Page 100 of The Dragon's Gambit
The evil sunbeams shined into the room, letting the couple know that the day had come. Reiya clung onto Lee’s arm. He would be leaving to go to the council soon, like he did every day lately. She rolled over and laid her head on his chest.
“Stay with me today, Lee.” Reiya didn’t want him to leave her. She felt a bit anxious about this evening and wanted to have his comfort.
He wrapped his muscular arms around her and held her against him. “Tell me what to do, Reiya, and I’ll do it.”
She smiled. “Just stay with me like this for a bit longer. I know you need to go. The sooner you convince them, the better. So, just for now, hold me.” She appreciated him so much. He was putting her feelings first above everything else that was going on. They needed to get things finalized with the deity council, though. It was something that had already taken longer than she’d anticipated. It needed to be finished. She was concerned about how long it was taking and hoped it didn’t mean anything bad.
“Reiya, this doesn’t change anything,” he said, for himself as well as for her. “And tonight, I will scorch off any evidence of his existence from your neck. I promise.”
Reiya felt a slight shiver ripple down her back as she listened to his hot words. “No, it doesn’t change anything. I just hope I don’t get sick or nauseous when he kisses me. I’ve gotten used to him hanging on me, but that’s the extent of the invasion. This is a whole other level.”
Lee chuckled. “I hope you don’t go falling in love with him.” It was a joke, but it was also partially true. It was something that, deep down, he was afraid might happen.
“You’re safe there.” Reiya giggled. “The idea of anyone but you touching me is repulsive.”
“Good. That’s the way it should be.” Lee kissed her head gently and breathed in her intoxicating scent.
“It better go both ways, mister,” Reiya scolded playfully.
“Baby, I promise you, it does. When you’ve lived as long as I have … I never realized how dead I was inside, until I met you. It was like my heart didn’t start beating until the first time I sawyou. And since then, it’s been a horrible traitor, exposing my feelings whenever I’m around you.”
Reiya leaned on her elbow and smiled down at him. “You know, I thought that I was this obsessive fangirl over you. No other males existed in my mind but you. I was always thinking of you. Honestly, the first time I recognized other males existed was when I first met Xander.” Reiya giggled as she heard his low growl. “And even then, it was still different with you. Xander might be attractive, but my pull to you was overwhelming.” Reiya flopped backward off her elbow and looked up at the ceiling. “I had to tell myself I couldn’t think of you like that. You were a deity, and I couldn’t have you. I wanted you so badly, but you were someone I couldn’t have. I couldn’t get you out of my head, though. You were my gorgeous summon who came to help me. I couldn’t stop myself from developing feelings for you. I tried. I tried to tell myself I would forget you and that I just needed to find my mate.” Reiya felt his finger on her chin as he turned her toward him. She looked into his light blue eyes and smiled.
“My point of all of this is that I haven’t lived long, especially in comparison to you, but from the moment I met you, it’s only been you. Even when I tried to tell myself it wasn’t you. Even though I tried to fight being in love with you ... I lost miserably. It got so bad that I couldn’t stand the thought of you treating me like a sister. I felt like I was being locked into the baby sister zone where you would never look at me, which is why I freaked out that night when I wanted you to look at me as a woman.” Reiya smiled and bit her bottom lip. That freak out led to her being marked by the man she was in love with.
“I’m nervous about the whole public display, but I’m not nervous about Xander touching me. I’m comfortable around him. So, while it may gross me out some, it’s because, in my head, it will be like Brody slobbering on my neck. Xander is like abrother to me. When it comes to my heart, it’s yours. It’s always been yours. So, don’t worry about today. Do what you need to do and come afterward to pretend to bless the union. And then tonight, show me who I really belong to.”
