched her back so he could take more of her flesh inside his wicked mouth. Each time she gasped, each time she moaned or groaned, he’d tug gently on her nipple with his teeth and then lick it with his rough tongue, caressing it until she was shaking with need. Sweet, shuddering spasms rippled through her body. She cried out shamelessly, cradling his head to her breast, her hands clawing through his thick blond hair.

His warm breath heated her skin, and he lapped his tongue all over her body. The stubble on his jaw chafed her skin while his other hand kneaded and teased her other breast, pulling and pinching her nipple. Her heartbeat danced in delight as desire drummed inside her.

He looked up at her. “Take off your jeans.”

“What?” She pushed his hair back as her befuddled brain tried to comprehend his command.

“Now.”

His voice was so husky and demanding that goosebumps broke out all over her sultry skin. As if in a trance, she got off the bed and shed her jeans and underwear. She covered herself with her hands, not wanting to see disappointment in his eyes.

“Remove your hands,” he whispered.

She forced herself to lower her trembling hands. He flickered his gaze over her, not saying a word. Her heart thumped so loud that she thought he’d hear how nervous she was. Her hands twitched, and she rubbed one foot over the other. It wouldn’t have been so bad if he was as naked as she was. She wouldn’t have felt so vulnerable, but standing in her glory, there was nothing to hide. All she could think about was if he was wishing Cosima was here instead of her.

He stretched out his hand. “Come here.”

She numbly obeyed, trying to read whether he was disappointed, but she couldn’t tell. She wasn’t sure, but she thought some of the swelling on his lips had gone down. Maybe it was just her imagination.

He pulled her onto the bed and gently kissed her. “You’re lovely.”

She wanted to believe him. He pushed her onto her back, then rolled on top of her. His body bathed her in warmth. He covered her lips with his, kissing her thoroughly. She met his demanding lead, amazed by his stamina. A man wouldn’t be able to do the feats he was doing, but then again, he wasn’t a human. He was a Zalarian and a shape-shifting dragon.

He skimmed the length of her leg, then his fingers caressed her soft thatch of dark hair, stealing her breath. At first he was stroking gently, but then he inserted a finger, moving it back and forth, probing deeper, igniting a passion within her. She squirmed beneath him, but he wasn’t through with her. His kiss was more demanding, more determined, more powerful, sucking the very life out of her.

He slowly left her lips. “I need to taste you.”

She was panting, too wrapped up with the tingling sensations overwhelming her to answer.

He licked and sucked his way down her torso. His hot mouth paid attention to each breast, laving them with an expertise that left her wriggling with desire. The power within her was building stronger, her heart speeding into a frantic state, blood surging through her like a runaway river, and she was suddenly afraid–afraid she wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“Damon,” she gasped.

But he didn’t answer as he edged down to her quivering belly, his tongue circling inside her button. She cried out as the first orgasm hit her, and she arched off the bed, screaming. It was almost too much, too powerful, too scary.

“I don’t know if I can handle this,” she panted.

“Yes, you can.”

He parted her trembling thighs, then in a quick instant, he removed his finger and his mouth was on her. She thought she would have jumped off the bed and hit the ceiling if it wasn’t for his large body pinning her. His probing tongue spurred another wave of desire within her, and the same power built inside her, demanding to be released. She wanted to tell him to stop, but she couldn’t think, couldn’t talk.

She moved her hands to his massive shoulders, and instead of pushing him away, clung tight as another orgasm hit her hard. She screamed out his name, digging her nails into his flesh. It broke every boundary inside her, as if something had been hidden and was now awake. Each time their bodies moved a crackling friction spread over her like wildfire.

He pulled away from her and smiled. “So passionate, you are.”

Heat rose over her face, but then she sucked in her breath. “Your face. The bruises are gone!”

“Thanks to you.” He smiled. “But we’re not done.”

He got off the bed, and in one quick movement jerked off his clothes. He still had purplish-blue bruises on his torso, but they weren’t as severe. He slowly crawled up her trembling body, kissing and licking as he went. She didn’t know if she could handle a third orgasm.

“Open your legs.”

She stared at his handsome face, panting and quaking beneath him, but she slowly did as he asked. She expected him to enter her slowly, but she was wrong. He slammed his cock into her wet sheath in one quick movement and thrust inside her again and again. Astonishingly, she matched his rhythm, driving him deeper and deeper inside her. Heavens to Betsy, she couldn’t breathe. Her heart pounded harder than a ramming billy goat.

She put her hands on his back and actually felt the burned and crinkled flesh turning smooth. She wanted to say something, but the crazy pace escalated into a turbulent storm. A furious frenzy gushed inside her, exploding into a fiery release. The orgasm clenched her like never before, and whatever was inside fragmented. Light burst into the room as if the blinding sun had suddenly moved inside Damon’s quarters. Hera winced and closed her eyes tight. The bed rocked violently then stopped abruptly.

He cried out, and in one final thrust, spilled his seed deep inside her. He collapsed on top of her, and they both lay there, stunned.

She clutched his shoulders tight. “What the hell just happened? Is that normal for your species?”

For a minute, she thought he’d passed out, but he finally lifted his head. “Species? I thought we were beyond that. And no, this isn’t normal.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Well, I haven’t either.”

Something was different inside her. She didn’t know what it was, but her skin tightened and tickled and tingled. Power cloaked her like a blanket of fairy dust. She had to be imagining this. The sex just had been incredible–no mind-blowing, awesome. It would be so hard to leave Damon, but she’d made up her mind, she wasn’t going to be the runner-up to Ms. America.

“Wait a minute.” He caressed her face with his hand. “I can’t believe it. It’s…it’s gone.”

She frowned. “Great balls of fire, you’re kidding?” She rubbed his back, searching for the slightest blemish, but her hands only moved over smooth skin. “You’re right. I don’t feel anything.”

That wasn’t true. His muscles rippled beneath her, and his strength intimidated her, since he could easily crush her if he wanted.

He ran the tips of his fingers down her side. “I don’t feel it inside me. The voice is finally dead.”

She trembled at the soft caress, trying to concentrate and ignoring his pulsing hips. “But how? I don’t know what happened.”

“I think,” he hesitated. “I think the light came from you.”

Not wanting to believe it, she glared. “You’re crazier than a sprayed cockroach.”

He frowned. “What’s a cockroach?”

“A bug that goes nuts when its sprayed with Raid.”

“What’s–”

“A bug-killer.”

He shrugged. “It still doesn’t change anything. A golden aura came over you, and then it emitted in the whole room. Do you feel any different?”

She wasn’t sure she should tell him. He might be her mate, but he’d not once said he cared about her. All he kept saying was that he was confused. Not exactly what she’d wanted to hear. “It’s was just the best sex I’ve ever had. That’s all.”

He gave her a doubtful look but didn’t press her, luckily. She’d just lied, but she wasn’t fixing to answer a million questions, especially since telling the truth wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans.

Because she had no freaking clue what had happened.