51. Negal

As Margo ducked into the bathroom, Negal closed his eyes and let out a relieved breath.

During the night, or rather the early morning hours, he had remained mostly awake, checking up on Margo to make sure she was doing okay and only dozing off and on for a few minutes here and there.

Even though he hadnt encountered a human female who had a negative reaction to the venom, and none of the immortals had warned him that it could be potentially harmful, it only made sense that not everyone would tolerate the venom well.

Humans were so fragile.

Hed read about a young woman who was allergic to peanuts and died after kissing her boyfriend, who had eaten peanuts beforehand. So, if an allergic reaction could be so deadly, he wasnt taking chances.

To be frank, he hadnt been as concerned about the women he had been with before meeting Margo, not because he hadnt cared but because it hadnt occurred to him before that they might have an adverse reaction to his venom.

Come to think of it, allergy was just one potential health risk. What if a human had a weak heart that couldnt survive so much stimulation?

Had he thought about all those potential risks before making love to Margo, he would have insisted she get a thorough physical from the clans doctor before taking her to bed.

Margo projected such a tough-girl persona that at first, hed been fooled by it, but when hed gotten to know her better, hed realized that underneath the fa?ade she was hiding a vulnerability.

Last night, he had done everything he could to make the experience as wonderful for her as it was for him, which meant a lot of restraint on his part, but it hadnt diminished the experience. It still had been the best hed ever had, probably because it had been more than just sex.

It was the coming together of not just their bodies but also their souls.

Negal chuckled. Had he just graduated from making up romance stories to composing poetry?

Who would have thought that he had it in him?

When the door opened, and Margo stepped out of the bathroom, he lifted the blanket and motioned for her to duck in.

For some reason, her cheeks were rosy, and she had a sheepish expression on her face, but he couldnt smell her arousal, so it couldnt be that she was planning another round of lovemaking.

Youre cold. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her against his body.

She wiggled, rubbing against his erection. And you are hard.

He chuckled. Im always hard around you, and in case your friends failed to mention it, gods and immortals stamina far exceeds that of human males. We dont need much time to recuperate. We can go many times in a row.

Oh, wow. The rosy hue of her cheeks deepened, and as a delicate whiff of feminine arousal reached his nose, he smoothed his hands down her back and squeezed her bottom.

She put her hands on his chest. I have a question.

Ask, and I shall answer.

Do you have to bite your partner every time you climax?

Thats a good question, and the answer is no. My venom doesnt get replenished nearly as fast as my seed. I can probably provide two bites a day.

Oh. Her face fell, and she lowered her eyes to his chest.

Hey. He hooked a finger under her chin and lifted her head so that she had to look at him. If you are craving another bite, Im more than capable of providing it.

I do crave it, but not now. She worried her lower lip. As incredible as it is, I dont want to be out for hours. I want to enjoy your company.

So that was what Margo was worried about. They were docked in the port of Mazatlan, and she wanted to go sightseeing. She didnt want to spend the rest of the day in bed.

Besides, perhaps it would be for the best if they didnt make love now anyway. The goal was to induce her transition, which required his venom and his seed to be concentrated and not diluted by overindulgence.

You are absolutely right. He dipped his head and kissed the top of her nose. We should get off the ship and go exploring. But first, Ill make you breakfast. He smiled. You need to replenish your energy after the vigorous activities of last night.

Margo scrunched her nose. So, no morning hanky-panky?

Negal laughed. Who are you, and what have you done with my cautious and reserved Margo?

She rolled her eyes. Gone, hopefully, never to be seen again. I like the new me much better.

I loved the old you, I love the new you, and I will love every new facet of you.

Her eyes widened. You love me?

He tightened his arms around her. I do, and I dont expect you to feel the same about me so soon after weve met, but I will woo you until you have no choice but to love me back.

Silly Negal. She cupped his cheek. Isnt it obvious that I love you too?

He made a doubtful face even though she was right. He knew. I dont want to assume anything. I still need to hear the words.

How could I not love you? she whispered. You are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside, and you treat me with more care and respect than anyone ever has. You didnt belittle my insecurities about intimacy or try to bulldoze over them as most men would have tried to do. Youve been attentive, considerate, and patient, but you still managed to convey at every turn how much you desired me. I dont know anyone who would have been capable of navigating the convoluted maze of my psyche as well as you have.

Negals heart swelled in response to her praise, and he felt more manly than he ever had because he had done right by the female he loved.

Thank you. He pressed his forehead to hers. I just wanted you to feel safe and comfortable with me. He chuckled. Usually, though, females are aroused by danger, not by those who offer them safety.

You are danger and safety and everything in between wrapped into one hell of a sexy package. I dont know any woman who wouldnt have been wildly attracted to you, and Im so grateful that you are mine. She looked into his eyes with an expectant expression on her beautiful face.

Did she need confirmation? Or did she want him to say the same things to her?

Negal tightened his arms around his female. You are strength, vulnerability, and everything in between wrapped into the most alluring, beautiful, and sexy gift from the Fates. I am yours, Margo, for as long as you will have me, which I hope is forever.

Oh, Negal. Her eyes misted with tears. I pray that you will be mine forever, too, and I feel greedy for wanting so much for myself. What have I done to deserve you?

He laughed. Im not the saint you think I am, and Im definitely no prize. Perhaps you have done something bad, and Im your punishment?

No way. She slapped his chest playfully. You need to stop deprecating yourself.

Aha, so I do have faults.

She rolled her eyes. No one is perfect. But as long as the plusses outweigh the minuses, its a win, and in your case, the scale dips heavily on the plus side, making you a big win.

I can live with that.