Page 94 of The Dragon's Gambit

Lee chuckled. “Sounds like it’s a definite yes.”

“I’ll let Brody and Chelsie know we’re coming up.” Reiya wanted to talk with them anyway, and now she could, since she was now linked to the two of them.

I hope you’re both decent. We’re coming up. It’s a game or movie type of night.. And this is pretty cool, I can mindlink Chelsie now, too.

Wow, this is awesome! I can hear you, Reiya. Wow! This is exciting.

I was going to take a nap,Brody grumbled in the mindlink.

You can nap later. Yes, we’re in for some fun.

Reiya giggled. “Okay, Xander, you’re in charge of arranging all the snacks. So, mindlink your chef and tell him we want a bounty.”

“Don’t you feed her, Levi? Your girl here is hungry.” Xander laughed. “I’ll go and get some movies and games. You guys go ahead and head up. I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”

The moment Xander left and shut the door, Lee hoisted Reiya up in his arms. He held her up to his chest bridal style and began carrying her up the stairs.

Reiya giggled. “Lee, I can walk perfectly fine.”

“I know. But I need to hold you close. I need this.” Lee nuzzled his nose in her hair and breathed in. He’d been trying to hold off completing the mating bond, wanting to wait until they were in the clear. It was becoming increasingly difficult for him, especially when she’d been making declarations of love for him all day. Silly girl. She didn’t have the faintest clue how much her words affected him. A single word from her could bring him to his knees. She had that much power over him. He would give her anything and everything if he could.

Reiya felt her body heat up in his arms. Her gaze locked with his ice-blue eyes as they ascended the stairs, his strong arms cradling her against his chest. Her fingers found their way around his neck, pulling herself higher until their lips met, this time with her in command. The taste of him made her bold; she traced his bottom lip with her tongue before giving it a gentle bite. When his lips parted, she didn't hesitate, claiming his mouth as their tongues tangled together. He suddenly pressed her back against the cool wall, his body pinning her there for support. Probably not the safest place, halfway up a steep staircase, but safety wasn't what either of them craved right now. She needed this stolen moment as desperately as he needed to hold her.

Her soft whimpers in his mouth were driving him crazy. Not only did he want her, but knowing she wanted him as well was setting his beast on fire. He began to respond to her more urgently. His one hand was supporting her while the other began exploring her body. She arched into him, encouraging what didn’t need encouragement.

The passion was heating up between them. He broke apart from her lips, panting heavily. He let out a low growl. “If this continues, I won’t be able to stop from devouring you. You are an all-too-willing temptress. I need you to play a bit more hard-to-get.”

Reiya giggled. “Then you would only take it as a challenge and a game you must win.”

Lee chuckled and kissed her nose. “Probably. In either case, you won’t be able to keep your virtue much longer.”

“Take it when you want it. It’s yours,” Reiya said coquettishly.

Lee growled out a chuckle. “Damn, Reiya … quit seducing me.” He leaned in and bit at her marking spot, causing her to let out a soft whimper and moan from his touch.

“Once this is settled, Reiya, I’m going to pay you back for all this sexual buildup you’ve created.”

“Promises, promises.” Reiya rolled her eyes playfully and he nipped at her mark again.

“Mmm ... they are promises.” He licked at her mark once more and straightened up. His eyes flashed from dark back to blue as he struggled to rein his beast in. “Besides, the stairs are no place for lovemaking.”

Reiya scrunched up her nose. “Yeah, they really aren’t.”

“Reiya …” Lee said quietly as he continued to ascend the stairs.

“Hmm?”

“I don’t know what having the same light as Xander means. But I want you to know that when you find out, don’t be afraid to tell me. I don’t want you to think you can’t talk to me because you’re afraid of hurting me.” Lee wanted her to feel comfortable talking to him no matter what she found out. No matter how badly it might hurt him.

“Lee, I promise. I’ll tell you when I find out what it means. I don’t know what it is, but please believe me when I say it’s you, Lee. It’ll always be you.”

He smiled and nodded. “I know, Reiya. I know how you feel about me now.” He stared down into her sapphire eyes. “Thank you again for that. I really did mean it when I said it was the best gift anyone has ever given me.” Lee stopped walking and then let out a quiet sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“What is it that you’ve been keeping secret from me?”

Reiya’s eyes widened.How in the heck did he know?“What do you mean?”