Page 33 of Love Bites Extra Hard

I wanted more, but I was exhausted. So exhausted. And so blissfully full of his emotions, it only made me sleepier.

But I needed to reciprocate. I couldn’t leave the balance weighed so completely in my direction. He’d taken care of me—I needed to take care of him too.

“Take my pants off,” I whispered, as he pulled his hand away from my core.

“Not tonight, Ave.” He brushed a kiss to the place he’d bitten me.

“But—”

“Sleep well.” He kissed my lips, lightly, then pulled my blankets up to my chin. I was still shirtless, wearing just a pair of unbuttoned jeans and a damp thong.

The bed felt cold and empty as I watched him walk away, not really registering the way he lifted his hand to his mouth to lick his fingers clean on his way out.

He locked the door behind himself, and despite the emptiness, I fell asleep as soon as he was gone.

eight

AVERY

Talon showedup the next morning with breakfast again. The circles under his eyes were darker, but I still didn’t bring it up.

I couldn’t help but look sideways at the man as he sat next to me on the edge of the bed. I’d had time to get dressed, and had decided to go with my own clothes just in case Talon wanted his things back.

He eyed the folded pile while I started eating, then grabbed a clean pair of thick socks from his pocket and tugged them over my feet.

“You’re not cold today?” he asked.

I swallowed the food in my mouth, and cleared my throat. “I am.”

“Then why don’t you wear the hoodie?”

“I thought you might want it back.”

He scowled. “I gave it to you.”

“For the day.”

“For as long as you want it.”

“Okay. Thanks.” I went back to my food. “If this takes much longer, at some point, I’m going to need a ride back to Mistwood.”

“I have no idea how long it’s going to take.”

I didn’t either.

“In a few weeks, we can make the trip back,” he said.

“Maybe Stella can loan me some clothes that fit better? I try to dress well. For safety. Looking… attractive… is the best kind of protection a siren has.”

“You don’t need that kind of protection here.” His voice was low and gravelly.

Stella had said it was impossible for a bond to form between us over time, but I didn’t want to take a risk.

“Wearing my own clothes could help me avoid becoming your fated mate. Wearing yours is kind of intimate. I know you’re already a little possessive, and Stella told me all dragons are like that when they’ve slept with someone, but?—”

He interrupted me. “The way you dress isn’t going to stop a mate bond. It’s not like a monster’s imprint. If a dragon is fated to you, they’ll be fated whether you’re naked or wearing a snowsuit and a mask over your face.”

I bit my lip.

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