Page 75 of The Dragon's Gambit

“Yep, I knew it. You only love me at night,” Xander continued, giving Lee a crooked smile.

Lee looked up to see Reiya hiding safely behind Brody. His eyes met with Brody’s, peering at him curiously, trying to figure out which position he would take. Brody grinned and looked down at Reiya. “Sorry, Reiya, but this is bro code.” He then winked at Lee and stepped aside.

“Traitor!” Reiya hissed out. Just then, Chelsie popped up from the stairs. “Chelsie!” Reiya dove in behind her friend. “Save me, Chelsie!” she squealed.

Chelsie looked up at Lee, who stopped a few feet away from them. Her eyes became dark beads as she took a protective stance in front of Reiya. Through the slits in her eyes, she all but dared Lee to come for the girl. She didn’t care if he was a deity. All she knew was her friend was hiding behind her for help.

Brody ran in from the side and scooped Chelsie up in his arms. “I got this one. Hurry before she gets away!” Brody grinned as Chelsie yelped in his arms. She had no idea what was going on, but she quickly melted under Brody’s touch. He cradled her in his arms and smiled down at her.

“Wait, when did this happen? Was this always a thing? Gosh, no one tells me anything.” Xander held his arms out, gesturing toward Chelsie and Brody.

They ignored him. Lee focused on his fairy with a taunting smirk. “No one left to save you now.”

“See, that’s the thing, Lee. You’re still looking at me like a girl who needs to be saved.” Reiya winked and sent a surge of water at Lee. It was the split second she needed so she could escape the corner she had run herself into.

Lee chuckled.Time to catch my fairy.

Reiya was encircled by a wall of dark water, almost like she was put in a cube of some sort. The water was so dark that it was almost black, and she couldn’t see past it at all because it completely surrounded her. She watched Lee walk into the water prison with a triumphant grin on his face.

“There’s no escaping me, princess. I’m the winner here.” Lee flashed a big smile at her as he stepped in front of her.

“Oh? How much do you want to bet I can get you to beg for mercy first?” She trailed her hands up his chest and settled them around his neck. Her fingers tickled his back, and she gave him a wry grin. She felt him shudder under her touch. It was the reaction she was looking for. She pressed herself forward into him, bringing his head lower as she raised to her tiptoes. She pulled his bottom lip into her mouth and began to suck on it while she tickled it with her tongue. He moaned into her lips as she continued her game.

“Mmm, Reiya.” His hot breath fanned her skin as she took charge and pressed her lips against his. She deepened the kiss, nipping at his bottom lip. Her tongue began to dance with his. He was finding it harder and harder to stay in control, if he was even in control now to begin with. When she began to suck on his tongue, he knew he was losing. He was willing to give her anything she wanted right then, consequences be damned.

Reiya pulled away from him. She looked into his dark, glossy eyes and smiled. “See, Lee, I’m the winner here.” She winked at him and giggled. She knew the effect she had on him.

My dirty little temptress. Soon, this will be a game she won’t be able to win.“Baby, I’m going to pay you back for this verysoon,” he whispered against her lips, pecking her nose one last time before he brought the water barrier completely down.

“The men are the victors!” Brody said triumphantly as he held Chelsie against his side.

“Hmmm, I don’t know ... were you the victor, Lee?” Reiya blinked her eyes at him innocently.

Lee shook his head with a low growl. “Not this time, but next time, I won’t lose.” There was a thrilling threat in his voice, one that sent a promising tingle through Reiya’s body. She couldn’t wait, either. She couldn’t wait to lose next time.

Chapter 51 Leoric

“Okay, I don’t want to know what happened in that bubble, but all I’m going to say is … Levi, can I call you Levi? I think we’re on good enough terms for that,” Brody said to himself, thinking out loud. “Levi, you are whipped, bro. If youkeep going down this road, she will have you turning tricks for treats in no time.”

Lee smiled and chuckled, nodding his head. She could have him turning tricks right now if she wanted. Besides, who said being whipped was a bad thing?

“Alright. Enough. Everyone stop, right now. I want some answers.” Xander held up his hands in a T formation. “Time out. When did this happen?” He then pointed again at Brody and Chelsie.

“What are you talking about, Xander? They’ve always been a thing.” Reiya arched her eyes at Xander like he was crazy.

“No … nuh uh. You’re messing with my head, princess.” Xander watched the laughing faces around him.

“It happened. Does it matter when?” Brody smirked at Chelsie and held her tight to him.

“Ooohhh, so is there a label on this now?” Reiya poked fun at them, and their faces heated up in embarrassment.

“Reiya, quit causing them trouble,” Lee scolded playfully. Her eyes flashed up to him with amusement and she smiled, biting on her tongue.

“Umm … no labels right now,” Chelsie said quietly and with some embarrassment.

Reiya thought it was adorable that suddenly this fierce kelpie seemed vulnerable. Brody must have felt the same way, because he grinned and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her from behind. She was happy for them both. Inwardly, she smiled at the irony of everything ... her having a forbidden love and her guardian having a significant other. It wasn’t forbidden for a guardian, but it was unconventional. However, more than ever, it made sense. With her love being a deity, it was almost arguable that she didn’t need a guardian. Who could protect her better than an all-powerful god? Not that she was dismissing Brody as her guardian, but this meant he had the slack to have arelationship, especially with Chelsie. She wouldn’t get jealous of Brody being concerned about her. She already understood it, and in fact, she was overly concerned for her as well. They really were the perfect match.

“Chelsie, how did the trip go? Did you see Hunter and Chasen?” Reiya asked, remembering she had left to go to the Black Ice Pack.