“Have some of my hey juice,” Rhys called out to Rhett as he approached with two frosted mugs, “and, you’re Eve of Eternal Union is guaranteed to go off like a bomb.”

“I don’t need your drink to make my night explosive,” Rhett responded to the cambion. They were different demons but they both had an inner beast that lurked beneath their skin. “I know how to pleasure my mate. Or, have you forgotten about the fires?” Rhett asked, referring to the destruction he and Breslin caused during their nights of passion.

“Who could forget that? Those were the best roasted marshmallows I’ve ever had,” Rhys quipped.

Rhett recalled the last time they’d set Breslin’s suite on fire and the cambion showed up with a wire stick and a bag of the white sugary treats.

“Mmm, I certainly remember,” Rhys’s mate, Illianna, added with a smile. “I’d never tasted the toasted sweetness and now I’m addicted. Only thing I crave more is my sexy mate,” she said and nibbled Rhys’s ear.

“That’s more than I needed to know,” Rhett mumbled as he left the couple cooing and kissing. Breslin’s friends and family were a diverse group, for sure, but he couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

As he made his way to his mate, he thought about their ceremony. It was a shock in many ways. Breslin said many times that she carried a piece of his soul but neither believed he carried part of hers, given that his kind didn’t have Fated Mates. But then the most unreal thing happened during the ceremony. He felt his soul, along with hers, sucked from his body. It was nothing short of glorious agony, painful and surreal.

That little voice that kept him company during his walkabouts had been hers all along. He thought it was his conscience but it was something far more precious. His Flame.

“There you are,” he murmured to Breslin as he approached her and their friends. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and wrapped an arm around her shoulder.

“You have got to try these mushrooms. Elsie outdid herself with these. Oh! And these duck fat fries. Holy shit, they’re the best,” Breslin said as her eyes rolled back in her head.

“I’m supposed to be the only one that causes those sounds. I’d better taste my competition,” Rhett replied with a grin.

“She’s right, they’re freaking amazing. I’ve eaten three plates,” Shae admitted and blush crept across her face.

There was a glow about the female Rhett hadn’t noticed. He’d enjoyed working with her the past few weeks and was excited about the plan they developed to revamp Elsie’s Hope.

Rhett picked up a fry from Breslin’s plate and plopped it in his mouth. A deep groan slipped out beyond his control.

“Holy fuck, those are delicious. What are they made with?” he asked as he grabbed another from Breslin’s plate.

“Duck fat and truffle oil,” Gerrick said as he joined their group. “Those two ingredients are on auto-ship to Zeum for the next five months. It seems it’s her number one craving,” he added and gazed adoringly at his mate.

“What?” Breslin shrieked. “Are you pregnant?”

“Yes!” Shae admitted and the females instantly jumped up and down, discussing her due date. The noise attracted Elsie, Cailyn, Mack and Illianna. Pretty soon, talk of babies filled the air.

Rhett and Gerrick stepped aside as the females shrieked and patted Shae’s flat stomach. Alex and Ember soon joined the females along with the Rowan sisters. It was an influx of estrogen and no male was safe.

“How the hell are we going to survive this?” Rhett asked Bhric.

“I canna wait to put a bairn in my doc’s belly. She’ll be so fucking sexy carrying my child,” Bhric said with a growl.

Rhett laughed when Breslin looked over her shoulder and made a cutting motion with her finger across her throat, warning her brother to stop such thoughts. Rhett felt her irritation, as well as, Bhric’s heartfelt devotion for Alex.

The thought threw Rhett into panic. Wait. What was going on? When Rhett concentrated, he felt something new. For the first time, he had a vague sense of Bhric’s thoughts and emotions. Kyran and Zander joined them and interrupted Rhett’s evaluation of this new connection.

“Did Jace confirm the pregnancy?” Zander asked.

“He did,” Gerrick answered with a pinched expression. “He’s watching her closely because of the changes her body went through. He’s unsure of the impact it might have on our child. She’s finally eating, so I have hope things will go smoothly.”

“Those duck fries are like crack. Your baby is going to come out with webbed feet,” Rhett teased. “We need to install a fryer in the kitchen to keep up with demand though,” he added as he watched Breslin excitedly talk with the females. She hadn’t stopped eating the delicacy on her plate.

