“Are you coming with us when we leave?” Maximus sipped his coffee, studying her over the rim of his mug. Presumptuous of him to assume Sameya would leave Atlantis, but at this point he couldn’t foresee any other way to keep her alive.
“What’s in it for me?” She swiveled to get a gander of him over her shoulder.
“Anything you want.”
“Anything?” Her eyes grew round, and her features softened.
“Within reason, and so long as I can get my hands on it without endangering life or limb.”
“Reese Cups. I want a big bag of them once a month.”
What a bizarre request! “Reese Cups?” She had to be yanking his chain. Tequila was her vice from Sameya, and from him she wanted sweets?
She nodded and licked her light pink lips as if she could taste them now. “The miniature kind…so I won’t get drunk as fast.”
Drunk? That was what the liquor was for. Maybe she was like the ogre. Tea was their form of spirits.
But when had she tasted a Reese Cup? She lived in Atlantis, and the best he could tell the inhabitants did not trade with the earthy realm? Maximus did not ask. “Agreed. Any other housing requirements?”
“How big is your domain?”
He shrugged. “Six thousand square feet. Give or take.”
She clapped her hands together, her eyes swirling brighter. “My dream home to clean! I’ll happily join you all.”
He’d gladly let her clean since he despised the chore.
The brownie leapt off the counter and skipped across the floor and out of sight. Maximus shook his head. What a weird conversation and even stranger creature.
Refilling his mug, he turned to stare out the window. Fluffy clouds dotted the sky, while greenery and an explosion of color suggested Atlantis were smack dab in the middle of spring. If they followed the earth’s orbit, that wasn’t possible. They should be at the end of summer.
A short while later, the door to Sameya’s bedroom opened and closed. He turned to see his woman strolling toward him, fingers rubbing the sleep from one eye. After the Empress’ visit, Gabriel had shifted into his tiger and curled up to sleep beside their mate.
“Morning. Afternoon. Evening. I have no idea what time of day it is.”
Smiling, she stopped in front of him and peered up. “It’s evening.”
The sleepy tone to her voice reminded him of the way she sounded after climaxing.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled against his chest. Stunned it took him a moment to process the shock of her embrace before he set his coffee aside and returned her hug. He rubbed his cheek against the top of her head. “Something wrong, naleah?”
“No, I wanted to be close to you. Do you prefer I not hug you?”
“Touch me however you want whenever you want.” Maximus ran a palm down her spine. That she felt comfortable enough to embrace him fed his optimism.
“I’m not certain I can walk away from you and Gabriel.”
He squeezed her tighter. “Good.”
Sameya tilted her head back to peer at him. “It’s not the sex. Even though it is amazing.”
Maximus grinned. “I know.”
“I feel connected to you both in a way I cannot explain.” She buried her face against his chest and breathed deeply. “Your scent…it’s like an elixir. I love the unique blend of man and vampyr.” She ran a fingertip along his jaw. “Gabriel’s the same way. And snuggling with his cat, having him purr while I pet him.” She shook her head. “I cannot explain this response I’m feeling here.” She touched the spot over her heart. “I barely know either of you, but I trust you both as if I’ve known you all my life. It’s like you’re both connected to me on a molecular level.”
“We are joined on a molecular level.” He buried the fingers of one hand in her hair and clamped his other hand on her hip. “Our bond will become stronger when we officially mate. I’ve heard stories that some who are mated can talk telepathically. Others can sense the emotions of their mate. Very similar to earlier when I could sense your anguish when you were mind-fucking Gryphon.”
Staring at his mouth, she nodded. “I’m afraid for your safety. Yet, I’m sensing neither of you will leave if I ask it.”
“See, you’re already sensing our emotions.” He flashed her a wicked grin, exposing his teeth.
She reached up and ran her thumb along one fang. “Vampyr, I need you to mark me as yours.”
Anticipation had his heart ramming against his ribs. “I do that here.”
Watching her expression, he slid his hand down her hip and across her thigh, until he could trail his fingers along the artery on the inside of her leg, inches below her pussy.