Page 52 of The Dragon's Mate

“Any predator shifters?”

“No,” he admitted. “Most of them werecasual hookups, but I dated a zebra shifter for a few months.”

“Why did you break up?”

“She found out who my father was.”

She kissed his chest. “Have you had any seriousrelationships?”

“Two long-term relationships with humans,never one with a shifter.”

“Because of your father.”

“Yes.”

She raised her head and stared at him. He couldbarely make out her features in the dim light coming in from the window, butknew she had no issues seeing him. He forced a smile onto his face. “No bigdeal. Hazards of having an asshole racist for a father.”

She touched his face. “He won’t scare meaway, my mate.”

She rested her cheek on his chest again. Hewaited a beat and then said, “Have you slept with a human before?”

“No. Only shifters.” She stroked hischest, the touch more soothing than arousing. “But don’t worry, I’ll be gentlewith you.”

He grinned into the darkness. “I’m strongerthan I look.”

She laughed, the low sound making his cocktwitch. “You seem strong for a human, but you’re still fragile compared to me.”

His smile turned to laughter. “Just so youknow, calling a human male fragile can be a serious blow to his ego.”

She lifted her head again. “Have I hurt yourfeelings, my mate?”

He squeezed her hip. “Nah, I’m good.”

She traced his ribs with the tips of herfingers. “I don’t think you’re weak, but your human bones are fragile. It’sso strange. I have never had the urge to mate with a human until you.”

Feeling guilty, he released her hip. “We shouldget some sleep now, Kaida.”

“Yes,” she said. She pressed her mouth againsthis and unable to resist, he returned her kiss. She moaned into his mouth andhe pulled away, his heart beating hard against his ribcage.

“Good night, my mate,” she said.

“Good night, Kaida.”

* * *

Kaida woke with one thought and one thoughtonly – she needed to fuck her mate. She glanced to her left, her dragon growlingwith anger when it saw the empty spot.

It’s fine,she soothed. We will find our mate and take what is ours.

Finally, herdragon grumbled.You should have fucked him last night.

She climbed out of bed and headed to themaster bathroom. He was tired and had a bad day.

She ignored her dragon’s grumbling and usedthe washroom. She washed her hands and used a new toothbrush she found in themedicine cabinet to brush her teeth.

She studied her reflection in the mirror.She’d been away from her clan for nearly eighteen hours. She should have been feelingdiscomfort and an urge to return to them. Instead, she was consumed by theneed to be with Bren.

She smiled at the thought of her mate and leftthe bathroom. She headed toward the kitchen, halting in the doorway when shesaw him sitting at the table with Elora.

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