When Daisy’s eyes fell back down to his lips, he couldn’t hold himself back anymore. Setting his glass down, Nyle lifted her chin and locked eyes with her. Then, he leaned in slowly and brushed his lips against hers. Daisy let out a soft breath, her hand rested on his forearm that was raised toward her face. Cupping her cheek, he pressed his lips deeply into hers. Her lips were soft and plush, tasting like wine and strawberry lip balm. Their lips moved in a perfect, slow unison motion. He wanted to cherish every sensation and every moment of the kiss. When he finally began to peel away, reluctantly, he swore it felt like his lips were tingling. They met each other’s lusty gazes and shared shy smiles before they both leaned into one another.

Nyle wasn’t a virgin, but when he kissed her, it was like kissing for the first time. It was so different than it had been with the casual girlfriends and one-night stands he had over the years. Those had been mechanical in comparison, using skill to get to the next physical levels. With Daisy, it was passionate and intimate, sweet and heated. He never wanted to stop kissing her. Her hand found his chest as Nyle became aware of his pounding heart. Pulling her closer by the small of her back, he parted his lips and opened her mouth with his tongue. A fire erupted in him, instincts kicking into overdrive as his tongue grazed against the soft flesh of hers. Every touch drove him absolutely wild.

He wasn’t alone in that feeling, it appeared. As one of his hands drifted up her back and into her hair, Daisy pressed herself into him and climbed onto his lap. Such a bold move for a timid woman, proving to him just how much their connection was impacting her. Nyle was relieved she felt it too, unsure of how long he could have held himself back. Her sweet tongue caressed his in long, careful strokes, making a groan sound from deep within his throat. Daisy’s arms draped around his neck, keeping her frame held against him. Her soft body felt like paradise, like the way his teenage mind had daydreamed his love would feel. Daisy truly was more wonderful than he had ever hoped for in a mate, no matter the complications of her being human.

Tearing his mouth away from hers, he began to kiss along her jaw before starting down her neck. Soft sounds escaped her, while her breathing labored from her arousal. Letting out a growl into the skin of her neck, he carefully pushed her down onto the couch, hovering over her. She nuzzled her cheek to the top of his head, trying to get his attention away from her neck. When Nyle looked up to her, she stole his lips in a heated kiss. His hand hooked behind her knee, bringing it up to his waist before letting his fingertips glide up her thigh. Every touch felt like electricity, his body begging for it as though he were Frankenstein’s monster. Her hands slid over the shoulders of his jacket and pushed the coat from his body. Then her slender fingers found the top button of his shirt. He panicked. His markings…

Nyle calmed himself, hoping she would perceive them as tattoos even with the color being so close to his skin color. Pulling back from the kiss, he watched her face closely as she unbuttoned his shirt. Her stormy eyes filled with desire and bewilderment. He couldn’t even imagine what this was like for her, with her not knowing they were literally soulmates.

As the fabric parted, Daisy’s eyes fell to his chest, and her eyes widened at the sight of the intricate swirl pattern dominating his skin from his shoulders, all the way down his body. The only places that the markings didn’t cover were his face, neck, hands, and feet. She studied the details as she continued to unbutton his shirt, then pushed the fabric from his shoulders. Nyle dropped the shirt to the floor and looked back to her. Daisy placed a fingertip to his skin, tracing some of the markings.

“What are these?” she asked curiously.

“Tattoos. Strange choice, I know,” he said as he looked away. He wasn’t ready to explain the marks on his body he’d had since birth.

Daisy shook her head, eyes glued to Nyle’s skin. “It suits you. Now that I see them… I couldn’t picture you without them.”

Nyle grinned at her response. Every time he began to think she couldn’t be any more perfect, she did something to surprise him, such as giving an answer like that. Leaning his head down, he kissed her deeply, letting his hand push up the hem of her dress. Her hips instinctively moved into him, making him groan. She was killing his patience. Nyle’s hand slipped between her legs, his fingertips gingerly brushing across the fabric of her lacy thong. The delicate fabric was already damp from her arousal. His lips parted, taking in deep inhales as he inched underneath the fabric. His erection throbbed at the feel of her soft, heated flesh.

