Page 89 of Never Flirt with a Dragon

“Good plan. Deal,” I said aloud. “I don’t like making decisions sometimes. Most of the time.”

“I’m realizing that.”

Jasper’s arm slipped beneath my knees, and he lifted me off my feet. The side of my face met his shoulder, and he carried me to the bed.

He set me down on the mattress and peeled off his shirt before he folded his body up next to mine, pulling me close. I draped half my body over his, and he tugged me tighter against him. His erection pressed against me when he did.

“Is your family always like that?” I asked him, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Like what?”

“Like… friends. I didn’t think it would be like that with so many of you, and Brynn’s mate, and Elodie. Everyone even treated Vi like she was part of it. It meant a lot to me.”

“It wasn’t always like that. You know I helped my brothers raise Brynn. Things were more tense, then. In the years that followed, there were a lot of struggles with the thunder. August tried to hold it all together, but he hated it. Everyone else did too. So I stepped in, and handled it. I might be shitty at relationships, but I know how to fix problems. And running the thunder basically revolves around that.”

My lips curved upward. “You’re not shitty at relationships. Just new.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. You made Muddy Buddies for me. And you made a decision for me, to save me from indecisive panic. And you’re really good in bed.”

“Really good is the best I get?”

“Stupendous. You’re stupendous in bed.”

He chuckled. “I’ll take it.”

“This is when you tell me I’m also stupendous in bed, Jas.”

“Ah. Sorry. Well, you’re incredible. It’s pretty obvious how much I appreciate that.” His hands cradled the backs of my thighs, and he rocked me against his erection, emphasizing the hardness.

I smiled. “I still want to hear it.”

“I’ll work on that.” He squeezed me. “What’s your family like?”

“My parents are really career-oriented. Dad’s a doctor, mom’s a lawyer. Me and Vi are their only kids, after years of fertility struggles, so they were always really protective. I’m sure you can imagine their dismay when one of their daughters decided to go to culinary school and the other got a degree in graphic arts.” I couldn’t hold back my smile.

“Damn.”

“Yeah. It was rocky for a few years, but they didn’t give up on us. When Vi got that head chef job, they finally agreed that our life choices were our own, and decided to do their best to be proud of us even if they didn’t understand our decisions. They come to visit and eat at Vi’s restaurant every month, and my mom always comments on posts of my art. My dad even buys the special edition books we all know neither of them will ever read, just because my art’s on the cover or inside the book.”

“They’re good parents, then.”

“The best,” I admitted. “They’re not good with change, though, so they probably won’t take to you right away. Don’t be offended.”

“I won’t be.” He kissed the top of my head. “When we get home, I want you to show me all of your art. And connect me to these social media pages, so I can see your posts.”

My face warmed. “You really don’t have to.”

“I want to, Sweetheart.”

I just about melted.

Maybe being mated wasn’t so bad.

Maybe it was a little bit perfect.

seventeen

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