‘What’s wrong?’ I ask.
He sits up as well, his hands unsteady. ‘My dragon. He didn’t… My magic didn’t activate.’
My heart stutters. ‘Wait. You mean…’ I can’t make my hands form the words.
‘We’re not fated mates.’
Chapter Fourteen
BRYN
Raj’s mouth falls open as he stares at me, searching my eyes. ‘But… your dragon was at the surface. Beautiful red eyes and everything. And it was the best sexual experience of my life. How…?’
I can’t bear his disappointment. I swing my legs off the bed and sit on the edge, elbows on my knees, face buried in my trembling hands. I wassosure. Everything about the way I’ve reacted to him since the moment we met has been different from anything I’ve experienced before, and I’ve had a four-year relationship.
He lightly tugs my wrist, encouraging me to lower my hands. I’m not sure how to face him right now but I also can’t deny him anything, so I reluctantly meet his gaze, my stomach in knots.
There’s a soft look in his eyes, with no hint of the dismay I was expecting. He grips the back of my neck, brushing his thumb over my skin to scent me even though we already smell like each other, then leans in and presses his warm, soft lips to mine.
I close my eyes and kiss him back a little desperately, my heartthundering in my chest in a way that’s definitely over the top for something so chaste. Raj is it for me, no matter what my dragon side thinks, but that doesn’t mean my treasure will feel the same.
He pulls back, a smile on his lips. ‘I’m falling for you.’
I suck in a sharp breath. ‘But my magic…’
His hand movements are gentle. ‘I know we both hoped—assumed—that would go differently, but for me nothing’s changed. I still want to be your boyfriend, continue to get to know each other better, argue and make up like any other couple, and become fluent in your language. I want my pack to be your pack, and to get to know your brother and sister until they feel like family. I still want all the same things with you.’
I search his eyes, wanting to believe he means every word but needing him to be honest. ‘Even though it might not be forever?’
‘Who says it won’t? We were ready to begin the process of mating tonight. There’s nothing to stop us from creating the bond with my bite whenever we want to.’
Well, that’s true. Dragons typically only bond with their fated mates, but I know from Harley that it’s not like that for other species, where fated mates are less common. He told me that many couples choose to bond anyway, and I’d be on board with that if it meant I got to keep Raj in my life permanently.
I take my treasure’s hand in mine, exploring it with my fingertips. I reach out to my dragon side, noting the lethargic response with frustration. Is he sulking? For fuck’s sake.
Raj tips my chin up and gently withdraws the hand I captured. ‘I don’t want to give us false hope when it doesn’t really matter, but could the disconnect you mentioned between you and your dragon have prevented your magic from starting the bond?’
My chest tightens even as my dragon perks up. ‘I suppose… it’s possible.’
If that’s the case there’s still hope, but it also means that even now, I’m suffering from the consequences of a single decision I made years ago. I will never regret what I did, but I wish thepunishment would finally end so that I can fully move on with my life.
‘I’m not giving up on us,’ he signs emphatically, his eyes flashing amber, ‘whether your dragon magic agrees with the decision or not.’
I nod, still feeling tangled up inside, but his determination eases the niggling worry that I’m going to lose him because of this. I’m not sure how successful a stalker I’d be if he broke up with me, considering his skill set and that of his pack, so I probably need to come up with a better plan to keep my treasure by my side.
I vow to put in every effort to make this relationship a success, no matter what it takes to get my dragon and me on the same page, and no matter how often Raj wants me to share feelings I’d rather suppress. The work I’ve begun in order to rebuild my career will help me prove myself his equal as well, even though he doesn’t yet know about the new architecture firm I’m in the process of setting up.
I take a deep breath and give him a genuine smile, albeit a small one. ‘I agree. I’m all in.’
His handsome face lights up. ‘Yes?’
I can’t help my teasing smirk. ‘Just remember, if there’s one thing that’s universally true about dragons, it’s that we never let go of our treasure once we have it.’
His shoulders shake with his laughter right before he tackles me to the bed and tickles me until I have to tap out, then kisses me until we’re reaching for the lube again.
‘Again.’ Cal moves behind me and grabs me in a bear hug.
I widen my stance, then step one foot behind his legs before grabbing him around the knees. He’s too rock steady to lift, so I sweep my left leg under his and send him to the wet grass—and myself with him. At least I got him to let go of me this time.
