Hearing someone say they needed her, to know she held a place of importance in someone else’s life, filled Melinda with a profound feeling of contentment. Something else he said caught her attention.
“Hang on,” she said. “Did you just say...I reminded you how to love?”
“Yes.”
I need to hear him say it , she thought. I need to know it’s real . She had held off using the words herself, even as she began falling for him. Deep down, despite all that talk about bonding and connections and shared energy, she still did not believe she would ever be capable of finding a special place in another person’s heart.
Maybe you need to say it first. Even if you’ve been hurt a million times over by everyone you ever said it to, before.
“Melinda?” Roth looked at her, head tilted slightly. “Are you all right?”
“I love you,” she blurted out before she could stop herself.
Roth blinked. Melinda braced herself, certain that she had just ruined everything.
Then he said, “I love you, too.”
Startled, Melinda raised her head and stared at him. “R-really?”
He chuckled. “I see you have reverted to your former habit of not listening to me. Have you truly heard nothing I have said to you? I tell you I need you, I cannot live without you, I want you with me always.”
He spread his arms, palms up, and looked around. “Shall I shout it to the world?” He cupped his hands around his mouth and, drawing a deep breath, began to bellow, “I lo—“
“Okay!” Melinda grabbed at his wrists and yanked his hands down. She still didn’t know if they had permission to be up here… “All right. I believe you. You love me.”
He loves me! On impulse, she reached up, took hold of Roth’s face, and pulled him down to give him a quick, firm kiss on the lips.
“I’m still trying to get a handle on this ‘listening’ thing. Just…be patient with me. I’ve got a lot of years’ worth of issues to clear out.”
“I will endeavor to assist you in any way possible.” Enfolding her in his arms, Roth covered her mouth with his in a deep and passionate kiss that lasted several minutes.
“Guess we should be going,” Melinda said when they separated. She looked back the way they had come and grunted. “Hm. Well, unless you want to do your little teleportation trick, I have a feeling the climb back down is going to take longer than the climb up.”
“Why climb,” Roth asked, “when we can fly?”
As Melinda watched, he unfurled his wings, momentarily blocking out the sun as they flexed up and outward from his shoulders.
“Oh my God,” she said. “Are you serious?”
“Are you afraid?” Roth challenged.
Melinda looked up at him. She saw the love in his eyes, and the smile on his lips made her break into a grin.
“Not with you,” she said. She snaked her arms around his neck. “Fly, Dragon-man.”
Locking his arms around her, Roth sprang into the air, his great wings beating. As they shot up through the clouds, Melinda let out a whoop of delight. She didn’t look down.
And she never looked back, either.
*****
THE END
About Jasmine Wylder
Jasmine Wylder is a Real Estate Agent by day and an emerging Paranormal Romance Author & Adventurer by night. Hailing from California, her passion for sultry stories, steamy scenes, and all-things romance began early on and it has stayed with her ever since.
When she isn’t creating captivating storylines, Jasmine loves spending time in the great outdoors, practicing yoga, painting, and treating herself to fine cuisine. She is also an avid animal lover (dogs in particular) and is the proud owner of a Husky named Luna and a Yorkie named Anya.
Whether it’s out-of-this-world love (literally), dragon shifters setting your heart ablaze, or unquenchable vampiric desire, Jasmine has you covered!
Currently, Jasmine is in the midst of crafting paranormal romances and tries to escape to the countryside every so often to get the full writer’s experience.
Want more of Jasmine Wylder?
Check out her Author Page or follow her on Facebook .
Jasmine’s Other Books
Alpha’s Desire
(Rocky Mountain Shifters Series, Book 1)
Description
He swore he’d never do it. She vowed to work alone. But circumstances have changed, and sacrifices must be made.
Sienna Blaine is not your typical lone wolf. Cast out of her pack by 17 vindictive Alphas, she vowed to make her own rules and stay one step ahead of the game – no matter the price. Skilled at discerning fact from fiction, she’s fully capable of keeping potential threats at bay. But for all her strengths, she has a weakness – one that compromises her ability to trust.
Alpha wolf Brody McAllister earned the nickname “Broody Brody” for a reason. His stone-faced, take-no-prisoners attitude separates him from the rest, but when one of his pack members goes missing, his less-than-animated personality is put to the ultimate test. Anger turns to desperation as he struggles to maintain control and unravel the mystery behind the young woman’s disappearance.
Sparks fly as Sienna’s carefree lifestyle threatens to crack Brody’s perfectly polished control, but when the Kodiak den threatens her life, Brody’s wolf is poised to rip throats and take names to keep her safe from harm.
Chances are Brody and Sienna could be fated mates, but is that a chance either is willing to take?
Beta’s Destiny
(Rocky Mountain Shifters Series, Book 2)
Description
I don’t need a babysitter. I can handle the danger on my own. Even though I have to admit, his dominant demeanor and rock-hard body did get my attention.
Sassy, smart-mouthed shifter Emery Wilkins needs to lay low, when she points the finger at a dangerous criminal who put her father in jail. And now she has to play by the rules of Sage, her newly assigned personal bodyguard. But, will she?
