Page 41 of Taming
Rime’s smile falters as his attention settles on me.
“You did say today, didn’t you?”
I don’t give further details into what he’s volunteered to do. Our agreement is between us and us alone.
“Speaking of mouths that never shut up.” He doesn’t deter his gaze as he speaks, and it makes me want to climb up the table and wrap my hands around his neck.
The anger in me rises and, before I can stop it, the fuming words are spewing out of me.
“Listen, dragon dick, I might talk a lot, but at least I’m not blindly following orders from a man who’s literally sent from hell. Maybe you should reevaluate your life choices, asshole.” My steps shake across the old floorboards, and I slam the door behind me as I storm outside.
Grim gives a low whine of concern, his bushy tail held low while he makes his way toward me. The warmth of his blazing body leans into me, and my palm pushes across his fuming fur.
I wish all the creatures in my life were as sweet and caring as Grim. He’s been the only creature I’ve ever kept. Partly because I love him, and partly because no one seems to want to buy a fiery hellhound who may or may not be cursed. He’s one of a kind. Because the rest of his kind are in hell.
“It’s their loss, isn’t it, Grim.?” I tilt my head against his, and the heat of his tongue sears across my cheek as he gives me a happy kiss.
If only all my creatures were as loving.
“What happened with you and Rime in the woods?” Chaos’s voice startles me, and he doesn’t look at me as I stare up at him. “I don’t—I don’t believe you two were actually fucking—”
“You don’t?” I cut off his steady stream of words. Was my fake orgasm really that bad? I don’t know why I want to take such pride in a fake orgasm, but it does kind of sting my ego to think he knows I was faking.
“For one, I couldn’t smell your arousal like I could the other night.”
My brows arch at him, my lips parting without any words aiding me whatsoever.
“I’m sorry, what?” I finally sputter.
“I could smell it, sure, but it wasn’t that delicious flooding scent.” He pushes his hands into his pockets as a strange smile starts to pull at his lips. “So, whatever it was that you two were doing, it wasn’t fucking. And also, even if you were, it doesn’t bother me the way you think.”
I stand and his fingers brush along the back of my knuckles before he slips his hand into mine. His strong body is solid against my arm as he stares into my eyes.
“I saw the pitying look you were giving me. Dragons are different. Sharing a mate—I mean someone I care about with someone who I also care about—strengthens our bond. It makes a feeling of pride burn through me, not jealousy. I just, I didn’t want you to feel awkward around Rime and me.”
My heart is warm and pounding as he leans closer to me. My gaze catches his every miniscule movement as he closes the space between his lips and mine. Ache blooms through me as I tip my head up to him.
The door bangs shut, and I jump at the sound of it.
“Let’s get this date over with, My Tamer.” Rime strides down the road as if he’s going to the Prince with or without me.
I pass a knowing and annoyed look to Grim before glancing back at Chaos. The hellhound’s crimson gaze follows the arrogant man as a low, humming growl emits from his throat.
“I feel the same way.” A huffing sigh shoves from my lungs, but then Chaos presses his lips to the side of my temple.
His warm attention lingers on me before he walks backward a few steps, turns and strides into the house without another word. I stare after him for several seconds before I realize Rime is practically out of sight already.
I have to nearly jog after Rime. Dirt billows around my bare feet, and he doesn’t even seem to notice me when I finally reach his side. The way they mocked me for my apparently incessant talking presses to the front of my mind, and I force myself not to say anything to him.
I try my very best to keep my mouth shut. I don’t talk an obscene amount. It’s just that I never have anyone to talk to. Goddess forbid I make conversation from time to time with the asshole dragons who I’ve kindly taken into my home and fed and watered every day. “Is it too much to ask that they pretend to show me kindness?”
“Yes.”
I pause my little rant and glare up at him from the corner of my eye.
I didn’t realize I’d said anything aloud, but now that I have, I’m going to be silent for the remainder of our little trip.
Total silence.
