Page 6 of Tempting Her Dragons (Embracing The Bond #10)

Chapter Six

Saphira

S omeone is waking me up again. The ponding on the wood bounced around my head. Why can’t people respect boundaries? I work nights. If I want to sleep until noon, I will.

I roll over to my stomach, swing my legs off the bed, and wiggle backward. My eyes don’t want to open as I leave my bedroom and stumble to the living room.

“What?” I grumble as I swing the door open.

“Do you know you have two fine-as-fuck dragons on your roof?” Sally says, stepping back and wiggling her fingers in the air.

Oh, fuck. “Sally,” I whisper furiously. I grab her arm, yank her inside, and slam the door. How could I forget? “Oh my god, oh my god.” I drag my hands through my hair, pacing back to my room.

“I love the pants. They make your ass look amazing,” she gushes.

“Are one of those mine?” I point to the coffee in her hands.

“Of course. Rach says hello. She seems nice.” I lunge for it, drinking gratefully. “When I got the text, I didn’t believe it.” She wanders to my dresser, leaning back on it. “Two dragons for our Saphira. I had to see it for myself.”

“Group text?” I ask faintly. How did they find out?

“Of course. You didn’t think this news wouldn’t spread?” she says.

“How?” I guzzle more coffee but keep my eyes on her.

“Ryker came by last night because you didn’t check in like you said you would. Then your brothers stopped by to have a manly chat with your mates. You know the one,” she says, waving her cup. “They came ready to kill but couldn’t. You would be upset. So they threaten and demand you’re treated right.” She smiles. “Or else.” She shakes her head. “I wish I could have seen it. All that dragon fire being tossed around. No pun intended.”

I blink. “My brothers?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“How does this get around so fast?” I growl. I walk into the bathroom, and Sally follows.

“You know how it works.” Sally is a rabbit shifter and one of my best friends. She’s beautiful, funny, and loyal. She has never revealed her age, but shifters age super slowly, so who knows?

“Shit,” I whisper as I strip. “Are they mad?”

“Your brothers? Or your mates?” she asks, hopping on the counter and crossing her ankles.

“Both?” I turn on the shower and test the water. My brothers would still be here if they found out about my mission.

“No and no,” she says. “I didn’t have a conversation with your mates, but they seem at home on the roof. Plus, they’re still here, which is a good sign.”

I step in and scrub furiously. “I fell asleep. Who falls asleep after they meet their mates?” What are they thinking? I don’t think they were turned off by what I did, but we barely spoke after.

“Were you tired after they fucked you?” she asks.

“No, we didn’t sleep together.” I pile shampoo in my hair.

“Shame,” she hums. “They are yummy.”

“I know,” I groan. Shit, hopefully, they can’t hear me.

“Don’t worry,” she says.

“Is that a premonition?” Rabbit shifters are underestimated because of their size but have other gifts. Sally gets visions of the future.

“Sure.”

“Sally,” I whine. I’m nervous. I want them to be alright with what I do. With who I am.

“Saphira,” she says firmly. “Everything’s going to work out.”

“Alright.” I rinse and condition. “Crap, I didn’t bring in clothes. Will you get some?”

“Sure thing,” she says and hops down.

Did they sleep on the roof? The couch? Did they get into a fight with my brothers? So many questions and the only way I’m going to get them answered is to get my ass out of the shower.

I reach out and grab the towel off the hook.

“They’re in the kitchen,” Sally whispers as she returns. I dry my legs and everything in between.

“Crap,” I mumble. I quickly grab the pile of clothes from her hands. “Sally, really.” She brought me my shortest shorts, which I only wear when alone. They are light-colored jean shorts with rips across the back pockets. The shirt is off the shoulder, with long sleeves and cut at an angle across my waist. The right side of my waist will show.

“Girl, you have a great body. Show it off.”

“I didn’t plan on showing so much,” I hiss.

“Why the fuck not? Have you seen them?” She points toward the door, and I roll my eyes.

At least she brought me underwear and a bra. I quickly get dressed, brush through my hair, and brush my teeth. I don’t have time for makeup.

“Ready,” I say to myself in the mirror.

“Get them,” Sally mouths behind me. I give her big eyes, and we walk as casually as possible through the bedroom. I freeze in the living room when my mates turn their attention my way. “Welp, I better go,” Sally says, walking backward to the door, ignoring my panic. “I’m Sally, by the way. I hope you like rabbit shifters.”

“Love them,” King says, smirking. I watch her face blush, something I didn’t know she could do.

“Awe…awesome,” she stutters, another thing I didn’t know she could do. “Alright. Have fun, kids.” I stare at the closed door for what seems like hours.

“Saphira,” Mav says softly, gaining my attention.

