None.It was against their rules.Only Lianna didn’t seem to like playing by the rules.
Spotting my phone on the bedside table, I picked it up, careful not to wake Konni, and skimmed through my unanswered texts.So many from Miranda and Wrenly.The last one said they knew I was home safe again and asked to see me as soon as I was able.I replied that I’d meet them for lunch in the next few days, once Konni was reassured.
Then I checked the news.Konni’s summary of what he’d done hadn’t given the level of his destruction justice.The craziest part?No one was suing for damages.Not a single one of the families.
Palmen had already announced a hefty restitution fund through Steele Corp for any public or civil damages not related to the three families.Not that the damage had spread far outside of those areas.As Konni had said, he’d gone after properties tied to those families.But only the unoccupied ones.
No one had died, although it’d been close when Konni had attacked Dad’s house.I smiled at the picture of a scorched mansion that wasn’t nearly as impressive as the Steele estate.Even stone could burn with dragon fire.
Content, I set the phone aside and closed my eyes.
When I woke, Konni was awake and watching me.He had food and water waiting for us.We ate, we drank, and we held each other.If we talked, it wasn’t about anything outside our room.The light faded.I showered and took my time going through my nighttime routine.Konni hugged me from behind the whole time.While the act wasn’t new, the duration was.Usually, he gave me a little breathing room.Especially when I sprayed my toner.This time, he simply closed his eyes and endured the overspray.
“I’m really looking forward to tonight,” I said.
He blinked at me, not rising to the bait.
“Why?”
“I missed your cuddles.”
He made a pained sound and pressed his face against my neck.
“There’s something about sleeping with a dragon that just feels so good.”
The puff of his exhale warmed my back.
“We’re going to be okay, Konni.Trust me.”
He lifted his head, met my gaze, and nodded.
“The people who think you’re climbing are idiots.I’m the one climbing, kitten.You’re so damn out of my reach, but I’ll never stop trying to be worthy of you.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY-EIGHT
We emergedfrom our room twenty-four hours later, hand in hand.Our time together had been healing for both of us.Maybe it was his snuggles.Maybe his magical scent.
Whatever it was, our time apart felt like a distant memory.
For me, not him.
His clinginess grew even as the guilt in his gaze slowly faded.
“Five minutes,” he said softly.
I huffed a breath.“Ten minutes, and I’ll let you wear me like a blanket tonight as I fall asleep.”
His rumble confirmed he liked the idea.
But not enough.
“Five minutes,” he repeated.
My mom had texted several times, worried despite my assurances that I was okay.She listened to what I’d endured and wouldn’t truly relax until she could hug me.I wanted that, too.
“Fifteen,” I said with annoyance.“They’ve brought us three meals without disturbing us.We can give them fifteen minutes.”
Kaya coughed lightly at the bottom of the stairs where she’d been standing, unnoticed by me.
