Page 134 of Knot Playing Fair 2

“That’s literally the only reason to read a book about mafia dragon-shifters,” I assured him. And then, “Can I ask you something? You can say no.”

“Ask,” he said, as Princess wound around my ankles and trotted off down the stairs on Important Cat Business.

“Do you want to have sex with me?”

I’d surprised him. His breath caught, and the scent of citrus and cinnamon coiled through the room. An answer of its own, but not the one I needed to hear.

He hesitated, wrongfooted and unsure. “Like, in general, or right now?”

“Let’s start with ‘in general,’” I suggested.

“Course I do,” he said, as though it was a foregone conclusion. “I know it’s hard for you, though. Same way it’s been hard for me.”

“And what about right now?” I asked.

He’d gone very still. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to answer that.”

I reminded myself how full of pitfalls this conversation still was for both of us.

“I promise it’s not a trick question,” I said. “You handcuffed and gagged yourself for Mia so you could be sure she was safe. I’m scared of having sex with alphas. But I wouldn’t have to be scared with you, because you’re willing to do that. Or, you were with her, at least. I don’t want to assume anything, and I was serious about you being able to say no.”

He was quiet for a long moment. I could practically see the wheels and cogs turning.

“You seemed really upset when I told you what she and I did together,” he said slowly.

“And then you told me that you didn’t have to worry about her hurting you, because she’s Mia,” I reminded him. “You were one-hundred percent right about that, by the way. But I’m alotmore messed up in the head than she is.”

Here, he seemed on firmer ground. “I’m not afraid of you, Luca.”

“Maybe you should be,” I said.

“No,” he replied. “I’m not afraid of you, because you get it. Youknow.”

I thought about a soft cock resting in my mouth... about no demands or expectations, and straps holding me in exactly the place I wanted to be.

“Yes,” I agreed softly. “I do.”

“The answer’s yes, by the way,” Emiel said.

“The answer?” I asked, confused.

“You asked if I wanted to have sex with you. Tonight.” He glanced away, not meeting my eyes. “I always want to have sex with both of you. All the time. But only if I know you want it, too.”

My stomach flip-flopped, alpha desires laid out before me, naked and bound into submission by alpha protectiveness.

“Can I put the handcuffs on you?” I asked, the empty core of me throbbing at the prospect of being filled.

“And the gag,” he said, like he was reminding me.

But I shook my head. “You don’t need the gag, Emiel. We’re going to mate each other anyway, aren’t we? So, what does it matter?”

His eyes widened. “We are?”

I realized that the thoughts stuck inside my skull didn’t magically transmit tohisskull... and that I must still be feeling the effects of drinking more than I normally would.

“Yeah,” I told him gently. “I’m pretty sure we are. You said it yourself. We have to be certain that it’s going to be safe for the others.”

He frowned, his expression wavering between concern and something that looked a lot like awe.

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