When she sat all the way down, it felt as though they were joined so completely she didn’t know what was him and what was her.
She just knew that she looked into his eyes and saw everything.
So what did that mean?
She didn’t have long to think about it, because he held her waist and began thrusting, doing the work so she could relax and enjoy the sensation. Damn, he was an incredible lover. He would make anyone incredibly happy.
The thought could make her sad if she let it, so she merely thought about the fact that she had him now.
He was hers. Completely. And when the tension was too much and Petra came, clenching around him and pulling his orgasm out of him, it was her name he called.
That was enough for her, she thought as she held him tight, both of them panting and fighting to recover.
It had to be.
Chapter 17
The next day, Petra was showering after their swim in the Olympic-size pool when Trevor’s phone rung.
He poked in his head to tell her he had to take a phone call, then headed upstairs to his study.
When he picked up the phone, he was both relieved and tense at hearing Chad’s voice.
“How’s it going?” Chad asked, sounding slightly winded. From effort or excitement, Trevor wasn’t really sure.
“Fine,” Trevor said quickly. “How are things going for the trip?”
“God, we’ve been here forever in meetings, but I think we’re actually getting somewhere. You and I should be hosting fae envoys soon.”
Trevor frowned. “What does that mean exactly?”
“As in they’ll be living with us.”
“Oh.” Trevor didn’t know what to say. He wanted to just go out and be with Petra. It felt odd that this whole other world, which had been his only world, now felt like it was interfering.
“You don’t sound excited. Come on, I know you’ve been bored. Besides, they’ll help in the territory while we’re training them.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Of course,” Chad said. “What could go wrong? Actually, I guess it’s kind of good that we don’t have a mate yet, because it’s safer with just us around. I don’t quite know how princes are around human women yet.”
Trevor sighed, putting a hand to his forehead, which was starting to ache. “Why do they want to come here again?”
“Mates,” Chad said. “There’s latent fairy blood in human females. Some of them anyway. The fae princes want to help out, check out our world, and find mates if possible.”
“Why not mate other fairies?” Trevor asked.
“Well, seems like they have fertility problems over there. Both less female fairies and low fertility rates.”
Trevor sighed. “Got it. And it’s our responsibility to help out?”
“The world is struggling,” Chad said, as if explaining something very basic to Trevor. “You know that. There are things in the world we can’t keep up with.”
“Like that chaos fae Taylor fought,” Trevor said.
“Yeah, like that,” Chadwick said. “Look, I know it’s been a lot sometimes. Maybe all the time, but you’ve always been an amazing partner. We’ve saved so many people and shifters together. This is just the next step.”
But Trevor didn’t want that to be the next step. He wanted it to be with Petra.
“If you say no, I’ll talk to the oracle, but I thought you were on board with this. Is it about that reporter? Are you still spending time with her?”
Trevor bit his lip, trying to decide what to tell Chad about the situation. “She intrigues me, yes.”
“So a mate option?” Chadwick sounded delighted. “Well, we’ll have to work things out to make sure the fae won’t bother her, but if we have a mate, I’m sure arrangements can be made.”
Trevor’s heart began a slow free fall in his chest about how excited Chad sounded.
He loved Chad deeply. Like a brother. But he didn’t want to share this with him.
Problem was, for so many years, that had been the idea. Trevor committed to that when his dragon agreed to be Chad’s dragon’s partner.
“When should I meet her?” Chad asked, his tone teasing. “Sounds like we should do some compatibility testing.”
Trevor sucked in his cheeks, his dragon almost flaring to life just at the thought of Chad thinking of Petra that way. “I don’t think that’s necessary. You can just stay there, and I’ll—”
“Nonsense,” Chad said. “There’s no need to delay. I can fly back to be there this evening and meet our new potential mate. You know, Trevor, I’ve been really worried. You didn’t like any of the women I brought home, even when they seemed to be dragon hearts. But you did seem intrigued by this woman and she did seem brave, so I hoped if you got to know her on your own, maybe you would… Anyway, I’m just really happy for you. Happy for us.”
“Chad, wait,” Trevor said, unable to find a break to interrupt his partner. “It’s not what you—”
But it was too late. Chad had already hung up and was presumably going to fly back that evening.
Trevor ran his hand through his hair, wondering what he should do.
He just wanted a quiet weekend with Petra. Instead, his partner was coming home early.
He’d ruined everything.
Trevor sat on a plush chair, pulling at his hair as if it could distract from the pain inside him. He’d really done it now.
How could he explain any of this to Petra? How could he explain it to Chad?
Why had Xander given him such bad advice, made him act so reckless?
No, it was all Trevor’s fault. And he didn’t even want to call Xander about how things were going, because then he might just laugh at him.
He walked to the window, surprised to see it had started raining again.
It was odd that with Petra in his life, he both felt less lonely than ever yet more isolated from the rest of his friends.
He guessed hiding things did that.
