Page 36 of Lahaina Noon

Bridget walked in, seating herself in Vaughn’s lap, giving him a deep, sensual kiss. “Thanks,” she whispered.

He smiled, “I don’t know what I did, but tell me so I can do it again.”

She laughed and slid onto the cushion next to him, snuggling into his side. “Mm, nope, moments passed. You just get the one.”

Vaughn squeezed her and tickled her, whispering, “You’re going to pay for that.” A smile full of dark promises graced his lips.

Bridget’s heart rate skyrocketed, remembering her last ‘punishment’.

“If you’re done,” Liam mimicked Vaughn’s tone from earlier.

Bridget launched a throw pillow at him with scary accuracy, pegging him right in the face. “Little League Mom,” she smirked at his stunned expression.

“Okay, children,” trilled Jack. “So, we’ve established a lot of knowledge and understanding about the Shadows, their King, Wielders, dragons are real, we know Vaughn hired Bridge so he can shag her when he wants, and Bridget and Gabe are in danger. What we haven’t done is discuss what the next steps are.” He leaned back and arched one of his perfectly manicured eyebrows. “Did I miss anything?”

They all stared at him before Vaughn cleared his throat, “Hmm. Very succinct, and yes, we need to decide our next steps. I’ve already brought Bridget and Gabriel here for their safety until we can make their home safer. This house is warded, my office building and cars are warded. I have sentries keeping watch; should the Shadow King set foot in this state, we will know. Short of taking the fight directly to them, we are doing all we can until we fully decipher the exact nature of the prophecy and what Bridget is supposed to do.”

Bridget yawned.

Vaughn smiled at her indulgently, “I think we’ve done enough talking for one night. I’m going to take sleepy head here to bed. You guys are welcome to stay if you want, there’s plenty of rooms in the guest wing,” he said to Jorrie and Jack.

They both nodded. The combination of alcohol and shocks they’d had today wiped everyone out.

“Liam,” murmured Vaughn. He scooped Bridget up in his arms, her head lolling against his shoulder.

Liam gestured to Jorrie and Jack to follow him to the guest rooms.

Vaughn gently laid Bridget on his bed and stepped back, just needing to look at her and know she was safe. He liked the way she looked in his home, in his bed. Her hair tousled and her face relaxed, a small smile resting on her soft lips. His heart clenched at his need for her. She wanted to see his full form. He shook his head, he’d never, in his long time on this planet, shown his full form to anyone other than other dragons, and some of the Wielders he’d worked with. He was old-fashioned, he guessed. Vaughn had never taken a mate. He had no family— his best friend Killian and his godson Liam were the closest he had.

He looked closely at Bridget. Was she the one? Why her? Why now, when everything they held dear hinged on keeping her safe and teaching her to use her unknown skills to stop the Shadow Claw? He leaned over, gently removing her shoes, knowing she would be more comfortable that way. As he unbuttoned her shirt, he skimmed his fingertips over the tops of her breasts where they were spilling out of her bra.

She sighed deeply, and he stilled, not wanting to wake her. He continued to unbutton her shirt and slid it out from under her. He slid her shorts off, smiling at the matching panties and bra. Who knew his Bridget was such a stickler for that? He put his arms under her, working to unclasp her bra, wondering why they needed to have so manyhooks.

He finally got the clasp to release and eased the lacey material away from her body. She shivered slightly as she was exposed to the cool air in the room. He snatched one of her nightgowns from the chair where she had laid it earlier. He shook it out to slip over her head when his gaze caught on her breasts again. The chill in the room had caused her nipples to peak and looked entirely too tempting to him. “I’m going to hell,” he whispered, pulling off his own clothes and lowering himself to her side.

Bridget wasn’t sure if she was awake or not. Her eyes were closed, but she was feeling the most wonderful sensations. She sensed a warm, masculine presence wrapped around her body, and it was so right. She sighed and breathed the name that went with the spicy, smoky aroma she loved. “Vaughn.”

He heard her whisper his name, and his heart leapt at the sound. He continued to press small kisses over her body, and she began to stir. He lifted one lovely leg and placed it gently around his waist. He ran a finger down her center and found her warm, wet, and receptive.

She shivered again and moaned.

He positioned himself at her entrance and slowly slipped just inside. Her eyes flew open, and he swallowed her gasp with a kiss as he thrust forward, sheathing himself in her. He lay there for a moment, fully savoring the feeling of her body warm and silky around his. She was so completely perfect for him.

She whispered his name again, pleadingly.

He looked into her eyes and saw a fire there that matched his own. He whispered, “Bridget.” as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down to her. She had slipped her other leg around his waist andraised her hips to meet him. He understood and began to move inside her again, but slowly. He wanted to savor this sweet moment, feeling everything.

They made love gently, savoring each other, taking in every second as if it was the first time. This was so different from their frenzied, powerful coupling before. Vaughn wasn’t sure what made this so much more special, but his heart was warming in ways it never had. He was old, he’d been with other women, but never like this. Never this soft exploration, this melding of hearts.It’s because she matters, he realized. He wrapped her in his arms tightly as his heart filled with heat and he shattered at the same time.

Bridget cried out, too, as his heat swamped her and brought her own release. They both lay there, quietly breathing each other in. She snuggled up to him, and he curled his arms around her. She fell asleep quickly and peacefully, but as she drifted off, she thought she heard him say, “I love you, Bridget.”

Bridget woke with a smile on her face. She was warm and sated. A wonderful feeling. She remembered Vaughn being so sweet, carrying her to bed and being oh so careful trying to undress her and put her in a nightgown. Like something treasured. She grinned at the sight of that gown still lying on the chair where he’d dropped it after he’d been too tempted by her naked body. If this was how she’d feel waking up naked, she’d never wear a nightgown again. Vaughn was warm and soft against her back.

They’d fallen asleep in each other’s arms, and at some point, she’d ended up facing away from him, so he’d wrapped a strong arm around her. She eased herself back over, so they were face to face.She studied the soft curve of his lips, the angles of his jaw. The dark lashes that framed his beautiful eyes. He really was just too incredibly handsome, and she couldn’t believe this gorgeous thoughtful kind man really wanted her.

Loves you, her mind supplied helpfully. She thought about it for a minute. Had he really said that? He sometimes called her Bridget love, but that was a term of endearment. Kind of like calling someone baby, honey, or darling.No, he said I LOVE YOU!Three whole words, three syllables, three distinct sounds.She wished her head would shut up and just let her enjoy this moment.

“You know it’s rude to stare.” Vaughn whispered without opening his eyes.

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