Bridget’s expression turned incredulous. “Why would that scare me? It’s the coolest fucking thing ever. You could turn into anactualdragon, Bas! Fly, for real, not only in the astral plane. I’m jealous as fuck, not scared.”
Bas hadn’t considered that. “Oh. That’s good. I don’t want you to be scared of us. Or me. Mostly me.”
“I think you’re the only man I haven’t been scared of in my entire life.”
Bas stopped on the stairs, his vision going red. “Why? Who hurt you? If you give me their names…”
Bridget turned and put a hand on his mouth. “Hush. I’m okay. The people who hurt me are long dead. Men make me nervous when I first meet them, that’s all. You don’t, so take a breath.”
Bas was frozen, her fingers still lightly resting on his mouth. She seemed to notice it at the same time and went to pull away. Bas caught her gently by the wrist and kissed her open palm.
“I’m glad I don’t make you nervous,” he said and let her hand go.
A red streak creeped up her neck. “I’ve changed my mind. Now I’m definitely nervous.”
Bas smirked. “I’m sure you’ll recover.”
Bridget turned and hurried up onto the landing where her rooms were. “So…where are your rooms?”
Bas pointed at the stairs that kept going up. “The door to my rooms is on the next level in case you need me at all.”
“And you are sure the dream creature can’t get me? I haven’t drawn any sigils or anything,” Bridget said.
“Nothing can get through the Greatdrakes wards, I promise you. If you get scared, you can always come and find me.”
Bridget chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m in your tower now, aren’t I?”
“You are. I thought you would feel the most comfortable here. Also, dragons are…possessive. Mine wants to protect you. Having you close keeps it calm.”
“Your dragon wants to protect me?” Bridget said slowly despite bouncing nervously on her toes. “That’s kind of nice. No one has ever wanted to protect me before.”
“Protecting you is one of the many things I want to do to you,” Bas replied, his voice holding more dragon than before. It could smell her scent and wanted to sink its fangs into her hard enough to pin her.
Kiss me,her mind shouted at him, and his dragon echoed the sentiment.
Bas stroked his thumb over her warm cheek. “I would like to kiss you right now. If that is okay?”
Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “Only one way to find out.”
Bas leaned down until his lips were almost brushing hers. “I wanted to be sure because I’m still scared of you threatening to kick me in the balls.”
Bridget tugged on the bottom of his waistcoat. “Be brave, Greatdrakes.”
Bas pressed his mouth to hers and knew from the first taste of her that it was going to be worth the possible kick. She tasted of chocolate gelato and something that made his dragon growl in happiness. He took a deep inhale of her scent of cinnamon and rain and the rose soap she had used that day. The softness of her lips, the heat rising from her body—he let the feel of her overwhelm all his senses.
Bridget slid her hands over his chest and up to thread through his hair, making his whole body hum. Bas softly brushed his tongue against hers, and Bridget groaned, opening her mouth for him.
Fuck yes.Bas hooked an arm around her lower back and pulled her up against him. She was so much shorter compared to him, but she was the perfect fit against him. There was no way to hide how hard he was, and she made a soft, helpless sound as she ground up against his dick. Stars flicked behind his eyes, and his grip on her tightened.
After a few agonizing seconds, Bridget broke off the kiss, the vulnerability back in her eyes. Bas loosened his hold on her, worried he had gone too far.
“You should know that I don’t get physical often because I find it really overwhelming,” Bridget said, swallowing hard.
“I’m not going to pressure you into anything you aren’t comfortable giving,” Bas replied. He willed his dick to behave itself, but it was ignoring him as usual.
“I know you wouldn’t. I just felt like I needed to warn you so you manage your expectations. I’m bad at physical stuff becauseI can’t get out of my head for long enough to enjoy it,” she babbled nervously.
“That’s okay. Ninety percent of sex happens in the mind anyway,” Bas said and lifted her chin gently so he could gaze into her amazing eyes. “And I’m very, very good with my mind, Bridget.”
