Or the link between them had strengthened, allowing her to take more from him at greater distances? “Where are we? Where’s Zion?” He trusted the other man, in part, otherwise, he never would have placed Nola’s life in the other warrior’s hands.

“We’re in Los Angeles,” she said. “A fancy penthouse suite in an even fancier hotel. Isn’t it glorious? Oh, and Zion mentioned he has some sort of present for you.”

You are the only present I desire. “Don’t care about Zion. Want company?” he asked, even as he yanked his shirt overhead.

“You’re not angry with me?” she asked, hesitant.

He tried to hide his flinch. She expects me to return to my default setting and punish her for issuing commands. “I’m grateful to you. You patched us up. Am I happy you teleported back, putting yourself in danger? No. My life is expendable. Yours is not.”

Her eyes widened. “Your life is not expendable, and if I ever hear you speak such a disgusting lie again, I’ll do damage!”

The way she defends my honor. His chest bowed with pride. He knelt on one knee and lowered his head, saying, “Many times in many ways I did you wrong. From this moment forward, I will do what’s right. You might be a princess, but you are my queen. I trust you, Nola, and your command is my privilege.”

“I... You... What?” Just before mist returned to the door, shielding her face—a travesty he could not bear—she gaped at him, openmouthed. “Okay. You are absolutely, positively invited to attend my shower. Fair warning, I expect you to put out.”

Put out...a fire? His translator supplied her meaning a moment later. Get laid. Nookie. Horizontal mambo. Sex. Ahhhh. His lusty royal desired him still, and he felt the urge to bang his fists against his chest. “I’ll put out for you, dove, but you’ll owe me.”

She snorted. “Hey! You’re getting our roles switched. In this relationship, you’re the hot piece of beefcake, and I’m the funny, smart, gorgeous one.” Her eyes widened. “Uh-oh. I just used the R word. Are you about to freak? Or maybe you kinda sorta...like the idea?”

“I love the idea.”

His words earned a reward. A bright and happy smile he longed to view every day for the rest of eternity. “I’m yours, and you’re mine? I get to keep you?”

“You say get to... I say must.” He shrugged. “I won’t be letting you go.” He stripped the rest of the way, kicking off his leathers, and entered the stall. Heat and steam enveloped him. “I hope you’re ready, dove. I’m about to put you through an assembly line of orgasms.”

Nola stood on the other side of the water, leaning against the wall, naked, flushed and damp, exquisite beyond measure, watching him watch her.