She’d held off on texting Damian back because she knew his opinion on her brother and didn’t want to hear it, but she’d read the entire story about his efforts to procure illegal cheese for his magical Siamese cat when she got up. She wasn’t sure if it was real or if he’d made it up; it didn’t matter. It delighted her.
Around ten o’clock though, when it became clear that Danny wasn’t showing—or that if he did, she was only going to flip him off—she settled in with Sammy on the couch, to watch Investigation Discovery, and texted Damian first.
Hey.
He didn’t text her back for three hours, by which time she was sprawled out on her bed, reading book review blogs on the internet, but when he did, at least it was longer than one word.
Hey, I’m in trouble, because my brother’s done something bad again, or just a normal, casual, hey?
The last one. Also? That was a really nice bedtime story. It made me laugh. It’s been awhile.
Me too and you’re welcome. What’s going on?
She knew what he wanted to know. Danny ghosted me. Surprise, surprise. I…uh…don’t suppose you had anything to do with that?
It took him longer to respond than she might have liked. When I do fight your brother, I’ll have the decency to let you know.
Sorry. Just had to ask.
I understand.
And just like that, her brother was messing with her dates again, when he wasn’t even in the room.
A new text came in from Damian: Are you sure you’re all right with this?
She frowned at the screen. I thought it didn’t matter, because we’re fated, right? she texted, immediately followed by three ironic eye-rolling emojis.
I know you don’t believe me, he sent, and she could see he was still typing. I’m trying to be kind.
Hard for you, eh?
I am half-reptile.
She snorted. So was that what this morning was? The story, not the sex. An effort to be nice to me, before you kill my brother or fuck my brains out again?
There was quite a long pause before he sent his next message. Why do you insist on being so prickly, princess?
I’m half-nurse. We don’t get fairy tale endings at the hospital. I distrust them implicitly.
And another, longer, pause. Explicitly as well, it seems.
Andi set her phone down to rub her forehead with her fingers. This wasn’t going how she wanted at all. She was just taking out her anger with Danny—and worry for him, too, if she were completely honest with herself—on Damian. The easiest way to make things better, if he were here, would be to kiss him, which was the exact kind of cheating she was attempting to avoid.
Her phone buzzed. She picked it up and was flooded with a wall of text.
We each have our burdens, Andi, and neither one of us can escape our pasts. But I refuse to believe that our chance at happiness is over. There has to be a forever for us, and I’ll do anything to make it happen.
Even if that means being nice, sometimes, to you.
Even when—not if—you make it hard.
Andi tapped her finger on her phone. I make it hard…???
It’s nice to know I’m not the only pervert.
Trust me, no normal girl would sign on for this.
Nor would I want to have her, he sent her. And speaking of, I heard you met my sister.
And you think I’m the prickly one? I’m generally unarmed.
That’s not true. You always disarm me.
Andi felt herself start to flush. Want to hear the whole sordid story?
Of course.
Andi typed in an abbreviated version of what had happened with Eumie and Xochitl at the theater the other night, up through Danny, and the helicopter survivor, and Jack too. Damian didn’t say anything until she finished.
So that’s that. They’re gone now, which makes me sad , and now I have a key to the bakery with a tunnel to…Hades? Where did it go, anyhow?
He ignored her question. You were in DANGER AND YOU DIDN’T CALL?
He didn’t need the all-caps for her to know that he was shouting. It was pretty live-time, Damian. I didn’t have a chance. Besides which, I survived. Faaatteeeeee?
It’s too late to try to use that for cover now. She watched the typing dots swirl. And your baker friend was the Echnida? Damian followed his text up with a mind-blown emoji, which made Andi snort, because she knew he used them only under extreme duress.
Yeah. Although they’d never told me. I wouldn’t have known, except for the crazy lady fighting them.
The Echnida? he pressed again. That just seems so highly unlikely, Andi.
You’re telling me, she thought as she typed. I know you never met them, but you know I’m not lying—and you punched through their magical wall! She sighed as she typed the next bit. Before they left they might have implied it was ‘meant to happen.’ You already know how I feel about that, but I did save their life. So, who can say?
Interesting, he said, and she heard it in his rumble.
They also said we might meet again.
I hope to be there when you do.
Andi squinted at her phone. Wait…how does a Prince of the Realms know about Greek mythology?
I’m a dragon. I like heroic tales. Go figure.
Which begged the question: What does your dragon think of all of this? She meant…everything. All the fate stuff, Andi pushing him away, Andi pulling him near. She couldn’t blame the beast if it was angry with her.
That we’re insane. Then he amended. No, that I’m insane.
Not me?
No. He always takes your side. And he also always thinks he’s on your side, even when we’re fighting. He thinks he knows you better than I do…. He’s a bit much, if you ask me. Andi smiled, as he went on. But monstrous as he is, Andi, he would never, ever, hurt you. He loves you.
Andi’s mouth fell into a tiny ‘o.’ And you? You haven’t said it yet, you know.
I will, princess.
When? She pouted softly at her phone.
