Page 56 of His to Defend

“Good.” He stared into her eyes. “You’re mine and I’m yours.”

The mark on the back of her neck throbbed with his words, as if her body knew exactly what he was saying and what it meant. She once again reached for the spot. It was healing, but it was still tender. She could see him flinch when she touched it. She knew he felt badly about their mating.

“I want you.” She felt his throbbing cock twitch against her belly in response. “No,” she clarified. “I want you to mate me.”

Ryker pulled back, confusion on his face. “But we’re already—”

“You said yourself it shouldn’t have happened that way. That you should have asked.” She wiggled against him. “But I’m not waiting for you to ask. I’m telling you what I want. And I want to be your mate. Properly.”

He looked as if he might object again. Instead, he kissed her. Hard. Their tongues clashed and twisted together and with his tongue deep inside her, Ryker took her by the hips and guided her to the ground before burying himself deep inside her.

She groaned and instantly her body melted around him. It didn’t take long for her orgasm to build deep within her, and Ryker must have felt it too, because he pulled his mouth off hers. “You’re so damn responsive, baby. So sexy.” A moment later, he had pulled out and with strength and ease, flipped her around so she was on her hands and knees. Nina’s desire threatened to spill over as he once again entered her, this time from behind. Just the way he had before.

He held her hips tight and lowered her slowly to the ground until he was all but lying on top of her as he continued to thrust within her, building together toward release.

“Ryker…I…”

This time she felt it when his teeth sank into the back of her neck. His mouth tracing the original wound completely, he bit down as Nina screamed out, the pleasure and pain mingling in the best way.

Later, wrapped in the blanket, lying under the stars with the heat from Ryker’s body keeping her warm, Nina had never felt so satisfied and complete.

“Now it’s official,” Ryker murmured in her ear. “Does it hurt?” His fingers tentatively moved along the back of her shoulder.

“Yes.” It was an honest answer. Her mark did hurt. How could it not? The wound was still new when he’d bitten it again. But she wouldn’t change a thing. “It’s perfect.”

“It’s going to scar.” He sounded regretful, but Nina relished the idea of wearing his mark.

“Good.” She twisted around so she could see him.

“Good?”

“Of course.” She laughed. “I want the world to know I’m yours.”

They sat in silence for a few more minutes before Ryker said, “Nina, I really am sorry for everything that went down.”

“I know.”

“I just want you to know that I was…well, I don’t even know. I can’t explain it but you, my love, messed with my instincts. But they’re clear now and I’ll do anything to make it up to you.”

Nina grinned, an idea taking shape. “Anything?”

He squeezed her tighter. “Anything.”

She didn’t hesitate before she said, “Let’s get married.” She watched carefully while he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and shook his head. She knew exactly how he felt about marriage. Especially considering he’d only come to the ridge originally to stop Harper and Axel’s wedding.

It took a minute, but Ryker opened his eyes and grinned. “Let’s do it.”

“Yes?”

“A million times…” He kissed her. “Yes.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

Two Weeks Later…

They’d only been gone two weeks, but Nina and Ryker’s return to Grizzly Ridge was cause for celebration. The ladies had hung a banner over the fireplace that read, “Welcome Home” and Kade and Ella had spent the afternoon making the most delicious cake. They passed around glasses of wine and apple juice for the pregnant women and toasted not only Nina and Ryker’s return, but also their relationship.

After they’d made up, or finally come together—however one looked at it—Ryker had mentioned the job in Switzerland he was going to cancel but Nina wouldn’t hear of it. Instead, they adjusted the flight, bought another ticket and she’d gone with him. They’d packed up and left so abruptly that Harper made her promise to come back as soon as the job was done.