Page 19 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

“Yes,” Cade said from beside me, his voice thick with unreadable emotion.

A sliver of pity for the giant dragon-man brought low by memories made its way past my defenses.

“Come on,” I said, grabbing his hand without thinking and dragging him farther into the house, trying to snap him out of his daze. “Let’s explore.”

Cade stumbled along behind me. Silent. Thoughtful.

Chapter Ten

Cade

I nearly tripped and fell flat on my face as Samantha tugged on my hand, pulling me deeper into the house. The warmth of her skin on mine was completely and utterly unexpected and nearly spelled ruin.

She only cupped my hand, instead of locking fingers, but the surge of heat shot up my arm and into my chest like a spike, driven by the sledgehammer of a god. My dragon, already on edge after the flight, snatched the opportunity.

It slithered into the fore of my mind, sinking its talons in deep, commanding me to turn my attention from the frayed and peeling house to the woman in front of us. Her lush backside and full curves were on display, the rain having dampened her clothing enough to ensure it clung to her pale skin.

A rumble started in the back of my throat. She was right there, the beast pointed out. Within my grasp. Literally and figuratively. My nose was filled with her scent, driving deep into me. I wanted more, though. Not just to smell, but to taste. I could only envision dragging my tongue up the insides of her thick thighs, until I reached the apex, the perfect peek.

It would be as natural as the fit of her hand in mine. Made that way. My tongue. Her dripping, warm opening, all but inviting me in to explore, basking in the tiny gasps and twitches of her hands as I teased her, bringing her to the edge and then making her explode in my mouth.

My dragon wanted her.

No, it needed her.

The strength of its push, of the urge to simply take her, right then and there, was near undeniable. Blood surged through my body, escaping the broken damn of my inner willpower. Muscles swelled, and my cock became engorged, swiftly growing harder.

It would be easy to make her mine. I’d heard her when I pulled the chain. Smelled the interest on her mind. All I had to do was reach out and grasp her body. Touch it, stroke it, show her the pleasures I could give her, and she would melt into me. It would be almost trivial. Then I could have her. Watch her sink to her knees, licking her lips as she undid my belt, eager for my cock to pop free, so she could take it into her mouth and—

We exited the hallway, entering the main kitchen at the back of the house, and I stumbled to a halt.

Fresh memories poured forth, overwhelming my dragon and me. Images of a time when the house wasn’t abandoned. When it was full of life and laughter. Of love.

My cousins and I, shrieking and laughing as we rushed from one side to the other, playing games of tag and other nonsense, while the adults gathered in the kitchen to chat and cook. The aroma of fresh food filled my nostrils as I drank it deep, completely lost in the past.

Dirt disappeared, the windows opened wide to reveal the back lawn and the huge playset my uncle had built for us all. Light poured in from the covered skylights, and music danced in the background.

Sadie, the eldest cousin, five years older than the oldest of us, ran herd, ensuring we didn’t break too much. Not that a mass of six kids from six to nine could ever be relied on not to break things. It was a common thing. Everything valuable was put away before we gathered.

An adult called out, summoning the hungry hordes to the giant table that was always set up for family gatherings. In my mind’s eye, the kids all raced to their assigned spots, knowing which one was which without needing to be told. We always sat in the same spot.

The parents came with food, doling it out as they walked around the table, giving the growing kids heaps of piping hot pasta or poultry. Potatoes and fresh (homemade) bread were distributed as well. Aunts and uncles cut the food for whoever was closest, paying no mind to if the child was their own or not.

Everyone pitched in; that was the rule.

“Cade?”

The voice shattered the illusion, crumbling the vibrant life I remembered and showing me nothing but darkness and dirt.

“Are you okay?” Samantha asked, staring at me. “You were … elsewhere.”

“I’m fine,” I said, dropping her hand as I took a breath, working to compose myself.

It didn’t work. We both knew I was lying. It should’ve been a nothing to say it, a platitude she expected of me, regardless of the truth.

Instead, my stomach churned, and my dragon snarled in disdain, unhappy with me for hiding the truth from her. I snapped back mentally, but the beast only worked itself into a huff.

I looked Samantha in the eyes. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here,” I said, trying not to let those memories return. “I have …”

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