Page 39 of Purple Protector

AARON WASN’T CHANGING his mind. He wanted to do this for Birch, but also for himself. Why shouldn’t they make love? They’d already talked things out and had agreed that they were in this for the long term. What sense would it make to wait? Aaron didn’t want to. He didn’t think Birch did, either.

“I’m sure,” he told Birch.

He liked that Birch smiled at his words and that he didn’t ask him if he was sure again. A lot of the time, Aaron barely trusted himself. He was always afraid he’d made the wrong decisions, but not in this case, and he didn’t want Birch to believe that he wasn’t in this a hundred percent.

When Birch held out a hand, Aaron took it. He allowed Birch to lead him to the nest room. His heart raced, even though he knew he was doing the right thing.

“You’re different,” Aaron admitted after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. “From anyone I’ve ever met.”

Birch’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Different how?”

“You’re fierce,” Aaron said, searching for the right words. He didn’t want to make a mess out of this. “Protective. Like you’d burn the world to keep me safe.” It was something Aaron hadn’t known he wanted, but now that he had it, he didn’t want to do without it.

Birch’s eyes darkened at the words. “Maybe I would,” he admitted softly. “You don’t know how much you mean to me, Aaron. How much I want this. I was fine on my own, but then you barged into my life, and I don’t think that I can live without you now.”

Before Aaron could respond, Birch slid his free hand to Aaron’s hip. The touch was deliberate and possessive, and Aaron felt his pulse quicken in response. He’d known that Birch hadn’t wanted a relationship before meeting him, and he still had a hard time believing that he, of all people, had pushed him to change his mind. He’d done that.

Aaron met Birch’s gaze, feeling suddenly bold. “Good. I don’t want you to be able to live without me.”

Birch’s mouth crashed on Aaron’s as if he couldn’t hold back anymore. Aaron groaned into the kiss, surrendering to the sensation of Birch’s lips moving against his own. Birch’s tongue delved inside, hot and demanding, and Aaron opened for him willingly.

Yes, this. This was what he wanted—what he needed. He was Birch’s, and he liked that Birch felt possessive of him.

Birch pulled away long enough to strip off Aaron’s shirt, and Aaron took the opportunity to look at him. He’d gotten used to the way dragons walked around without any clothes on and to how different they looked from humans, but in Birch’s case, he wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to how beautiful he was. His muscular chest and the patterns of scales on his skin made Aaron’s fingers itch to touch him.

He could.

He traced the edges of the scales on Birch’s stomach with his fingertips. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered. It was true. Birch was beautiful.

Birch chuckled softly. “Not as beautiful as you.”

His hands returned to Aaron’s body, skimming over his sides and dipping lower, urging him toward the nest. Aaron obeyed the silent order and sank into the nest of blankets as soon as he was naked. Birch settled above him, his weight pressing down just enough to anchor him. He’d never really felt beautiful—cute, yes, but not beautiful—but he believed Birch.

“Tell me what you want,” Birch said.

“You,” Aaron said with a gasp.

Birch’s gaze flared with heat. “You have me,” he promised.

Birch pinned Aaron’s wrists above his head. He trailed kisses down Aaron’s neck, nipping gently at the sensitive skin until Aaron whimpered, his hips arching instinctively. He’d never trusted anyone enough to do this, but he trusted Birch with his life. Birch wouldn’t hurt him.

Birch paused and looked up at Aaron. “Okay?”

“Please,” Aaron begged. “Don’t stop.”

Birch’s answering growl sent shivers down Aaron’s spine. Birch rested his forehead against Aaron’s, their breaths mingling as he murmured, “I love you.”

Birch’s words sent a jolt through Aaron. “I love you, too.”

Birch’s tail slid along the length of Aaron’s leg, the scales catching lightly against his skin, sending sparks of pleasure racing up his back. Aaron gasped, arching slightly into the touch. He hadn’t even thought about Birch’s tail and how Birch might use it in bed. The tip was already slick, and Aaron had no idea how Birch had managed that. He didn’t care, either.

“Open for me, Aaron,” Birch whispered. His tail shifted higher, brushing against Aaron’s inner thigh, the sensation both teasing and electrifying.

Aaron hesitated for a moment. The thought of allowing Birch’s tail to explore him made his pulse quicken. He wanted it, but part of him wondered how weird it would be. He trusted Birch to stop if he needed him to, though, so it was easy to make a decision.

With a small nod, Aaron lifted his hips slightly, granting Birch access. Birch’s tail moved with precision, circling around his entrance before pressing gently against it. Aaron inhaled sharply, his breath catching in his throat as the tip of the tail breached him, slowly easing inside. Birch let go of his wrists, and Aaron lowered his hands.

“Fuck,” Aaron groaned, gripping the blankets beneath him as Birch’s tail continued its steady invasion. The sensation was unlike anything Aaron had ever experienced.

---