Page 51 of Silent Jay

Yea, no. It wasn’t nearly that simple, but I didn’t even know how to describe what Tyson and I had between us. The fire dragon was an arrogant, bossy, hot, dramatic mess. But he was also young. Maybe not physically. Definitely not physically, but mentally. My guess is someone close hurt him. He opened up, and whomever he chose to trust broke him. They shut him down so hard he didn’t even see the wall of sarcasm and insults he put between himself and the world.

Remind you of someone?

“We fell asleep looking at the stars last night.” Rehan pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear, and I snapped my attention to him. “I picked you up and tucked you into my bed but slept out here. Should I have stayed?”

My heart raced.

Yes! Stayed and woke me up.

His feelings aren’t real.

They might be.

Rehan cupped my cheeks. “Jay, don’t zone out. Talk to me.”

Heat flooded my face, making his fingers feel cool. We’d only had a few days together, and he already read me like a fucking picture book. I hated pulling my face out of his hands to type on his phone.

‘I don’t know how much of what we’re feeling is The Hunt or the curse on me.’

Rehan shook his head. “It’s all real.”

‘Have you been in a mate bond to know what it feels like?’

He frowned. “Well, no.”

I gestured around us as if proving a point.

He found my hand and squeezed it. “You didn’t actually answer my question. Should I have stayed?”

My heart raced. I nodded.

His face lit up, making me smile in response. I took his phone back.

As much as I appreciated his respect, I was a thousand years old, and I could wash my clothing on his abs. Even if I hadn’t needed to sleep with him to get my magic back, I wouldn’t judge anyone for jumping on that train. This didn’t need to be complicated.

‘On the condition that we start over once we’re free of this. No expectations, no commitments. Right now, we’re two strangers who hooked up at a bar. That’s all I want.’

As he read, his shoulders tensed, and he gritted his teeth. “Because you think Tyson’s your real mate?”

I shook my hands, mouthing the word no, and took the phone back.

‘Oh, God, no. I think both of you are in the same trap. Once I’m free, you’ll be free, and my useless ass will get out of your weird breeding thing. All of us can move on.’

He blanched, his face going red before he threw his phone, shattering it against the wall.

“You’re not useless!” He leaned toward me. “And I won’t be moving on. You’re my mate.”

I put my hands up and nodded, ducking my head as a sign of submission.

He clenched his fists before dropping his gaze. “Unless you don’t want to be here.”

I shot up to my feet. Unable to type out how badly I wanted to be here, I would have to show him and test out my new theory simultaneously.

Pushing him back onto the couch, I straddled his lap and feather kissed his jawline, exploring every bulky muscle of his bare chest with my hands. The tension drained out of him. He groaned and gripped my hips, holding me in place. “You’re incredible.”

I stopped kissing him and raised an eyebrow. I’d not even done anything yet.

Omg, don’t overthink it! Just go, girl.

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