Page 82 of So I Dared a Dragon

Aarix’s lips curled into a smile. “Yes, they did, sunshine. And you still found your way to me.”

“It was fate. Now I’m ready for you to claim me.”

“I thought we had to go on stage and tell the world before I had the chance to do that.” He was practically purring.

“Why don’t we consider tonight your test run?” It took everything I had to pull away from him. I sauntered over to the edge of the bed and crossed my legs as I sat. If I’d known I’d be seducing a dragon in a fancy hotel suite tonight, I would’ve worn something more exciting than a hoodie and leggings.

But it didn’t matter. Aarix stalked over to me like he couldn’t stay away. He put his knee on the edge of the bed, and I expected him to push me down on the mattress and ravish me.

But he didn’t.

“I hear they call this place Sin City,” he said.

I nodded. “Everything goes here. Your wildest desire. And at a swanky hotel like this, you can call the front desk and they will bring you anything you ask for.”

“No need to do that. I don’t need any help making my desires a reality. There’s no counting how many nights I dreamed of this.” His voice was deep and husky. “The promise of claiming my mate was the only thing that got me through the darkest nights in that cavern.”

The muscles between my legs pulsed in anticipation. That felt the same too.

“Show me, dragon.”

He nodded. “How do you feel after flying?”

“Sore, but in a good way. Like I went on a run. And you probably can guess I’m not much of a runner.” I laughed. “And everything feels more sensitive.”

“You’re perfect. You always have been, and you always will be.” He hooked a talon in the waistband of my sweatshirt. “Tell me about this sensitivity.”

“These new scales, maybe it’s because they haven’t settled into my body yet, but when you touch them, everything feels electrified. Like you’re bringing me to another dimension.”

“Or your accepting who you really are and letting go of the limitations of what everyone wanted you to believe.” His lips were close to my neck, and something as simple as a breath could make me ignite.

“Will my scales stay this sensitive?”

The sweatshirt came up over my head. My bra had gotten lost somewhere in the shift. I slowly rose from the bed, locking gazes with him as I shimmied out of my leggings. My wings and tail hadn’t totally shifted back, so it was a relief to be free of them.

“I hope so, because you deserve for that kind of pleasure to be part of your everyday life.” He stood and motioned for me to turn. “Let me play with your tail.”

I looked over my shoulder, mouth agape, and the dragon simply nodded. It took everything I had not to cry out as he ran his hand down my tail. It was hot and had so many nerve endings that seemed infinitely more sensitive than my clit. He moved slowly, exploring every inch, every scale, going down on his knees to make sure he gave it his full attention.

My breath became increasingly more ragged, my muscles pulsed, and I had to steady myself on his shoulder before I melted. My vision blurred. “Aarix.”

“How does that feel?”

“Like I might accidently set this entire hotel on fire.”

“Thought you might like it.” His lips curled into a wicked grin before he rose from his knees. I gnashed my teeth to bite back my frustration. “Shall we do something about those sore muscles?”

Aarix hummed with satisfaction as he went over to the hot tub in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Steam rose from the stream as it filled. There was a little caddy full of bath accessories, and he picked up a purple and blue bath bomb, bringing it to his nose. It was so adorable to watch him do things I took for granted for the first time.

The bath bomb bounced into the tub, and lavender bubbles formed on contact. Aarix unbuttoned his shirt.

“I teased Bibi that she’d totally overpacked, but she knew exactly what to do.” There was that emotion again. “I hope she’s okay. She might not be my mate, but I don’t want to know what my life is like without her.”

“She’s a tough wolf. And she’s lucky to have such a loyal friend. And a mate who will do anything for her. Just like you do.” He dragged his hand through the bubbles. “Bath’s ready, sunshine.”

Standing naked in front of the window felt scandalous, even when we were twenty floors up. The warm water tingled against the scales on my calves. I sank in, letting the bubbles cover me. I pulled my hair into a ponytail, trying to figure out how to keep it out of the way without a clip.

Aarix moved my hands away from my head. “I don’t want any part of you restrained. The first time I saw you, you were just like this. Your hair was flowing and free, like it was its own stream of sunlight. You wore a little white dress. But your arms and legs were uncovered, your scales sparkling in the light. I fell for you the moment I saw you. I can’t tell you what it means to have that memory back.”

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