Page 21

Riley

Happy Girl

“I’m so sore.” I yawned as the morning light filtered into the bedroom. The blanket was tangled on our feet and the pillows were bunched around us like a nest. My body ached deliciously, but I’d never been more relaxed.

“That’s why we didn’t get to the third ridge.” Lucan chuckled. “But I can kiss it better.”

His lips pressed against the unbroken and unmarked skin at my throat where he’d ‘one day’ leave his claim. We hadn’t gone deeper than that explanation of biting to seal the bond before exploring each other again.

Orgasms had taken precedence over talking last night.

Still, something seemed missing.

It was hard being both utterly satisfied and a bit disappointed that I hadn’t been given everything I wanted.

And that isn’t the only thing hard around here.

Lucan’s beautiful dick brushed against my leg as he kissed his way down my chest. I loved his cock almost as much as I loved his tongue. My toes curled as I anticipated all the ways he could—

Dobby chose that moment to meow from the other side of the closed door.

“Someone’s upset that he wasn’t allowed in the room last night.” I threaded my fingers through Lucan’s hair. It was lush and thick, just like the rest of him. I couldn’t get enough.

“I’ll make it up to him at breakfast.” Lucan’s smile was wicked as he placed a kiss on my lower stomach and then disappeared under the covers.

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” I protested half-heartedly as he made his way lower and lower, spreading my legs open and settling his body between them.

Dobby meowed louder and more painfully this time.

“Stop,” I sighed.

The minute the word left my mouth, I panicked and wanted to take it back. I knew better than to start what I couldn’t finish.

Lucan stopped kissing me.

The blankets rose along with his head.

I kept my lips pressed tight, remembering how it was with Drew. In the beginning, before I’d begun denying him altogether, I couldn’t walk away in the middle of things without him pouting and blaming and then shouting and all the self-loathing that followed.

It was like a child’s tantrum meant to exhaust me until I finally gave in. By then, I was so disgusted with how it made me feel, that I rushed through the job.

Lucan pulled the blankets from his head and rested his chin on my stomach as he gave me a sly smile. “Later?”

“Later,” I agreed, feeling my muscles relax.

I had to stop comparing the two of them. There wasn’t a competition. Drew was an asshole.

And Lucan was…

I touched my unscarred neck, feeling the cold loss of his body heat as Lucan padded barefoot across the bedroom and opened the door, scooping up and cuddling my needy cat.

Lucan is my mate.

“How exactly does this bond thing work?” I asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.

He looked away but not before I saw the hope flash across his eyes. For such a big, ferocious guy, he expressed himself easily. That only made me love him more. There were no hidden surprises.

What you saw with Lucan was what you’d get.

“After I bite you, you’ll take my venom through my fangs. Dragon mates exchange venom and that gives them the power to heal each other. I don’t know what it means for humans. But Kieran was able to heal Ember and he thinks that it might also do something to extend her lifespan.” Lucan continued to stroke Dobby behind the ears.

My cat looked at me with his judgmental eyes, waiting for my response.

I wasn’t sure about the longer life stuff, but we’d cross that bridge when we came to it.

“And what does being bonded mean?”

Lucan smiled.

That smile was dangerous. “It means we’ll have a connection that transcends the human and dragon barrier. We’ll form our path of communication and be able to feel each other in stronger ways.”

I chewed my bottom lip. “And what happens if we choose to break this bond?”

“Why would we do that?” he growled like the idea was a personal offense.

I had to stop myself from brushing off my worries by pretending they weren’t important. He deserved to hear the truth.

“What if you hurt me or if I hurt you?” I asked.

“Intentionally?” He shook his head. “Impossible. It would be like physically ripping my own heart out to hurt you on purpose. I’d tear myself apart if any harm came to you from me. Even now, without the bond, it kills me to see your fear. Could you imagine how much stronger that pain would be if I also felt what you are feeling and knew I had some part in it?”

“Sounds too good to be true,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

Lucan’s smile fell. “You doubt me.”

“It’s not that.” I scooted closer, clutching the sheets to my chest. “It’s just my ex… Drew.”

I flinched when Lucan’s pupils narrowed into slits, but forced myself to sit tall.

“Drew is his name. He screwed me up in the head. It’s hard to trust again.” I took a deep breath. Lucan needed to hear this.

“It was so much. He lied all the time. He’d promise one thing and do another. All his paranoia I dealt with. Sometimes I didn’t know what was right anymore. It was a web of confusion I got tangled in deeper whenever I tried to escape. He’d be sweet one minute. Angry the next. And then he’d break down, needing me. I’d be walking on eggshells and know I should leave, but then somehow, I’d think it was all my fault and I couldn’t…”

Tears burned my eyes.

Just shut up, Riley.

I looked at Lucan, letting him see the vulnerability written on my face. “I was stupid and weak for staying with him so long.”

“No, no, no. My Riley.” Lucan’s growl was primal, but his touch was tender as he cupped my cheek. “You suffered and stayed because you thought you were needed. Love makes you a warrior, not a fool. Anytime you act from a place of compassion, you show strength. He was the coward who took advantage of and hurt you.”

“By that logic, didn’t he love me in his own way? Don’t you always need the ones you love?” I laughed derisively at myself as I wiped my eyes.

Dobby began to purr as Lucan stroked under his chin. My traitorous cat didn’t bother to check on me.

“A loving relationship shouldn’t be one-sided.” The pity on Lucan’s face made me look away. “What did you ever need from him?”

Tear my heart out why don’t you?

I drew in a ragged breath. “I needed what he couldn’t give.”

Stability, safety, kindness, romance…

All the things Lucan gave so freely.

I didn’t want to wait anymore.

Straightening my shoulders, I swept my hair to the side. It’d grown, like I had, and was long enough to get in my way now.

“I want you to claim me,” I said.

Lucan stopped petting Dobby and dragged a hand over his face, taking his time before he responded.

“No,” he said, breaking my heart. “Not yet. Not when you’re this vulnerable.”

“I’m not some little girl,” I snapped. “I said I wanted this, so stop holding back. It’s not just about us anyway. Ember and Kieran need to see if the rune will appear. We have people counting on us. And I need to go see Willow.”

Lucan captured my hands and held them within his. “You don’t owe anyone, anything. We have time to make this decision. The prophecy isn’t important. You are—”

The slamming of the door to the roof echoed through the house, sending Dobby bolting from the bedroom as Lucan’s grip tightened on my hands.

“Malachy,” I said, looking toward the hall.

Lucan shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does. He’s your brother.” I shoved the big oaf off the bed. “Go after him. Make sure he’s okay.”

Lucan stood, releasing my hand, and pressed a kiss against my cheek. “You’re too good, Riley. Stay here in the safety of my wards. I’ll be right back and we’ll continue this conversation then.”