Chapter 11
KYLER
I let Gavin carry me, exhaustion finally pulling me down. Whatever the prince has in mind, I’m going to go through with it.
I shouldn’t have said so much at dinner, but I’ve had a lonely existence not knowing my kind.
The journal belongs to my parents, and I have so many unanswered questions.
Maybe the book has the answers. I long for the day I can call myself free and search for other merfolk.
My only hope lies with the prince and the favors I’m playing along as his lover. Something I’m surprisingly glad to do.
“Do I get an assigned room?” I ask.
Gavin cocks his head, a smile tipping his lips. “No, you’ll be expected to be in my bed in the morning.”
“Will we just be playing parts, or am I expected to follow through?” I swallow, unsure of what answer I want.
He stops our walk. “I’ll never make you do anything you’re uncomfortable with.”
“Then sleep it is. Tonight at least.” But I’ve never slept in a bed before.
Captain Vex never allowed it. I’ve only ever slept against hard surfaces, with the occasional luxury of a hammock.
Not sure I’ll even like sleeping in a bed, I push against Gavin’s chest to stand on my own feet.
“I’ll sleep on the floor, then we can make it look like—”
“That won’t work. Damon will be on the perch outside my window soon to guard my room. You must be in my bed.”
We step into the prince’s bedroom chambers, and the enormous bed looks daunting. Cream-colored silk covers the mattress, and bookshelves line the walls.
I try to calm my nerves. An entire night next to the prince. “I talk in my sleep. According to the crew, anyway. I never know what I’m saying, but they enjoy making fun of me for it. I’ll be a horrible bed partner.”
“I’ve had worse.” Gavin sheds his shirt, revealing his smooth muscled chest unmarred by scars.
He works on his pants but stops before dropping them.
He strolls to the wardrobe, pulls out a violet silk robe, shrugs it on, and ties the belt before letting his pants fall to the floor. Then he turns back to me.
Gavin is a feast for the eyes. The violet silk hugs his thick arms, the robe spilling open to reveal a deep V of bare chest down to the tied silk belt at his waist. The sapphire necklace seems to blink as he moves.
He runs a hand through his dark hair, tousling it, with a few loose waves winding around his horns.
“I usually sleep naked.”
“I’ve seen too much of you for you to be shy now.” I can’t help but tease. I’ve seen every delectable inch of this dragon shifter.
Just like in the tavern, the haze of my desire rises from my skin, seeking its target. I hold back a groan, wishing I knew how to make it stop. But, like in the tavern, Gavin doesn’t react. The necklace truly is a wonder.
The soft, leather sound of dragon wings catches my attention. The sheer curtains flutter at the window, but a mass of dragon bulk blocks the view of the gardens.
“Does he ever sleep?”
Gavin nods toward Damon. “That is how he sleeps. In dragon form at my window.” He pulls me into an embrace. “Now that Damon’s here, we best make a show of it,” he whispers, then throws me onto the bed.
I yelp as I land.
“Moan for me, Kyler.” Gavin stands over me, hand pressed to the wall.
My heart pounds as I follow his instructions.
I watch as his pupils blow wide. I wait for the next command, needing it.
Gavin’s tongue darts across his lips, and his cock tents the robe, making it hard to take my eyes off the silk-clad dragon in glorious human form.
Biceps flex as he pushes away from the wall.
“You look perfect.” His thick voice rumbles.
Fuck. Me. I swallow back the words. The prince doesn’t actually want me; this is all for show. The haze swirls through the room, but Gavin still isn’t affected, much to my relief.
He lays next to me, giving me space, but I wish he wasn’t so far away. I don’t dare reach for his hand; my haze swims too thickly in the air.
“Again,” he whispers.
Gladly, I make the sound, drawing it out, letting it rumble in my chest. I grip the silk bedclothes, needing something to hold onto.
They’re soft and smooth, almost too warm to be comfortable.
I moan again, unasked, giving it a little gasp at the end.
I can’t help the little wiggle my body does when I make the sound.
