“Yes.”

Nia had not expected that answer. Most men didn’t want to deal with the trouble of women. She was, however, not stupid. Her words had been carefully chosen.

Orion was her mate, and they would start The Claiming before the day was through. It was going to cause Damien to show his true colors. Her only fear was to be caught in the crossfire.

With the reading done, Nia knew that she could go about her business for a while. However, the hour was late, and she had been reading all day. She needed food and to find a place to rest.

“You may go, Nia. Orion and I have some business. You know where to go.”

Nodding her head, the deer stood slowly on shaky legs as she tried to regain her balance. Having nothing to eat most of the day, she was weak. This wasn’t an uncommon situation for her. Usually, she would slowly rise, but she was eager to be away from Damien and Orion as they talked.

Realizing that she was tumbling towards the ground, the brunette expected to fall. Instead, a strong pair of bronze arms wrapped around her, holding her steady. It was strange how safe she felt in those arms.

When she was steady, Nia smiled and moved out of Orion’s grasp. There was something in the look he gave her that she was trying to get away from. Staring into his eyes wouldn’t be beneficial to her resting or relaxing.

No, she wasn’t afraid of the man. She didn’t want to identify that emotion. So instead, she simply walked away to the kitchen. It was sure to be empty, and she hoped she could dine in peace.

Before she could say what she wanted, a plate was slid in front of her. Nia had never been a picky eater, food a secret love, but these two women always seemed to know what she was craving.

Upon finishing her meal, the young lady bid the others good night and headed toward her room.

Her room was located at the furthest end of the others but on the V.I.P. Floor. As she took the stairs that would carry her all the up to the seventh floor, Nia wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings.

Only distinguished guests were allowed up on the top floor, and she did not doubt that Orion would have the larger of the guest rooms. She just hoped to make it to her room without incident.

Nia was almost to her goal when she was sidetracked. She was pulled through the doorway of whomever’s room, spinning her and pressing her against the wall.

It took but a moment for lips to crash against hers and the masculine smell of Orion to filter into her brain.

The kiss was passionate and dominant, making her moan and gasp for breath when she had the chance. Arms snaked around the neck of the perpetrator as his scent invaded her nostrils.

Feeling herself moved from the wall, Nia felt hands caressing her through the fabric of her dress. The zipper was loosened, and the garment fell to her feet. She paused long enough in her thoughts to watch the dragon as he moved around her. He was taking in her very essence as if he was a starving man. His eyes flashed a warm honey-gold before his lips dived in and tasted her skin.

His hands were everywhere, and Nia couldn’t fight the moan. Her body shifted, and she sat on the bed as he smiled down at her. Orion was such an attractive man, and finally, Nia realized that the only barrier they had between her and him was her tiny lingerie and his denim. Both were quickly digested and discarded on the floor at the foot of the bed.

Gently, Orion urged Nia to lay back and move up on the bed. Following his lead, the woman couldn’t say much of anything.

“Beautiful”

Nia knew that their time was short and unable to voice any more than a whimper. She wasn’t going to stop this.

“This isn’t going to be slow, darling. We don’t have that kind of time. I hope that they’ve at least taught you what is to come.” The words came out in a sort of growl before she felt him pepper her skin with nips and licks once more.

Moving so that he was staring into her eyes, Orion knew that he had to do this. Nia was supple underneath him, and he wished so badly for them to take it slow. But it had to be this way.