I had to make this potion as soon as I got back. I had to be ready for him. I had to do my part to protect my soulmate. Panic bubbled into my thoughts. Panic about his safety and fear. So much fear. I was so damned scared for him. I yanked him down to me until his body was pressing my own hands into my ribs, pinching a little.

And then his eyes met mine.

Finally.

I stared up at him, feeling too many emotions at once to speak even if I could. I pushed up on my tiptoes, his hand still covering the bottom half of my face. His gaze was hot and laser-sharp. My pulse fluttered. I couldn’t pull him any closer, so I dug my nails into his skin. His nostrils flared. I pushed into him and his eyes widened just enough to tell me he felt this too. When I licked my lips and my tongue brushed the palm of his hand, his fangs dropped, stabbing his bottom lip. He dragged that hand off my mouth, then fisted my hair at the nape of my neck and yanked me forward at the same time I lunged for him. Our lips crashed together. His fingers tightened on my hair, angling my head back to deepen our kiss. His other arm snaked around my body, his fingers digging into my skin as he held me tight against his chest. My lungs burned with the need to breathe, but I was drunk on his kiss. I slid my hands up his chest and into his hair. When his tongue brushed against mine, I let out a moan and the growl he made sent goosebumps over my body. I licked his fang—he pulled back with a curse.

“No,” I whimpered and dove for him, dragging him back to my body by his sweater. He didn’t fight me as I reclaimed his lips with mine.