The next time I get to see you in person.
The next three days passed the right kind of slow. She spent an hour or two texting with him each night, before work or her bedtime. He told her about how Ryana had seen Austin’s favorite movies and now probably thought that humans were half-metal, hiding aliens inside, and when she’d pointed out that Jamison was part metal, he pretended like he’d never noticed that before. He told her strange things about the Realms, like how they celebrated birthdays: outside, under a moon—out of three! they had a lot to choose from!—and your loved ones threw handfuls of dirt on you while someone played a flute. She wanted to believe that that was made up, but Damian swore on his dragon that it was true.
And she woke up to some vignette from his life each late afternoon. The first time he remembered Grim. How his dragon had once tried to help his sister fly. What dawn looked like over the sarcoplex, the cemetery for royalty in the Realms where his father was interred.
She didn’t ask hard things, like about his curse or the Heart, and he never once mentioned her brother or uncle. It wasn’t because they were hiding anything; it was because they already knew those things were there, swinging overhead like dangerous trapezes. What they were doing now was weaving a safety net. They’d acknowledged the dangers above and were trying to build something to catch themselves below.
“Oh my God, just make out with it already,” Sammy said, leaning over on the couch, shoving her phone at her face. Andi fought her back with a laugh. “Jesus,” Sammy teased.
“Look, not all of us get to see our men in person, all right?”
“How am I supposed to rest secure in the knowledge that you’re going to be able to protect me from freaking murderers, if we don’t pay attention to the show together?” Sammy said, gesturing to the TV.
Andi shook her phone. “I know someone who knows someone,” she said, like a mobster. Sammy rolled her eyes.
Andi knew her roommate didn’t quite believe her about Dam
ian…but she also didn’t quite disbelieve her either. Sammy was biding her time, and Andi knew if Sammy ever did see Damian again, for once her first question was not going to be about the Pagani—she’d want to see his dragon.
“I’m gonna go take a nap,” Andi announced, getting up, no matter that it was already eleven. Time worked weird when you were nightshift, everyone knew that.
“A ‘nap,’” Sammy said, with air quotes, turning off the TV.
“Shush,” Andi told her, walking back into her bedroom.
Andi stretched out on her bed, staring at her phone. Damian had last said something about food and so she knew she had a moment before he returned. She liked that he had the same weird schedule she did; it was nice not being lonely at night, for once.
Except in all the ways she was.
Texting was nice and all…but….
Visit me? she messaged him.
Almost immediately the dots of his words started spinning. You want to hear the words that badly? he teased. No. Despite your uncle’s promises, I don’t trust my being there to not put you in danger.
Jamison had told Damian, who’d told her, that her apartment was under perpetual surveillance now. Probably for Eumie’s return, but….
Can I come to you? There was more than one decent sized mirror in her house.
That’s not safe either, Andi.
Why not?
Because if you came over here I might not ever let you go.
No, really, Damian, she sighed.
You know how many ropes I have. You think I’m joking?
Andi’s heart skipped a beat. She never knew fully if he was joking when he said things like that via text. She also wasn’t sure if she wanted to.
Turn your mirror around, princess.
What, so you can see me? she asked, looking over at the mirror that’d been turned around since the night they’d flown. How do you know I need too?
Don’t ask.
She snorted and ran into the bathroom quickly, to make sure she looked presentable in a tank top and pajama bottoms. The temptation to put on something more alluring was high, but she had limited time before he’d tease her about it, as they both knew she wasn’t going out again tonight. She leaned forward, fluffed her hair, swiped on lip gloss, and returned.
Don’t make me regret this, she texted, then turned the full-length mirror across from her bed around.
No promises, he said, as she sat down in front of her bed, cross legged, then bent her head to text him.
I feel silly. He was going to get to just sit and watch her text…hooray?
You shouldn’t.
Andi rolled her eyes at her reflection, and then typed out, We could just video call, you know, like normal people do, quickly.
And make your poor roommate hear? His reply was almost instantaneous.
Hear…what?
He ignored her question. Come closer to the mirror, princess.
Andi licked her lips, and did as she was told. Their texts so far had been flirty, but neither of them had ever taken things further, and up until right now, Andi didn’t think they ever would. But as her phone buzzed again, she started to hope….
I often wonder if you know how beautiful you are.
Andi read his text and then felt herself grow red. It’s not fair for you to put me on the spot, just because you can see me and I can’t see you.
When have I ever not pressed an advantage?
She stuck her tongue out at him. I could turn the mirror back around.
You won’t.
You sound so sure.
I am.
You realize when you act like this it just makes me want to defy you?
You realize when you want to defy me it just makes me want you more?
Andi closed her eyes. She didn’t need him in the room with her to hear his smug laughter.
And also defile you, he went on.
She gave her reflection a challenging look. How?
Take off your top, princess.
This is so unfair, she complained.
If it makes you feel better, I’ll take off mine, too.
I won’t be able to see.
No, but you know I’m not a liar, Andi.
