Secondhand Garagyre

Chapter 21

Chapter Twenty-One

PAISLEY

I don’t know what comes over me and makes me decide to kiss him. I just want to ease some of his pain. The tormented expression on his face as he told me what happened to his mate shattered my already tattered heart. I would have to be made of stone to not of been affected by his story.

I’ve never been in love so I’ve no clue how devastated he must be. In all the books I’ve read about fated mates, they go into such detail about how deeply bonded the two beings are. As if they were two parts of one whole. If the fictional bond is anything similar to the real life being before me…how does he function?

And …his other half was ripped from him by a being that cares for nothing except bringing about pain and destruction. Seeking only to comfort him in one of the only ways I know how, I pull his face to mine and lightly press my lips to his, the caress a whisper of sensation causing awareness to ripple down my spine.

His entire body freezes as he allows me to lead in this dance. I made the first move, and no matter the words he spoke to me in the library earlier, I do not fear this male. I think he would sooner cut off one of his hands than harm me in any way.

I don’t know how I know that; I just know that I do.

Gathering my courage, mindful of his razor-sharp teeth, I flick my tongue against the seam of his lips, a tentative query. Laithog parts his lips and kisses me back with restrained passion. His tongue gently plunders my mouth, sliding sinuously alongside my tongue, the sensation catching me by surprise.

What on Earth ?

His tongue is textured!

I whimper as my mind considers the possibilities of where else that tongue could be applied to, but the second I make a sound Laithog pulls back, my welfare still foremost in his mind.

“ Paisley , you are well?” he demands.

“ Yes , Laithog . I’m fine. I promise,” I respond with a smile, ignoring the way my torn lip pulls.

“ As much as I would enjoy continuing our current activity, I do not think you are quite up to bed play yet. You are still recovering and, also, do not yet know me.”

I hate that he’s right. It’s been a long time since I’ve been attracted to someone, and even longer since I’ve slept with anyone. Not to mention I’ve only known him a few hours…and he’s not human.

His next words pull me from my internal reverie and make my smile grow even bigger. “ Perhaps … I could build the fire we discussed, and you could fetch one of your favorite books to read to me before you retire for the evening. It is not that late yet.”

He’s …almost adorable. It’s as if he’s bashful about asking me to read to him after the heaviness from earlier. “ I think that is a wonderful idea. We should enjoy our evening together. We are both alive, full, and safe. Things to be thankful for.”

“ For longer than I care to admit to you, I did not count those things as blessings, but I assure, I do now. Go and fetch us a story, and I will start a fire for us. First , I beg of you. Please tell me your creepy little beast did not watch us the entire time we were embracing…?”

Laughter bubbles up and I let out a snort at his horrified tone before I can stop myself. Glancing to the side, I can see Merry and Pippin sitting…and staring.

They do like to stare.

With a disgusted huff, Laithog stands, making me squeak in alarm since he takes me with him. His large hands support my ample weight as he eases me to my feet, sliding me down the length of his body until I’m standing before him, my front pressed to his. Craning my neck, I look up at him, finally realizing just how large he truly is. The top of my head comes to what would be a collarbone on a human. Add in his horns, and wings, Laithog is one truly intimidating figure.

“ Bah , enough with your sly seduction female. I’ve a fire to build and a tale to hear, off with you!” he playfully scolds with a light tap to my right butt cheek before he strides to the back door, glamouring himself as he goes.

Rubbing my butt, I can’t help the goofy grin that pulls at my lips as I go to the library to “fetch a tale.”