Page 124 of The Dragon 1

I fucking loved it.

Still, she needed to understand something—what she would get in bed, what I would give her in rope and obedience, was one thing.

But outside of that?

I led.

Always.

I was the one in control.

Still—I had to choose.

Right now.

Push back and make her feel overruled?

Or protect the only thing that mattered more than pride—her sense of safety.

My jaw flexed.

Reo appeared again, lingering behind her. Urging me with his eyes. Time was slipping through my fingers like blood on tile.

I looked back at Nyomi.

She was watching me.

Goddamn, she is magnificent.

“Fine.” I nodded. “Pinkyand Yoichi.”

Her smile was small and victorious. “Thank you.”

“Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow to help with your research.”

She didn’t gloat. She just nodded. “I hope everything works out and your brother is okay.”

“Me too.” I turned away from her.

I made it three steps.

And then. . .

Fuck. No.

I spun back around, the fire in my chest detonating into something I couldn’t—wouldn’t—leave behind.

Her eyes widened as I closed the distance.

Before she could say a word, I gripped her waist and pulled her flush against me.

Not roughly.

Possessively.

Like I already knew every inch of her body and had memorized it in dreams.

She gasped—just slightly—but didn’t move. Didn’t resist.