“Maybe Bre’s pregnant, too,” Bhric teased as they watched her enjoy the food.

“If not, we’ll get in a lot of practice tonight,” Rhett commented as he left the group of males, unable to wait a second longer.

It was time to seal the deal with his sexy vampire.

* * *

Breslin smiled as Rhett pushed his way through the group of females and scooped her in his arms. The gentle care he took with her dress spoke to how well he knew her. There were some things she wanted to preserve and her mating gown was one of them. It was something she hoped to pass down to their daughter one day.

Instantly, Breslin wrapped her arms around his neck. Her laughter bubbled and she didn’t bother holding it back. As she met her brothers’ gazes and their wide grins, it fed her joy. She couldn’t recall a happier time. With each mating and new addition to the family, her heart swelled, but it paled in comparison to how she felt now. This was her night.

“I can’t wait any longer, Flame,” Rhett murmured in her ear. She shivered as his hot breath skated across her skin.

She finally understood what the others meant when they said bonding with their Fated Mate completed them beyond words. Breslin was full to bursting and the void in her heart was gone. She missed her parents and had felt that loss more the past few weeks, but the Goddess’s words echoed in her mind and she knew her mother and father shared in her joyful night. Breslin couldn’t have asked for a better mating gift. The Goddess truly was the most beneficent being ever.

When Izzy noticed them, she stopped playing with Donovan and waved excitedly. Pink smeared her face and hands, compliments of her favorite strawberry ice cream. Breslin chuckled when she saw Pepper make his way toward the two striplings with another cone in each hand. Izzy had every being in the house wrapped around her tiny finger, as it should be.

“I didn’t get a piece of our cake,” Breslin pouted.

“You want cake? You’ve got it, but we’re not stopping,” Rhett stated and grabbed a serving of German chocolate cake as he continued his trek. “It’s time to end your pain and suffering,” he declared and handed her the dessert.

She kissed his neck then nibbled his earlobe, causing him to falter and nearly drop her. Her mating brand blazed with pain and she leaned into him, closing the distance. Rhett’s thoughts of how he wanted to take her rushed into her mind and Breslin pressed her body against his, tightening her hold.

“So much for cake,” he mumbled against her lips as they came to a stop in the large kitchen.

His mouth plundered hers as his large palms cupped her backside. The slide of his tongue against hers made every cell tingle. Shifting, she wrapped her legs around his waist and dropped the plate as he tugged her dress up to her hips.

“Nay, no’ you guys, too. What is it with this kitchen?” Kyran grumbled, his voice interrupting their moment.

“Shite. We canna get carried away in here. I doona think our fire and the gas stove are a good combination,” Breslin laughed.

“We are explosive,” Rhett teased as he carried her from the room while Kyran shouted they were a danger to the house.

Rhett’s mouth slanted over hers and plundered her depths. The sexual tension in her body ignited flames along her arms that spread with every step he took. His suit jacket caught on fire as they made it to the stairs.

“Wait. I doona want my dress to burn,” Breslin said as the flames began to spread.

“Then take it off,” Rhett said, putting her down. His shirt and jacket fell in smoking tatters to the floor.

She glanced around and didn’t spot anyone. Her keen hearing told her the guests were still enjoying the party. Why not, she decided.

“Good idea,” she said and turned around. “Unzip me?”

His hot hands blazed a trail down her back, unzipping her dress as they went. Her dress pooled at her feet then she was in the air and being turned in his arms.

“Who’s going commando now?” he growled against her throat as he quickly took the stairs to her suite of rooms. “Mmm, and no bra? Thank you, Flame. Less work for me,” he murmured as he trailed kisses along her neck.

“Canna catch on fire if I’m no’ wearing any,” she replied with a wink as his eyes roamed her naked body.

“I like the way you think, Flame.”

Her ample breasts heaved with every breath and pushed against his bare chest. Rhett kissed his way to her lips, making her breath catch. Rhett’s arms closed around her torso, melding them together.

They were lost to the growing passion as they reached the bedroom. Rhett kicked the door shut in the next breath. Breslin opened her mouth to tell him to hurry before she lost control when his head darted to her breast.

The muscles of his arms tightened against her body as his demanding lips closed over one aching nipple. Rhett was a maestro and her body the music as he licked and sucked his way from one breast to the next. She became a puddle of need in his arms as she writhed in sync with his orchestration.