Lee pressed his body against hers, pinning her down onto the soft mattress. His kiss was deep and passionate. He sensually sucked on her bottom lip. As she parted her lips in response, he eagerly delved inside, exploring and savoring every inch of her mouth. His tongue moved slowly at first, teasing and tantalizing her with his warmth before things began to heat up between them. The intensity of the moment seemed to fill the room, the air thick with desire and the sound of their heavy breaths. The sparks within him roared to life as he tasted the sweetness of his mate’s lips. Their tongues clashed and danced in a passionate rhythm, igniting a fire between them. In this kiss, he showed her that she was his everything, his one true love. His gentle hands traced the curves of her sides, exploring every inch of her skin. With a featherlight touch, he caressed her breast, sending shivers down her spine. She arched her back, pressing herself closer to him, desperate for more of his intoxicating touch. A soft whimper escaped her lips as she surrendered to the pleasure coursing through her body. He carefully eased himself away from the warmth of her embrace, their bodies still entwined but needing a moment to catch their breath. They both panted heavily, their lips lingering close together as they gazed into each other’s eyes.
“Reiya, I will gladly bear your mark when your wolf is ready. I would be honored. I want you to claim me as well. That’s what I want the most. I want to have a family with you. I want to be part of all your moments. I want to fill my life up with you, so that I can hold onto it forever. You being part werewolf and part fairy means that I should have several hundred years to claim you and to show you who you really belong to. This isn’t a sprint, Reiya.I’m going to take my time loving you. You will never have any doubts about how important you are to me. I will never let there be any room for it.” He kissed her nose and then pecked her lips again.
“You’ll never be able to doubt just how much I love you either. You are mine for always.” They both leaned in and pressed their foreheads together, taking a moment to silently take in each other’s presence. The moment felt so intimate between them. They listened to their quiet breaths while they stayed wrapped in each other’s arms.
They snuggled together for another hour before Reiya sighed, knowing they needed to get their day started. Lee would need to go and meet with the council, and she would need to prepare for her day. She looked at him with a wry grin and rolled half on top of him.
“It’s probably not a good idea for you to take a shower with me, huh?” she asked, batting her eyes at him innocently.
Lee chuckled darkly. “Not a good idea at all. I can barely lay here without devouring you. There is no way I’ll be able to leave you untouched in the shower. You’d be mated in five seconds flat.”
“What happened to taking your time with me?” Reiya asked coquettishly.
“After … after the first time, I’ll take my time with you.” Lee chuckled. “My beast’s instincts are screaming for me to mate with you. I’m holding on by a thread here.”
“Well, I can see the first time won’t be too enjoyable,” Reiya said playfully.
“Oh honey, I promise … you’ll still enjoy yourself thoroughly. I’ll make sure your first time is sweet and memorable. I’m just not promising much foreplay before getting down to business.” Lee smirked and looked at her through hooded eyes.
“I hope I don’t disappoint you. I don’t exactly have any experience,” she said shyly.
Lee chuckled and pushed her off him and onto her back. He leaned down and began to lick and nip at her neck. With a low growl, he began to suck furiously on her mark, making her throw her head back with a soft moan. Between clenched teeth, he breathed into her neck, “You have no idea how hard it is to keep stopping myself.” He launched himself off the bed and took a few steps away from the temptation.
“Baby, there is no way you’re going to disappoint. The fact that you’re untouched and unknown to man …” He let out a low, throaty moan and ran his hand through his hair. “My beast wants you even more. The idea that you’re only ever going to be mine …” He squeezed his fists together as he fought to control his beast's desire to claim her. “That’s special, Reiya. You’ll be entrusting me to take something that can never be given again. It’s another gift that you’ll be giving to me. I feel like I’m just on the receiving end of your gifts. I plan to repay you for everything and then some.”
Reiya smiled slightly.Just because I’m giving you my virginity doesn’t mean I’ll be any good at it.The truth was she felt a bit nervous because he was experienced. He knew what he was doing. He’d been with others. He knew what good was. It might be good for her, but what if it wasn’t for him? Deep down, she was afraid she would suffer by comparison.
Lee looked at her face and could see that she was thinking about something. “Baby, what are you thinking about?” He turned to her and tilted his head toward her with a soft smile.
Reiya turned around so he couldn’t see her face. “It’s just ... your experience is a bit intimidating.” She bit her bottom lip and stared at the wall. “You’ve been with others who were more experienced too, and I don’t want to disappoint you. You’rebuilding up something in your head, and I’m afraid you’re going to be let down.”
