His eyes widened for a moment, and then he tipped me over backward, hoisting my legs around his hips as he thrust into me.

‘‘Gabriel,’’ I moaned, both at the sudden act of penetration and the unusual position. ‘‘This isn’t particularly comfor—oh, dear gods, yes! Do that again!’’

He repeated a delicious little hip swivel, and it was all over for me. I clutched handfuls of grass as he sent me flying, dragon fire washing over my body as I gave in to the glory of our joining. My legs, clutched around his hips, spread wider as his body thickened, the slick, satiny skin becoming rougher and harder until silver scales rippled upward to cover the flesh. Scarlet claws pricked the skin on my hips as he lifted me to meet him, the sensitive skin of my inner thighs rubbing with delightful friction against his scales. Gabriel’s roar of completion startled birds sleeping in the scattered trees of the garden.

I opened my eyes when he collapsed down upon me for a moment before rolling onto his back, taking me with him. He was Gabriel once more, a man, and yet not a man. But whatever he was, I could no longer deny that I was falling in love with him.

‘‘You shifted,’’ I said, amazed at the experience.

‘‘I’m sorry,’’ he said, his eyes closed, his chest heaving beneath me. ‘‘I know I said I wouldn’t, but I couldn’t control myself. You are so much a part of me now, I’ve lost the ability to maintain a facade for you.’’

His words touched my heart. I savored the sweetness of them for a moment, reveling in the warmth he brought to my life. For the first time, I felt utterly cherished.

‘‘Now,’’ he said, interrupting my thoughts.

‘‘Now what?’’ I asked, draped across him like a limp noodle. His heart beat wildly beneath my ear. I spread my fingers across his chest, marveling that such a man was mine.

‘‘Now we will have foreplay. I believe I’m suitably sated that I can last longer than five seconds before attacking you.’’

‘‘I rather like your method of attack, although I do admit I’d like to be able to indulge in a few fantasies of my own before you unleash your inner dragon on me.’’

He opened one eye. ‘‘What sort of fantasies?’’

‘‘I’ve heard so much about oral sex, and I’ve never had the opportunity to try it out before. So I’d really like to . . . well, I’m sure I don’t have to put it into so many words. Since you’re much more relaxed, why don’t I just indulge myself?’’

‘‘You want to . . . ?’’ His other eye popped open as I started to slide down his body, intent on exploring that part of him which had given me so much pleasure.