“We don’t have to fake this.” My voice is rough. I feel like I might melt into the mattress. It’s so hot in the room. Hot in the bed. Next to Gavin.
Leaning on his side, Gavin’s face is so close to mine now. His breath is sweet like the wine we drank with our meal. He buries his hands in my hair and presses our lips together.
Fire erupts under my skin. While I’ve let men use my body for coin, I’ve never kissed anyone. Never sought my own pleasure with another person. I don’t want the kiss to stop. I grasp Gavin’s huge forearms, wanting him closer. His wine kisses are like an explosion of energy.
Breaking for air, he says, “Tell me if you want me to stop.”
All I can do is nod. I pull him back down by his horns.
Gavin straddles me, pinning me to the bed. The weight feels right, unlike anything before. Kisses trail down my neck as he plays at the fastenings of my shirt.
I hurry to help take it off, but Gavin rips it open.
“Now I’ll need a new one.” I pretend to pout, but that ends quickly when he licks a nipple. “Oh!” I shut my eyes, enjoying the soft drag of his tongue over my skin, the pinch and pull of his teeth, the gentle scrape of his horn when he adjusts his head.
“Mmm. You’re sweet.” Gavin trails kisses along my stomach. “Like honey.” He gives a lick to my side, drawing out a laugh.
I’m not used to being taken care of or touched so tenderly. It makes me uncomfortable, suffocatingly so. I push Gavin to his back and admire the man in front of me. It’s much better that I be in control, at least to have some notion of it.
Settling over his thighs, I ask, “May I?” Then I tug at the silk belt barely keeping his robe closed.
“Please.” He smooths tendrils of hair behind my ears, so gentle. It’s strange. I don’t care for it. When people are kind to me, they want something more.
Silk slides down his shaft, revealing his huge cock.
I swallow. It’s been a while since I’ve taken dragon cock in either hole. It’s always difficult, but oh so enjoyable at the same time. I want to take in the sight before me. His thick cock pulses, pre-cum beading at the tip. I lick my lips before leaning in.
Gavin stops my descent. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. You have a choice. You don’t—”
“I want to.” I lap at the salty treat. It’s my favorite part of the job. My hair falls over my shoulder and brushes his thigh.
His breath hitches as he watches me slowly swirl my tongue along the tip of his cock, letting drool slip down the side before I grip the shaft with both hands. Softly, not ready to add pressure. No, I want to savor every moment as I see him shaking at my touch.
“What do you like, Gavin?” I flick my tongue along, waiting for the answer.
“Show me what you can do.”
“Gladly.” I add pressure to my grip. I have to use both hands to wrap the entire shaft.
I test different strokes, watching his reaction to each one.
The moan when I toy with his balls? That shoots straight to my own cock.
I pay close attention to what I do to him.
Working my tongue along his length, I get sloppy.
Wetter is better, at least in my experience, and no one has complained before.
He thrusts into my hands. Primal grunts and moans fill the room from both of us.
“Kyler.”
“Don’t hold back; I can take it.” I work him harder.
The prince bucks, fucking into my mouth just the way I like it. I grip his thighs, digging my nails into the tough flesh.
“I’m gonna—”
I seal my mouth over his cock, taking every drop. I continue to pump, not softening even as he stops moving. I haven’t enjoyed myself this much in a long time. “That was… amazing.”
Gavin chuckles as he gasps for air. “I’ve never had someone so happy after sucking my cock unless I’d given them extra coin.”
I can’t help but laugh. I crawl up his body and lay on top of him, dropping tiny kisses on his lips with my eyes closed. I don’t know what possesses me. I’ve never wanted to be affectionate with anyone before. His big hand fists my hair and angles my head to taste me better, licking my jaw.
“Your turn.” In one swift move, I’m on my back with him bent over me. He lays kisses along my stomach before saying, “We never ate dessert. And I’m used to ending my meals with sweets.” The lust in his eyes makes my haze go haywire. I’m exhausted, but who could deny that request?