Flames engulfed their upper bodies and when Breslin glanced down, smoldering orange orbs stared up at her. Rhett held her gaze as he bit down on her nipple and she gasped.

“You taste so fucking good,” Rhett growled, the sound guttural and raspy. Her eyes widened at the unfamiliar tone of his voice as she felt a shift.

“Rhett, baby?” she asked.

His demon stared back at her.

“You’re mine, Flame,” he declared.

“Aye, I’m yours,” she assured and held his gaze.

His skin went from translucent to a deep orange-red color and flames blazed in his eyes. Rhett’s demon was in control. It was scary and thrilling, and Breslin’s arousal surged. Her heart raced to the point of exploding from her chest. She didn’t know what to do or say.

Suddenly, tiny horns emerged from his skull and fangs filled his mouth. Breslin noted they were much larger than hers. He could easily shred her to bits but she wasn’t afraid. He looked nothing like her mate but the changes didn’t detract from his appeal. In fact, it made her want the demon even more.

Fire consumed Rhett’s body between one heartbeat and the next, incinerating her shoes, along with his remaining clothes. She moaned when he shoved his hard shaft against her core and her body urged her on.

“Safe room, now, before we destroy the rest of this floor,” Breslin panted.

“Mine,” was his guttural reply as he stalked to the room at the back of their closet.

Breslin’s eyes went saucer wide when she saw the contents inside the room. Not only did Rhett have a bed with soft, cottony sheets, there were countless red rose petals covering the crisp white linens. A side table with champagne and a platter of strawberries and cream sat beside the bed.

“When did you have time to do all this?” she murmured and caressed his heated cheek.

She saw a flicker of recognition then felt another shift. Rhett was in control again.

“The Rowans helped me. Everything fireproofed. I wanted this night to be special. No more fucking you on the hard floor or against the walls,” he confessed as he set her down.

Breslin opened her mouth to thank him but her thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind when he started nibbling her lips. She leaned forward to deepen the kiss but his mouth darted to her neck. She dug her nails into his back and hiked a leg around his hip. Her core pressed against his hard shaft and it jerked against her flesh. His cock rubbed her clit in the most delicious way. A little more and she would cum all over him.

She screamed when she suddenly went airborne. Rhett tossed her to the mattress then crawled up the bed, leaving nips and kisses along her flesh as he made his way up her body. His fangs teased her inner thigh and her core clenched with need. When his mouth closed over her clit and he sucked, Breslin detonated. The sheets shredded beneath her fingernails as bliss flowed through her veins like sweet honey.

Rhett gave her sensitive nub one last lick then continued kissing his way to her mouth. The predatory gleam in his eyes gave Breslin pause. Every female in the house claimed their mate was the sexiest male in the compound. Breslin always thought their debates stupid. Now, she would argue until the day she died that there was no male sexier than Rhett.

When he reached her breasts, and sucked her nipple, she arched. That fast, her need skyrocketed again. She needed to feel her mate inside her. She writhed on the bed, consumed with lust.

Taking control, Breslin reached down and grabbed hold of his cock, guiding his body between her legs. She gripped and squeezed, causing a deep groan from her mate. His eyes rolled back when she glided up and down his shaft, spreading pre-cum along the length.

Suddenly, Rhett grabbed her hand and stilled her movements. She met his gaze and felt warmth spread through her system.

“Thank you for giving me a second chance. I will never stop trying to prove that you made the right decision,” he vowed.

Through their bond she sensed his truth. He meant every word. He saw her as a perfect female who deserved a male that would always be there for her. He wanted to share his life with her in every way. Breslin fell in love all over again with the complicated male.

“You’re talking too much,” she teased and kissed him deeply.

“My fangs ache to sink into you almost as much as my cock,” Rhett growled into her mouth as he plunged deep with one hard motion.

“Yes!” she yelled as he stretched and filled her.

She gasped from the pain as he took possession of her body. He thrust again and intense pleasure replaced the pain, and Breslin climaxed again. The rose petals on the bed caressed her back and legs as their bodies moved together.

Rhett plunged deeper, reaching the place that left her mindless, and another orgasm hit before the last ended.

“Fuck yes. Give me everything you’ve got,” he grunted and Breslin felt his beast resurface.

