Page 23 of The Dragon in the Corner Office (Monstrous New York #1)
Chapter 23
T he guest house is more of a tiny cabin sitting at the back of Maggie’s property. It’s one open space with high ceilings and large windows, making it seem larger than it really is.
A small kitchen area is tucked near the front door. Miniature appliances line the walls, and there’s just enough butcher-block counter space for food preparation. Extending from the wall, a peninsula houses two barstools and divides the kitchen from the living room.
The living room consists of a couch and chair nestled in front of a brick fireplace. Flames currently dance in the hearth while Cyrus and I lie in the queen-sized bed shoved into the back corner of the cabin.
A small, but newly remodeled, bathroom is located on the other side of the front door from the kitchen.
It’s homey and quaint.
The perfect escape from the noise and chaos of city life.
A gentle breeze from the open window above the bed ruffles my damp hair where it fans across the pillow. Turning my head, moonbeams spill through the open curtains, casting Cyrus in a soft glow.
Dark-blonde strands of hair fall over his forehead, his eyebrows scrunched until a deep V forms between them.
I run a finger along his jaw; my nails are back to their normal almond shape. The only remnants of my inner dragon are my usual golden eyes and a few scales peeking through my skin.
My finger makes its way up to his forehead, sweeping the fallen hairs back to reveal his strong but furrowed brow.
When I smooth my finger between them, his eyebrows relax as I ask, “What is it?”
He’s been quiet since our shower, which is unusual for him. Although, I’ve been a little trapped in my own head, too, processing my emotions. Maybe he’s doing the same. Tonight was a big step for us. Meeting his family. Opening up about his brother.
Not to mention our fuckfest among the trees. All of which I’m grateful for .
The muscle in his jaw flexes before he turns his head, the pillow scrunching beneath his weight. “Why do you think O’Malley won’t sign the contract?”
I sigh. This is something that has been heavy on my mind, too. The old man is stubborn, that’s for sure. “Honestly, I’m not sure. The offer is very generous, more than what the place is worth. And he seemed genuinely happy at every meeting. But ...”
My words trail off, gaze falling as I tuck the comforter tighter around my naked body, suddenly aware of how exposed and vulnerable I am.
I’m not used to this.
Discussing my feelings with someone else. Letting someone in.
A finger hooks underneath my chin, tipping it up until I’m met by crystal clear icy eyes. “Tell me, Antoinette. I’m on your side.”
My throat clicks with a swallow before I speak. “If he doesn’t sign that contract, I’m fucked. You heard Andrews—he won’t hesitate to fire me, even though I’m his top agent.”
“Fuck Andrews,” Cyrus responds immediately.
A bitter, forced laugh bursts from my mouth.
Propping onto his elbow, he rests a hand on the small of my waist. His warmth seeps through the thin fabric of the patchwork quilt, and I take comfort in the weight of his touch on my tired body. Eyes locked with mine, he says, “I know you can handle this situation on your own, and I’m not doubting you. We’re a team, remember?”
I nod.
“So, do you want me to call O’Malley next week and see if I can convince him to sign the contract?”
My dragon bristles, fury sparking low in my veins. Smoke stings the tiny hairs at the back of my nostrils. Old habits die hard.
Slamming my eyes shut, I hold my breath and conjure up an image of eyes reminiscent of an arctic glacier. Serene. Calm. Chilling.
Instantly, the fire in my veins extinguishes.
Like fucking magic.
My eyes spring open.
Cyrus is my magic.
“Yes,” I finally answer. “I would really appreciate your help.”
Soft lips land on my forehead, and I sigh as he murmurs, “Always, princess.”
I’m in so deep with this man. I can only hope and pray he doesn’t shatter my heart before we’re done. But I don’t want to think about the inevitable moment of our demise right now. I’d much rather enjoy the last few moments of relaxation in our cozy bubble in the woods.
So I do .
Pushing Cyrus to his back, I nestle under his arm and snuggle against his chest. The steady thumping of his heart fills my ear when I melt into his side.
Strong fingers stroke through my damp hair and down my back as they wander under the quilt. He squeezes my ass cheek before starting back again at my hair. Over and over, he caresses me and everything else fades away.
My own fingers weave a path through the smattering of hair on his chest. It’s the perfect amount; enough so you know he’s not some young cub, but not too much that he looks like a bear.
