Page 99 of The Dragon's Gambit
“Couldn’t you own happier movies?” Reiya pouted and snuggled into Lee.
“What are you talking about? This is an awesome movie.” Xander was starting to get engrossed in the film.
This was nice. She was curled up in Lee’s arms while they all relaxed and watched a movie together. She wished life couldalways be this good. The only thing that could make it better would be adding Hunter and Chasen to the group.
It wasn’t long before she felt Lee’s hot breath fanning against her ear. “You really want that over me?”
Reiya smiled. “Who said over you? I was thinking about having both.” She listened to his low growl as he gripped her possessively.
“You can’t have anyone else besides me,” he snarled near her ear in a low whisper.
She tilted her head to look at him better. She leaned closer and placed a soft kiss on his jawline. “I can agree to those terms.” She snuggled back into him and continued to watch the movie.
By the end of the movie, Reiya was crying again. Lee chuckled and pulled her up into him more.
“Don’t mind her, Levi. She always cries during movies.” Brody chuckled as he tossed another tissue her way.
Lee handed Reiya the tissue and she turned to Brody. “I don’t always cry during movies, just sad ones.”
“Well, no watching sad ones unless I’m here to hold you.” Lee leaned his head down and kissed her forehead.
Xander stood up and stretched his hands over his head. “Well, we have a big day tomorrow, what with the kiss and all.”
“The what?” Brody asked.
Xander looked at Brody. “Oh, that’s right, you didn’t hear. I have to give Reiya a mate acceptance kiss tomorrow.”
Chelsie looked at Reiya. “What’s a mate acceptance kiss?”
Reiya furrowed her brows down and pushed into Lee more. “He has to mark me publicly tomorrow.”
“No chance in hell!” Brody growled and eyed Xander like he was the enemy.
“Stand down, honey snatcher. We already talked this over.” Xander motioned to Lee and Reiya.
Brody stood up and looked at Lee, appalled. “And you’re okay with it?”
“Hell no, I’m not okay with it. But if he doesn’t claim her publicly, then it’s like not claiming her at all. We went back and forth over this issue, and while neither of us like it, we decided that this scenario makes the most sense.” Lee sighed, growing frustrated again.
“Brody, I trust Xander. He won’t mistreat the situation. It’s the best way to continue to keep our relationship a secret. I don’t want to risk losing Lee.” Reiya’s voice trailed off quietly as Lee’s grip tightened around her.
Brody sighed, then finally nodded in understanding. He didn’t like the idea of Xander slobbering all over his sister. If Hunter and Chasen were here, they would be raising all sorts of hell. He wanted to do right by his brothers in protecting their sister. In this situation, there were not a lot of other options. And who was he to object when her own mate was agreeing to it?
“It’s your choice, Reiya, and I will respect it. However, I’ll have to excuse myself. I’m afraid I’ll snap Xander's neck if I see him touch you like that.” Knowing that Xander wasn’t her mate, it was something he couldn’t watch. He was protective over Reiya. Not to mention no one wants to see their baby sister getting marked.
“I appreciate your feelings, Brody. I’m happy she has someone like you always at her side.” Lee nodded toward him with a smile.
“I don’t mean any offense to you, Xander. It’s just she’s—”
“Dude, I get it. She’s your baby sister. She isn’t my sister, but I am protective over her, too. If I saw another guy touch her, I’d roast him. I know it doesn’t help much, but I promise I have good intentions. It will be as minimally done as it can be.” Xander looked over at Lee as he spoke the last few words. It was the best he could do. He couldn’t fake kissing her. While hewouldn’t be branding her neck, he had to make it look like he was.
“Thank you, Xander, for doing this for Lee.” Reiya was thinking how awkward of a situation this put him in as well. He was lying to his own people in order to protect Lee. It wasn’t fair to put him in this position either.
Xander winked at Reiya and smirked. “Don’t get me wrong. I mean, having to kiss a pretty woman in order to help out my big bro … I mean, I guess I’ll take one for the team.” He let out a small chuckle. This wasn’t exactly going to be torture for him. “I think I’m going to go to bed before I get myself in trouble.”
Reiya walked back with Lee to their room as well. What was going to take place tomorrow was still heavy on both their minds. No matter the situation, it was still an invasion of the intimacy between the two of them. Lee pulled her close in bed and rested his face in her mark. Deep down, he couldn’t help but worry. He was worried that tomorrow might change things between them. He laid there and quietly held his precious fairy. Tomorrow was going to be difficult.
Chapter 65 Forever and Always