“Are you okay in there?” It was Petra, who’d lightly knocked on the door. “You said you’d come eat, so I made you a sandwich this time. Not as good as one of yours probably, but—”
“We have to stop early,” Trevor said, hating it with every fiber of his being. But he couldn’t risk her being there when Chad got home.
“Why?” Her dark eyes widened. “Something happen?”
“Work,” he said, reaching up to grab her hand and pull her onto his lap. It just felt right to have her there. “Something came up last minute.”
She smiled, holding up a sandwich so he could bite it. “Oh, well, that’s fine, then. Not that I’m not enjoying the house. But we can meet up at my place another time.”
He looked down at her, hating that even one day of pure heaven would be lost. But he had his duty. “Yes, that’s true.”
What would life be like for them after this magical weekend?
Would seeing her here and there whenever he could sneak away from Chad be enough?
What about when Chad finally did find a mate for them? He’d be insistent, once he found out Petra wasn’t an option.
Having to be with another woman, even to help the world, would be a misery Trevor wasn’t sure he could stand.
“Chad’s coming back,” Trevor said. “And we’ll have to do work stuff.” He held her tight. “God, I don’t want to let you out of my hands.”
She let out a breath. “I mean, I’m disappointed too—don’t get me wrong—but it’s not the end of the world.”
“You sure?” He cocked his head. “Are you mad at me?”
“Why would I be mad at you? You gave me the time of my life, and we’re still going to see each other, right?” She smiled. “We’ll still be… friends with benefits?”
“More than that,” he said, wrapping his arms around her as if he could keep out the world. “You’ll always be so much more than that to me.”
She stroked his face. “I just wish you could tell me why
you look so tortured sometimes. Why someone with so much power can’t just have what he wants.”
“If I wanted you, would you even be ready?”
“What do you mean?” She blinked up at him curiously.
“If I wanted you to leave your life behind, if that’s what it meant to be together, would you be ready?”
She took a deep breath, dropping her hand to rest it on his chest. “No. I don’t think so. I want to, obviously, but we’ve only been together a few days. I need… I need to keep going on my promise to myself.” She sighed. “We’re in a pickle, aren’t we?”
“We’re pretty stuck,” he said.
“So what are our options?” She got off his lap to pace in front of him.
“Well, we should have a few more hours together if you want to—”
Then Trevor heard a loud thump outside that rattled the whole landscape.
His heart started to go double time. Chad was back.
How had he gotten there so quickly? He must have been at Tristan and Xander’s place when he called.
“Damn,” Trevor said, standing and setting her on her feet quickly. “Chad is back.”
“What was that huge thud?” Petra walked to the window to look out, but Trevor was relieved to see Chad was still cloaked.
Trevor pulled Petra away from the window. “Listen, go get out of your robe. I don’t want anyone to see you.”
She giggled. “All right.”
“And be careful with Chad, okay?”
She stopped. “What do you mean careful?”
Trevor took a deep breath. “Don’t be with him alone, okay?”
“Ooh, jealous?” Petra teased, still walking backward. “Well, no worries. I’m a one-dragon woman.”
Trevor’s jaw dropped. “What?”
She laughed. “What you said in the hallway. You said a dragon never lets go of his treasure.” She waved a hand. “Silly joke.”
Damn, Trevor loved her.
“Anyway, I’m going to run up and change. Tell Chad I’ll be out of you guys’ hair as soon as possible.”
“All right,” Trevor said as he walked to the front door to meet his partner.
He was going to do his best, but he didn’t think this was going to go well.
Chapter 18
Petra hurried to change, pulling on her clothing quickly so she could be out of Trevor’s and Chad’s hair.
Of course she was sad to be leaving, but this gave her the evening to work on her article and figure out what she would and wouldn’t put in it.
She still felt torn about giving the world any more information about Trevor, especially just for a promotion.
Now that she’d been able to get close to him and live in his secret world, she knew how important his privacy was.
God, was she actually considering giving up her promotion for him? Even though there was no way he could be with her, at least for now?
She couldn’t help but feel she’d be betraying herself if she put herself second behind a man again. Behind anyone.
It was her turn to be in the light.
But she had felt like she was in the light when she was with Trevor. When she was holding him, she felt something better than anything she’d felt at any time in her life. Definitely something better than whatever she felt at her job.
She still needed to see things through and keep her promise.
But at what cost?
She supposed all she could do was keep moving and trusting herself and Trevor, and hopefully everything would go all right.
Her phone rang, and she picked it up, holding it with her shoulder against her ear so she could keep getting her things together. “Hello?”
“Is this Petra?”
She sighed. “Yes. Who is this?”
“It’s Jason, from work.”
Petra pinched her nose. “It’s Sunday, Jason.”
“Yes, but I thought I would just tell you that the deadline for your article is tomorrow. And it better be good. People are hungry for more of this Sushi Douche guy.”
She sighed. “I need more time than that.”
“Tomorrow, Petra,” Jason said. “Or you can kiss the promotion good-bye.”
He hung up, and she stared at the phone nervously.
