Page 20 of Habibi: Always and Forever

THE DAREDEVIL’S BIGGEST LEAP

ELI

T wo years later, and I was still pinching myself, waking up to find the sexy-as-sin man at my side. Not just a man, either. A dragon . Well, he was dragon-borne, at least.

The man whose chest rose and fell beneath my ear was the descendant of dragons.

He'd grown up in foster homes, never knowing his ancestry until he found Seven and the Black Cat Circus.

Once he was introduced to the paranormal world that existed within the human one, he learned that the restlessness he'd always felt was because of the dragon's soul that lived within him.

His ancestors were likely able to shift into their dragon forms, but for some reason, Drake wasn't able to set his dragon free. After we’d gotten together and I left my small life behind to join him and BCC on the road, I tapped into my journalism skills to try to understand why.

Researching what were thought to be mythological creatures led me down many interesting paths, but the best I could figure was that it had to do with adaptation in a world with a growing population.

There were few places on Earth that a dragon could fly without notice, so instead he was bound inside of a man, burning with a need to stretch and be set free.

Whatever the reason, Drake was still a wonder, and not just because he loved me, though that was pretty freaking wonderful.

He'd gained some supernatural traits, like thicker skin that was incredibly difficult to pierce—I still cringed to think of what it must have taken to create the holes for the gauges in his ears.

He also had this feline-like sense of balance that made his daredevilry more thrilling and terrifying to watch.

His indestructibility and keen awareness gave him fearlessness and a hunger for extreme feats.

My favorite traits, though, were the draconian parts that somehow seeped through his human exterior.

The way fire burned in his eyes with desire, and when he was really worked up, they took on a reptilian appearance, with round pupils turning to slits.

It took my breath away every time. His growl was the other thing I couldn't get enough of.

When it was directed at me, it rumbled up through him, making me feel like I was his next meal.

Sprinkle me with parsley and serve me up ! I loved being devoured by him.

I opened my eyes and stared at his muscular chest. Not just the beautiful tan skin of his hardened pecs, but at the tattoo that covered it.

The dragon tattoo was currently curled into a ball with its tail wrapped around itself, tucked beneath my cheek.

I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him snuggled up to me.

I reached up and stroked a finger along its curved back, making it arch and wiggle. I remembered the first time I'd woken to find the tattoo had moved and freaked out, thinking I was losing my mind. It was then that I learned about Drake and his dragon.

The tattoo had been made of a magical ink that acted as a manifestation of the dragon living inside him. The connection came alive after our mating bond was complete. Now, the dragon reacted to my touch, the touch of his mate. Me . Drake's mate and soon to be Drake's husband.

The sleepy smile on my face stretched wider, and I continued to pet the image of the dragon on Drake's skin. It swirled around to nudge my hand with its head.

“Mmm. That tickles.” Drake's voice was husky with sleep, sending an enticing ripple through me at the sound of it.

“Sorry, I couldn't help it. He looks so cute when he's sleeping. I love waking him up.”

The dragon bumped my hand once more, clearly pleased with the attention.

“What about me? Are you going to pet my… head too to wake me up?”

I tilted my head back to see his amber eyes glowing in that way that warmed me to my core.

“Nope. You have to wait until our honeymoon.”

Drake let out a disappointed groan. “You’re really sticking to that?”

I propped myself up on an elbow to look at him more easily. “Yes. We started out pretty hot and heavy.”

“I haven’t heard any complaints.” Drake gave me a wink.

I chuckled in response, even as my cheeks warmed, thinking of those early days when Drake forced me out of my shell in ways I never imagined.

“No. No complaints at all. But we're getting married, and it’s something I’ve thought about since I was young.

I imagined that day as being full of love, yes, but also the eagerness and anticipation of what comes next. A little waiting doesn't hurt.”

“It's been forever !” A growl pushed those words out, making me chuckle. It was almost impossible to ignore his rock-hard cock trying to get my attention, and I desperately wanted to give it, but not yet.