He drags his hand across my hardness, bringing delicious friction where I need it. I arch into the touch, seeking more.
“Can I?” he asks.
I nod, untying my pants.
He sinks his hand under the waistband. It’s been a while since I’ve taken myself in hand, and his touch is exquisite.
“I’m not gonna last long.”
“Shhh.” He presses a finger to my lips. “Enjoy yourself.”
I nip at him. Enjoy myself? I’m not entirely sure when the last time I had. Kissing him, sucking him off, yes. Today has been very enjoyable despite the hiccups. Despite what will come with Captain Vex later.
“Kyler.” He whispers my name against my lips. “Come back to me.”
I thread my fingers in the soft curls of his hair. “I’m here.” Perhaps I do want someone to be soft with me. Perhaps kindness isn’t so uncomfortable.
He continues to kiss me, slow and deep as his hand works my cock. I writhe with each touch. When he breaks away, I want more kisses, but I remember what he desires.
He moves from the bed and tugs me to the edge. He squats between my legs. Instead of pulling my pants off like a normal person, he rips the seams, then throws the pieces over his shoulders.
“Now I’ll need new trousers,” I practically pant as I lean up on my elbows to watch him.
Gavin’s eyes grow wide as they take me in.
I fight to cover the blue scale on my hip. The patch has grown again, wrapping around my entire hip and snaking down and around my thigh.
“It’s not supposed to be like that when I’m human.” Before, my scales always retreated. “I think Vex has cursed me or something. I don’t know, and right now, I don’t want to think about it.”
Gavin nods and trails kisses over my stomach, distracting me. His hand finds its way back to my cock, gripping and giving enough pressure to thrust into. I’m already losing my mind.
Whatever words I might say, I drown out with moans and meaningless babbling, which makes him grin.
His tongue laves at my balls while his hand pumps my cock, twisting his wrist at the end.
I flop back, my toes curling. I will not last. Not at all. I fist my hands tighter in his hair. Then the warm heat of his mouth envelops me. That perfect tongue strokes.
“Gavin.”
“Come for me, Kyler. Let me take it all down.”
I swallow, suddenly highly aware of the audience at the window. But I’ve never been shy before; I’m not allowed to be shy. My back arches as I come in his mouth. He drains my balls and energy. He doesn’t stop sucking until I whine from being oversensitive.
Watching him, I see his mouth tipped to a smile, lips slick with saliva. Skies, it’s sexy.
“How’d I do? I rarely get to do that part.”
I fling an arm over my eyes. “Ask me in the morning. My brain has turned to gravy.” I’m exhausted beyond words, sated with food, drink, and orgasm. Now I need sleep. I drop my arm and give him a smile.
With a laugh, he stands, fisting his cock as he walks to the other side of the bed, then climbs in. I don’t want to move, but I wiggle along the sheets to a proper position next to him.
The bed is unlike anything I’ve ever slept on or against. I try to sink into it, letting it support me. Before, when I woke from passing out, I hadn’t gotten to appreciate how comfortable I’ve been.
I’m still settling in, trusting the pillows to hold my head, when Gavin’s thick, muscled arms wrap around me, pulling me closer.
I let myself be arranged so that my head is on his chest, with an arm around my waist. One magnificent hand rests on my back, rubbing along my spine. His breath warms the top of my head.
“What are you doing?” I whisper against his silken chest, but I don’t dare move.
“I enjoy cuddling after a good fuck. Besides, you looked uncomfortable tittering on the edge.”
I can’t remember cuddling anyone before. Maybe my parents had, but that was so long ago. And Captain Vex liked torture more than sweetness. I’ve never sought true companionship. I’ve always been afraid of how the captain would react. While I have my privileges, I’m still property.
I can’t deny that cuddling feels nice. Comforting.
I breathe in Gavin’s sweat-drenched scent.
His big hand along my back is the softest touch I’ve ever experienced.
I can’t help myself; I cuddle in closer, finding a more comfortable position.
I nestle into the side of Prince Gavin like I belong.
It’s just acting, after all. I can lean into the performance.