Chapter 1 #2
I liked that my other mates weren’t morning people because I didn’t think I was either.
It also meant that on the weekends we would be able to sleep in like we had in Los Angeles.
Maybe I could convince Croy to stay in bed longer once a week.
I just had to figure out how… As it stood, today would not be that day because he was going into the office with the others.
“Friday night?” Marco questioned as I ran a hand through my damp hair, my comfortable robe tied around my frame.
We had over an hour until school and I was in no rush to go in the first place.
He continued looking at Henry, “Can you give Lesley a call? Tell her we will double the normal rate on account of the short notice.”
Who the heck was Lesley? I scowled.
“We are going to have to call the local alphas and invite them,” Sai noted, walking past me as he pressed a brief kiss to my temple.
I was momentarily distracted by the overwhelming amount of good-looking men around me. You wouldn’t blame me if you were this close to them. They were beautiful.
Especially Sai. He was stunning and whenever I told him that, the tops of his ears turned pink.
I couldn’t lie to him, he was! He literally stunned me.
Take right now for example. He was wearing a light blue button-down that was open at the neck revealing a bit of his muscular golden chest that I had the random urge to bite.
Was that weird? It didn’t make it any better that his obsidian hair was pulled back off his shoulder, the wavy locks glinting in the early sun of our kitchen and showing off his perfectly chiseled jaw.
I frowned not liking the idea of the women in their office seeing how fantastic he and the others looked today.
Sai’s natural cinnamon scent wrapped around me like a blanket creating a relaxing symphony of contentment.
Those sparkling obsidian eyes ran over me as his tanned hand slid over my waist gently, making me blush a bright red.
His smirk was daring as he walked around the counter, leaving me feeling dizzy.
I couldn’t help but watch the gorgeous man make his coffee.
I know the guys called Sai an ‘ass’ sometimes, but he was really sweet and romantic towards me, so I wasn’t positive what they were talking about.
He did get upset occasionally, but who didn’t?
Plus, I loved when he wrapped his arms around me, I could always feel his dragon rumbling underneath the surface of his muscular chest in greeting.
Henry was much the same, the two of them having somewhat the most vocal connection with their animals. I wasn’t sure they realized that yet, but I could feel their connection with their animal, along with the rest of my mates.
My toes curled thinking about how his mouth had felt on my body and I had to take another sip of coffee just to avoid blurting out the request that he do it again. I couldn’t think when I was around any of them, but Henry right now, had me feeling very out of sorts still.
His leaner but extremely cut body was only covered in a pair of flannel bottoms, leaving his completely shirtless chest open for my perusal.
And his abs.
And the black tattoos that covered his fair complexion.
And that V that led down to where I could see that he was getting turned on.
I snapped my eyes up and found him staring at me with amusement and heat, offering me a wink and making me blush. I tried to re-focus on my coffee.
I would not think about him naked.
I would not think about him naked.
I was totally thinking about him naked. And how he tasted when I had him in my mouth and throat.
How his lips felt on my skin. Oh jeez. This was going to be a long freakin’ day.
I shifted on my seat suddenly feeling like I would much rather stay home in bed.
Or have a repeat of the other afternoon.
I found his light, stormy eyes, which rested behind dark-framed glasses, watching me with fascination as the conversation around us continued.
Henry tilted his head predatorily, blonde unkempt waves resting about his handsome face as my heart began to race.
I was so glad the others were distracted right now because I knew I was ten shades of red and I was trying really hard to not get turned on. Well, more turned on than I already was.
“She said that she would be able to,” Henry stated, finally looking down at his phone as it ‘pinged,’ reminding me what I’d been upset about again.
I frowned, feeling a bit frustrated. Who was Lesley? I took a sip of my coffee and realized it was nearly gone. I needed to ask them about Lesley, so I waited for a moment to interrupt them.
“Who is Lesley?” I asked in a determined voice.
Marco, Henry, and Sai all snapped their heads towards me with half confused, half worried faces. I was going to assume it was because I had my emotions spread across my face. Actually, I knew I did. Then again, I never tried to hide my emotions from my mates, there really wasn’t a point in my mind.