“Did you sleep?” I ask hurriedly. “Hopefully not on the roof.” I’m fucking wet. How can I be wet? They are standing across the room from me; no touching involved. “Are you hungry? I can make you something. I’m a pretty good cook. Micah, the vampire who raised me, insisted I learn. I wasn’t thrilled at first, but now I’m grateful.” I take a few steps closer. “I don’t know what you like to eat. Are you breakfast people?” I roll the ends of my sleeves in my palms, moving toward them. “Did my brothers yell at you? I hope they didn’t give you a hard time. They’re mated. They should know they can’t interfere with the bond.” I swallow hard. “I heard Ryker came over. I’m sorry about that, too.” I cross my arms, and my gaze travels over them quickly. “He’s protective. All of them are. Don’t take offense.”

“Saphira—” King takes a step toward me.

“I know, I know. They are my family, but sometimes it can be a lot for new people.” I bite my lip, dropping my arms. “Sorry, I chatter. Micah is always giving me shit about it. When I’m anxious, I chatter more. Do you drink coffee? I can make some.” I start to slide past them leaning on the island, intending to make coffee. A hand slips through one of the holes in my pocket and yanks. My back meets a hard chest.

“Don’t be anxious,” King whispers in my ear.

“You can’t just tell someone not to be anxious, and it magically happens,” I whisper, my body trembling in need. “Can I call you King?” I ask. “And Mav? I have been in my head.”

“I told you. Call us whatever you want,” he says.

“Okay.” He slides his hand across my waist and twirls me to face him.

“Did you sleep well?” he asks, his lips just out of reach once again.

“Yes. I sleep deep and quickly. Just so you know,” I inform them.

“We guessed,” Mav says as he moves across from his brother but closer to me.

“We are hungry,” King says, pulling my attention back to his lips. “We love breakfast and anything you want to feed us. Sleeping didn’t come easy, but we don’t need much.”

“Ryker was considerate,” Mav says.

“You forgot to text him.” King unravels my hands from my shirt. “He did what he came for and wished us good luck as your brothers walked over.” I stare at his hands caressing mine. “Your brothers were being brothers. We respect them. As long as you are happy, they won’t have a problem.” My gaze slowly crawls back up to his eyes.

“I’m glad they didn’t scare you off,” I say honestly. Now that I am accepting they are my mates, and I didn’t scare them off, I’m glad they know.

“Firefly, we don’t scare easily,” King rumbles, and my stomach flips at the nickname.

“Oh, good.” I lick my lips. Fuck, kiss me.

“Last night didn’t scare us either,” he continues.

“It didn’t?”

“Not a chance,” Mav says. He took his flannel off. His arms are covered in tattoos, and I can’t help staring. Between his tattoos and King’s lips, my body is going to combust.

“Were you afraid it would?” King asks, drawing my attention. His voice is low and sometimes sounds like it’s filled with gravel.

“Yes,” I admit.

“We respect it. Seeing you get justice for those girls just made us want you more,” he says.

“It did?” His hands stop their hypnotizing movement and grip mine.

“Saphira, we wouldn’t ask you to stop doing something you need to do. Unless it puts you in danger.”

“But we will insist on going with you at all times, at least one of us,” Mav adds.

“You were exhausted after,” King picks up the point. “You used too much power to drive safely.”

“Are you dominant?” I blurt and then cringe.

“We are dominant men. We have an issue with anything that puts you in danger.” King resumes his slow touch.

“You won’t try to stop me, though,” I say.

“No,” Mav says. “As long as you include us. It was beautiful.” He pushes off the counter and drags his fingertip down my ear. “Watching you use your power.”

My whole body clenches.

“Will you agree to take us with you?” King asks.

“Yes.” The heat from their bodies being so close is distracting.

“Good,” he says, inching closer. “We are more similar than you think. We have things to tell you about our life.” He pulls my hands apart as he moves into my body. He cups my jaw and tilts my head up.

“Sure,” I whisper. “Later.” We have plenty of time to talk much later. I stare at his lips, which are getting closer.

Yes. A phone rings, and his descent stops. No.

“Mom, now is not a good time,” Mav says. My head whips to the side, glaring at the phone at Mav’s ear. “We are about to kiss our, mate.” My eyes bug out.

“What?” is squealed through the speaker.

“You’re ruining the moment, Mom,” Mav says.

“Are you fucking with me?” she asks. There isn’t any fucking involved, unfortunately.

“No. Her name is Saphira.” King moves my head back. His thumbs stroke my cheeks, and I’m lost in his touch, his eyes holding mine.

“I’m coming. I want to meet her. Is she perfect? I bet she’s perfect,” she says.

“Mom, you aren’t coming here yet. We haven’t even kissed her. Let me get off the phone so we can do that,” Mav says.

“Right. Do that. Make her love my sons. What am I saying? Of course, she’s going to love you. Tell her hello from her mother-in-law,” she sings.

