Page 55 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
Cook looked at Jack. “Now, Jack, what do you need to bake?”
Jack’s gaze ran over the perfectly organised jars of ingredients. As he listened to Cook, he once again felt like he’d been a total prick. He’d assumed Avery didn’t appreciate Cook’s work because he’d suggested Cook change the menu the night Jack arrived. But it seemed that had been unusual.
No doubt because he wanted to care for Jack.
Jack swallowed. He’d made so many assumptions about Avery because he was rich and had servants. But his servants liked him and thought him an excellent employer.
“I always keep my kitchen well-stocked, but if you require any special ingredients, I might not have them in. And unfortunately, we won’t be able to get them until the snowstorm ends in a couple of days.” Cook looked at him with her bright-blue eyes.
A pang hit Jack in the middle of the chest. Only a couple more days.
Then he’d have to return to the bakery. Of course, Jack missed his siblings and Carrie and would be glad to see them again. Still, it saddened Jack to think that this time together,Jack snowed in with Avery and cut off from the world, would come to an end so soon.
Not that he planned to end things between them again. But still, Jack couldn’t help but worry that when he returned to his real life, the differences in their class and wealth might cause problems again.
Jack shook his head. He was worrying over nothing. He and Avery got along so well. There was no reason to be concerned.
CHAPTER 28
“The warlock entered the chamber. The king rose and met his gaze,” Jack read, voice steady and clear. “‘What are you doing here?’”
Avery slid his tail across the floor. It slithered onto the rug, curling around Jack. Absently, Jack stroked Avery’s tail and kept reading, “The warlock approached the king.”
Avery murmured his pleasure. Happiness glowed in his chest. Lazily, he watched Jack read. Firelight flickered across his skin. The man looked so good leaning against Avery’s scaly body, wearing nothing but his undershorts.
Mine.
The thought stirred inside Avery, rising from his gut. Pleasure rippled through him.
Mine.
Mate.
It was not the first time in the past few days Avery had thought those words. His tail tightened around Jack. Not enough to hurt or cause discomfort. Avery just wanted to hold Jack a little more securely.
Avery huffed. He shouldn’t let his dragon get away from his control. Because no matter how much he wanted it, Jack wasn’t his. He was not his mate.
Not yet, at least.
But Avery wanted it. He wanted Jack. He wanted to claim him. He wanted to mate him. He wanted to keep him here in his den to fuck, read, and be with Avery forever and ever and ever.
Avery knew he could stop Jack from leaving. He could keep Jack trapped here with him. After all, Avery was a dragon.
But Avery wouldn’t let his possessiveness control him. He wanted Jack happy. Not a prisoner. And even if Jack consented to be his, he’d want to leave Avery’s home at times. He’d want to keep working in the bakery. He’d want to see his family, who probably missed him.
But Jack didn’t seem sad. He seemed to like being with Avery. And every day he seemed more at ease. He’d even made them cookies. He’d complimented the kitchen and said Cook had been very nice.
Jack is happy with me in my den.
Avery hummed. What else could Avery do to make Jack happy? Jack liked Avery’s books.
More books probably wouldn’t be the answer though. Jack hadn’t even touched most of them. He’d not had time. Still, Avery planned to start buying books that Jack might like when the snow stopped.
Avery had never really sought out books on baking or cooking before. He’d do that now. He had a sense Jack would appreciate old, loved, and used cookbooks. Jack said there was power in passing on recipes. Perhaps Avery could fly to far-off cities and find recipes Jack had never seen or heard of.
Would Jack like that?
When the snow cleared, Avery would start looking.
