6
Gabriel
Even though Iwas certain I wasn’t on drugs at this point, everything still felt like adream.
I was in some secret, faraway land in the mountains surrounded by magic dragons. I’d almost been killed by humans, then saved, then almost died of a heart attack after flying through the air, then been dropped off in the fanciest, lavish place I’deverseen.
And throughout all this, there was an extremely hot and apparently rich dragon shifter by my side who keptflirtingwithme.
Absentmindedly, I stripped and discarded my dirty clothes in a pile before slipping into the shower. It was easily big enough for two people - which instantly made my mind wander to Dante before I forced myself to think about something else. The shampoos and soaps smelled amazing, not like the basic goat milk soap we had in my old pack. I took my time, dedicating about half an hour to washing myself and actuallyenjoyingit.
If living in Cinderhollow tribe meant having access to this luxurious spa every day, it was alreadyworthit.
There were multiple white robes hanging outside the shower, so I slipped into one and immediately got lost in it. It was much bigger than me - obviously meant for Dante’s size and not mine - but it was warm and dry, which was all thatmattered.
After finishing, I realized I was very naked and very out of cleanclothes.
I peeked my head out of the room. “Um…Dante?”
His reply came immediately. “Yes,Gabriel?”
“Do you have something… small Icouldwear?”
He grinned as he stood from the bed and crossed the room to his dresser. “Let’s see… I can’t promisesmallbut I’m sure we can make do for now.” He picked a dark purple plaid shirt out and a pair of briefs. “How aboutthese?”
I nodded, accepting them from him before retreating back behind the door and dressing myself. When I finally emerged, it was hard to miss the way Dante looked at me - his eyes slowly made their way down my body, lingered below my stomach, then returned to lookatme.
“Just wonderful. They look good on you,” he said with asmile.
I blushed again. It was hard not to when Dante stared at my body with that smoldering gaze. “Thanks.”
He stretched out ahand. “Come.”
I took it curiously and let Dante lead me where he would - this time, it ended up being the edge of his massive king-sizedbed.
The room was quiet, and we were alone on his bed. I was distinctly aware of that now. As the intimacy of the situation dawned on me, my heart rate increased, thumping in my ears, and soon I was afraid Dante would hear it. I didn’t want to look weak in frontofhim.
He touched my face and I nearly leapt out of my skin. His fingers traced my jaw, and I stared into his eyes. They burned like purple fire. The feeling of his skin on mine waselectric.
“Gabriel,” Dante murmured, “I need to know. Do you feel the connectionbetweenus?”
My eyes widened. Oh, gods. Did he really say that or was my crazy lust-struck mind just making thingsupnow?
Dante’s brows furrowed ever so slightly and herepeated, “Gabe.”
Gabe.He referred to me with a nickname. I definitely wasn’t hearingthings.
“I… I do,” I breathed, then let out a shaky laugh. “This isn’t just your dragon magic or anything,isit?”
“No,” Dante growled. “I would never use magic on you. What you feel - what webothfeel - it’s real. A trueconnection.”
My heart raced so fast it threatened to explode out of my chest. This was real. I felt it with every nerve in my body, every scent in the air. Dante was just inches from me. His one hand cupping my face, and the other resting on my bare knee. He wastouchingme.
“Kiss me,” Dantecommanded.
Idid.
Our lips met and stars exploded behind my eyes. His mouth was soft and warm, but firmly demanding at the same time. He wanted more of me, and me of him. He pushed forward, deepening the kiss while cradling my face. I melted into himcompletely.
