Page 29

“No. I want to.” I wanted more than that. I wanted to fuck, but I wasn’t ready for that yet. Soon, though. I’d get over it, and Don would help me move forward.

“Alright.”

He remained still, holding me. His face burrowed into my neck as he took deep breaths.

A growl started low in his chest. I could feel it vibrating against my back.

It should freak me out. It didn’t. Instead, the sound went straight down to my cock, making it twitch.

Don’s breath sharpened, and he pulled me closer, allowing me to feel his own cock stiffening.

I wanted to lean into the moment, but the prickle of fear wouldn’t be erased. The thought of him leaning over me as we fucked made me panic.

Don instantly let me go and started to step back.

“No,” I snapped and grabbed his arms to pull him back. His warmth returned, and I leaned back. “I’m not ready yet, but that doesn’t mean I want you to stop touching me.”

Don nuzzled my neck. “I was not trying to pressure you.”

“I know.”

“I want you. That’s all,” Don said.

I laughed, turning around and hooking my arms around his neck. “I know.”

“I care about you.”

Heat bloomed in my stomach. “I care about you.”

Feeling brave, I arched up and pressed my lips to his. He was so warm and his lips were silky against mine. I groaned. The fear and memories were still there, but I pushed them away. I wanted this. I wanted him. Not some random person. I wanted Don, right here in this moment.

Don kept the pressure soft as he returned my kiss.

A moan ripped out of me, and I gripped him, trying to get closer.

He growled, and suddenly, the dynamic changed.

Don was kissing me like he never wanted to stop.

I wrapped my arms around his neck to hold him close, movements frantic.

I fisted his hair, and he whimpered. My tongue darted out and claimed his mouth.

His scaled tongue slid over mine, and I moaned, imagining it on my cock. The warm heat of his mouth would be amazing. Don grabbed my ass and lifted me so he didn’t have to bend over to accommodate my much shorter height.

Ice shattered the heat of lust and arousal. I pushed away, and Don released me, letting me slide to the ground. I took several steps away from him, panting. His breath wasn’t any better than mine and his tail was thrashing.

“My Vince, are you alright?”

I held up a hand to keep him away as I breathed, pushing through the memories of other people's hands on me. My pulse rang in my ears and my muscles were tight. I was trying to remain in one spot, rather than flee or curl into a ball.

I’d been enjoying the kiss until he grabbed me. Hell, I’d more than enjoyed it. My cock had been rock hard and desperate for him.

“Should I leave?” he asked, voice small.

“No.” I held out a hand; this time, in silent demand.

Don immediately took it. I pulled him close and pressed my face against his firm chest. I placed his hand on my cheek.

“Me or my gift?”

“You.”

I breathed in his light scent and pressed a kiss to his palm. Don nuzzled my head as he took a deep inhale. I stayed like that for a few minutes until I was tired, too tired to keep my eyes open.

Taking his hand in mine, I pulled him toward my bedroom. “Come on.”

“Are you sure?”

“Stop asking me. I wouldn’t invite you unless I was.” In my room, I kicked my shoes off and flopped onto the bed. Don was a lot slower. He was trying not to scare me. I was fine. Honestly. The sudden movement of him grabbing me had startled me, but I’d worked through it.

Don lay on the edge of the bed on his back, tense.

“You don’t have to nap with me,” I snapped. “If you have somewhere better to be, by all means…” I flicked my hand at the door.

His forehead crinkled. “I want to be here.”

I looked at his tense frame. “You could’ve fooled me.”

“I don’t want to scare you again.”

I scoffed and slid across the bed. Yeah, I was a tad nervous and my body screamed at me to run away, but this was Don.

My Don. He wouldn’t hurt me. I pushed his arm down flat on the bed before resting against him.

His arm came around my waist, hand cupping my hip.

He snuggled me close and his tail coiled around my calf.

“Are your wings uncomfortable?” I asked.

“Slightly.”

I leaned up. “Let them out.”

He sat up enough to let his wings unfold beneath us before lying back down and pulling me against his side. His wings were leathery and warm; I liked the supple texture and the utter heat that enclosed me. Any cold that plagued me was banished in his embrace.

I snuggled as close as possible, closing my eyes. He dragged his forehead over my hair again, and I laughed.

“Why do you keep doing that?” Not that I had any reason to complain. I rubbed my face on him all the time.

“Do you dislike it?” An oddly vulnerable tone had entered his voice.

I leaned my chin on his chest. “No. I like it.” I was rewarded with a wide smile, which I loved. Swallowing, I pressed a quick kiss to his lips before lying back down.

“Drakcol have scent glands on our forehead, sides of our necks, and our sides. It’s a way of marking you with my scent.”

Like a cat? I’d never had a cat, let alone knew much about them, but it seemed like a possessive move.

“Does it bother you now?”

“No.” I didn’t care if he felt possessive of me. I felt possessive of him. I fisted his shirt. While I was here, Don was mine, and I refused to let him go or share him. Anyone else who wanted him was fuck out of luck. I would literally beat them with a stick if they tried to take him.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t know what he was thanking me for, because what I was thinking was more than a little unhealthy, but I said, “Thank you for taking me on a date.”

“Date?”

“Um,” I said, falling asleep. “It’s a human courting term.”

“Are we courting?”

“I guess. No. Sort of.” I shrugged. I didn’t know, and I was too tired to figure it out.