Page 42 of The Dragon's Gambit
Lee smiled down at her warmly. This was exactly what he’d always wanted to hear. “Brody knows too, by the way.”
“He WHAT?!”
“We asked them all not to say anything. I told them I want you to choose for yourself and didn’t want you influenced into choosing me. Don’t be upset with them. That day I went for a walk with Brody, I explained everything.”
“I guess the faith he had in you and Xander when I found that map of Elysia makes sense now.”
“Wait, you found the Sage’s map? You thought we were using it for ill purposes?” Lee frowned at this.
“I decided to have faith in you. At first, I was shocked to see it, but I figured there had to be an explanation. I felt dumb for my blind faith, but I felt like I could trust you and Xander. I’m glad my judgment wasn’t wrong.” Reiya pressed into Lee and tiptoed up, placing her arms around his neck. “I trust you, Lee. It’s always been you. You’ve always been the only one who ever existed in my mind.” With a newfound confidence, she pulledherself up and pressed her lips against his, knowing she affected him just as much as he affected her.
His hot lips began to melt hers as they moved together in sync. She slightly parted her lips, and he immediately obliged her invitation. Soon their tongues were dancing passionately together. She wasn’t as clumsy as she was the first time, also playing and nipping at his lips. He made a throaty groan at her little nips, which only encouraged her more. She reached her fingers into his hair and tangled his strands around them, pushing him into her as their passion intensified. His hot breath sent shivers down her spine. This was all she’d ever wanted. She’d always wanted Lee, and he had marked her. On purpose! He’d claimed her as his mate. That was exactly what she wanted to be ... his mate. Now, they only needed to complete the mating ritual.
His kisses were making her delirious. Their battling tongues were fighting for dominance, the feelings of urgency and need intensifying. Their chests heaved in tandem as they struggled for air between kisses, only to dive back into each other’s mouths with even more fervor. His hand ran down her spine, tracing the curve of her waist before resting on her hip. She arched into the touch, pushing herself against him. His free hand moved up to cup her face, cradling it gently before trailing down to explore the line of her jaw and neck. She let out a soft gasp when he nipped at her earlobe, sending tingles down her spine. She felt a thrill of excitement course through her veins as his lips crashed into hers once again. Their tongues tangled and danced, and she found herself giving in to the sensations, willingly surrendering to his touch. His lips tasted like honey, and she couldn’t get enough of them. She pressed herself closer, feeling his hardness against her, the heat radiating off him seeping into her core.
The scent of fresh rain and honey mixed in the air as she breathed in his scent. It was as if the very elements themselveswere celebrating. The pounding of their hearts echoed off the walls around them, drowning out all other sounds as they lost themselves in each other’s embrace. She moaned softly into the kiss, a low rumble that vibrated through his chest and sent a jolt of desire down his spine. His free hand slipped underneath her shirt, tracing patterns on her back before finding its way up to cup one of her breasts over her bra.
As he groaned against her mouth, she could feel his erection grow even harder against her stomach. She let out a little whimper, pressing her body against his hardness. Her body wanted more, and she was desperately seeking more.
Their tongues wrestled as their lower bodies ground together, seeking release from the unbearable tension. She ran one hand up his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingertips as he let out a throaty growl of approval. But when she bit his bottom lip, his entire body shuddered, and his arms tensed as he forced himself to an abrupt halt.
He pulled away and looked down at her as the two of them panted for air. “Reiya … we should stop.”
“Why?” Reiya pressed the front of her body against him as she took a step into the tiny gap he’d formed.
His eyes were hooded as he looked down at her. “Because, any further and I won’t be able to stop.”
“Why do you have to stop?” Her voice was coquettish as she gently traced a finger over his lips.
Lee let out a low growl and nipped at her delicate fingers, causing her to giggle. “I think we should wait, Reiya. I know you say it doesn’t matter, but I don’t want this to be a regret. If you have a different mate out there … I don’t want to do that to you, Reiya.”
“Lee, why are you the only one who gets to make the decisions here? What about what I want? How I feel? I already told you … I don’t care. I want to be with you.”
“It warms my heart to hear you say that, Reiya. It really does … but more than that, it lights a fire inside of me. Still, I know you’re … inexperienced, and I don’t think we need to rush this. Let’s just enjoy this moment. Let’s relish the fact that I love you, my sweet, beautiful fairy, and I am completely and utterly devoted to you and you alone.”
Reiya smiled up at him. It was cute that he was trying to deny himself of her. Sure, she was inexperienced, but her heart knew what she wanted. She trailed her finger up his chest, raising the shirt she was wearing, exposing her bottom cheeks. “Inexperience is not synonymous with indecisiveness. I know what I want, Lee. My heart isn’t going to change. I know that I love you, and even if I have a different mate out there, that will never change. I have loved you for years. I don’t only want to warm your heart, Lee. I also want to warm your bed. But we can just sit and enjoy this moment for now. If you’re not ready for an intimate relationship, I can wait for you.” She gave him a wry smile as she felt the low rumble in his chest. Sure, she was playing with fire. The thing is, she didn’t mind. She actually wanted to get burned. She didn’t mind it, as long as it was by him.