“It's been two weeks. ”

“Exactly!” Drake responded.

I patted his chest, purposely teasing him and the dragon. “Surely, a being as strong as yourself can handle another day. Just imagine how you might be able to channel all that energy you're storing up for your husband .”

Drake moved in a flash, wrapping his arms around me and flipping me over until he was on top of me, staring down with those incredible slits in his eyes.

He rolled his hips, thrusting his steel-like shaft against me, making me shiver with arousal.

He was so hot in every way. Not only incredibly attractive, but literally, too.

Everywhere Drake’s skin touched mine, I felt the heat that bloomed out of him with the internal fire of his dragon.

I had experienced that heat deep inside of me as well as feeling it from within him, too.

I’d gone without it for two weeks, and I craved the supernatural sensation of his fire.

Drake knew it, too, and he was playing dirty. He grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head, kissing my neck as he continued to slide his cock over mine, making me moan.

He whispered in my ear. “You’re already my mate, Marshmallow. We’re as good as married already. I say we skip the whole thing and just get right to the honeymoon.”

Tempting. So incredibly tempting. It was a heady feeling knowing that Drake wanted me and was this desperate for me.

I never felt like anything special before him.

Too shy and anxious to stand up for myself and too afraid to try new experiences.

With Drake, though, he made me feel bold and powerful in ways I never thought I could.

I was bold enough to be loved by such a fearless man and strong enough not to give in and hold my ground.

I didn’t tug away from his grip on my hands, but I spoke his name in a soft tone. “ Drake .”

He instantly let go and met my gaze, his eyes returning to their round state, and he gave an apologetic smile.

It still amazed me, knowing I had such command over this beast of a man.

Me, who had never even had command over my own life.

I reached up and caressed his cheek. “We are mated. We have a connection unlike anything I could dream of, but I’ve had another dream since I was young.

As much as I hate being in the spotlight, I’ve always dreamt of saying ‘ I do ’ and sharing that moment with family and friends.

It wasn’t something I thought I would get until you came back into my life.

To think of the fearless boy I once admired in school and finding the same man who looks at me the way you do, I sometimes can’t believe this is real.

But it is, and I want everyone to know.”

“It’s real, Marshmallow. It’s so fucking real.” Drake bent down and kissed me sweetly.

A smile stretched across my lips. “Besides… you’re the one who made a whole big show out of proposing to me during a stunt on the Ferris wheel, so now I’m just holding you to your promise.”

Drake sat up, pulling me with him, and held my hand.

“Keep doing that, Eli. Keep holding me responsible. I get restless and impatient, needing to move, to do anything , but you steady me. You keep me grounded and calm the stirring beneath the surface. You know I want to marry you and call you mine in every way; I’m just eager to get it over with. ”

I snickered. “Just the sentiment I hoped for when it came to my wedding day. Hurry up and get it over with.”

“Ah, fuck. That’s not what I meant.” Drake stroked a hand over his hair.

I leaned forward and kissed him. “I know. It’s fine, Drake. I’m eager for it, too. Today, we are going to live out a fantasy. One for me, for us, for our friends and family, and tomorrow we get to start the rest of our lives together. As husbands and mates . Joined together across worlds.”

He sighed and rested his forehead against mine. “Husbands and mates.”

“We should probably get up and start getting ready. It’s a big day.” I patted Drake’s arm, feeling all kinds of wonderful at the sound of the words echoed back to me.

“I don’t know; I think a quickie might help take the edge off. Just the tip, even.”

I let out a loud laugh and nudged Drake away. “Nice try, mister. We’re going to wait, even if it kills us.”

Standing, I headed for the bathroom of the small trailer with Drake following behind. “We don’t have to do a whole honeymoon thing. We can just come back here and celebrate together.”

“No offense, but I’d rather not have to think about the fact that nearly every being in the circus can hear or smell us. As much as I love the Black Cat family, I want a little space and time just for us, and I found something perfect.”