I finally put my book back where I had found it and crossed the room.

Triton’s eyes tracked my every move.

He released his knees as I approached him, and his hot hands landed on my hips when I sat down on his thighs.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi.”

There was a moment of silence.

I felt the need to fill it, but I wasn’t sure what to say. What did he even know about me? What did I even know about him?

Maybe an introduction would be a good start.

“My full name is Aria Christene Weathers. My dad is a complete asshole, and I’ve only seen him once since my mom died eight years ago. He wanted her life insurance money. I gave it to him to get him out of my life for good, even though I knew she would’ve wanted me to use it for school. She was the best, and I still miss her deeply. I’m twenty-five, and I don’t want to know how old you are. Before you abducted me, I was a poor college student working my way through my last few classes at a snail’s pace. Now, I guess I’m⁠—”

Triton’s mouth crashed into mine, hard.

I grabbed his shoulders, digging my short fingernails into them as he kissed me deeply. I could still taste the salt of my pleasure on his tongue, and it made me want him more.

After a few delicious moments, he pulled away, breathing just as hard as I was.

“My full name is Triton. My parents were lost in a war long before the last one. My sister and her mate are all I have. The throne I occupy drives me mad with constant solitude. I have ached for a mate for hundreds of years—and now that I have you, I will never let you go.”

I didn’t have time to process anything he said before his mouth was on mine again, hot and needy and intense.

His kisses were rough.

Brutal.

All-consuming.

His hands were in my hair. Mine were on his arms.

He tore his lips from mine and growled, “If you don’t walk away, I will make you mine here and now, Aria. For better or worse.”

“I’m not leaving.”

He flipped me onto my back on the lounge chair. I gasped as he tore the green silk skirt down my thighs, tossing it aside and opening my legs. My top followed immediately. He was naked just as quickly, and positioned over me.

Triton’s body was thick, and powerful. He held his weight off me as he took the base of his cock in his hand and dragged the head of it over my clit.

I hooked my legs around his ass, pulling him closer.

His lips curved wickedly. “Not so afraid of my size now?”

“Just fuck me already, Triton.”