Except I knew exactly what to do with my cock now. I just needed Sunny here with me. We had sixteen hours. I would remind Sunny exactly how much she liked being mine, and then I would find the way to offer myself to her as more than a partner in these carefully arranged meetings. I wouldn't rush. Sunny had instructed Astraeya to let me have control—of course she had—and I would use that permission to spoil Sunny with pleasure and kisses and care and my cock until she was soft and sweet and my good little pet.

Tires crunched on the dirt road, and my pacing turned to a rush to the window, long claws flicking the curtain aside. A bright yellow car bumped along the road toward the cottage. Sunny had driven herself this time.

My cock throbbed, wept in anticipation and I reached down, squeezing at myself, uncertain if I was soothing the ache or making it worse.

It was good she was alone. If Astraeya had brought Sunny here again, I would've slammed the door on the succubus' face. Not that I wasn't grateful for her calling me. But she didn't need to witness my hunger for my mate. That was Sunny's privilege alone.

Sit down. Don't terrify her, I thought, backing away from the window, moving toward the head of the dining table, forcing myself into a seat that faced the doorway.

Then again, Sunny liked to be a little scared. No, I would wait here, be the first thing she saw as she opened the door, and then—

The car stopped outside the cottage, and I held my breath, my claws digging into my thighs through my sweatpants. I hadn't changed into a costume this time. Neither of us would wear clothes long enough to make changing them worth it. I hesitated, my ears perked and twitching as Sunny opened and shut her car door, and then tore my shirt off over my head.

And maybe I would take off the pants too, let Sunny really get a good look.

Except her steps were already outside the door, and I was twitching in my seat, body desperate to rise and charge, to meet her. To snatch her up. To taste her again. To press her into me and dig my teeth into her flesh and claim my mate.

The door handle clicked, and sunlight streamed in through the crack. I growled at the shadow on the floor until the door opened enough for the shadow to reach the feet, the legs, the bright yellow sundress.

"Oh!" Sunny paused in the doorway, eyes wide on me. "You're already here."

I should've spoken. Greeted her. Told her I'd been waiting for her for four weeks, and it might've been less if she hadn't called MSA first.

I only growled, my entire body straining not to leap across the space.