“Lesley?” Marco rose a brow looking very confused. It was clear as day his mind was a million miles away and, I thought happily, not on whoever Lesley was.
Sai intertwined our fingers as he came to stand next to me, my chest settling. See? Total sweetheart!
Marco, as I mentioned, was a bit more intense, but I never doubted for a minute that the man would always be on my side. I’d found that for whatever reason, I was Marco’s main priority in most things. Call me selfish, but I wasn’t about to ask the man to change.
Henry, his head tilted with curiosity, was very different from the two of them.
He had a unique mix of quiet confidence and an authoritative commanding personality that had me seeking him out for any questions I had, usually.
Well, him and Croy. But I was finding Croy had answers to different questions than Henry.
For example, last night before bed, and to calm down from seeing my father, we had decided to watch a documentary together after our family movie night.
We’d put on Discovery Planet and it had all but blown my mind.
You see, I had a fairly good grasp on the countries that existed because of Pastor Malcolm’s World War II obsession.
At the time, the names and shapes on the map were more like a fantasy tale but I had retained a lot of the knowledge.
Seeing those places for real though? Well, on TV at least?
It was fascinating! I hadn’t even realized how many unique animals, insects, and cultures existed.
In a way, it was intimidating and I felt like I would never catch up on learning everything I needed to know but Croy and Marco had brought up a good point.
We had all the time and resources in the world to explore.
Marco had essentially stated that all I needed to do was pick a place and we could go.
That was a bit overwhelming though. What if I chose somewhere boring?
Or what if I enjoyed it but they didn’t? See my problem?
Still. I was a very lucky woman. Do you know many other women that had six amazing dragon mates? And a brilliant wolf mate? No. I didn’t think so. It did make me wonder if there were others like us out there…
“Lesley is the party planner,” Henry offered, with a small smile as his eyes filled with realization and mirth.
Oh. Okay. A party planner. I could deal with that.
“Don’t worry, angel,” Atlas’s warm husky voice made me shiver as I tilted my head up to see where he now stood behind me, leaning on the marble counter.
His eyes lit up with heat as his massive hands smoothed over my shoulders.
I knew to most people, Atlas was scary, but to me he was a massive teddy bear.
Literally, I could jump on the man and he wouldn’t even budge.
He was so strong and big, plus he looked like one of those fallen angels that are illustrated in some of the religious books I’d been made to read.
His rich-toned skin against my golden arms made me smile and I found myself wondering, as I appraised his muscles, how he fit into his dark dress pants and light-colored dress shirt.
I mean how did it not pop off? He was so massive and muscular.
I mean what if it broke open and the buttons hit people?
He should just take off his shirt… far safer for everyone.
His golden eyes, like melted honey, sparkled as I reached up a hand to touch his long, dark hair that had golden rings looped through it.
Honestly, the man was very overwhelming to look at.
I loved that about him. How unique he was.
I inhaled his sea salt scent, distracted because it mixed with Henry’s mint scent as he walked past, leaving me barely catching what he was saying.
“We only have eyes for one woman, you know that.” Atlas ran a finger over my lip, my eyes fluttered as I leaned back against him.
“You were jealous?” Sai reared back, looking shocked. I blushed and offered him a scowl.
“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that, kitten.” He clasped my jaw gently. “I just meant that there was no need for it.” Slightly better.
“Is this my coffee?” Atlas suddenly asked. A small giggle slipped out, completely ruining my chance at escaping as I tried to move off my chair. I squeaked as Atlas picked me up and deposited me on the counter, stepping between my legs as I smiled up at him.
Sai lounged against the counter, now drinking my old coffee, looking at my bare shoulder as my robe slipped slightly. I tugged it back up and narrowed my eyes at him. Now he was a coffee thief. Actually… Maybe we could all just switch coffee every morning.
“Did you steal my coffee?” Atlas arched an amused brow.
“Nope,” I popped the ‘p’ before offering a small smile.
“Maya?” Atlas offered me a narrowed smoldering look.
“I would say this is deserving of a punishment,” Sai hummed, his finger trailing over my palm before he kissed the top of my hand gently.