Chapter 25 #2
I felt a surge of panic, and even more resistance. I would not be bullied into going public just because—
“I’ll pick you both up tomorrow,” Kaya continued. “Wear comfortable shoes. We’re not coming back until we’ve been ‘seen’ having a lovely time shopping together all day. I’ll be sure to have reporters ready to capture all the moments.”
She stood, grabbed her purse, and shot Konni a warning glare. “Be prepared to carry our purchases.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said respectfully.
“Now give me my hug so I can go.”
He dutifully hugged his mom, which I found sweet, and walked her to the door.
“I never thought I’d see you look at someone like that,” Mom said softly.
I tore my gaze away from him and frowned at her. “Like what?’
“With admiration, pride, and love.”
“Give it some time. He’ll probably do something to annoy me.”
She grinned. “They always do. It gives them a chance to spoil you for forgiveness afterward, though.”
I didn’t answer since Konni had closed the door.
“Konni, would you mind sending me your mom’s number?” Mom asked as he walked back. “I forgot to thank her for dinner before she left.”
He sent it to her, proof he already had my mom’s number, and I watched her go upstairs.
“She’s going to say more than a simple thank you,” I said.
He pulled me to my feet and into his embrace.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Depends on what they plot,” I said.
“My guess would be picking out wedding venues.”
I made a pained face, and he chuckled.
“It’s good they get along, though, right?” he asked.
“It is. Your mom is nothing like what that article is trying to paint her to be.”
“She’s like you. Soft when she can be, hard when she needs to be.”
“You think I’m soft?” I asked in disbelief.
“When you can be, yes. You're softer now than when we met.”
He was right. I was softer, and not just with him. I wasn’t as guarded anymore, and it was his fault. Knowing he had my back unconditionally had changed me. It had created the space I needed to let him in even more.
“How much do you like my softness?” I asked, playfully stroking his cheek.
He abruptly tossed me over his shoulder, startling a squeal out of me, and sprinted up two flights of stairs.
When he set me on my feet, I saw the heat in his eyes.
“There’s no going back, Sophia,” he said a second before his lips were on mine.
The kiss was hot, intense, and very distracting. Without realizing we’d moved, my legs hit the back of the bed, and we fell together onto the mattress.
He look down at me hungrily.
“Promise you’ll tell me the second you’re ready to let the world know you’re mine.”
Desperate for more, I was willing to promise him anything.
“I promise.”
He kissed me again. It wasn’t slow, and it wasn’t sweet. It conveyed his need for me, and I answered it eagerly as his hand moved down my side, teasing, kneading.
His touch added to the fire slowly consuming me from the inside. But when it hooked the edge of my pants, I broke the kiss and pushed at his shoulders.
“Wait.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Can we move this to the shower?”
His gaze, already considerably altered from the kiss, changed to pure gold and vertical slits.
“Yes.” The word was drawn out like a hiss.
The way scales shimmered in and out of existence on his arms cut through some of my lust as he picked me up and strode to the bathroom.
“Wrenly mentioned shifting could be dangerous for bystanders,” I said, teasing his ear with my fingers.
“That’s werewolves. Dragons are different. We’re more controlled.”
He set me down and started unbuttoning his shirt.
“So there’s no chance I’ll do something to trigger a shift and be accidentally smooshed like a bug?” I asked, watching with interest as each bit of skin was exposed.
He chuckled. “None. You’re my life. The reason I exist. I would never hurt you. Not even accidentally.”
The shirt fell to the floor, and I stared in appreciation.
“You can touch if you want,” he said with a smirk.
I trailed my fingers down his chest, then hooked them in his waistband and jerked him closer.
“You’re still wearing too much for me to touch what I’d like to touch.”
He had his clothes off in seconds, and I knew I was in serious trouble. While his impressive size was intimidating, what was more concerning was how badly I wanted to take it for a test run.
Without taking my eyes from the prize, I pulled off my top and partially turned my back to him.
“How’s my mark? If we have sex now, would we be mated, or are we safe?”
He growled savagely, and the next thing I knew, my front was pinned against a cold tile wall, and his teeth were scraping my neck. Heat flared between my legs and on my shoulder.
The sound of tearing fabric registered. Then his hands were on my legs, lifting me.
“Wait. I want—”
He flipped me around, apparently able to read my mind.
“Hold onto my horns.” Then he was on his knees in front of me.
The long, thick horns, an unexpected sight on his head, were slightly yellowed and chipped, but fit perfectly in my hands as I rode Konni’s face until I screamed.
My knees gave out, but I didn’t fall forward and impale myself. He was too quick for that.
Gripping my waist, he stood and kissed the top of my shoulder, close to my mark, as I wilted against the wall with my eyes closed.
“You are so beautiful, Sophia. Tempting in ways you don’t understand yet. But you will.”
I heard the shower start, but couldn’t open my eyes yet. My heart was still beating too fast for that much effort.
He kissed my forehead, then the tip of my nose.
“I have your trust, but I don’t think I have your heart. Not yet,” he said. “Sex can still be just sex.”
The line between just sex and loving him was thinner than he knew.
My pulse didn’t slow as I opened my eyes to look up at him.
“Just make sure I can still walk tomorrow, or both our moms are going to know what happened.”
That fantastical display of overlaid scales surged brighter on his skin. Not just his face and hands, but all over. Some of the scales looked dull and crooked in places. But before I could ask, he picked me up and carried me into the warm shower.
“Wrap your legs around my waist,” he said, lifting me higher.