Andi’s hands bunched at the bottom of her tank top. Everything about this was ridiculous, but she wanted to see where it would lead. She yanked her top off with a burst of energy, and threw it at the mirror.
So feisty, he teased, and she remembered what it felt like to hear him rumble. Lick your fingers, Andi.
She tilted her head up. Either she was going to fight him at every stage of this game or give up and play along. She batted her eyes at him, and pushed two fingers into her mouth, sucking on them meaningfully before pulling them out.
And now you’re plotting something. I like that, too, he told her. Take your fingers and trace them over your perfect breasts for me.
Andi did as she was told. Her nipples perked as she brushed them gently, one by one, pebbling under her own attention, and then she picked up her phone. Okay, well, that was fun, now I need to go do some online shopping….
He sent her a string of laughing emojis. Yes, well, before you start shopping, I think you should know that I’m very, very hard.
Hmmm…then that begs the question…how hard are you? she asked, before giving her reflection a mischievous grin.
Hard enough I could break both our mirrors, easily.
Andi lay back perpendicular to the mirror and held the phone overhead. What a sad thing it is to waste a raging erection.
Oh, I won’t be wasting it, princess. You can go ahead and shop, but I’ll be over here, stroking myself, thinking of you. With the mirror, or without.
What if I told you not to?
You love me. You would never be so cruel.
Andi turned her head toward the mirror. The temptation was to impetuously demand abstention—an obedience she could never prove—just because she could, to fight him.
But then, again, he was right.
How badly do you need me, dragon? she asked, then reached out to the mirror with a delicate hand.
The dots danced as he typed. I wake up aching without you. I go to sleep, if it can be called that, burning for you every night.
I wish we could solve all of our problems, somehow.
I wish we could, somehow, too.
Andi rose up then, rising up to her knees, and shimmied her pajama bottoms and underwear off. She felt very silly to be in front of the mirror with just herself there in the nude, but she heard his pain. She felt it, too.
She crawled over to the mirror on her knees and then knelt in front of it. “If you were here,” she said without sound, just mouthing the words so he could read them, and then spread her knees.
She set her phone aside and ignored it, she didn’t need to know what he wanted anymore. She licked her fingers again and played them in broad strokes around her breasts, one by one, then tugged on her nipples the way he liked to with his lips, pinching them as if he himself were there, lifting them up and then letting them drop.
“Dragon,” she mouthed. “Is this what you want?” she asked, as she sent her hands over her ribs, sliding slowly down. She sank them lower then, pushing them down her thighs like she was pushing down stockings, until she reached her knees, only then to rake her fingertips back up, leaving soft pink lines behind.
Her phone didn’t buzz again. She hoped on his side he was entranced and touching himself—because that’s what she was going to do. She rested one hand on the mirror’s frame and pushed the other between her legs, entering herself, pulling the wetness that she found there out to rub her clit with, and she closed her eyes.
What if he were behind her, taking her again? Or what if she were on top, astride him, riding his cock—or riding his face as he lapped at her? It felt so raunchy to be touching herself like this in front of him with him not there, which was silly. He’d seen her touch herself during sex what felt like a hundred times. But now that she was p
utting on a show, she made herself open her eyes and look up so that he could see her, and saw her own reflection—the way he must see her when she was getting close. The way her jaw was dropped, her hot short breaths making the mirror glass mist, how her hips bobbed as she wound. Her dark hair brushed against her skin like it was strokes from his fingers, and sometimes she pushed her fingers in to rock against, and it wasn’t like he was there, but it was still good, and she knew he wanted her to come. In fact, she knew he wouldn’t come till she did. She leaned forward, one hand moving fast, the other clenched against the frame, biting her lips to stay quiet as her orgasm built.
“Come with me,” she whispered at the mirror’s glass, and then cried out silently, breathing hard as she did, shuddering and quaking until she was through, slowly pulling her hand away from herself before leaning in to smear her mirror with her juices and give its corner a chaste lip-glossed kiss.
After that, her phone didn’t buzz for quite some time, and she wondered if he’d been called away. She laughed at the thought that he’d missed her performance, but no, her phone vibrated just after she’d pulled her pajamas back on, and she picked it up to read his text.
They were back to one word again, but this time it was, Incredible.
Chapter 11
The next day, Damian had what felt like half the contents of a sex shop delivered to her door. She started opening up packages on the couch unwittingly in front of Sammy, then stopped when she realized what was inside the first anonymous brown box.
Sammy took the box away and looked inside, and for possibly the first time ever, Andi got to see her unflappable roommate go pink. “Wow…that’s....”
“Yeah, it is,” Andi said, surveying the other boxes. Then she started giggling uncontrollably. There were ten more to go through, and the thought of carrying all of them into her bedroom on multiple trips was just too silly. She tossed a box at Sammy. “Help?”
They went through all the boxes then, snickering at all the suave yet cheesy packaging, playing with toys like they were swords.
“I’ll give your man this, he’s confident.” Sammy laughed when they were through.
Dragon Mated: Sexy Urban Fantasy Romance (Prince of the Other Worlds Book 4) Page 18
