Shaking her head, Victoria replied, "I'm not sure I believe that. It sounds like something from a book."
She kept talking about books, his human. Although, given her recent comments, it made him curious as to just what she was reading.
He rubbed her legs, loving how she unconsciously parted them further in invitation, turning his dick to granite.
His dragon roared. How can you resist her? She's right there, our true mate. Tell her and kiss her.
Ignoring his dragon—although it was getting harder to do and a line he'd need to tread carefully—he focused on his female. He replied, "Oh, you'll learn what I say is the truth soon enough, my sweet Tori." He moved until his face was an inch from hers. "Because I'm never going to let you go."
She lifted one shoulder. "Again, I'm a sure thing, so no need to talk me up."
He growled. "I'm not trying to butter you up. You're mine, Victoria Lewis. Forever."
Whether his human was ready for the news or not, it was time to tell her the truth about what would happen once he kissed her sweet lips.
Even Victoria's post-orgasmic hazed brain caught the finality of his tone. "What do you mean, forever?"
Tightening his fingers around hers, he murmured, "You're my true mate, Tori. Do you know what that means?"
Her first reaction was to consult her book. But even without it, she knew the basics—each dragon-shifter had a fated true mate. That person was their best chance at happiness.
Although she couldn't remember the rest of the details. And thankfully, she was still boneless from her orgasm, or no doubt she'd be freaking out a little. "I'm your true mate? How is that possible? I'm human."
He smiled. "It doesn't matter. Dragon-shifters mate humans, even the author of the book you hold so dear mated one."
True. The author, Melanie Hall-MacLeod, a human, had mated a famously sexy, growly dragonman of her own.
Still, as the truth began to sink in, she tried to focus on her trusted, long-time friend—facts. "How do you even know it's me? You just met me a few hours ago. I'm not sure I accept the 'one look and done' theory, either."
"An inner male dragon senses their true mate. And while there may be dragons who lie about it if they're spoiled and selfish, mine would never do so." He tried to soften his face a fraction as he took her hands in his and he continued, "Besides, look at how far we've come already. It's almost as if your body understands that you're mine."
His words reminded her that she was naked from the waist down and a few minutes ago, the very large dragonman had been licking between her thighs as if he'd never get enough.
Willing her cheeks not to burn—the talk of true mates was a serious thing—she blurted, "That's unhelpful. You're sexy, so of course I'm going to act like a wanton with you between my thighs." She sat up a little taller, hoping Jose would remove himself from between her legs, but he didn't budge.
As she searched his gaze and flashing pupils, she wondered if it could be true. That somehow, someway, this man's inner dragon had taken one look at her and said, "Mine."
The side of her full of daydreams and fantasies wanted to accept the idea and kiss the man to get their new life started. However, her more rational side won out for the moment, and she said, "If you're being serious, then I need more information. What does being a true mate fully mean, because I don't know. Plus—do I even have a choice in the matter? Or will ADDA simply force me to stay with the dragons, to help keep the peace?"
While she was interested in dragons, not to mention Jose was also sexy and somewhat charming, was that enough to throw caution to the wind and seize an unknown future? One maybe where she couldn't decide anything ever again?
She tried to pull her hands away, but he didn't let go. Jose never broke his gaze as he said, "There's no need to be afraid. It's not a future of you being a sex slave in a dungeon, Tori. Let me explain it first, then you can make a decision, okay?" She bobbed her head and he grunted. "Good, then let's try this as I do that."
He moved to sit on the couch and pulled her into his lap, his hot chest against her bicep, the contact making her relax her posture a little.
Even though his arms were wrapped around her, keeping her in his lap, she was a little less vulnerable and able to think clearer.
"Better?" he murmured.
"A little."
His pupils flashed again, but quickly returned to round and stayed that way, which made her heart calm a fraction.
Not that she wasn't interested in his dragon, but right now, she needed the human half to explain everything.
After squeezing her waist in reassurance, Jose continued, "As I said, my inner dragon recognizes you as my true mate, which means it's the truth. I didn't say anything at first because I wanted to show you how good it can be between us, even without fate."
She shook her head. "One orgasm a secure future does not make."