Muzo swallowed again. “Intimate.”
His confusion baffled me—until I remembered what Crimson said earlier. Maybe it was his lack of romantic experience, but Muzo didn’t realize I was interested in him that way, despite what I thought were over-the-top attempts at getting the point across. If gift baskets and saving his life and offering to give him a private massage didn’t make it clear enough, I had no choice but to be blunt with him.
“Muzo,” I said.
He tilted his head, his fluffy hair flopping to the side. “Yeah?”
“I am romantically and sexually drawn to you.”
A sputtering sound escaped Muzo’s lips. “What?” he squeaked, his cheeks alight.
I leaned forward so he could witness the resolve in my eyes. “Iwantyou,” I said, my voice halfway to a growl. “Only you.”
Muzo stared at me like his brain had broken. “But I’m—andyou’re—hoo boy, this makes no sense.”
I inched closer. “Kiss me again, then tell me it makes no sense.”
A soft expression came over Muzo’s face. The mask of constant humor slipped away, revealing a hesitant tenderness beneath.
Taking a shaky breath, he angled his head. His lashes fluttered shut as he crept closer.
My heart squeezed with affection, and I closed the gap. Our lips met in a satin kiss. The soft feeling of Muzo’s mouth and his up-close scent drove me wild. The sensation rocketed down my spine to the base of my cock. A simple, chaste kiss with my fated mate was enough to make me instantly hard.
Muzo didn’t pull away. He stayed, exploring. He parted his lips and poked out his tongue, tentatively dragging it across my lower lip. When I moaned quietly, he stiffened, then did it again. Was it turning him on, too?
My tongue darted out and caressed his, making Muzo whimper with need. He threw his hesitation out the window and kissed back twice as hard. I was happy to let him earn confidence.
When he pulled away, his eyes were bright and his cheeks were flushed. His hesitant aura was gone. He gripped the covers tightly, staring at me, impatient for more.
“Well,” he said breathlessly, a grin curving his mouth. “I still think this makes no sense. But I like it.”
I smiled back. “Take your shirt off. I’ll massage you.”
Muzo shimmied out of his T-shirt and threw it aside. I scanned his body. I’d seen him naked before—twice—but there was a different kind of intimacy as he stripped. The previous times were accidents. Now, he was willingly offering himself to me. That heated my blood, made it rage through my veins. My pants grew tighter by the second.
My gaze drifted to Muzo’s lower half. A slight bulge formed between his thighs. The sight of it made my blood burn even hotter.
“Turn around,” I instructed.
Muzo settled on his knees in front of me. The top of his head came up to my mid-chest, so I had to angle myself accordingly. I popped the cap off the baby oil, poured a dollop in my palm, rubbed my hands together to warm it, then placed them on Muzo’s back. He sighed contentedly as I worked my thumbs into his shoulders.
“Feels nice,” he murmured.
He leaned back into my touch. His body was as light as a feather, and just as soft. Rubbing his supple skin made my cock harder, but I kept it in check. This evening was all about my mate’s needs, not mine.
Still, I relished this opportunity. Getting to touch him and smell him was incredibly gratifying. I didn’t realize how desperately I needed this alone time, this chance to worship him with my hands. After all Muzo had been through today, he needed this. Hedeservedthis.
“Cobalt, you’re growling,” Muzo pointed out questioningly.
I halted and cleared my throat. “Sorry. I didn’t notice.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. It’s a good growl.”
Muzo chuckled. “I didn’t know dragons had good or bad growls. Normally when canines growl, it ain’t ‘cause we’re happy.”
I leaned down so my cheek was against his temple. “Then it’s time for you to learn about dragons.”