Understanding what he was going to do, I obeyed, eager for what was next.
My pulse sped up again as our gazes locked and he lowered me. The fullness was glorious, more than I’d ever experienced before, and my eyes wanted to roll back in my head from pure bliss.
Twice, I had to pause and relax to accommodate more. But the hard-won slow descent was oh-so-worth it once our hips finally met.
I rested my head on his shoulder and gave myself a moment to adjust to his size. I didn’t think it would take long. Everything inside of me was sparking with interest for another big finish. And that was with him holding completely still.
He stroked my hair, waiting as the hot water warmed my back. I could feel the trembling in his fingers.
“Tell me you’re ready,” he said roughly.
“I’ve been ready for this since I first saw you,” I admitted.
He growled, and I squeaked when he effortlessly lifted me, then let me sink again.
He groaned and repeated the move.
It felt…so good.
Right.
Complete.
Like I’d been searching for this my whole life without even knowing this was what I’d been craving.
Gripping his shoulders, I straightened and started to move with him. The overlaying scales rippled with our movements. His fingers dug into my hips, and soon he wasn’t just letting me descend onto him but actively thrusting up into me.
The pleasure that had nearly broken me earlier surged higher. I surrendered to it, floating in the rising tide, waiting for it to take me over the edge again.
Konni’s breathing grew harsh in my ear, his thrusts snapping into me. I knew he was getting close and wanted him to break with me, so I leaned forward and bit his neck.
He let out an unholy roar.
My back hit the wall, and he pounded into me at an angle that set me free. My head fell back, and my mouth opened in a silent scream as I came apart. His lips found mine, kissing me savagely until, with a grunt, his rhythm faltered. I felt the pulsing intensity of his release, which prolonged mine.
As the heat faded, our kiss slowed, turning gentle and tender. I felt my heart lurch in my chest and broke away.
“That was perfect,” he said, kissing my temple and holding me close. “You are perfect.”
I let him cuddle me and only protested a little when he gently unwrapped my legs and withdrew. He turned me toward the water and encouraged me to lean back against him as I washed what he’d ravaged. Once I finished, he shampooed my hair.
I’d never felt so cared for in my life…except for that time Wrenly helped bathe me.
A giggle escaped.
“What’s that for?” Konni asked, sounding amused.
“I’m remembering the last time someone washed me.”
His hands stilled in my hair, and I tipped my head back to look up at him.
“It was Wrenly after I threw up on myself. I like you washing me better.”
He smiled and kissed the tip of my nose.
“I like washing you better than Wrenly, too.”
I woke with a stretch and accidentally backhanded Konni’s face.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
His arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me against his chest.
I sighed contentedly, enjoying his heat until I felt it poking me in the backside. My eyes popped open.
“Don’t even think about it.” I tried to fight my way out of his hold, but he was amused and not letting go. “I mean it, Konni. You were so loud last night. How am I going to face my mom?”
He kissed the side of my neck.
“Soundproofing, kitten. She didn’t hear a thing. I promise.”
The rumble in his voice, the use of my pet name, and the way he was kissing me made it really hard to stand my ground instead of melting into him.
“Still not getting any morning action,” I said. “My legs can’t take it.”
It wasn’t entirely true. Yes, I was a little sore, but I would have definitely gone another round if I wasn’t worried about his mom showing up before we finished.
He released me, and I grabbed my phone. It was already past nine. We’d stayed up late, drying my hair then going for another round, which had been just as mind-melting.
I hurried to get out of bed, then winced and held my stomach.
He was right there, picking me up and settling me on his lap. Naked.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“You rearranged my insides last night, and they’re not happy,” I said, rubbing my lower stomach.
He brushed my hand aside and settled his over my stomach, almost covering everything from belly button to thigh crease. It was impressive, but the sudden surge of warmth was even more so.
I exhaled heavily as the ache eased.
“That’s nice.”
He kissed my cheek.
“I’ll be more careful next time.”
Not if I had anything to say about it. My new goal was to see if I could get him to sprout horns again.
My phone rang while he was holding me, and I saw Mom’s name. I answered it.
“Konni’s mom just got here,” she said. “We’re starting breakfast for you.”
“Sounds good. We’ll be down in a few minutes.”
“Take your time.”
Konni let me up when I disconnected and watched my careful walk to the closet.
“Would you be willing to help me feel less guilty about how sore you are today?”
I paused in the process of selecting my underwear and glanced at him.
“How exactly? It’s not going to end with me being more sore, is it?”
“No.” Naked, he strolled over to his wallet and took out a card. “I’d like you to be just as rough with this as I was with you.”
He set his forehead against mine. “Make me pay.”
I snorted. “If I were the sensitive type, I’d accuse you of trying to buy me like a prostitute.”
His expression changed to “oh shit” in a heartbeat, and I plucked the card from his grasp.
“But I know it’s just your weird way of getting me to spend your money, so I accept. I’ll do my best to make it hurt so good.”
His card stayed in my possession for all of twenty minutes—the time it took for us to dress and go downstairs. The second his mom saw I had his card, she made a sad face.
“Today’s supposed to be about us, future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law getting along. How are we supposed to show that we hold no grudges if you’re paying for yourself?”
“Technically, I’m paying for her,” Konni said.
She shot him a dirty look, plucked the card from my fingers, and tossed it back at him.
“Today’s my day to spoil Sophia. You had her enough last night.”
I froze, my horrified gaze swinging to my mom as my face flushed scarlet.
Were they really talking about this? In front of me?