“Well,” I pant, wiping an arm across my mouth. “That’s new.”
Kinsley waits until I straighten up and is sure he won’t startle me before wrapping his arms loosely around me from behind. He rests his chin on my shoulder, talking to his brothers like this is an everyday occurrence.
“This is fantastic news.” He turns to kiss my neck before elaborating, unperturbed by the shimmering scales there. “She’s back with her flight and coming into her abilities as a water dragon. You’re just in that mushy cocoon stage where your insides turn to goop before you come out as a water-breathing butterfly.”
I scrunch up my face as I turn to look at him, but he still doesn’t let go, so I just develop a kink in my neck. “You’re so weird.”
He grins unabashedly. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Yet I think you actually like me.”
Shrugging a single shoulder, I face forward again. “I mean, you’re alright,” I quietly tease, a thrill snaking between my thighs as he pulls me tighter against him, hardening against my spine.
He nips at my shoulder and that small thrill turns into something stronger, making me feel like an animal in heat. I want to forget about the rest of the world, to drown myself in orgasms until I forget my problems.
Actually, that sounds like a pretty solid plan.
Kahl clears his throat. “So maybe it’s as simple as the more she’s around us, the more the bond takes root? Just living together might resolve this issue without us even having to do anything.”
Hope. I told Caius to keep it so long ago because ithurts. To want something this much, to give it that power over me? I have to just pray that everything is going to work out in a world that’s yet to show me any mercy. But with three sets of emerald eyes staring back at me, I believe for the first time that things might actually be alright.
Chapter 9
Kaiden
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Holy hell, I’m exhausted.
I’ve barely slept this week, paranoid I’m going to wake up to find her gone again. Despite the way she appears so comfortable around us, I don’t want to push her. I’m already amazed at the way she’s taking the first step on some things, so damn proud of her for how far she’s come. But I’m a fucking idiot and couldn’t control myself, had her coming on my fingers the same afternoon we found out what was going on with her. No doubt it gave her the completely wrong idea.
I would have loved her just the same if she was human. The last thing I want is for her to think the only reason we want her is because she’s changing into one of us. I’ve been obsessed with this woman since I met her and that hasn’t changed beyond finally giving into the desire to show it. But that’s becauseshemade it clear she felt the same way, not because she’s got wings some days and claws on others.
Stepping into the hall, I give up on sleeping for the second night in a row. Might as well head to the basement to start my work out early if I’m just wasting time tossing and turning in my room, though I can’t completely dispel the sense of deja vu as I start to walk down the hall and it makes me pause.
This time when I get a weird feeling in my gut, I don’t second guess myself. Quietly, I rap my fingers against her door, but I push it open without waiting for an answer, debating the merits of nailing her window shut so I can actually nap. She’s huddled up on the bed, mumbling in her sleep and shivering, skin bluish-purple even without the scales.
“Shit, are you okay?” I gently shake her awake, hissing in a sharp breath as I touch her frigid skin. Her pale blue eyes fly open, flinching away in momentary panic before waking up enough to realize it’s me. She sags back against the mattress, burrowing her head in the pillows with sluggish movements.
