Page 80 of In Prey We Trust

“Nibblet, I should ask you that question. It’s three a.m. on Friday. You have Diplomacy in four hours. Why are you down here flipping through these old books?”

She looks uncomfortable, shrugging in response. “I can’t sleep. It’s been hard to do since we found Kinsley’s body.”

Arching a brow, I sit on the edge of the table, folding my wings back as I study her. “I thought you were okay with dead things.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I am okay with dead things, but this was a dead person in my bed. I can’t miss the symbolism,” she says with a sigh. “Kinsley might have been on our suspect list; hell, she might even have been the poisoner. I’m not worried that she met her fate so much as that someone may have mistaken her for me.”

I hold my hand out and she lets me pull her to feet, settling her between my legs. “I don’t believe anyone could mistake that girl for you. You look like one of my adorable sparkly unicorns and she looked…normal. Bookish, sure, but pretty normal.”

Her lips curve up, and her expression makes my chest tight. “You know what I love about you guys?”

“Our sharp wit and asshole tendencies?” I quip.

Dolly giggles and reaches out to tweak my nose playfully. “Well, yes. But more than that, I really love that when any of you try to make me feel better, you don’t feel the need to tear other girls down. Like, you make me feel special and pretty, and I love it, but not at the expense of being a dick to some other woman—even if they deserve a good asskicking.”

I give her a surprised look; it’s not what I expected her to say at all. “You’re not perfect, snack size, even though it feels like you’re perfect for us. However, it’s unnecessary to compare you to anyone else because they can’t compare—they’re not you.”

Her eyes widen for a second, then she darts forward, pressing her lips to mine as her arms wrap around my neck. My dragon lets out a mighty roar inside as our tongues twirl around in a hungry kiss. My hands land on her hips, holding onto her as she burrows into me eagerly. When our lips break, I run my finger over her lower lip.

“It’s three a.m. and you haven’t slept in days, snacklet.”

“Mmmm. That’s true, big guy. Maybe you should wear me out so I can finally get some rest.”

And there goes every good intention I had because she said that while the dragon is far too close to the surface.

Picking her up, I feel her wrap her legs around me as I walk towards one of the empty tables. She leans in and bites my lip, eyes dancing with merriment as she tugs on it. As soon as her butt hits the heavy wood table, I pull back and growl softly at her. “You’re a brat, cupcake, and don’t think for a second it will work with me.”

Dolly leans back on one hand, smirking as she unzips the hoodie to reveal her tiny sleepwear. “Seems to work for Rennie. Why not me?”

“Because he’s learned when to be a brat and when to do what I say. I can’t say the same for you,” I reply as I pull the tee shirt over my head. “However, if you figure it out, perhaps I’ll consider it.”

Her eyes darken as she sees the scales that erupt over my chest and spread down my arms. Swallowing, she darts her tongue out to lick her lips before she looks up through her lashes. “You’re half-shifted.”

I nod, giving her a fangy grin as I lean forward until her back is on the table. My wings flex and spread wide, helping me balance as I lick a fiery trail over her collarbone. “Mmmhmm. I have plans for later, bite size, and you need to get used to me first.”

A shiver runs through her frame and I don’t know if it’s fear or desire, but my dragon is happy with either option. Moving to her shoulder, I bite down, making her gasp and dig her nails into my biceps hard. “That’s it, little bunny. You can’t break me; go wild.”

My answer is a soft growl and, to my surprise, she darts forward to sink her teeth into my opposite shoulder. It’s not quite vicious enough to break skin, especially in dragon form, but I feel it and groan. She laps her tongue over the mark and adjusts until I arch her body into mine, close enough to make the fire inside spark again. This is what I want; I want her to let go of her primal side without fear. As a reward, I nip and bite my way down her chest, ripping the flimsy bralette in half so I can sink my teeth into a nipple.

“Fuck, Aubrey,” she breathes. One hand comes up to bury in my short locks and for a second, I get why they’re all growing their hair out.

I bet my squishy collection she’s a hair puller.

Blowing hot air on the tense bud, I hold on to my inner beast carefully. Her nails dig in again and I suck her nipple, sliding one hand down her side to her hip. Hitching it on mine, my hips grind into her in time with my mouth. I lift my head, moving to the other breast as her chest heaves, noting the honeysuckle scent permeating the air. I want her dripping before we fuck because I don’t intend to hold back, even in a half-shift.

“I can smell you,” I mumble against her skin, then nip her firmly. “My dragon likes it; in fact, he’s desperate to get out.”

“Let him out. Just… please, Aubrey. I need more.”

Chuckling softly, I squeeze her hip and sink my teeth into the curve of her breast until it leaves a mark. “Impatient little thing now, aren’t you? You get more demanding every time, I hear.”

“I know what I want,” she shoots back. “I’m not afraid to ask for it.”

“That’s good, bite size. The occasional shyness is cute, but I like the sass, too.” I follow the line of her ribs with my tongue, heading for her quivering stomach. It’s still soft to nuzzle, but she’s getting a little muscle under there from her training. They clench as I kiss my way to her belly button and when my tongue rims the edge, she bucks her hips up. “Now, now. Don’t rush me.”

“But…”

A firm smack on her thigh makes her stop wriggling, and I grin. Those tigers have trained her well; I’m impressed. Though, thinking about her taking control is just as hot if I’m honest—just not with me. An idea occurs to me as I nip her hipbones, so I pause for a moment. “You’re behaving so well, but I wonder what you’d do if your reward was to be in charge?”

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