Page 45 of Walking in Darkness

He hated to wake Kit up, but they planned to meet his parents for breakfast. Hudson set his coffee on the end table, then sat on the bed. He placed his hand on Kit’s hip and gently shook him. “Hey, babe. Time to get up.”

Kit came awake slowly, stretching lazily. Opening his eyes, he grinned at Hudson. “Morning.”

“Good morning.”

Kit groaned as he pointed his toes. “I thought the bed in the guest bedroom was awesome, but this one has it beat hands down.”

“I take it you slept well?”

Kit nodded. “Very well. Where’s Connie?”

“Showering. We have about an hour before we need to meet your parents for breakfast.”

“Showering, huh? Wonder how he’d feel about company?”

“I doubt you’d hear any complaints.” Hudson smirked. If he hadn’t already taken a shower and dressed, he’d seriously consider joining them. Next time. And he was sure there would be a next time.

Kit flung the covers off and jumped to his feet. “I think I’m going to surprise Connie.”

Hudson watched Kit hurry to the bathroom. Oh yes, Connie was certainly in for a surprise.

Hudson amused himself by playing a game on his phone while he waited for his mates to join him. Even though they were in the bathroom, he still picked up the muffled sound of a groan or two.

As tempting as it was to go in there, he resisted. They might be in a three-way relationship, but each of them deserved time with the other alone.

And he was okay with that. He and Connie spent most of their day together, taking care of dragon business and running Hudson’s kingdom.

If Kit wanted to help with that, Hudson would gladly have him join them. But Kit had his own business, one that he’d made clear he loved. By the very nature of how things were set up, Hudson and Connie spent more time together.

Because of that, he was completely okay with each of them having some alone time with Kit. Besides, most of the time, it’d be the three of them together, anyway.

A short time later, Kit and Connie joined Hudson. Connie was dressed in jeans and a navy polo knit shirt. Kit followed behind Connie. He was dressed in a pair of black pants with floral designs, which he’d tucked into black combat boots.

The shirt he wore was a lacy pink crop top. It picked up the pink of the flowers on his pants. He wore a couple of beaded pearl necklaces, some bangles on his wrists, and hoop pearl earrings. Interestingly enough, Kit had braided a section of his hair nearest his face like Hudson often did.

Kit must have seen where Hudson was looking, because he subconsciously touched the braid. “Is this okay? I noticed you do it a lot.” Then Kit paled. “Oh, damn. Is this a dragon thing? Am I screwing up some dearly held tradition? Maybe I should take it out.”

Hudson quickly crossed to Kit and grabbed his hands. “It’s perfectly fine, and no, it’s not some sort of dragon tradition. It’s just something I started doing several centuries ago.”

Kit blew out a breath. “Centuries ago.”

Hudson shot a quick look at Connie. “Not a word out of you.”

Connie chuckled quietly.

“You did it for me? The braid, I mean?” Hudson asked.

Kit nodded. “Yes. I hope that was okay.”

“I am honored. Thank you.” Hudson kissed Kit’s fingers.

“Okay, good. Glad to know I didn’t inadvertently step on some dragon toes. Whew. So, who’s ready for breakfast?”

THEY STOPPED by the room Kit’s parents were staying in, and together the six of them went to breakfast. Sir Parker, Hudson’s IT specialist, and Lord Mitchell, the weapons specialist, were already there.

Hudson introduced Kit’s parents to the two members of his inner circle, then escorted them to the buffet line. Mistress Sheila, his financial advisor, and Lady Audrey, another dragon who specialized in fighting, also showed up shortly after everybody was seated, and he also introduced them.

Hudson noticed an odd look on Michail’s face. “Michail, is there something wrong?”

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