Chapter 13
Beck
After a super busy Friday, I fall onto my couch, checking my phone’s battery for the umpteenth time before glancing at the clock too. I rub at the scales on my chest, right above the spot where my dragon sits, waiting patiently to hear Eleanor’s voice soon.
This week has been like no other for many reasons. Eleanor being the main one, but a close second is the improvement in my relationship with my dragon. I’ve gone for a swim every morning, easily shifting into my dragon form and allowing him to guide me where he wants us to go. Not constantly suppressing him turns out to be verygood for both of us, especially when it comes to the affection we both share for Eleanor.
Another highlight has been that my friends had made time to come and visit me at my mill. It started with them asking about how the date went, but each felt compelled to give me advice on what they think I should do next. I appreciate their input, but their ideas are all so different that it makes my head spin. Not all of us have the confidence of Bodin to throw a woman over his shoulder and fuck her on a table in the garden. Or have a picnic in a pretty location, like Ren suggested, only to turn that too into some kind of foreplay.
Though, I certainly won’t mind having more opportunities to touch Eleanor, to kiss her, taste her. I want to find out what sounds she makes when she’s at the height of pleasure. I want to watch her face when she surrenders, knowing it’s me who’s got her safe in his arms. But not yet. Above all, I don’t want to rush things with Eleanor. I’ve waited twenty-two years to see her again and I will not risk fucking things up… again.
Surprisingly, Arran had the best advice of all: Find out what Eleanor likes, and do more of that.
I know she likes books, bread, wine, Starry Hill, and phone calls with me. I aim to give her all of that, and more, whenever she’s ready.
So far, I’ve rescheduled my supply runs and consulted Viggo to do ferry runs this Saturday so I can be free to attend Eleanor’s book club. Every spare second I’ve had this week was used to finish reading the book she picked, clean my house, and practice a new recipe to bake for her.
Glancing down at my phone, my whole body ignites as Eleanor’s name flashes on the screen. “Hello.”
A second of heavy silence passes before Eleanor breathes out a shaky, “Hi, Beck.”
Instantly, I’m on my feet, my dragon also on high alert. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Eleanor replies, but the lie is obvious. “I mean, nothing major is technically wrong. I just had a really shitty day, but I’m glad to hear your voice now.”
My free hand shoots into my hair and tugs on the strands. “Where are you?”
“I don’t want to tell you,” Eleanor says. It’s like I can hear a wince in her voice, but it’s hard to pinpoint the emotion exactly. I need to see her to know she’s okay.
“Why not?” I ask, staring out the window as if the ocean is going to give me some kind of answer.
Eleanor hesitates a beat. “Because you’ll think I’m weird.”
“Please tell me you’re safe.” My dragon paces up and down, my scales fluttering wildly all over my body as worry roils through us.
“I’m safe, I promise,” Eleanor says quickly. “I just… I wanted to see the ocean today. I hoped some of that calm it brings you would rub off on me, so I drove to the harbor.”
“Cape Easton harbor?”
“Yes.”
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yes.”
“Wait there.”
Faster than I’ve ever run before, I sprint out of the house and toward my boat. I yank on the rope, quickly undo it from the cleats, and toss it into the water before stripping my clothes off and throwing them into the boat.
Then, I jump.
When it comes to Eleanor, my dragon and I are very much on the same page, so he doesn’t need any further prodding to take over my body, shifting midair into our monstrous form so we can get to her as fast as possible.
Horns erupt from my head and my giant maw closes around the rope before I break the surface, pulling the boat behind me as I swim for Cape Easton. My long serpentine body undulates through the water, and I call on the ocean to speed me along, letting the current take me toward my girl.
