I raised a brow. What could possibly be more interesting than his alpha mate arriving with a tray of sushi?
“You’d better not be chatting with alpha dragon singles in your area,” I teased as I stood behind him.
I was obviously joking, but the way he slammed his laptop shut made me raise a brow.
Matteo huffed. “I was doing something private,” he said mildly.
“You’re on an open rooftop,” I reminded him. “So,wereyou chatting with hot dragon singles in your area?”
Matteo rolled his eyes as he stood up. Our egg glowed brightly, painting his arms and chest in a diffused purple light. He smiled as he leaned in and captured my lips in a long, passionate kiss. The sizzling make-out stomped out my tiny worm of jealousy.
“You think that little of me?” Matteo murmured with a grin. “I haveyou, Thystle. You’re my alpha, the father of my baby, and my number one fan. Nobody else could ever compare.”
Warm happiness bubbled in my chest. I leaned over the sushi tray to kiss him again. When I pulled back, I asked, “What’s with the secrecy, then? I feel left out. And I even brought you sushi,” I added, pouting for good measure.
Matteo grinned sympathetically. “I know dragons are impatient, but just wait a little bit, okay? I promise, it’ll be worth it.”
“Fine,” I said. “But in exchange for being patient, you’ll let me feed you sushi.”
“How is that a trade? Those are both wins for me.”
I scoffed. “Are you kidding? Feeding our mates is a hardwired sexy activity for us dragons. It’s basically foreplay.”
Matteo arched a brow. “Is that a promise?”
“Obviously. Now, sit.”
Matteo sat, keeping our egg huddled in his lap. His weird quilt-and-rock nest was odd, but if he was comfortable, that was all that mattered. I took a careful seat beside Cobalt’s rock so it didn’t jab into me, then pulled the lid off the tray and pulled out the ceramic chopsticks.
I picked up a piece of tuna maki and offered it to Matteo. “Sayahh.”
“Are you practising for when the egg hatches?” he teased.
“I might be. Hurry up and eat it so I can feed you another one.”
Grinning, Matteo ate the roll and let out a satisfied sigh. “Mm, that’s good. Give that chef a raise.”
“Done,” I promised, then picked up a thick slice of salmon sashimi. “I bet the sushi wasn’t this good when you lived in human society, huh?”
“Nope.” As he swallowed the sashimi, I watched it slide down his throat like a pervert. The visual filled my mind with dirty ideas. I picked up a second slice and thrust it at him.
Matteo chuckled. “At the rate you’re feeding me, I’m going to gain thirty pounds.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”
He rolled his eyes, not believing me. “I’d lose my rockstar bod.” He glanced down at himself. “Although now that I’m over thirty, I’m already getting there.”
I scowled. No way in hell was I going to let my mate feel self-conscious over his body.
“I don’t give a fuck if your body changes, Matteo,” I growled. “You’re hot, and you’remine, no matter what you look like.”
He blushed, his mouth curving into a smile. “Thank you, Thystle.”
“You’re welcome. Now, eat.”
After we polished off the tray together, Matteo leaned against my shoulder. Our egg glowed like a purple nightlight. I stroked its smooth shell, feeling paternal instincts flare up within me.
“It’s been a whole month since you laid it,” I murmured, running my thumb along the faceted shell.
