Page 36 of Lyric

14

Jinn

It had to be a dream.

I was still in a daze from coming so hard. It really did have to be a dream. I had to be still downstairs in the guest room while my infatuation with my rescuer had gotten the better of me and entered into my sleep.

Lyric had washed me so thoroughly he'd made me come.

Now, strong arms wrapped around my naked body, hugging me tight and carrying me to a big bed with a pale blue cover that looked like it was made of clouds. He bent down, still holding me, and snatched the cover back. I was still dripping but he didn't seem to care. He laid me down on the fresh sheets, then brought over a towel that was sitting on the bedstand and started to dry my chest and arms.

My hands still clutched at his shirt. I didn't want to let him go because I was sure if I did he'd vanish. I wanted to keep this moment going, absorb it, let it sink into me forever.

The towel was soft. Lyric was gentle and firm. Irresistible.

I kept my eyes closed except for brief moments when I dared to look at him, to see the expression on his face, in his eyes. I feared to see, but I needed to know.

I wasn't disappointed. He was rapt. Eyes shining a golden tone brighter than I'd ever seen. His lips were dark pink and slightly parted. He didn't look at me in the face. But he looked at my body, intent and absorbed.

This alpha wanted me. This beautiful, handsome, famous, rich, athlete wanted me. He could have anyone, but right now it was me.

He'd offered me his home, and to take care of me. Well, he was taking care of me all right. No doubts about that. I could handle that. But to have any more feelings than I was already having, that was more difficult. Because when it came time for me to leave, I knew myself very well. I was an omega who fell in love easily, who latched on. Nesting instincts were high in me. Which was why I’d avoided dating for so long. I wasn’t ready to settle down.

I needed to hold back from this one until I got myself clear-headed again. It wasn't like with Coltan. I'd been drunk, then. I’d never had feelings for him.

This was different. We'd met out of necessity, and I couldn't help but be grateful and affectionate toward my savior. But there was still that extended, temporary energy of being rescued, and being in a daze, that made me hold back and question. Was this real?

Lyric dried me all the way down to my feet, then brought the towel up to my head and ruffled my hair dry. When he was done, he tossed the towel to the floor and stretched out next to me on the edge of the mattress. His clothing was damp and felt good against my hot skin. He pulled the cloud-soft cover over me and placed his arm over my chest, then gripped my shoulder and pulled me toward him.

This means we are his.

Jinnan floated about inside me as if completely accepting. I wanted to be like him, but my thoughts were all over the place. Still, I leaned my forehead into Lyric’s chest and let him hold me in his protective embrace.

Maybe it was all my fault. Maybe I should have stepped away from him when he brought the cloth to my groin and began to rub so deliciously. But I didn't because I wanted it. I wanted him. It started the moment his dragon picked me up and brought me to their secret roost.

The room was climate controlled. Despite that, the sun beat through the windowpanes with its unrelenting warmth. Resting against Lyric’s damp clothed body cooled me, soothed me. I no longer felt any of the pain from my injuries.

Before the shower I'd been hungry. That was gone now, too, and all that was left was more exhaustion. I closed my eyes and trusted he would hold me. Maybe he'd nap himself. He had to be exhausted, too.

My body felt light, as if it had partially disintegrated during this entire scene between us. The sheets were so soft. His heartbeat drummed through me until all I knew was safety and care.

I wokein a dimness of light. For a moment I forgot where I was. It seemed like the room took a long time to create itself into something recognizable. Then, from one moment to the next, I remembered.

I'd fallen asleep with Lyric holding on to me. In Lyric’s bed. In his bedroom.

But now I was alone.

I sat up. The lightweight comforter covered me. It slid down my chest as I took in my surroundings. Everything smelled fresh and clean with an underlying scent of alpha spice. I pulled the pillow from behind me and held it up to my face inhaling Lyric’s scent. It made me dizzy.

My stomach growled. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and tried to stand, forgetting for a moment about my bad ankle. I fell back on my butt, looking around for my crutches. There they were, leaning against the bed stand. Lyric had thought of everything, for in front of me I saw a robe laid out at the foot of the bed ready to be worn.

I reached out and put the robe on first, tying it tightly around the waist, then stood on my good foot and grabbed the crutches. At least now I was mobile. But navigating the stairs would be its own challenge.

Slowly, I made my way to the door. It was half ajar. From the end of the hallway, I saw the stairs and thought I could get that far at least, and then maybe call for help.

The house was big, but not too big to hear noises coming from the downstairs area. It sounded like Lyric might be in his kitchen.

When I got to the top of the staircase, I hesitated. Not wanting to look like a total weakling, I dropped one of my crutches and grabbed the banister, then with the other crutch I tested the first step down. That seemed easy enough. I felt completely balanced.

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