Page 58 of Taming
“I—” His tone hums against my body. “Sometimes when shifters fuck …” Well this is an interesting start to a story. “Sometimes the dragon side of them tries to create a bond. Dragons are loyal by nature.”
A bond. That sounds entirely too intimate.
“A bond? Like … friendship?”
A beat passes and his palm feels heavier against my stomach.
“No, like … a mating bond.”
My eyes widen as those words settle right into my mind. I turn abruptly until my gaze is glaring up into his beautiful eyes.
“You created a fucking mating bond between us, and you didn’t think to tell me?” The sound of my harsh whisper scrapes through the room.
His palm still holds me against him as he slowly seems to think about the best way to say whatever it is that’s in his head.
“Not exactly, no. It’s not a full-on bond. It’s just a primitive reaction. We fucked. My dragon form wants that connection. It physically wants a mate. That doesn’t mean my emotions allow it, Low.” There’s sincerity in his eyes, and I can tell he’s really trying not to worry me.
“Would your dragon have done it with anyone you slept with?” I don’t know why I ask him that. Why do I want his response so badly?
“What? No. It’s hard to explain. Compatibility, attraction, and something completely out of my control makes a mating bond click into place.” His gaze searches mine, looking for something there before he speaks in a rumbling whisper. “My dragon wants a mate and it … it likes the way I like you if that makes sense.”
His dragon likes the way he likes me.A flutter of emotions storms through me at his awkwardly romantic words.
His dragon form primitively wants a mate; I understand that. It’s natural, I suppose, to want that connection. It’s natural for humans, and it’s natural for a lot of creatures.
“For you was it just fucking?” I don’t know why my voice just quivered as I said that.
I clear my throat before meeting his gaze once again.
“I wouldn’t say it was just fucking. I—I like you. We’re friends. Aren’t we?”
I consider his words as if his dragon form might sneakily lure me into some sort of mating contract without me realizing it. Slowly, I nod to him.
My shoulders relax as I stiffly lie back down, trying hard to find the comfort his body gave me just moments ago.
“We’re friends.” His lips skim against my neck, his beard scraping sensually against my skin. “We’re friends who fuck. Friends who fuck really, really good.” His tongue meets my flesh before his teeth rake gently along my throat, sending a tingling feeling right through my core. I have to bite back the heavy breath against my lips.
“Good night, K,” I say very pointedly.
I don’t know why he thinks now is the time to confuse his dragon side even further. No, we won’t be confusing the creature any more with sex. A bond is the very last thing I need in my life.
He hums a quiet laugh against my neck before settling down behind me, holding me to his chest in an embrace of calming sensations. The gentle way he holds me is like nothing I’ve ever felt. I was in love once, and yet I’ve never experienced contentment and simple happiness like this.
Everything feels right in the world.
Kain glances back at me. It’s a quick look from beneath his lashes as if he’s checking on me every few moments.
Rime still won’t acknowledge me. He’s choosing to surveil the darkness instead. I can’t help but stare at him, watching his every careful move. Then he looks at me, his pale eyes locking with mine, sinking me with a single look. There’s no anger in him, just an empty stare like his mind isn’t turning at all as he watches me. It’s like there’s nothing else he’s thinking of. Just me. Kain’s words catch against his lips as he turns to find his friend focused entirely on me.
The tingling feeling of their attention makes my eyes close, forcing the weight of their gazes away from me. A quiet breath leaves my lungs.
In a weird way, for the first time in years, I feel like I’m right where I should be. I’m not running—not yet—and I’m not worried.
Everything feels perfect. What are the odds Chaos would piss off the same demon I pissed off? That one terrible choice in his life brought the four of us together.
I’m fairly sure this is what fate must feel like.
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