Sage Blaine takes care of others and that is what he does best. Although Emery is giving him a hard time, he is feeling that inner force pulling him towards her. He has to focus on his job to keep Emery safe, and shouldn‘t be distracted by his inner desires.
Things heat up with the Kodiak bear shifters still seeking revenge, and a dangerous criminal looking for Emery. Will they make it safely through their journey and give into their feelings? Or, will their stubborn natures and outside forces keep this duo from finding their own happily-ever after?
Alpha’s Love
(Rocky Mountain Shifters Series, Book 3)
Description
Opposites attract, right?
Voluptuous Liesel Gaytan is a survivor. After being abducted by rogue bear shifters almost two years ago, Liesel lives for the moment and makes the most out of every second she has. Now playing by the rules of sexy alpha Grayson Anders in order to be safe doesn’t give her the satisfaction she is looking for, even though there is an instant attraction when she sees Grayson. She has to keep things professional no matter how much she keeps imagining how he looks underneath that tight clothes.
Grayson Anders isn’t looking for romance. As a former Army Ranger and Alpha of the Canyon pack, Grayson Anders’ life, truck, and pack are orderly and follow strict rules. So, when he’s got to keep his pack and wild child Liesel Gaytan safe from bloodthirsty mountain lion shifters hell bent on revenge, he’s not sure she won’t drive him crazy before he can get the situation under control.
But as they often do, opposites attract, and it isn’t long before the two can’t deny their deep-running attraction any longer. And no matter the price, he's ready to serve her every need. The only problem is—will it do more harm than good? Will it distract Gray to the point that he can’t keep the enemy at bay?
Beta’s Second Chance
(Rocky Mountain Shifters Series, Book 4)
Description
Any hot shifter deserves a second chance, right?
Curv
y Ava Montclair has her work, her mission, and her ambition to keep her going. The last thing she needs is a distraction. And not at all in the form of her ex-boyfriend, Pax Carrigan. Although she has to admit, he's still hot as hell.
Strong Pax Carrigan broke Ava's heart a decade ago and now he's back with one job--to keep her safe. But the longer Pax spends with the one and only girl he's ever loved, the more he knows there's more to her. For now, however, he has to focus on his job. Anything else would be unprofessional. Or wouldn't it be?
Ferals formed their own dangerous pack and targeted Ava. She got too much involved trying to get the squabbling packs to work together against the ferals. Will Pax keep the only girl he's ever truly loved safe? And will Ava ever forgive him, or is it too late for her?
The Dragon’s Secret Baby
(Dragon Secrets Series, Book 1)
Description
I'm not pregnant, am I? How is this possible…I’m still a virgin.
Curvy archaeologist Dominique can’t believe her luck; she just uncovered an ancient Dragon egg! But she’s not the only one with her eyes on the prize. All of the Dragon clans of the area want to stake their claim. Especially that hot ass, annoying Virdi who sticks to her side like glue. Unfortunately, if she wants to stay safe, she needs Virdi’s help.
Emperor of the world—that´s what Virdi is determined for, and he doesn´t care what he has to do to see it happen. Luring women out into the forest is just one occupation on his mind. But now, Dominique with her luscious body and the egg…maybe he can have both, pleasure and power at the same time.
But the risk is growing; the Dragons are after the egg and Dominique, to fulfill a prophecy the world hasn´t seen for centuries no matter what the costs.
Virdi has to risk it all to keep Dominique and that little secret growing in her belly safe. Will they make it, or will it all break apart?
The Vampire’s Bride Awakening
(Bound by Fate Series, Book 1)
Description
What begins as a frightening interrogation by the dangerous brood ends with fire and blood. And, if curvaceous Ember doesn’t stop it, she could lose everything she holds dear.
Curvy girl Ember Terzi spent her life doing what’s right. Building a business while keeping her younger sister safe from harm was no easy feat, but the life she created for them is suddenly thrown into turmoil when a violent group of strangers come barreling in on the hunt for someone she’s never heard of and has no desire to meet.
Only one man can help her, but there’s a problem. The sizzling hot man with Adonis-like features is as distracting as he is dangerous. With tales of soulmates, immortality, and vampire legacies, Ember is hesitant to enlist his help until one simple touch ignites a fire in her body and soul. She’s left wondering how someone who can make her feel that way could be so bad.
Sexy alpha male Kai has spent his life waiting for his soulmate. When he meets Ember, he’s immediately intoxicated with her, but he has a secret – a secret so dangerous, it threatens all that he’s ever cared about.
A vengeful organization threatens to destroy everything, including his mate Ember. But he proves to be a formidable opponent. He’ll stop at nothing to protect what’s his, even if that means he’ll have to burn his enemies to the ground.
Who will win in this deadly tug of war between vampires, a sexy alpha male, a vengeful organization, and the power of eternal soulmates?