“Look at me,” she demanded and called to his fire.

His demon growled but she didn’t back down from the challenge. She lifted one leg and threw it over his shoulder, opening herself more so he could go deeper.

“You are mine and I am yours,” she declared, holding his gaze.

“Yes,” he roared as he latched onto her leg. His hand seared her flesh as flames danced around their bodies.

“Then take me. All of me, Rhett. Now,” she offered and began moving her hips as she released control of her fire to the demon.

This wasn’t a competition. They were a team now. In every sense. She trusted him more than anyone, and he could trust her, too. She knew he could feel her emotions and read her thoughts. She gave herself completely to the fire demon.

She felt every delicious slide of his thick cock in and out her body. His hands roamed over her breasts. He pinched one nipple hard and kissed her neck. She was so close again and wanted more of him. She wanted everything he had to give. Once more, she felt the shift, and Rhett regained control.

“I need your blood,” he panted, clearly drained from the experience.

At hearing his words, Breslin’s fangs filled her mouth and she didn’t hesitate to sink them into the flesh at the base of his neck. His fangs pierced her neck. Their bodies convulsed as another climax assailed while they drank each other’s life force.

A heartbeat later, Rhett’s scalding seed jetted into her womb. Flames burst from their joined bodies and filled the entire room. Fire filled her system followed by the tingle of magic. Their bond was cemented. Rhett’s essence twined throughout hers. The gold band from the ceremony turned into a million, tiny, gold chains. They were linked at every point of their bodies.

Lava flowed through her body. The world dwindled away as Rhett’s devotion consumed her. He would never leave again. Breslin clung helplessly to him as her orgasm raged on.

What a fucking night, she thought. And this was just the beginning.

* * *

Rhett’s demon snarled one last time then fell to the background when the mating solidified. There was a contentment that wasn’t present before. His beast would always be a part of him, but the desire to dominate was gone. Mating Breslin was the crucial key. It brought the needed balance to his tilted world.

Their entwined souls waved throughout his body like a flickering flame. Instinctively, he understood it was an everlasting flame that would burn within for eternity. The knowledge was mind-blowing and the sensation went straight to his overeager cock, and intensified his orgasm.

Rhett braced himself for the onslaught of her thoughts and emotions now that their link was complete. He was prepared for an emotional beat-down from his mate after his fuck-up months ago. Staring into glowing amber eyes, Rhett’s heart swelled. Every thought and emotion was the opposite of what he expected. No hatred or disappointment was evident. Only the depth of her devotion to him.

Without warning, Rhett lost his strength and collapsed onto Breslin as unfamiliar powers surged from her to him. Breslin explained how Fated Mates shared a portion of their abilities but Rhett didn’t expect to inherit anything. He was a fire demon and already possessed control over fire. He shuddered as extreme heat followed by icy cold shook him to his core. And there was a metallic element mixed with it that he didn’t understand.

His energy rushed back with a vengeance and his cock jerked with renewed vigor. Her cinnamon and fire scent washed over him and he deeply inhaled the delicious fragrance. Thrusting deep, Rhett leaned down and kissed Breslin’s luscious lips and her spicy flavor filled his mouth.

She arched toward him as fire shot out of the puncture marks he left on her neck. A tiny ouroborus marked her as his. Tracing a finger over his mark, he was shocked when his chest began burning. He glanced down and watched as Breslin’s yin-yang symbol branded then inked into his skin.

“You marked me,” he muttered.

Expecting the walls to close in on the realization, Rhett was shocked when his soul settled in place. He was truly content for the first time in his long life. He belonged to this fiery female and she was his.

“Damn straight, I marked you, demon. Doona want you to forget you’re mine,” she teased then flexed her muscles, squeezing his cock. His arousal flared and his cock twitched inside the tight confines of her body.

“Not possible,” Rhett vowed. “You are the dream I fall asleep with and the purpose I wake up to.”

“Och, you had to go and get all mushy on me,” she teased. “I love you so verra much, Rhett. More than I ever thought possible,” she declared and claimed his lips.

“Time for you to show me how much,” he groaned and rolled to his back, taking her with him.

He reversed their positions so she was on top. His sexy mate smiled seductively as she gripped his hips with her thighs.

“Buckle up, demon. You’re aboot to take the ride of your life,” she replied and began moving her hips.