I laughed. “You'd best let your driver know.”
“He knows to take you home. I didn't assume anything.”
My heart burst, getting bigger in preparation for what was to come. I didn't have words for Rian, not yet, so I just stared at him, learning every nuance of his face. From the point of his arched brow (higher on the right due to the scar) to the slight dip in his square chin. Every piece of him was handsome, even deconstructed. Even the scar.
The sleigh slid to a stop with a jingle, and we were still staring at each other when the attendant opened the door. Rian climbed out, then helped me down onto the sidewalk. The attendant handed me my cloak.
“I will be spending the night here,” the King said to the human. “Take the carriage back.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” The man nodded at the driver, then climbed onto the back ledge of the carriage.
Upon hearing the King's announcement, his two Dragon knights, who'd been following on horseback, dismounted. Without a word, they hitched their horses to the back of the carriage, then one of them slapped the carriage wall. With a click of reins, the carriage slid away across the snow, heading home, while the knights took positions outside my shop's front door.
“They can't stand out here all night,” I said. “They'll freeze.”
“They're Dragons, Galin,” Rian reminded me with a smile. “They can warm themselves. And they're only the first shift. Others will come to relieve them in a few hours.”
“Oh.” I glanced at the men who stared forward resolutely. “I guess that's all right then.”
I opened the door and went inside, stepping to the right so Rian could enter before I shut and locked the door behind us. Suddenly, I was nervous. My hands began to shake as I led him through the shop to the workroom.
“Galin,” Rian said softly and took my hand to pull me to a stop.
I turned to look up at him.
“It's still me,” he said. “Still the man who bought you hot chocolate and laughed to see your nose covered in cream. I won't be upset if all you want to do tonight is talk and hold hands.” He made a face. “Well, I may be upset if I don't get another kiss. But we don't have to do anything more than that.”
I burst into relieved laughter. When the nerves settled with my amusement, I said, “Thank you. It's been a while since I've . . .”
“How long?”
“Since before I moved here. So . . .” My eyes widened when I calculated the time. “Four months.”
“You've been here four months and you haven't had sex with anyone?”
“You don't have to sound so surprised.” I scowled at him. “I may have brought you home quickly, but I don't normally do this.”
“I didn't mean to imply that you do.” Rian held his hands up. “I'm surprised that men haven't been swarming you and that one hasn't put in enough effort to seduce you yet.”
“I . . .” I paused, not wanting to ruin the moment with the past, but also feeling that Rian had the right to know.
“There was someone else,” he whispered suddenly, before I could tell him. “Someone you cared for.”
I nodded. “Someone I loved. I left Nuri because of him. I needed a fresh start.”
“The King?”
I let out a bark of scoffing laughter. “Hardly. No, not the King.” Then I grimaced. “The man I loved turned out to be the King's mate.”
“Holy fuck,” Rian murmured.
“Yes.” I pressed my lips together. “I understand your fears about Dragon mating magic more than you know.”
“And you're still willing to risk it,” he said in a tone of wonder.
“I think you're worth the risk.”
With a groaning snarl, the Dragon King fell upon me. His mouth met mine, tenderness vanishing under raging lust. And I met him with the same ardor, slashing my lips along his and pressing my body flat against his clenching muscles. My cock rose instantaneously, and I was pleased to feel his against my belly, a hard rod, long and thick enough to make me quiver.
