Page 109 of The Dragon Warlord

“I see by that look on your face, you remember. Fucking sadists, but this is good. It means I can have fun worshipping you and teaching you without worry I’ll break my own vow. Or well, less worry anyway. I was very tempted to break my vow and tally a punishment to my total when I walked in here. Gods, River. Your smell is irresistible.”

Not true. If it were irresistible, I would no longer be a virgin.”

“You know, some people count what we’ve already done as sex. You could say you’re not—”

“Nope. Not me. I’m a virgin until you take me.”

He laughs. “All right. That can be our definition. But my husband’s rules will keep me in check.”

“So, um, when can you?”

“Not telling. I’ll surprise you. Speaking of rules, you have some yourself.”

“I do?” I raise a brow, brimming with excitement. He’s going to make hot sex rules.

“Number one, no coming without permission, your orgasms belong to me. Number two, no touching yourself without my permission, your cock belongs to me too,” he says. “Understand?”

“Yes, sir!” I might be too excited about those rules.

“Now get dressed. You have a meeting with your father.”

I swallow. “My father?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Am I in trouble for something?”

He sighs. “No idea, but I definitely am.”

I hop off the bed and fetch myself a small cloth from the basin. Tristan leans on the bed, watching me. “Why are you in trouble?”

“Perhaps ‘trouble’ is the wrong word, but he’s not pleased. Just him being my alpha stuff. I’m distressed about this situation between us. He can tell and he’s freaking the fuck out. I’ve been put on notice. If I don’t get my shit together, I’ll be moving to dragon lord central.”

I know those are his words—father doesn’t talk like that—but I chew my lip while I wipe myself off.

“I don’t want you distressed about us, Warlord. Maybe … maybe—” I can’t even say what I’d intended, which is that we stop, but now that we’ve begun our liaisons, I don’t want them to end. I get an idea. “We can move achingly slow. I don’t care. Whatever you need.”

“Thank you. I might need that as much as my dragon is roaring for you.”

Clean, I skip my messy underpants and slip my trousers on.

“I think you need to move some of your clothes in here,” he says.

“Yes. Yes, I’ll have it done.”

“C’mere, sweet dragon.”

I still feel like I’m flying as I pad my way across the marble floor and then onto the large fur rug. He stands and pulls me into his arms. We rub noses and that gesture, no matter what else is going on, makes me feel like everything will be okay.

“I suppose you should go so you have time to change. Ugh. I wanted to spend time with you, but I have to meet with my general and then there’s the bloody Council meeting.”

“It’s okay.”

“It isn’t.”

“We’ll … we’ll fall asleep together,” I say. It’s half-reminder and half-question.

“We’ll fall asleep together.”