He rubbed her gently, paying close attention to the pressure of his touch. Nyle was so much stronger than her, he wanted to be sure to gauge his strength properly.

Her hot cheek pressed to his, hiding her face out of shyness as her hands reached down to unfasten his belt. Gradually, Nyle pushed his middle finger into her sex. A moan sounded from her like music to his ears as he moved his hand in a steady rhythm. Nyle yearned to hear more from her. He wanted to please her like no man had before, to feel every inch of her skin while listening to her respond with symphony of pleasure-filled sighs.

She pulled his belt off in one motion, tossing it on the floor next to the couch. After Daisy unbuttoned his pants, she pulled down the zipper painfully slow, causing his erection to press harder against the restricting material. Nyle’s breath came out ragged at the faint touch.

His hand went behind her and found the zipper to her dress. Daisy arched her back as he worked all the way down her back. He helped her shimmy the dress down around her ankles, taking her shoes off as well. When he moved to lay back over her, he took a moment to appreciate her form. Her body was perfect, as was each little dimple and line on her skin.

The two were lost in a heated kiss and letting their hands explore one another’s bodies. They finished undressing each other, pulling his slacks and boxers off, along with her bra and panties. Nyle was addicted to the feel of her skin and all the sparks and tingles that erupted when he touched her. Everything about Daisy felt right. His hand couldn’t leave her smooth legs, massaging and groping them as the other propped him up so that his entire weight wasn’t on her.

His eyes opened to look down into hers, wanting to be sure she was okay with everything, knowing they had just met and she could have changed her mind. But she hadn’t; a smile on her sweet face let Nyle know she wanted to keep going.

He pulled her legs to wrap around his torso, lowering his hips to hers. Grasping the hilt of his member, he pushed the tip into her lower lips. A gasp escaped her, Nyle’s eyes raced back to study her face. They held eye contact as he pushed his member all the way into her, losing his own breath at the sensation. So much energy hung in the air around them, it was hard for Nyle to even think. None of it felt real, more like a fantasy or dream.

Their bodies felt alive as his hips dipped into hers repeatedly in passionate and deliberate motions. Her fingers combed through the hair on the back of his head, finally breaking the eye contact and kissing him passionately. Daisy’s hips flicked up into his as he pushed into her, his hands holding to her hipbones. She moaned into his lips, her legs tightening around him and her nails digging into his skin. Nyle pushed her thighs down toward the couch, angling her pelvis so that he had better access. With each thrust, his member hit deeper within her.

“Nyle,” she gasped.

“Daisy,” he growled, quickening his thrusts.

She rocked her hips into his, her swollen sex hugging his member deliciously. Nyle was overwhelmed by the conflicting emotions of wanting to fuck her brains out and make sweet love to her. His own carnal instincts scared him, afraid he would get too lost in it and end up hurting her. Acting quickly, he sat up and pulled her with him, positioning her on his lap. Her eyes popped open as she came face-to-face with Nyle.

He traced a finger over the delicate features of her face, outlining her bottom lip before pressing a tender kiss to them. His hands returned to her hips as Nyle helped her move up and down, wanting her to be comfortable while in control. Her breathing was uneven as she started to move her hips on her own, sliding up and down his erection. His toes curled as moans slipped past his lips.

Hungry hands inched their way to her bottom, groping her perky buttocks as he used it to push her pelvis into him in a faster motion. Her arms tightened around his neck, fingers grasping to his short locks of snowy hair. Then her walls grew tighter around him, both of their chests heaving. Her ample breasts bounced with each motion as her erect nipples grazed against his bare chest, causing his skin to tingle. As her hips continued to swivel and bounce on his member, he showered her neck and shoulder in wet kisses, his nails digging into her bottom. He felt her grow close to climaxing with her sex slick and swollen.