Chapter 29 Gag
Lee leaned down and kissed her forehead. How had the tables turned so quickly? Within a day, she was now actively pursuing him. He went from trying to keep his distance from her, to marking her, to her pushing herself on him. Talk about awhiplash of emotions right there. He couldn’t help the wide grin that formed over his lips. He was happy ... happier than he’d ever been. He wanted to enjoy it all. All stages of their relationship. The very thought of the word relationship made his chest throb in excitement. Things couldn’t be conventional between them because they would have to keep a certain level of secrecy, but he wanted to do things right. He wanted her … pretty damn bad. But as much as he craved her and desired her body, he wanted to wait. He wanted to bring more to their new connection than just being physical. He wanted all of her, though, and he was determined not to screw this up. She was his mate. She was his, and he wouldn’t lose her.
“My sweet fairy,” Lee cooed lowly near her ear. He felt her shiver from his hot breath. “I promise we will get to that part, and it’s going to be great. But I want to try to do all of this right and not let my mate urges take over. I want to form an even stronger emotional connection with you, so there will never be any doubt that it isn’t only a physical attraction. Though—” Lee chuckled lowly. “I promise, that’s there, too. All too strongly.” He nipped at her earlobe and trailed a couple of gentle kisses to her neck. “Please don’t continue to tempt me, because I won’t be able to resist you.”
She shuddered as she felt his steaming breath on her neck, heating up her delicate skin. She was honestly touched. He wanted to really build a relationship with her, and he wanted to start from the ground up. It made her feel special to him, as if she really was someone he found important. She understood what he meant. She didn’t have the mate pull instantly connecting her to him. She never wanted to question their relationship and what it meant to him. For her, this would feel like a more primitive relationship, not an animal-driven one. It was like one that humans had for one another. Without her animal screaming at her to be near her mate, this was all on herand her emotions. She did feel connected to him, though, and she always had been. Maybe it was because he was the most beautiful male specimen she’d ever seen, and he always catered to her when he was around. She couldn’t help but be attracted to him. And over the years, she finally recognized that feeling. She finally realized it was more than just attraction. She was in love with him. She appreciated the fact that he wanted her to fully understand his love for her, and honestly, maybe it would be good for him as well. Lee knew he was attractive and desired. What female wouldn’t find him attractive? She wanted him to also know that she was interested in all of him. She never wanted him to doubt that he was the one she wanted, and it wasn’t only physical.
She smiled and gently placed her hand on his cheek, which he nuzzled into. “Is food off limits?” She scrunched her nose up. “I didn’t have a chance to eat earlier, and right now I would be happy munching on stale bread.” She heard him chuckle, and his eyes danced with laughter as he looked down at her.
“That can definitely be managed. I’ll have Xander bring some stuff up, and I’ll have Brody and your friend brought up here, too. There are some things we need to iron out before we go out into the public eye again.”
“Okay, but I should probably find some bottoms to put on before company arrives.” She watched as his dark gaze trailed down to her exposed thighs.
“Yeah, let’s see what I have. I don’t want anyone else to see you like this. You are mine. All of you belongs to me. I don’t share, and that includes views that should only be mine.” He smirked at her and walked her over to his closet. He had some lounge pants in there with a drawstring that she could use. He might not be partaking in everything she had to offer right now, but that didn’t mean he didn’t claim it all. He was possessive, and he certainly didn’t share. She was his. He had no clue how hewould ever be able to let her go if she did have another mate out there. If she ended up leaving him for her mate, he didn’t know how he would ever be able to cope. It was what he’d always been afraid of. He didn’t want to fall in so deep, only for her wolf to claim someone else as her mate, pulling her into another’s arms. It could happen. It was now a risk he was taking. He would love her deeply, forever and for always.
Reiya walked back out of the closet with Lee’s pants on. She did a little spin for him. “There, all better now.” She giggled and watched as he walked over to her. He gripped his hands on her hips and pulled her into him.
“You look perfect. And what’s even better is that now, you smell like me in them.” He lowered his head and let out a pleased grumble as he took in her scent. “Mmm. I’ve always dreamed you would wear my scent.” He felt the excitement of the animal within him. His animal had claimed her as his own, but he wanted more. He felt his fingers begin to tighten into her possessively but was able to reel his emotions in. He kissed her cheek gently and then straightened up. Clearing his throat, he said, “They’re on their way up.” He winked at her and swooped his arm around her, tugging her out into the main room.
Reiya might have been new to relationships and men in general, but she could feel it now. She was suddenly aware of his desire for her and how much he was fighting for control. How had she not noticed it before? She must have told herself it was so far-fetched that she’d turned a blind eye to it. But it was definitely there.
