Page 28 of Bound to the Dragon
Enough is enough. We’re fixing this problem. Today.
CHAPTER 9
MADISON
Itoy with the amber-colored vial in my hands, unsure about the acquisition. I shouldn’t have asked Virginia to get it for me, even though it had been my suggestion. I’m not entirely sure I understand how Golden Shade works; its powers are rumored around the territories to curb the effects of a mate bond. But how exactly? I can’t say. I don’t know anyone who has used it, and I’m not sure I’m brave enough to just chug it back. I don’t even know if it will work. At this point, I’m willing to try anything if Blaze won’t consummate this bond between us.
The echo of the front door opening and closing echoes up the stairs where I sit, and I jump to my feet before Blaze can find me at the top of the steps, lost in thought.
But he’s too fast, streaking up the stairs, stark naked. I gape at his exquisite form, muscles glistening in sweat from the flight he had just taken in his dragon form. Although, I am not sure where he had been.
I run my tongue across my suddenly dry lips. I can’t take my eyes away from his glorious, naked form, a dampness forming under my arms and in other parts of my body.
“What are you doing, sitting up here by yourself? Are you all right?”
At a loss, I hold up the bottle of Golden Shade. “I got this.”
His hazel gaze flips toward the vial, and his eyes grow huge. “Is that what I think it is?”
“You know what Golden Shade is?”
Disappointment colors his handsome face, and I covertly find myself checking out his ripped chest, curling my fingers tighter around the bottle.
Careful, Maddi. You’re going to shatter this thing.
I’m not sure if I’m thinking about the vial or my heart.
Blaze meets my stare as if he can hear my thoughts. “Did you take any?”
I shake my head, and he exhales.
Is he relieved? That’s… odd.
I’m so distracted by his nudity, but he doesn’t seem to notice it as he faces me. “It’s making everything difficult.”
“More the reason to try the Golden Shade,” I manage to sputter, extending my hand toward him.
“Do you even know what it does?” he asks, a bemused smile touching his lips.
I shake my head. “Do you?”
Maybe if he tries it first, I’ll be brave enough to do it, too.
“It only blocks other people from sensing our mate bond, and only temporarily, at that. It won’t stop us from feeling anything for each other. Is that what you want?”
I swallow thickly and shake my head again. “No.” I can’t even be sure I said the words aloud. “That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want?” His hazel irises bore into me, daring me to say what’s been in my heart since our mate bond snapped into place.
“You,” I blurt out before I can change my mind. I barely realize my hand is still extended, and he catches me by surprise, seizing my hand with the vial and pulling me toward him. My heart beats wildly as his hot breath dances over my face.
“Good.” He doesn’t let me respond, the kiss landing firmly but sweetly on my lips.
A distinct saltiness fills my mouth, and I melt against him. For the first time since our bond snapped into place, a sense of peace washes over me.
Is this all that we needed? To submit to our bond? It seems too simple, but the sensation of warmth and euphoria only mounts as Blaze collects me in his strong arms and carries me across the landing toward his room. My arms wrap around him, my lips burying into his neck, and I inhale him, relishing every particle of him.
My fingers curl tightly together as he kicks open the double doors to his suite, nudging them closed gently with his feet. This is the first time I’ve ever been in the Alpha’s room, and it suits him. Everything is masculine, elegant, from the towering poster bed to the tasteful artwork on the walls as he places me on the huge mattress.
