I snapped the book shut, adjusting it strategically on my lap. I was hard. Very hard. This was becoming a recurring problem.
“What are you reading?”
I looked up to find a young woman standing beside the couch. She was staring at me with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
“Dragon porn,” I answered plainly.
Her blush deepened. She looked ready to combust. “Oh, that’s...”
“Spicy and odd as fuck but very entertaining.”
I had been learning the casual way humans spoke. Studying their patterns and phrases. My formal speech marked me as different, and while I could not change my nature entirely, perhaps I could adapt. Blend in better. Make Wen proud.
The girl stammered something incoherent and hurried away.
A scent caught my attention, sharp and possessive. I turned toward the counter to find Wen staring at the retreating woman with narrowed eyes. Her jaw was tight. Her hands were gripping the edge of the counter hard enough that her knuckles had gone white.
Jealous.
My mate was jealous.
I smirked. Perfect.
I had not been lying when I told her I would punish her for taunt me with a perfect kiss. And also for putting me on display, for using me as bait to draw females into her store. She had made me an object of desire for others, and now she was learning what that felt like.
It was lunch time. The store had progressively emptied as customers left to eat. Only two or three people remained, browsing the shelves with quiet focus.
Perfect timing for what I had in mind. I had been waiting an entire week for this, trying to follow her pace. I would be testing her boundaries today, seeing how she answered to my approaches.
I stood and walked to the counter. Wen watched me approach with wary eyes, as if she could sense my intentions.
Good. Let her be nervous and anticipate.
I stepped behind the counter, into her space, without a word. Wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back against my chest. Pressed my lips to her neck, right where I had marked her softly days before.
She inhaled sharply. “What are you doing?” She whispered.
“Punishing you,” I murmured against her skin. “You kissed me. Made me parade around in tight clothing while females stared and touched. Now you get to experience what it feels like to be on display.”
“Mal, there are customers-”
“Only two. And they are not paying attention.” I kissed down her neck, savoring the way her pulse jumped beneath my lips. “The counter is tall enough to hide us. They cannot see from your breasts down.”
My hands moved lower. I felt her breath hitch, felt her body tense in my arms.
“Mal!” Her voice was a whisper-yell. Scandalized butveryaroused.
I chuckled against her ear and moved my hand down further, over her stomach, to the apex of her thighs. Even through her clothes, I could feel her heat.
I could certainly scent her arousal. Sweet and intoxicating and all mine.
“Is this okay, mate?” I asked quietly, seriously. Because despite my teasing, despite my intentions, I would never push her beyond what she wanted.
Her heart was racing. She bit her lip, glancing at the distracted customers. Then she looked at me over her shoulder, and I saw the desire burning in her eyes.
“Yes,” she whispered.
That single word unleashed me.
