Dante's Marriage Pact (18 page)

“Or?”

“There's option number two.” No matter how hard he tried to remain detached, a whisper of hope colored his statement.

She must have caught it because she stared, considered, then slowly smiled. “What's option number two?”

“Answer a question first. The mural in Stefano's room.” He gazed at her with burning eyes, eyes he suspected reflected the hope in his voice. “Did you mean it?”

She didn't hesitate. “With all my heart.”

“Then stay.” He went to her, gathered her up and held on so tight that he couldn't tell where he ended and she began. “I love you, Shayla. From the moment you first walked into the Eternity reception no other woman existed but you. I've wanted you since the moment we touched and The Inferno bound us together. I fell in love with you the first time we kissed. I don't think I could stand it if you walked away again.”

“Oh, Draco.”

She flung her arms around his neck and inhaled him as though his scent was as necessary as the very air she breathed. Then she kissed him, a hard, deep, thorough kiss. He crushed her to him, devouring her, putting every ounce of love and passion, hope and promise, into that one kiss. He ran a hand down her spine so that her curves mated with his angles, a lock to his key. They belonged together, but no matter what it took or how difficult, he'd give her the freedom she craved and the love she deserved.

“Tell me what you need and it's yours,” he told her. “I don't want our marriage to trap you. Not ever.”

“Our marriage isn't a trap and never could be.” She pulled back and cupped his face, tracing his mouth with her thumbs. “I love you, Draco Dante. I've loved you from Inferno to motherhood. And I'll love you from motherhood until you're Primo and I'm Nonna to our great-grandchildren. I don't want to leave. How could I when being bound to you is what set me free?”

He touched her wedding ring. “Eternally Bound?”

Her fingers rested on his so they traced the fire diamonds together. She smiled softly. “I knew it even then, when you told me the meaning of my wedding ring. I was just too afraid to believe. To trust.”

“What about our marriage pact?” he asked.

“I suggest we forget all about it.”

He shook his head. “Or maybe we just choose to honor a different pact. One we made when I put this ring on your finger.”

She closed her eyes, fighting back tears. “I'd like that very much.” She hesitated, then rushed to confess, “Maybe this would be a good time to warn you that my grandmother is moving to San Francisco.”

“God help us all,” he muttered. But he accepted the
inevitable. As much as he might wish it otherwise, Leticia was the last Charleston relative Shayla possessed. He tilted his head to one side. “You know…Dantes is often in need of a translator. Sometimes it requires trips abroad.”

She laughed. “Are you asking me to be your wife or trying to get rid of me in the hopes that I'll take my grandmother with me?”

“Tempting. Very tempting.” Then he replied, with bone-deep honesty, “I'm trying to make your dreams come true.”

She slipped back into his arms and wrapped herself around him. “Stop trying,” she whispered against his mouth. “You already have. Now let me take a turn at making yours come true.”

“You just did, my love.” He held her close and linked his hand with hers, feeling The Inferno well up, solidifying the bond between them. “You just did.” Then he lost himself in her kiss. In her embrace.

The dragon had finally found his mate. And as soon as possible he intended to carry her back to his lair and keep her there for a long, long time to come.