Sasha curled her hands around his biceps and parted her lips, having more of an idea of what to do and what she wished to try this time. He groaned and pulled her closer until her breasts brushed the muscles of his chest. While dragons were casual with their nudity, manners still applied, and they never stared at sexual parts. Max’s man-part—his cock— pushed against her lower body, and Sasha enjoyed the pressure. The kissing books had been enlightening and bolstered the scant information she’d received from her mother and overheard from her brothers. At this moment, everything made sense.
Max slid his tongue against hers, and her stomach flip-flopped at the intimacy of the action. She enjoyed his touch very much and was eager to try more. Unfortunately, Max pulled away, and Sasha groaned in a muffled protest.
Max laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. “If I keep kissing you, we’ll never get to dinner, and Noel will be most upset. Noel wants to explore the castle grounds since he informs me he goes to the beach most days.” Max sobered. “Sasha, I don’t deserve you. Noel and I appreciate everything you’ve done. The house looks fantastic, both inside and out. I noticed the work you’ve done in the garden and how clean the interior of the house is now. Noel tells me he helps with chores.”
Pleasure shimmered through Sasha because Max had noticed and genuinely valued her efforts. “I try to teach Noel something new every day. He enjoys doing minor tasks.”
“You’ve made work into a game for him. He looks so well and is happy. He’s made more friends, and he has a social life. I could tell he was doing well when I spoke to him each night, but seeing him in person—the difference in him is amazing. His room too. Thank you for thinking of giving him a picture of Mum and Dad.”
“He misses them. I know what it’s like to miss family.”
Max smiled. “Your family is welcome to visit you here. We have spare rooms if they’d like to stay for a few days.”
“Thanks for the thought,” Sasha said without further comment.
“Are you changing? Not that you don’t look incredible in what you’re wearing,” Max said easily. “I’m discarding this suit and putting on a pair of jeans and a casual shirt.”
Sasha nodded. “I’ll meet you down here in ten minutes.” True to her word, she had a quick shower before changing into a denim skirt, a red T-shirt, and the leather jacket she’d discovered in Max’s mother’s wardrobe. His mother seemed to have kept clothes for years. Sasha didn’t know much of the fashions here, but after asking Justine, The Smart Computer, and checking on what the other mothers were wearing, she’d learned the clothes were perfect. She wore her own sandals, the pair she’d carried from Perfume Island.
“That was quick,” Max said.
“I told you ten minutes.”
“Most women of my acquaintance take much longer to get ready,” Max said. “Mum was always late, and the two women I’ve dated recently were just as bad.”
“Are you dating anyone now?” Sasha asked. Once the words emerged, she cursed under her breath.
“No,” Max said, taking her hand in his. “We’re engaged, even if it is a pretense for everyone else. That means there is just you in my life.”
“Is that why you kissed me?” Sasha loathed being an obligation.
“Hell no,” Max said without hesitation. “I kissed you because I wanted to. First, I promised you a huge kiss, and believe me, you deserve a lot more than a kiss by way of thanks for everything you’ve done for Noel and for me. Second, I’m attracted to you.” His gaze held hers as he said the words. “Very attracted.”
Sasha swallowed, feeling uncharacteristicallyshy. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Are you ready, Noel?”
“Yes!”
Max shepherded them out to his vehicle. He opened the rear door, and Sasha watched as he settled Noel in something he called a kiddy seat. Max explained it was a law for children to have this special seat. With Noel seated, he escorted her around to the other side and opened the door for her. She slid inside, uncertain for what to do next.
Max jumped into the car and pulled a silver handle, which revealed a black strap, and he clicked it into another object.
“We have one,”her dragon said, her tattoo peeking above the collar of Sasha’s shirt.“We should do the same.”
Sasha copied Max’s actions and succeeded in not making a fool of herself. Sasha and her dragon had quizzed Justine, The Smart Computer, about these cars, so they knew what would happen next. A throaty roar signaled the machine waking, and in the next minute, they were off.
“Whee! It’s almost as much fun as flying,”her dragon said.
“How come you don’t drive?” Max asked.
“I’ve never learned.” Nor had the need, considering she could fly anywhere she wished to travel.
“I didn’t think to tell you. There is a bus stop not far from the end of our road. If you and Noel want to travel farther afield and perhaps visit the castle or the shops, you can catch the bus. I’ll leave you some change for the bus fare.”
“Thank you,” Sasha said, taking a mental note to ask Justine, The Smart Computer, about catching the bus. It sounded like an adventure she’d enjoy.
“That’s the bus stop there.” Max pointed to a seat with a tiny roof over the top—a shelter of sorts from the elements, Sasha guessed.
