Page 20 of Dragons Of Shadow and Sea

-Malik

I chew the inside of my lip. Trepidatious as I am, anticipation bubbles like champagne in my chest. I still don't quite know what to make of my new mate, but I can't wait to see him either.

Can't wait to let him bend me over his kitchen table is more like it.

But there's still the issue of what's going to happen to me and my other mates. My concern for Jianyu and Rafe keeps a lid on my excitement--and on my willingness to be open, much less intimate with Malik.

Holding onto my towel, I open the door a crack. Sure enough, there's a little, fabric-wrapped bundle just outside. I grab it and close the door again. Neatly folded inside the bundle are a few sets of clothes. They're all tunics and loose pants and dresses done in colorful prints. I huff out a quiet laugh. What else would they be? The Water Dragon Kingdom style is the only style.

At least the undergarments are familiar, if softer and less structured than what I'm used to. That's definitely not a bad thing. I find a dress that's mostly black with turquoise pops and pull it on. The fabric is soft and silky, and I twist my hips a couple of times, loving how the skirt swirls.

There's nothing in the way of cosmetics here, but I can't really bring myself to care. I finger-comb my hair and shrug. Good enough.

Barefoot, I step out into the hall and make my way downstairs. Malik's home is even more beautiful in daylight, and I'm tempted to stop and admire everything, but there'll be time for that later. After only a couple of wrong turns, I find the kitchen. It's bright and gleaming, with white marble counters and light wood and pale blue walls.

And sitting at the counter is the man himself.

I suck in a harsh breath, overwhelmed by the sight and scent of him. Illuminated by the sun, his dark skin gleams. His features are strong and bold, and his tattoos glow with energy that calls to me. My skin prickles. Deep inside me, an impossible heat sparks to life.

How did I manage to sleep separately from this man? How did I not beg him to take me. Hard and fast and deep. A rush of arousal soaks my new underwear, and my breasts twist with need. The bond between us crackles with unsatisfied energy.

And I remember this feeling. When I mated with Rafe and Jianyu, the pure sexual connection was electric.

But this? Ignored for almost a day?

It's unbearable.

I must let out a sound, because he looks up. His crystal blue eyes connect with mine, and I stagger. Our bond takes my need and redoubles it with his, and it hurts. I need him. Now.

He rises to his feet, his pupils dilating and his nostrils flaring. A warm, predatory smile curls his full, soft lips.

Somehow, he seems to keep his wits about him, though. "Good morning. I trust you slept well?"

"Like the dead," I assure him.

My feet take me forward without my having to tell them to. The space seems to disappear, and then I'm right there, close enough to touch. Every cell in my body tells me to put my hand on his skin and finally quench this aching need.

But something stops me. I drop my hand, suddenly realizing I had begun to reach out. My insides scream, cursing my brain for continuing to resist, but what can I do?

His smile flickers, and a little bit of the fire in his eyes cools. He clears his throat. "Breakfast?"

The moment he utters the word, I'm starving. Did I even eat yesterday at all? I think he offered me something before showing me to my room, but I was too tired to take him up on it.

I nod, somehow managing to remember my manners. "Yes, please. If it's not too much trouble."

"No trouble at all."

He pulls out a chair for me beside him and presents me with a tray of options. There are sweet and savory pastries as well as an assortment of fruit. My mouth waters. Some of these are Water Kingdom delicacies, all but impossible to find anywhere else.

"I haven't had these in decades," I admit as I shove a bite in my mouth. It's delicious--rich with flavors I'd all but forgotten, punctuated by just the right amount of spice.

"You have been away too long."

"To be fair, you did literally disappear yourselves off the map."

One corner of his mouth lifts. "Touché."

He puts himself even deeper in my good graces by making me a cup of amazing coffee. I take a grateful sip, and I finally feel at least a little bit more like myself. I let out a happy sigh, and he smiles.

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