51. Hayden
The sunlight streamed in through the window as I watched Cillian sleep. His face was so relaxed. It was the first time I’d seen him completely at ease. Each exhale of breath made his lashes flutter, and my fingers itched to touch him.
I could feel him now. Just like I could feel Cáel and Knox, who lay behind me. I could feel the sense of peace they all had at being bonded. And it eased something in me, too. Let me dare to hope.
“You’re staring, Little Flame,” Cillian said without opening his eyes.
I grinned. “How do you know?”
“I can feel it.” His eyes fluttered open. “And I can feel that you’re happy.”
“I am,” I told him honestly.
“I’d be happier if we could sleep another hour,” Knox muttered, his hand squeezing my waist.
Cáel chuckled as he flopped to his back. “You can take a nap later.”
Cillian traced the bite mark on my shoulder. The contact had heat sparking. He smiled then. “Love that I can feel your want, your need.”
“Makes sex that much more awesome,” Knox mumbled. “It’s like her pleasure stokes ours.”
He was so right about that. I looked at my shoulder. The bite mark was still raw, but below it had formed a tiny tree with arching branches. “It’s beautiful. What does it mean?”
Cillian traced the brand. “I think it has to do with my gift.”
I frowned. “What is it?”
“I can blend in with my surroundings in dragon form. It’s like I become invisible against the trees and sky.”
“I better get a cool gift,” I groused.
Cillian chuckled. “I have no doubt.”
“I want to see my mark—” My words cut off as I remembered that I’d bitten him on the neck. Somewhere the entire world would be able to see. My hand flew to my mouth. “Oh, shit. Cillian. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have bitten you on the neck. I wasn’t thinking?—”
Cillian leaned forward, kissing me. “I love that my mark will be where everyone can see it.”
“But the wound. Isn’t that going to be a little suspicious?”
The last thing we needed was more questions right now.
Cillian rolled to his back, exposing his neck.
My jaw went slack. It was completely healed. There was only the faint scar and the gemstone beneath it.
“Alpha show-off,” Knox chided.
I glanced at him in question.
“Dragons who are able to shift heal way faster than humans, but alphas heal even faster,” Knox explained.
I turned back to Cillian, tracing the scar with my finger.
He shuddered. “Careful, Little Flame.”
I tugged my hand back. “Sorry.”
Cillian grinned. “Don’t be, but I don’t think you’re up for another round this morning.”
I still felt Cillian’s and Cáel’s presence between my legs and backside. As much as I wanted to, I probably needed a day to recover.
Cillian laughed then. The sound was so uninhibited it hit me right in the chest. “Love that you’re pouting about not being up for sex.”
I smacked his chest. “Shut up.”
He hauled me against him. “How about breakfast instead?”
“That’s a sad fucking substitute,” Knox griped.
Cáel pushed up against the pillows, grinning. “You know you have him wrapped around your finger when he’d pick you over food, Little One.”
Knox leaned over and nipped my bottom lip. “You taste better than cinnamon rolls.”
Shit.If I didn’t get out of this bed, we were all definitely going to fuck.
Quickly, I rolled over Cillian. “Out. All of you. I don’t trust myself around all your crazy dragon pheromones.”
They all laughed, but I made a beeline for my bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me. Like that would do any good. They could knock that door in with a flick of their pinky.
I leaned against the wood, taking a deep breath. “I’m becoming a sex-crazed maniac.”
“And we like you that way,” Knox yelled.
“Damned shifter hearing,” I groused. “Get out of my room!”
More laughter sounded from the other room.
I pushed off the door, flipping them off, even though they couldn’t see me. It was the principle of the matter. If I wasn’t such a needy hussy, I’d give them blue balls for a week.
I made quick work of brushing my teeth and washing my face, cursing dragons and their magic dicks the whole time. By the time I was done with that, said dragons had thankfully fled my room. I crossed the closet, pulling out jeans, a blouse, and a sweater. While Cáel’s and Knox’s claiming marks were beginning to fade, Cillian’s was still fresh. I’d have to be wary of what I wore for the next few days at least. Thankfully, the fall weather made it easier to cover up.
Dressing quickly in my now-typical collared shirt, I pulled my hair back into a braid and grabbed my backpack. As I made my way out of my bedroom and toward the stairs, my steps slowed. I couldn’t help but wonder if Easton would be at breakfast.
He’d taken off without a word last night, but I’d seen the longing in his eyes, the hurt even. It made my stomach twist in a vicious cramp. I wanted to believe that he’d changed his view of me, but I couldn’t quite get myself to fully let go.
Forcing myself to keep going, I headed for the dining room. All the guys were there but Maddox. My gaze instantly went to Easton, who had yet again taken Knox’s seat next to mine.
As our eyes locked, he pulled out my chair. It was a tiny gesture, but it told me he wasn’t harboring any negative emotions. I let out the breath I’d been holding and headed for the seat.
I lowered myself into the chair, scooting in. Then I reached under the table and squeezed his hand.
Easton’s gaze flew to my face.
I couldn’t give him everything he wanted just yet. But I could give him this.
The smile that spread across his face was a punch to the gut. He squeezed my fingers and then released them. “Scrambled eggs, pancakes, or both?”
“Uh,” I began, still trying to find words after seeing the sheer joy on Easton’s face.
“She wants both,” Cáel answered for me.
I turned to him and stuck out my tongue. “Interfering dragon.”
He just grinned at me.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and we all turned to see Maddox stride into the room. There was no hint of amusement on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Cillian demanded.
His mouth thinned. “The police found Brent’s body.”