Ivy’s phone beeped as they arrived back at their house. Hugh’s whole body thirsted to stay in contact with her, but he reluctantly relinquished her hand so that she could answer it. The brief separation was worth it though, for the way her expression changed into a relieved, thankful smile as she listened to the voicemail message.

“That was Betty,” Ivy said, lowering the phone again. “Apparently Hope woke up, demanded one of everything from the vending machine, and is currently asleep in a pile of empty cans and chocolate bar wrappers.”

“Sounds like she’s going to be fine,” he said, smiling back. “Do you want us to go pick her up?”

Ivy shook her head. “Betty says the doctors still want to keep her in under observation for a while.”

He reclaimed her hand. He never, ever wanted to be parted from her for a second longer than was strictly necessary. A deep, quiet joy filled him as her strong fingers intertwined through his.

“Then we have the house to ourselves tonight,” he said, drawing her up the stairs.

Ivy’s lips parted a little, her breath coming faster. Nonetheless, she hesitated in the doorway to the bedroom.

He paused too. A part of him—a very specific part—wanted to pull her straight into bed. But even more than that, he wanted this to be right for her. That meant that she had to come to him whole-heartedly, without reservations or fear.

“Are you still nervous?” he asked.

She dropped her gaze, peeked up at him shyly through her dark lashes. “A little.”

He raised their joined hands to his lips. She drew in her breath as he gently kissed the tips of her fingers, lingering over each one.

“You won’t hurt me,” he murmured.

“I know.” Her cheeks flushed a delicious pink as she made a vague, embarrassed gesture at his crotch. “But, uh, I’ve seen how big you are. And this is my first time like this.”

He let out a low chuckle, relief sweeping over him as he realized the true reason for her hesitation. “Oh. Don’t worry, Ivy. I won’t hurt you. I’ll make sure of that.”

She raised her eyebrows at him, a naughty smile tugging at her mouth. “But this is your first time too. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“Trust me,” he said, pulling her into his arms. “I’m a doctor.”

She let out a giggle, which turned into a startled laugh as he twirled her around and flung her onto the bed. He covered her body with his own, stretching her arms above her head, their hands still intertwined. She arced up eagerly to him as he bent his head down to claim her mouth.

Oh, it was even better than he’d remembered. He kissed her leisurely, deeply, and she opened like a flower to him. Nothing holding them back from each other. Nothing coming between them.

Except, of course, far too many clothes.

Despite the impatience singing through his blood, he made himself take his time. He savored the sweetness of her lips, the heat of her mouth, every little breathy sound of pleasure she made.

She kissed him back with equal fervor, exploring him in return. Together, they learned the shape of each other’s desire, until they were both gasping, their interlocked fingers clenched tight with the effort of holding back.

Breaking away from her mouth, he kissed his way along her jaw to her ear. “How do wyverns mate?” he murmured.

“I—ah!” Her hips jerked underneath him as he nibbled at her earlobe. “I have—no idea. Don’t stop.”

He laughed under his breath. “Wasn’t planning to.” He nipped gently at her neck, and was rewarded with another one of those delicious, helpless moans. “Well in that case, we’ll just do whatever feels right.”

What felt right to him at the moment was to get rid of these increasingly irritating clothes. Drawing back, he pulled her upright, off the bed. She was as eager as him, undoing his shirt buttons even as he unfastened her jeans. There was a mutually awkward, impatient moment of tangled limbs and cloth…and then they were both bare to each other at last.

All the breath left his lungs at the sight of her glorious, naked curves. He had to close his eyes for a moment, fighting for control.

He very nearly lost it again as Ivy’s hot mouth closed over his own nipple. His cock jerked, seeping helplessly in response to her slow, circling tongue. It was all he could do not to throw her onto her back and thrust into her there and there.

She made a smug little sound of delight, deep in her throat. Her hands stroked over his clenched abs, exploring every line, then traced the sharp lines of his hipbones. Every light touch seared him like fire. It was a glorious agony, all-consuming yet leaving him desperate for more.

He caught her wrists, forcing her away. “My turn now,” he said, his voice hoarse with desire. “Please.”

She pouted a little, but allowed him to push her back down onto the bed. He knelt down on the floor, between her parted knees. Her soft thighs trembled as he gently urged them further apart.

Finally, finally she was revealed to him, in all her magnificent splendor. Her plump, pink folds were wet for him, eager and welcoming. With both thumbs, he spread her even further, adoring the way she gasped and arced into his touch. Her scent beckoned to him.

He dipped his head, finally able to do what he’d dreamed of doing, every night since they’d first met. Slowly, savoring every second, he ran his tongue up her slick folds.

From the first taste, he was lost—addicted to her forevermore. He devoured her more deeply, his fingers digging into her hips to pull her more firmly to his mouth.

Ivy’s thighs clenching around his head, her fingers tangling in his hair. Her release burst in a wave of sweetness, the pulsing waves of her pleasure throbbing against his tongue. The blood pounded in his cock in answer, so hard that for a moment he teetered on coming there and then.

“Now.” Ivy tugged at his hair, pulling him up with insistent urgency. “Now, Hugh, oh please, now!”

He couldn’t hold back any longer. He joined her on the bed, sliding his hands under the stunning curves of her ass. Kneeling between her legs, he supported her hips, getting just the right angle.

Slow, slow, slow. He had to be slow, no matter how she writhed and thrust in desperation.

Teeth gritting, he held her back, making her take him slowly. Inch by inch, she enveloped him, and God, it was better than dreams.

The faintest hint of resistance, and he made himself stop—but Ivy whined, her legs wrapping round him with irresistible force. There was nothing but drunk, dazed pleasure in her face as she pushed onto him. And at last, at last he was fully there, joined to her at last.

Her silken depths enfolded him, driving all other sensation away. He was blind to everything but her. Urgent instinct gripped him, setting a fierce, insistent rhythm. He drove into her again and again, each stroke better than the last as she tightened around him.

“Hugh!” Ivy clawed at his back, her eyes wide and dark with animal need. Her arms wrapped around his neck, straining to pull him closer to her bared teeth. “I want—I need—“

He knew what she wanted. As he made one last, deep thrust, he pulled her close to him, giving her his throat. Her teeth bit deep into the side of his neck.

Ecstasy exploded through him. He emptied endlessly into her, pouring himself out in hard, shuddering pulses. Even as he did, he felt her mind pour into his. As their bodies united, so did their souls.

My mate, he cried out silently, knowing that she could hear him again now. My mate!

My mate, she echoed, her own mental voice soft with wonder.

No, said a different voice.

It was almost Ivy’s, but not quite—harsher, wilder, with a core of utter certainty. Emerald eyes flashed in his mind, staring into his soul with the merciless focus of a hunting predator.

We will have all of you, Ivy’s wyvern snarled. How dare you hide? All of you is ours, always, forever. You are our mate, and we claim you, NOW!

A storm of wings and fury struck through him, even more intense than orgasm. The wyvern dove into the void at his core without hesitation, disappearing into the darkness.

And then—