Page 25 of Bound to the Dragon
Madison and I have deliberately kept opposite schedules because every time we’re in the same room, the attraction between us is palpable, and I want to do unspeakable things to her. There’s no hiding our mate bond now. It’s far too explosive and obvious. It’s distracting, and I suspect it will remain that way at least until we consummate the relationship. But if we do that, I’m afraid I’ll never let her out of my sight again, and that thought is just as daunting.
It’s getting insurmountable to resist, and I lie awake at night, knowing how close Madison is to me in a nearby room. It would be too easy to burst down her door and claim her, as I’m sure shewants to be claimed, to mate with her like she was meant to be mated with.
But I want this done right, after the ceremony. Or at least that’s the excuse I keep telling myself. The truth is, fear is keeping me from acting on it, like I know if I do it, there will be no going back. We will be on the fated mate train forever.
In the interim, I wake extra early and take my coffee on the veranda to ensure I don’t run into Madison when she wanders down to have her bagel and coffee shortly after. I always feel her, though. The power of her presence overtakes me, well before I catch a glimpse of her through the glass doors of the patio. I’m not sure how much longer we’re going to be able to go on like this. Not much, by the feel of the tightness in my pants.
This morning, I catch the hem of her jean skirt in my peripheral view as I stand to take my mug into the office, and the curve of her upper thigh does something to my mind that makes me jittery in a way that has nothing to do with coffee.
“Can I help you, Alpha?” One of my staff members is at my side, taking my breakfast plate, but I wave him away.
“I’m fine. Send Vigo in when he arrives.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Against my better judgment, I duck back through the dining room and nod at Madison. Her irises widen at my unexpected approach. We haven’t shared the same space in days.
“Good morning.”
She almost spits out her coffee. “Good morning!”
“Did you sleep well?”
“No.”
I smirk at her blunt response. “Is there something wrong with the suite?”
Her eyes narrow, and my pulse rushes into my ears, the energy pulsing between us crackling. I shouldn’t have tempted fate. But I can’t resist her. The mate bond is too strong, nomatter how much I resent it. My annoyance against it isn’t going to do anything to curb it.
She sucks back a sigh, and I find myself fascinated by the part of her lips. “The suite is perfect, Blaze. Everything is perfect…”
She trails off as if she wants to explain what isn’t perfect, but leaves the unspoken words dangling between us. She doesn’t need to say it. I get it.
“How is the ceremony planning coming?”
“How is the search for the attackers coming?” Madison fires back. Instantly, a look of contrition falls over her face. “I’m sorry. I haven’t slept in days.”
My desire for her diminishes. “I’m going to work.”
“Me too,” she mumbles, lowering her eyes with a whoosh of breath.
I walk away, feeling Madison’s eyes boring into my back.
Inside my office, I sit behind my chair and exhale. If we don’t act on this tension between us, we’re only going to become more resentful of one another. She’s waiting on me to make the first move.
I’m barely there for a full minute when there’s a knock on the door, and Vigo appears.
“Oh, good. You’re here.” I wave him inside, but my Beta remains in the doorway.
“We should get to the packhouse today,” he suggests. “We should have a good sit-down with everyone.”
Sitting forward, my head cocks with interest. “Are we making some progress with the attacks? What do we know?”
“Not much, but I’ve reached out to Alpha Granger.” He grimaces lightly. “It might be better if you handle Silver Glade yourself.”
He’s right. Alpha Granger is a prick and challenging to deal with.
He couldn’t even be bothered to show up for the mating ceremony with Madison.
