Page 83 of Gift from the Tree

“I was scared to death as Corentin approached me, but when I looked into his eyes, I could feel the Nexus bond snap into place, instantly recognizing a member of its group. Corentin explained to me I was some kind of shifter. They’d been studying gifts and training their whole lives, so Corentin instantly knew the signs of what was happening. He instructed me to take a deep breath and let the feeling take over.

“So I did and as soon as I relaxed enough, my dragon broke free. We’re one and the same, but being a shifter, our counterparts have a baser instinct that comes out and it being my first shift, my dragon flooded me with those instincts to hunt down the one who hurt me. I flew all the way back to the farm and set the house on fire. When Roderick came running out, I tore him to pieces and then ate him. It was only then my dragon was satisfied enough to pull back and allow me to shift back. The guys didn’t even bat an eye, just welcomed me into the fold, and the rest is history.”

I’m too scared to look down at Willow. I hurried through the end of my story, just wanting to get it out. She didn’t need the graphic detail of how I tossed his body around and toyed with it before eating him. She just needed to know what I’ve done. I’ll wait for her reaction before telling her I’ve eaten a couple people now… Okay, maybe more than a couple.

Her soft hand cups my cheek, and she turns me to face her. “Good for you, Draken.”

“What?”

“I’m glad you killed him, ate him. He deserved it. You were a small child needing someone to protect you, not abuse you and take advantage of you. I’ve thought a million times over how I’d get revenge on my father and Donald. Never did shifting into a dragon and eating them cross my mind, but it’s definitely in the number one spot now.” She gives me a brilliant smile that melts all my worries away.

Rolling us, I lean my head down and kiss her deeply, letting her know just how much I want her, adore her, will be here for her. I try to tell her everything with that kiss that I can’t tell her out loud. Every movement of her hand on my body has my cock swelling painfully in my boxers, and I know she can feel me pressing against her. A growl that’s drenched in sex escapes me when she lifts her hips and grinds her crouch against mine.

“Draken, please.” She moans so fucking sweetly.

“I want to more than anything, little wanderer, but I can’t. There’s so much I haven’t told you and that I can’t tell you yet.” Fuck, it’s taking everything in me not to bury myself completely in her.

“Why can’t you tell me?” she says with a frustrated groan as she bucks her hips.

“I don’t have a good enough answer for you. I’d lay my heart bare right now if I could. But I can’t betray them like that.” I don’t have to tell her who they were. She knows.

“Draken, please. I need you,” she begs beautifully. I can’t give her what she’s asking for, but I’d gladly give her what she needs right now.

“Let me take care of you, Willow.”

She nods rapidly and I let out a heated chuckle. Sitting up on my heels, I grip the bottom of her shirt and pull it off her.

Fuck me.

I nearly come on the spot when I realize she wasn’t wearing a bra this whole time. I let my eyes trace every bare inch of her, faltering when I see scars marking her body. A growl slips past my lips that causes her to flinch and attempt to cover herself.

“Don’t,” I command gently. “Don’t you dare hide from me, Willow.”

“No one’s ever seen these. I’ve only ever been this exposed…” she trails off, starting to panic. I know where her mind goes, so softly, I cup both of her cheeks and lay my forehead to hers, taking deep breaths until she mimics me, and her breathing regulates.

“You’ll never have to worry about me hurting you like that, little wanderer. I’d sooner carve my own heart out of my chest. You never need to think for a second that I see you any differently for the scars you wear. You’re perfect. You’re the bravest, strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on. I’ll take care of you however I can, mind, body, and soul,” I swear to her as I pull back to stare into her eyes so she can see my oath.

“Draken, I’ve never done this,” she whispers.

“I know, sweetness. And we don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. I’m more than happy to just lie here and hold you. I’ll take care of you however you need.”

I hold my breath as she stares through my eyes and into the depths of my soul. I know she’s fighting an internal battle right now, and I don’t want to add to that. I just want to make everything better, easier for her.

I can tell the moment the war ends as her eyes cloud with both curiosity and desire.

“Please.”

Leaning down, I claim her mouth, starting off soft and slow, giving her all the time she needs to change her mind, but after the third time she bucks her hips, I take the hint. Breaking the kiss from her lips, I kiss her forehead gently, the tip of her nose, then her lips again.

I relish every hitch in her breath as I suck and softly bite my way down her neck to her chest.

Teasingly, I lick one of her nipples, blowing on it lightly until she groans. Only once she arches up do I finally suck it into my mouth. Biting down slightly, she gasps, and I twirl my tongue around to take away the sting.

Sliding my hands down her fucking flawless body, I grip the edge of her biker shorts, and she lifts her hips, making it easy for me to pull them down her legs.

Groaning, I stop and stare at her beautiful pink pussy, already soaking wet for me, and my mouth waters to taste how sweet she is. With her body spread out underneath me, moaning and panting, I’m rock-fucking-hard. I feel like a teenager with no control. I have to squeeze my dick to tell it and my bond to chill the fuck out before I come all over her.

Moving back up her body, I trail kisses over every inch of her, letting my lips linger on each scar, and I nip at her hip bone when she keeps bucking them up, trying to rush my appetizer.

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