She’d just have to talk to Trevor about the story, ask him what he’d be comfortable with her putting in or not, and go from there.
She headed out onto the landing and had just started down the stairs, bag in hand, when she saw Trevor standing at the base, gesturing wildly at Chadwick, who seemed confused.
They both looked up at her, and Chadwick’s pleasant smile beamed as he met her gaze.
“Petra!” He jogged up the stairs to take her bag from her. It was a little odd to see him act so friendly with her when they’d barely met. “Trevor’s told me all about you. You’re welcome in our house.” He leaned in to whisper as they walked down the stairs. “It was my idea to invite you over, you know.”
She flushed, looking over at him as Trevor came up the landing and took her by the hand, grabbing her backpack from Chadwick.
“I’ve got it,” Trevor said. He was wearing a black sweatshirt over gray sweats, and his hair was mussed like he’d been running outside.
His forehead was damp with sweat, and he looked absolutely stressed compared to before.
“What’s wrong?” She put a hand to his head. “Do you feel okay?” She looked at Chad. “Does he look different to you?”
Chad tilted his head. “Now that you mention it, he’s been acting a little oddly today.”
“Petra has to go,” Trevor said, looking nervous. “Sorry.”
Petra couldn’t help but feel he was acting a little odd, especially around Chadwick, who seemed perfectly happy to have her around.
Was Trevor ashamed of her or something?
There was a tiny, niggling part of her that worried she was buying his words of love too easily, considering they weren’t actually going to be together officially.
Still, she hadn’t had time to process the change in plans, and ever since she met Trevor, it seemed she was taking things moment to moment.
“That’s silly,” Chadwick said, leading the way to the sitting room off the main foyer. “Stay until dinner.”
“She needs to go,” Trevor said. “She has things to do.”
Petra was taken aback since Trevor had said he and Chad had work and it was the reason he needed her to leave.
What was this about, then?
“Are you sure?” Chad shoved his hands in his jean pockets. His short dark hair was sharp, and his mysterious-colored eyes looked extra purple against his blue sweater. But he just wasn’t Trevor. “Any friend of Trevor’s is a friend of mine.”
She blinked. Friend? That’s right. That’s all they technically were. Why would Trevor tell his friend anything different?
Trevor and Chadwick seemed so close. It wasn’t a good sign that he was hiding her from his best friend.
“Well, I do have to be going,” she said, only more annoyed when she saw the visible relief on Trevor’s face.
Why did he want her out of there so badly?
Things didn’t make sense, but when she looked in Trevor’s golden eyes, she still felt she could trust him.
Then again, she had trusted others before.
“I’ll walk you out,” Trevor said, still holding her bag.
“Thank you,” she said, feeling oddly formal now that she didn’t know how to act in front of Chadwick.
She still couldn’t quite understand why Trevor had only told him they were friends.
Chadwick shook her hand and told her how nice it was to meet her, and when he raised her hand to kiss it, an odd, knowing look in his eye that she didn’t understand, Trevor batted her hand out of Chadwick’s reach.
“Ooh, jealous?” Chadwick took a step back, looking genuinely confused. “That’s interesting.”
“It’s not like that,” Trevor said quickly, stepping between them
as though he needed to protect her from Chadwick or something.
“Like what?” She looked up at him accusingly. He was so different to her in front of Chadwick. None of his usual tenderness at all. Like she was basically a stranger.
“I’m just helping her with a story,” Trevor said. “And having fun. It’s casual.”
He looked like he knew he made a mistake the minute the words came out of his mouth, but even his panic couldn’t keep Petra from feeling the hurt of his statement.
Chadwick put his hand to the back of his neck, looking pained and awkward. “I guess I’ll leave you two alone. I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”
For some reason, he seemed almost as upset as she was as he headed back to the house.
When the door was shut, Petra couldn’t stand to look at Trevor, even when he lifted her chin to try and meet her eyes.
“Hey, I told you I couldn’t tell you some things,” he said. “Right?”
She finally looked up at him. “But why did you have to lie about me to your friend?”
“I didn’t lie exactly,” he said. “We are friends, and it’s not like what he’s thinking.”
“What’s he thinking?”
His cheeks burned red. “I can’t tell you that either.”
“So many secrets,” she said, taking a step back from him. “I guess you did warn me.”
“I did.”
“We were only doing this when it was convenient.”
“We were.”
She let out a breath, fighting back tears. If it hadn’t been serious, why did her heart feel so involved?
He took a step forward, taking her hand again and pulling her in. She couldn’t find it in her to resist as he pulled her against his chest. “Petra, I wish things were different…”
“Me too.” She took a deep breath, then pushed away and looked up into his eyes. “Maybe we shouldn’t see each other.”
His eyes widened. “No, why—”
“This is all just too difficult.” It was one thing to not know so many things about his life or to suspend disbelief about why he could have feelings and not commit. But telling people around him it was just casual, when he’d told her he loved her a day before… that was just too much.
Dragon with Benefits (Forgotten Dragons Book 4) Page 12
