Turquoise ocean waves rippled onto the shoreline, lapping at Bex’s toes. Soaking up the sunshine was a dream come true. She still couldn’t believe she was lounging on a Hawaiian beach with Thane. Stone had offered them the use of his vacation home complete with a private beach for as long as they wanted to stay. It was beyond generous on his part, but Bex knew the reason why he’d done it.

With a madman on the loose, Thane had been adamant about her safety. They flew to Maui to lay low while Stone and Jensen investigated the incident at the research institute. After her abduction, the dean had shut down the lab. It wasn’t like she wanted to go back, not after what had happened. But it was sad to see her accomplishments flushed down the toilet.

There was a part of her that wanted to believe she’d found her dad, the little girl inside her wanted it to be true. The fact was she really didn’t know what to believe. All she knew was how she felt right now. Every fiber of her being knew she was right where she belonged, right here with Thane.

Not being tied down to her research was a good thing. It gave her time to reevaluate her priorities, to spend quality time with Thane, and plan for their future together. She couldn’t wait to introduce him to her parents. She’d even kept her promise and learned how to fly. Thane was an excellent instructor with mind-blowing ways to encourage her to overcome her fears. Once she got the hang of it, he took her up into the Haleakāla Mountains. From the sky, the view below was breathtaking. Lush rainforest and lava fields mixed together, creating a piece of heaven on Earth. The island’s beauty inspired them and they made love behind a secluded waterfall.

Overcome by the memory, she glanced at Thane who was sitting next to her as he took Stone’s call. It was their weekly update chat, and by the sound of it, there was still no progress in the case. It never failed, every time she looked at him her heart melted. His wet, dark hair glistened from their recent dip in the ocean. Her gaze followed the path of one of the droplets as it rolled down his abdomen and disappeared into the waistband of his swim trunks. She felt his fiery gaze before they looked at each other. And there it was, that primal attraction. Her dragon purred just thinking about him between her legs, licking and sucking her to ecstasy.

Turned on, she mouthed the words, get off the phone and reached over and tugged the waistband of his suit.

“Stone, I’ll call you back.” Thane tossed his cell and crawled on top of her.

“So, are Stone and Jensen any closer in finding my da—,” she corrected herself, “Dr. Valstrath?”

Thane looked up from kissing her neck. “Not yet. They had a few leads, but nothing solid.”

“So, that means we’re staying here longer, right?” she teased.

“Baby, we can stay as long as you want.”

“I love it here, but I do miss Ember Brooke and Dorothea. I’ve been craving her cinnamon buns.”

“Maybe she can send us some.” He winked.

“Can’t hurt to ask.”

“Oh, I have a surprise for you.” Thane shot up and instantly she missed his warmth. “Now don’t get mad at me.” He took a white envelope out of their beach bag and handed it to her.

She sat up and gave him a playful glare, then opened the letter. Her eyes darted back and forth and grew wider the more she read. “Thane, I—”

“Listen,” he laid back down beside her, propping himself up with his arm. “I know you said you didn’t want to go back to the institute, so I made a few calls, pulled a few strings, and got you an interview with the dean of Ember Brooke University. He said he’d consider reviewing your research.”

“Thane, I don’t know what to say.”

He teased her arm with light caresses. “With your credentials, you’ll have no problem getting in. You need this. I want you to be happy.” He leaned in and kissed her shoulder, sending a shiver down her spine.

“I am happy,” she said breathlessly as he nipped at her collarbone. God, she loved his lips.

“Tell me you’ll at least agree to the interview.” He tugged on her bikini strap, easily untying it.

She knew exactly what he was up to and it wasn’t fair, but she didn’t care. Thane crawled on top of her, spreading her legs with his thick thighs. His lips never left her body. “This isn’t fair,” she moaned, leaning her head back, inviting him to devour more of her.

“So, you’ll call and set up the interview?”

She sucked in a breath as he cupped her breasts and teased her nipples.

“Yes.” Bex wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down on top of her. “Thank you for thinking about me and my career.”

“Baby.” He caressed her cheek. “Making you happy makes me happy. I love you, Bex, forever.”

Tears welled in her eyes, tears of complete joy. She’d finally found peace in life, and he was staring down at her, filling her heart with love. She reached up and cradled his face between her hands. “Thane, you’ve showed me what it feels like to be loved. I’m honored to be your mate and I promise to love you with all that’s in me.”

“Promise?” He grinned.

“Promise.”

He claimed her lips, scorching her heart with soul-crushing passion. Right then and there she knew she’d never stop loving this dragon.