“God, Nyle…” she cried out, her thighs quivered on each side of him, and her forehead leaned into his shoulder.

Her entire body shuddered as a few more motions set off her orgasm. Daisy clung to Nyle, and the sounds of her cries of pleasure sent him over the edge, having to quickly pull out of her and release into his hand. He groaned and fell back into the cushions of the couch. His clean hand drifted up and down her spine, loving the way her relaxed body felt on his.

“I’m so lucky to have found you,” Nyle said to her, kissing the top of her head.

“I feel like the lucky one,” she spoke, her voice muffled by being pressed to his shoulder. Daisy sat up, Nyle’s eyes immediately falling to admire her gorgeous body. “I… I don’t just…sleep with guys I just met…”

“I wasn’t assuming you did,” he said, shaking his head. Nyle brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, “There’s something between us; there’s no denying that. Try not to question it too much, all right? We’ll figure it out as we go along.”

Daisy nodded and laid back down on him. Nyle’s free hand sifted through her long chocolate locks, letting himself enjoy the moment and the feel of her skin on his.

They stayed up until the wee hours of the morning talking and drinking wine. Daisy had the most beautiful mind of anyone he had ever met, including dragons and humans alike. Her passion was learning about and understanding the world and universe she lived in. Even though she had been born to a single mother and knew her hand of struggles, she didn’t let them weigh her down; rather, she found strength in her hardships and used them to make herself a better and more empathetic person.

Daisy had infinite compassion and a heart so big that it seemed never-ending. Nyle was in awe of everything about her, from how much she loved animals, to the freckles on her shoulders, to the cute way she hiccupped when she had a little too much wine. Her existence made him feel naïve because he knew there was no such thing as perfection, but when he was with her, it existed. Somewhere in her, there were some demons he was sure, but they were completely outshined by the brilliance of her soul.

He told her as much as he could about himself, but was careful to word things so that he didn’t divulge too much. It still wasn’t the right time to tell her about the part of himself that he kept hidden from humans. He was starting to question if the right time would ever come; he was terrified of scaring her off.

After watching the sunrise from his terrace, he carried her bridal style to his bed. They fell asleep almost immediately, with her head on his chest and their limbs intertwined.

After a few hours of sleep, Nyle was ripped from his slumber by a persistent knock on the door downstairs. He groaned at the noise, because of a small hangover from drinking so much wine. Immediately his eyes opened to look down at Daisy, who was still passed out on his chest. While he was glad the knocking hadn’t woken her, he needed to make it stop before it did. Letting out a sigh, Nyle kissed the top of her head and carefully maneuvered himself out from underneath her. Running a hand through his hair, he walked to his dresser and slid on a pair of lounge pants before making his way to the bedroom door. As soon as he shut the door quietly behind him, Nyle hurried down the stairs, annoyed that whoever it was was still knocking.

Arriving at the door, he unlocked it and flung it open with his eyes narrowed. When he saw who it was, his face sculpted into a look of confusion.

“Mylora? What are you doing here?” he questioned with his brow furrowed.

“I just wanted to come by and bring you some breakfast,” she smiled and gestured to the bags in her hand before stepping into his apartment. Her eyes jumped around the penthouse. “Wow, you have a magnificent hideaway.” Mylora sauntered toward the kitchen area as if she owned the place.

“I didn’t invite you in,” he snapped, pacing after her. “You need to leave. This is unacceptable.”

Mylora placed the bags down onto the island before turning around to face him. “Look, I know last night didn’t go according to plan. It wasn’t like I wanted Erasina there either. So, I was hoping that maybe we could have a redo. Maybe spend the day together? I have nothing going on if—”

“Just so there’s no question in your mind, I’m going to be straight with you. I’m not the slightest bit interested in you, Mylora,” Nyle interrupted her. “You aren’t my soulmate, and I’m not going to settle for less. No matter what my parents may try and force onto me. I’m sure you’re a lovely person, but you’re not the one for me,” he advised as he reached behind her and grabbed the bag of food she had placed on the counter as he handed it back to her.

