Page 33 of The Desert Prince's Jewel
Maybe that’ll make him a little reckless. Perhaps it’ll give us a perfect excuse, an opportunity to vent our frustrations out in bed. Mateo was right when he said we shouldn’t work out thesefeelings we have. I’ve only had one taste, and I could take him again, and again, and again without rest tonight if he’d let me.
As if he’d let me,I think, as the door swings open.
When my mate emerges from the bathroom, I pat the blanket, and Mateo climbs in, stiff as stone. He’s in an oversized T-shirt and nothing else, but instead of trying something, he rolls over and puts as much distance between us as possible. I try not to let my pride get in the way, like it always does, but now I’m becoming self-conscious. Was I that bad? I thought we both enjoyed ourselves, given the location.
“Mateo?” I whisper into the dark as I turn off my light, staying on my back even though I want to roll over to hold him.
After a long pause, he answers, “Yeah?”
“Was I… terrible? In clutch?” I ask, chewing my lip. “I mean, I won’t be offended if that’s why—”
He bolts up, scaring the shit out of me. I hiss, rattle flicking, as my tail darts out and slams him back down to the bed like it has a mind of its own.
“N-No. That’s not it at all,” he murmurs, “Shit, man. You knocked the wind out of me. Stop crushing my lungs! Your scales are cold.”
Mateo slaps both of his cheeks and groans, kicking and thrashing like a child having a tantrum once I release him from my hold. Then he sighs, having worked whatever that was out of his system.
“Look, I’m not too good at communicating well, anything, okay. And no, I’m not nervous because you sucked in bed. If anything, it’s the opposite. Which is why I’m stressed the fuck out right now. So please, Ranbir, don’t bring it up and let’s go to bed.”
I slowly fall back onto the bed, stunned by his admission. Not terrible, too good a lay. I’m sure my fangs look devilishly long right now. But the swell of masculine satisfaction quickly dieswhen he turns off his light, stuffs earphones into his ears, and falls asleep.
No snuggling, no… Right. We’re not lovers. We’re frenemies with benefits. Which I think is ridiculous, but I should’ve said something when Mateo said as much. I, however, was too high on the afterglow to deny that and tell him we were so much more.
I tap my fingers, the tip of my tail, and try everything to stop myself from hugging him. But nothing works. My fingers flex, and I turn on my side.
“Mateo… may I hold you?” I whisper, hoping he’s asleep, if the end result will be rejection. I’m a tad bit sensitive to the fact that I’ve treated my fated mate like shit for weeks. I used to dream of finding a mate bond, and now I find myself begging for my mate’s hug.
I almost turn around and give up when suddenly, Mateo spins around. He stares up at me, the soft glow of his cellphone illuminating part of his handsome face. He pulls his earphones out, and music fills the air. The soft rain nearly lulls me to sleep as slowly, but surely, we find ourselves chest to chest. And then, gently, I roll him onto my stomach. At first, I hesitate, not wanting him to be cold. But when he doesn’t protest, I curl my tail around and underneath Mateo until he’s cushioned comfortably on the bed and in my arms.
“This is… nice,” he says.
“Not too cold?” I ask.
“I like to sleep a little cold, so this ain’t bad,” he says, nuzzling my chest. “This ain’t bad at all.”
I assume he fell asleep again, but then he asks another strange question out of the blue, like he did back in the closet.
“Do you have siblings?” he asks, as if that’s a normal follow-up to our conversation.
“Four, three living,” I state, but he presses me for more information.
“What are their names?” he asks, and I reach up to stroke his hair, confused.
“Parth and Harsh. They were born to my stepmother, Pardeep, the current queen regent. And I have a baby sister, Aarti. My older sister, Rajtara, passed away when my mother did. Why do you ask?” I ask, but he ignores me to add.
“You have a huge family.”
I don’t mention my approximate fifty half-siblings in the outer nest, seeing as he’s already stunned by the four I’ve mentioned.
“It’s just… You know, I don’t know much about you, Ranbir. Other than how you like your coffee, and how you like to…” he trails off, but the tensing of his body gives him away again. “I just wanted to know something real about you.”
I pause mid-stroke, fingers curled in his coils.
“I’m sorry for lying to you by omission,” I whisper, realizing he’s still not recovered from finding out I’m a runaway prince. “I’m sorry I blamed you. I should know better than anyone that the father’s sins are not a reflection on the son. I should have been–”
“It’s okay,” he says, pressing his cheek into my chest. “Remember, I don’t hold grudges after an apology, man.”
“How did you become homeless?” I ask, seeing as he wants to get to know each other better, and I’m most curious about that.
