Chapter 8
Joss
The first thing I notice as my mind awakens is the aromatic scent of roses.
Blinking my eyes open, with the February morning sun streaming in across the bed and I force myself to sit up, looking around the hotel room.
Wherever my gaze falls, I find vases full of roses.
The same ones from my cousin's reception last night.
The bathroom door opens, and the sexy dragon shifter steps out wearing just jeans with a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," he mumbles around it before returning to the sink.
When Brando comes back out, I take in the sight of his rock-hard abs and broad chest. I always knew he was strong, but this sight is beyond what I ever fantasized.
"Are these from the wedding?" I ask.
"Yeah. Looks like no one took them last night. And when I went for my morning run, I saw the staff piling them onto a table."
"I can't believe you got all these in here without me waking up."
"You were out like a light," he says with a chuckle.
Crawling out of bed, I give him a squeeze as I pass him into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and take a quick shower before I step out to find that he is now fully dressed. With my towel wrapped around me, I walk up to him playfully pouting.
"You put on a shirt?" I ask him, looking up into his dark purple eyes.
"Well, you're wearing this towel," he teases before loosening it so that it falls to the floor.
Brando growls in the back of his throat before he lifts me like I weigh nothing, and tosses me onto the bed. His fingers are instantly inside me pumping as he sucks on my clit. I run my fingers through my wet hair as I crumble almost immediately, yelling out his name.
The dragon shifter looks up at me with a devilish grin, then stands and quickly strips off his clothing.
His cock is ready for me as he climbs on top, pressing open my thighs with his rough hands before guiding himself inside.
My back arches as I take his thickness, and he bends down, wrapping me in his muscular arms, pressing my curves against his chest while he thrusts passionately.
As his movements become quicker and stronger, with my heart still racing from the orgasm, I roll my hips into him, meeting every thrust. Our bodies slap against each other.
He lets out a cry before I feel his body crumble against me, and I wrap my legs around him, lying like that for several minutes as our breathing returns to normal.
We climb under the covers to warm ourselves, and when I look out the window, I gasp.
"Look, it's snowing. That's so beautiful," I say.
Brando kisses my temple and whispers, "You're so beautiful."
Grinning, I look up at him and snuggle into his chest. He strokes my damp hair and says, "Joss, I realize we just started this up, but I feel like I'm being dishonest if I don't tell you this."
Turning to him, worry pools in my gut.
He takes my face in his firm hands and says, "I'm in love with you, Joss Gallagher."
Gasping, it takes me a moment to process his words.
"And it's okay if you're not. I just felt weird not telling you. After everything that's happened," he says, his cheeks turning red.
My heart pounds against my ribs as I realize he said exactly what I wanted to hear from him.
"Brando, I'm in love with you too," I whisper.
The smile he gives me shoots thrills through my body. He pulls me in for a kiss, and we remain in bed until we finally have to get up to check out of the lodge.
Lugging our suitcases out into the parking lot as the snow continues to fall, we bump into my cousin Susie and her husband Dave. He definitely looks like he is recovering from a doozy of a hangover.
"Hey, mate. How about showing off your dragon self here at least?" Dave calls over to Brando with a playful grin.
My boyfriend looks at me, and I giggle, shrugging.
"Go for it. You'll make his day."
With a wicked grin, Brando throws our suitcases into the car and walks a few steps toward Dave, whose eyes widen in anticipation.
As we watch, he transforms into a purple-scaled dragon and rises into the air.
His powerful wings flap above my cousin's husband, causing Dave's hair to blow into his eyes.
Brando swoops around him before releasing a stream of fire above us, the heat warming my shoulders.
When he lands, he transforms back into his human self.
Dave stares at him speechless before Susie grabs his wrist and drags him to the car. I run up to my sexy dragon shifter boyfriend and throw my arms around his neck.
"Have I mentioned how hot I think you are?" I say, grinning up at him.
Brando leans down and captures my mouth with his.