The Vampire’s Secret Baby
(Bound by Fate Series, Book 2)
Description
The last thing she wanted was that ape of a man to show up in her life…
Melody Terzi is on the run. From vampires and anti-vampire extremists alike. What’s more? She just might have found herself pregnant in the midst of the chaos. As if her life couldn’t get any more complicated, the father of her child happens to be one of the most stubborn, pig-headed, muscle-bound vampires on the planet. If she can stay one step of everybody, she just might be able to disappear off the grid and raise her baby in peace.
Aksel Sorenson has plenty of excitement in his life to keep him busy for the next two centuries. The terrorist organization New Dawn is hunting vampires down across the globe and killing them at will. His past has resurfaced and brought with it, a promise to marry a stranger that has huge consequences if not kept. But Aksel? All he can think about is finding the woman he spent one amazing night with all those weeks ago and setting her straight for thinking she can run from him.
But the world’s on fire and being with Melody can bring everything he holds dear crumbling down. Can he set her free or is he bound by honor to make Melody his own?
The Billionaire Wolves’ Virgin
Description
What do you do when two billionaire Alphas fight over the right to mate you?
Curvy reporter Tanya Rouge needs to propel her career forward. Poking around on the wolf shifters territory for the story of the century might be dangerous, but could be well worth it.
Until she gets abducted.
Finding herself at the mercy of two huge predators doesn’t scare her, at all. It is quite the contrary. Arousal is flooding her virgin body in a way she’s never felt before. Not for one of them, but for both.
Nathan and Gabriel are the sizzling alphas of two packs. Muscles in all the right places and filthy rich. They are rivals, but willing to combine the packs into one when an evil ousted Alpha resurfaces.
They put their mission at risk when both set their eyes on the same curvy target. Neither will back down from their determination to make her theirs. Not to mention all the sorts of juicy things they want to do to her.
Who is going to win the right to mate Tanya? And will they be able to supplant the ousted Alpha’s plans to claim the packs as his own?
Her Dragon Professor
Description
A dragon camouflaged as a professor? Risky…
Curvy student Mia Thompson doesn't have time for anything outside of school, work, and family. Now that she has a chance to improve her station, she won't let anything get in her way of success; not even the sizzling hot young geology professor, Lee Tennet, who got her attention the moment their paths crossed. But Mia has no idea the secrets that lie in store.
Lee Tennet is a dragon shifter living in a world where he must keep his true identity hidden. If anybody found out his secret, his life and his people would be in danger. But right now, the only thing he can think about is that one student with curves in all the right places. Stop…he can’t risk his camouflage! Or can he, just for once?
Things get even more complicated when Mia is marked as a target by dark witches who want to break the seal binding their magic and restore their ancient evils. The only way to do that is through human sacrifice. Her only hope is a dragon, but can Lee risk his life for one woman to claim their happy ending?
The Alpha Bear’s Magician
Description
I don’t need this hot alpha in my life right now, I am a mage and need to focus on my work. Or should I let myself go, just for once?
Mandy Hicks is an earth mage who has been unlucky in love. Her controlling, possessive father stopped her from having normal relationships with boys as she grew up, and she doesn’t think she'll ever find true love...until Daniel Andrews steps into her life.
Daniel Andrews has a reputation, and not a good one. After the death of his father, he became alpha of his bear clan and was determined to serve them to the best of his ability. Unfortunately, his less-than-perfect teenage years left a black stain that he is constantly trying to move past. Meeting Mandy, with her thick curves, turns his world up-side down. That emotional and physical attraction…a mage…his mate…no way.
Before either of them can do anything about it, an ancient vampire with the ability to enthrall people resurrects from her grave and threatens to destroy all they love. With the world at stake, romance has to go on the back burner… but passion refuses to be denied. Daniel and Mandy have to find a way to defeat her befor
e all is lost. Will they?
The Vampire’s Nanny
Description
What is a good neighbor supposed to do when a sizzling hot daddy can’t take his glowing eyes off of her…give him free rein to her inner desires?
Curvy Cayden Banks isn´t looking for another occupation. But, when this hot mysterious single dad needs her to help take care of his daughter, she can´t help herself and accepts. It´s not every day that you get a handsome man moving next door to you, right?!
Charles has walked this earth for hundreds of years. He spends his days hiding from the sun, and his nights feeding on the blood of the unsuspecting. But, the only thing he is thinking of right now is what that neighbor´s luscious chocolate body would feel like on his cold white skin. How is he supposed to get rid of those dirty thoughts when she is now becoming his nanny?
Everything changes when his dark past catches up with him, and Cayden learns the truth about Charles and his orphaned daughter—who has the power to put an end to all bloodsuckers.
Can they use the child’s gift to put a stop to the vampires? And will Charles be able to sacrifice his immortality for the love of a woman he only just met, but feels like he’s known forever?
Bonded to the Alpha Wolf
Description
Every witch needs an animal companion – but she never bargained for this!
Savannah Goode has not had an easy existence. An African-American woman with a sensual, Earth Mother Goddess body, she knew from an early age that she was “different,” hailing from a long line of solitary witches. Her two older half-sisters continue to torment her on a daily basis, but somehow she refrains from turning them into toads as she struggles to keep a promise to their late father and run the small Chicago restaurant that was his legacy.
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