Page 80 of How to Rescue Your Surprise Baby

“Shut up.”

Mav’s smile grew. “You like me.”

Telos wasnotblushing. “So? You knew that already.”

“So.” Mav leaned closer. And he caught Telos’ chin, brushing his mouth against the corner of Telos’ lips.

20

A DRAGON’S COURTSHIP

Telos froze,his heart pounding in his ears. “What are you doing?”

Mav smiled and pulled away, leaving Telos’ skin too cold. “Wondering what you smell like.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“I probably stink. Smoke and blood and all that. You know, the usual.” Why the hell was he giving Mav an excuse to pull back?

Because you’re afraid of getting hurt,a tiny voice said in his heart.

Mav bumped their hands together. Then he linked their fingers, and tucked his face under Telos’ jaw.

“Fuck,” Telos whispered. It was one thing for Mav to fuck him. Fucking wasn’t a promise that would give him hope. But this... “Don’t play with me, Mav. I can’t—I can’t...”

“I’m not playing.” Mav pulled away and caught Telos’ chin between his fingertips, his gaze dark in the flickering firelight. “But I also won’t kiss you yet. Not until I’m worthy of it.”

“W-worthy?”

“Yes.” Mav dropped his gaze to Telos’ lips, his heavy attention making them tingle. “I haven’t earned that right.”

Telos’ chest felt so tight. So full of tentative hope. “Why would you say that?”

“Because I want to court you.” Mav rolled his eyes, but he looked fond. “If someone’s going to be my secret mate for three hundred years, I’m going to prove that I deserve to be his.”

“I’m not yours,” Telos grumbled.

“Yeah?” Mav stepped closer, slipping his hand around to the small of Telos’ back. “So it’s okay if I walk away and find myself a blind date for date night?”

Telos’ eyes flashed. “Fuck you.”

“I already did.” Mav grinned, pulling him forward so their bare skin slid together. Telos breathed in sharply. Mav’s lips curved wider; he trailed his fingertips up Telos’ neck and into his hair, scratching his scalp lightly.

Telos shivered. “Asshole.”

“I like yours.”

Telos growled to hide his sudden blush. “Ugh. You’re impossible.”

“And yet you like me.”

“I’m regretting it.”

Mav grinned, quietly excited. Then he squeezed Telos’ neck, a safe touch, and Telos couldn’t make himself walk away. “If you want... you could have me,” Mav said quietly. “In bed.”

Telos froze. “Y-you’d let me fuck you?”

---