“Have you ever thought about moving out here? To help Maggie?” I ask, eyes drooping.
“Nah.” He chuckles. “My life is in the city, going toe to toe with a feisty dragon shifter to find the next hit property before anyone else.”
I roll my eyes even though he can’t see. But a smile pulls at the corner of my lips, knowing he wants to be in the city—to be near me.
Still stroking my back, he goes on. “In all seriousness, Maggie would hate having me here. She’s strong… and stubborn. She’s an amazing mom, and I’d only be in the way, so I come out almost every Sunday to take care of anything she needs help with, and I pay for what little she’ll let me. I know Roman had a life insurance policy, so I assume she and Lily are financially ok ay.”
My heart breaks for Maggie. There were pictures all over the main house of her and Roman. It’s clear she did, and still does, love him very much. I can’t imagine losing your soulmate. My arm tightens around Cyrus, holding him as close to me as possible. “I was wrong about you, Cyrus. Your heart is so big. I can’t imagine losing the people closest to you but finding the strength to keep going.”
He shrugs, jostling my body. “It hasn’t been easy. If anything, it’s made me and Maggie closer. But she can’t do it on her own forever. I actually hired a nanny for her this summer. Hopefully, she isn’t too pissed when she finds out. I just want her to have some time for herself so she can unwind and relax a little.”
“Well, out here, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, seems like the perfect place to relax. You were right. I needed a weekend away… and no more work on weekends,” I say with a nod of committal.
I’m supposed to be a predator, but somehow, Cyrus moves quick as lightning, caging me beneath him. My eyes spring wide, hands gripping his taut biceps.
“I’m sorry; can you say that again?” A devilish smirk plays on his lips.
Eyebrows scrunching, it takes me a second to figure out what in the hell he’s talking about. “You were ri—” Mid-sentence, it hits me… so I hit him , both hands slapping against his firm chest muscles, knocking him back with an oomph .
“Asshole! You had to ruin our perfectly good pillow-talk, didn’t you?”
That damn smirk is fixed firmly on his lips and, I’ll be honest, it’s grown on me. This once insufferable man has chipped away at my castle walls every day for the past month.
Leaning down, his mouth lands on mine, and I forget what we were talking about altogether when his tongue slides between my lips. Moaning, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him closer, needing more of his taste on my tongue.
Breaking the kiss, he rests his forehead against mine, face serious as he whispers, “I’m sorry, princess. You’re just so fun to rile up.”
Before I can land another playful smack on his chest, he rolls to his back again, tucking me into his side.
“Thank you for indulging my fantasy earlier.”
He chuckles. “You mean letting you chase me through the trees? That was your fantasy?”
I smile. Propping onto my elbow, I meet his sleepy gaze. “One of them. We can get to the rest another day. It means a lot to me that you put your trust in my hands, Cyrus.”
“I know you’d never hurt me, princess.”
My chest warms at his words. At the trust growing between us. I’ve never had this with anyone else. “D-do you have any fantasies you want to try?”
When my eyes skate down to his crotch, the sheet is slightly tented. Interesting. Something’s got him turned on.
He clears his throat, drawing my gaze back to his face. “I’ve never admitted this to anyone.” His chest heaves under me when he blows out a breath. “But I’ve always wanted to have a partner give me total control. To fill her sweet pussy whenever I want.”
My blood heats with arousal. Could I give him that? Freedom to use me whenever he wants?
“Like when I’m asleep?” It’s something I’ve secretly wanted to try, but never trusted anyone enough to admit.
“Yeah.”
“Okay.” I stroke a hand up his chest to rest over his heart. It’s thudding like crazy. “I trust you, Cyrus. We can try that whenever you’re ready.”
He smiles, pulling me in for one more kiss before I snuggle against his side, tucking the blanket around us.
This feels right.
Like where I’m meant to spend my nights after long days in the office.
Yawning, I push the scary thoughts of the future out of my mind and murmur, “Goodnight, Cyrus.”
Suddenly, the day’s events catch up to me—meeting his family, the chase through the orchard, and our subsequent fuckfest—and weariness sweeps through me, so I wriggle closer to Cyrus and let the thumping of his heart lull me to the edge of sleep. The last words to greet my ears before I tumble to dreamland are “Goodnight, princess.”