She frowned deeply, resting a hand on his chest. “Love can exist even without being soulmates, Nylyrias. Who knows when you will meet your soulmate? It could be decades, if you even find her at all. Your father didn’t marry Asalei until he was fifty. Our people don’t have that long. I know it’s a shitty situation, but we can make the best of it. You don’t even have to stay with me forever. If you find your soulmate one day, then I’ll understand, Nyle. Let’s do the right thing for our people now, though.”

The woman tried to persuade, her yellow-gold eyes glistening with false sincerity. Or perhaps it was real, and he was just an asshole. Nyle refused to believe she was interested in him for any other reasons than power and money.

He removed her hand and stepped away from her. “You don’t know what is best for our people. Do you understand me? You have no authority to tell me how to run this kingdom. How dare you even try to! Get out, right now.

“Nyle, please!” Mylora pleaded, flinging herself at Nyle, arms going around his neck.

He pushed her back. “Get away from me!” he spat.

The blonde blinked rapidly at him, but then her expression fell into a scowl. “Fine… be like that. I’m only trying to help because your parents asked me. It’s not as if I want to be with someone as egotistical as you,” she said in a low, raspy voice.

Fixing her hair, she turned to leave, but her eye caught sight of someone on the catwalk above. The brunette woman’s eyes were wide, quickly stepping back from the railing.

Goddamn it, Nyle thought bitterly to himself. How much had Daisy overheard? But then his own eyes widened, realizing Mylora had just seen a human in his apartment and in one of his shirts.

“You’re sleeping with a—”

Letting out a growl, Nyle grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the door of his apartment and stepped outside with her. “I told you to get the hell out of my apartment,” he barked. “You don’t tell anyone what you saw here, understand?”

“Or else what?” Mylora fired back, a menacing look in her eyes. “What are you going to do if I do tell? Refuse to marry me?” she laughed. “No, no, no. I’m not playing your games, Nyle. You were a dick to me.”

“I’m sorry, all right? I’m sorry I was a dick, but did you really expect any different when I was literally forced into a date with you? Things are…are complicated. I need you to respect that. How much do you want to keep quiet about this?”

She let out another cynical bout of laughter, shaking her head as she did. “I don’t want your money, Nyle. I want to be queen, and I can only do that if you marry me. Did you really expect me to go on a date with you if it weren’t such an advantageous proposition?” she retorted, using the exact same inflection he had used when he mentioned being forced into it.

“I’m not going to marry you,” he said with stern eyes.

“Then I’m not going to keep my mouth shut.” She turned on her heel and waltzed toward the elevator.

“Mylora,” Nyle called after her as she pressed the button for the elevator. “This isn’t funny.”

She turned to him. “Who’s laughing?” she questioned. Mylora sighed, “Don’t worry, Nyle. I won’t tell daddy dearest.”

Nyle let out a sigh of relief, watching as she stepped onto the elevator.

“However, I can’t keep this to myself. Who should I tell?” she questioned, tapping her chin with an index finger.

Nyle snarled and charged toward the elevator, but she closed the door before he could get there. He pressed the button to open the door, but the elevator was gone.

“Goddamn it!” Nyle hissed, banging his fists on the door of the elevator. Who in the hell was she going to tell if she wasn’t going to tell his parents? Gotta calm down. Gotta calm down.

After taking a few deep breaths, he walked back to the apartment. Shutting the door behind him, he leaned against it. If she told anyone else, surely they would think it was just gossip, right? The crazy story of a jealous woman. He tried to tell himself not to worry about it, but he was going to crawl out of his skin. Not only was he in danger, but Daisy was, too, if Mylora told the wrong people. What have I done?

He tried to pull himself together as best as he could before walking up the stairs. There was no point in holding off talking to Daisy, knowing that she was extremely confused by what she had seen. How much could he tell her? How much should he tell her?