Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
I have to fight my urge not to yank their arms off every time one of them takes her pretty hand in theirs. My dragon can barely withstand the agitation. It’s grown steadily worse since we returned to the castle.
He wants me to claim her.
Of course, he does!
I ache for it myself.
But even if Tabitha gave me her consent for the firebrand, I cannot be certain of my dragon. What if I lose control? What if my fire is too hot? What if I combust, or worse–let loose my firepower–when I’m in the throes of desire?
Every night, I make love to her, but it grows harder and harder to hold back. The need is nearly killing me. I have to get up and fly in the middle of the night. In the middle of the day.
I have to jack off in the shower, in my hand, on her belly or thighs, at least four times a day just to keep myself under control.
And tonight it’s the worst it’s been.
She’s in that gorgeous dress, looking like she’s ready to be my queen.
Unable to stand it a moment longer, I escort her to where the orchestra is playing and interrupt by taking a microphone. The conductor instantly silences the music.
“My guests,” I say in Romanian into the mic. “Thank you all so much for joining us tonight. You are welcome to stay as long as you like, the music and refreshments will go until dawn.”
The villagers all cheer, and Tabitha smiles, apparently understanding it all, despite the language barrier. She waves to Giampi and James, who have been slow dancing in each other’s arms all night.
“Come, my beautiful bride. I need to take this dress off of you.”
“This does sort of feel like a wedding,” she murmurs as she allows me to escort her to the elevator to take her to my tower.
My heart pounds at her words, steam pouring from my nostrils. “Does that mean you’re ready to be claimed?” I nearly choke on my words.
She sucks in a breath, blinking. “Um…no.”
My heart plummets. Fire stirs in my mercurial center, threatening to erupt. I need to shift and fly, to get control of my dragon before I try to make love to my mate.
“I get forty days and forty nights to decide, Gabriel. Don’t push me before it’s over.”
My skin glows with heat. I pull my hand away from her back in case it’s too hot to the touch. “Forgive me, my treasure.” Each word comes out with a puff of smoke. The elevator has arrived at the top floor of my tower, but I hit the button to go back down. I need to take her to her chamber before the dragon emerges.
Tabitha turns and looks at me with wide eyes. “What’s happening?”
A sense of urgency wraps around my throat like a tight fist. “My dragon is impatient with our arrangement.” I hit the elevator button again to return, realizing I don’t feel like I can make it in time. I’ll have to send her on her own. It’s unchivalrous, but I cannot help it.
I step off the elevator but hold up my hand. “Go to your chamber, my love,” I say, already stripping off my bow tie and tuxedo jacket.
My stubborn mate refuses, jumping out of the elevator as the door closes. “No! What’s happening? Are you going to shift?”
All I can do is nod as I strip off the tuxedo pants, and my boxer briefs and socks. I work the buttons on my shirt, but I fumble.
Tabitha steps in to help me, her fingers nimble. Her spring rain scent fills my nostrils, making my dragon even more desperate.
“I want to see you,” Tabitha says when she frees me of the last button.
I yank off the shirt and pull my undershirt off over my head. “You want to see my dragon?”
“Yes.”
“No. It’s not safe. Go to your chamber.” I run for the open-air turret where I can shift.
“It’s safe for me,” she insists, chasing me.
Before I can control it, I’ve changed form. I force my giant head around to keep my dangerous flames from issuing in her direction, but none come out.
There you are. It’s Tabitha’s voice but in my head.
I flatten myself to the stone floor, spreading my wings low in an offering. Part of me fights it. I should be flying away–keeping a safe distance from my bride–but my dragon-self has other ideas. He wants to keep her close.
I let out a soft, welcoming rumble. A loving chuff. It blows Tabitha’s coiffed hair back, but she doesn’t look afraid.
Her eyes are bright.
Tabitha runs to my side and strokes her hands over my scales. I can’t feel her touch–the scales are far too protective, but the communion, the closeness I have to her is unlike anything I experience when in human form.