King kisses my lips softly and pulls back.

“Goodbye, Mom,” Mav laughs.

I push with my toes, chasing his lips. His sexy smirk is the last thing I see before he takes my mouth. I mean, he really takes it. He dives inside, tangling his tongue with mine.

This. This is like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

From the first touch in the club, I have wanted them. I can feel their concern and desire. I’ve seen numerous couples fall in love and complete the bond. It’s been beautiful to watch, but I didn’t give much thought to it happening to me. Is this how the others feel when the bond strikes? As if your body and soul are connected to another person. How do you get anything done?

King pulls away, palms the back of my neck, and presses my body toward his brother.

Fuck, that’s hot.

Mav cups my hips and then slides his hands to my ass as he kisses me. King leaves his hand on my neck and I have whole body shivers.

Their kisses are very different. King is all in. Fast. Thorough. Mav teases. He uses his teeth to tug on my lip, first the top and then the bottom. He licks my lips and then kisses me lightly. He eases the way, slow, steady, and just as delicious.

My erratic breathing echoes in the room when he backs away. My eyes slowly open as his thumb slides across my bottom lip.

“Delicious,” he rasps.

King’s hand flexes on my neck. “We won’t give you up, Firefly,” he growls.

I clear my throat and look over my shoulder. “Good.” Now that I have had the experience of the workings of the bond, I need them.

“Are you hungry?” Mav asks.

I shake the lust off. “I could eat.”

“Sit,” King says. “We’ll cook for you.” He lifts me to the counter, his hands sliding down my legs as he walks away. Goosebumps scatter over my skin. “Do you have a preference?” he asks, opening the fridge.

“No,” I say faintly. Where did these men come from?

“Coffee,” Mav says, handing me a cup. When did he make it?

“Thanks,” I mutter, looking down in wonder. They begin to work around the kitchen as if they have been here forever and like they have cooked together often. “You both cook?”

“Our mom made it a mandatory lesson,” King says while he gets the eggs.

“That must have been nice,” I say, smiling dreamily.

“She wasn’t always nice,” Mav laughs shortly. “We were little shits.” He dumps some hash browns in the warming skillet.

“No.” I shake my head. “It must have been nice to have a mom.” I regret my impulsive comment when their hands freeze and their eyes narrow.

“You didn’t have a mom?” King asks.

I open my mouth, but nothing escapes. I’m not sure I’m ready to reveal the dirty pain of my past.

“Get the bread,” King tells his brother, but his eyes stay on me. “How do you like your eggs?”

“Runny,” I whisper, and he nods.

He breaks an egg into the pan. I sip my coffee and watch them work. A pleasant atmosphere settles in the kitchen. They move seamlessly together without words, and I want to be a part of it. It’s obvious they have lived together and respect each other. Sometimes, you can learn more in the silent moments rather than voicing your feelings.

There are things we need to say, so many things we need to know. I wish I could share my past easily, but I haven’t spoken most of my feelings out loud. It was nice to be with Micah. He understood and gave me what I needed—to forget. Healthy? No, but sometimes it’s what we need the most.

I can tell they aren’t blood brothers. A shifter family will have different scents, but an underlying smell is the same. When they speak of their mother, what do they mean? I’m curious, but you can’t force someone to share.

Time. I just need time to trust the feelings they cause. It seems too good to be true. All I want to do, and what my body and dragon are pushing me to do, is wrap myself around them. Let them take care of me in a way I have never been.

Is it the bond making me like them? Would I feel this way without it?

There are certain things you can tell by scent. Most shifters can sense lies and deception. It smells different, like something rotten. They haven’t lied to me.

I’m startled out of my head when King picks me up. I grab his shoulders and stare at his jaw as he walks around the island and places me on a stool. Mav sets a plate filled with eggs, hash browns, and toast in front of me.

Mav takes the place beside me, and King stands in front of me on the other side of the counter.

“Eat,” Mav says.

“It looks so good,” I say, smiling as I pick up the fork.

“It’s nothing elaborate, but we are simple men,” King says.

“I don’t like fancy,” I assure him. I haven’t had a man cook for me for a long time. Micah used to all the time, but we haven’t spent as much time together lately. I dig in, groaning at the first taste, realizing I haven’t been eating like I should. Shifters need more food than humans; we need the fuel to run our bodies. Using so much energy last night caused my energy to dump.

“Good?” Mav asks.

“Delicious,” I say, licking the egg off my fork. “Your mom was a great teacher. She must have started your lessons early,” I tease.

“We were thirteen when she had us take turns cooking with her,” Mav says.

“Did you just watch before that?” I ask, scooping up some potatoes.

“We didn’t live with her yet,” Mav says.

“You didn’t?” They share an intense look.

“She didn’t kidnap us until we were twelve,” King says.

“What?” Holy shit.