Page 20 of The Platinum Dragon's Courageous Mate

Kieran shook his head. “I don’t deserve you, you?—”

Lachlan snorted. “Please. I’m deformed. Broken. I can never leave the wing. I’m not a prize, but I do—I would give up my life for you, and baby Micah.”

Kieran’s eyes widened. “You are not broken! You’re amazing. Magnificent. You’re not perfect, I know, as far as the world understands. But you are for me.”

His chest felt so tight, but that was only because his world was expanding hugely every moment. He reached across the space between them to take Kieran’s hand. “That’s all that matters to me.”

Kieran twined his fingers with Lachlan’s. “And cookies.”

Lachlan chuckled. “We all have to have our priorities,”

Kieran nodded and leaned back, dipped his cookie in his tea. “Do you think two big stuffed chairs or a little sofa would be more comfortable?”

“It depends. Little sofas are for snuggling; two chairs are for visiting.” Lachlan shrugged. “I’m a big fan of snuggling personally, but it’s your room. You need to think about how you want to use it.”

“How about one of those lounges that has a back on it?”

“It could be both.” He pulled out his phone. “Let’s find one.”

“Sounds like fun.” Kieran leaned in, offering him a warm smile. “We’ll pick something perfect. I know it.”

Chapter

Seven

Kieran brought the baby monitor down with him, and he walked into the kitchen trying not to feel like an imposter.

It was damn near impossible, but he needed to try.

He wanted to make Lachlan cookies.

Alban was already in the kitchen, pouring water from the kettle, and when he walked in, he got a happy smile. “Hello, Kieran. Do you need anything?”

“No, I was going to make cookies. Is the kitchen open?”

“Of course. I was just making myself a cup of tea. Would you like one?”

“I would, thanks.” Tea sounded perfect.

“Milk or lemon?”

“I think milk today. Thank you. Two sugars. Do you mind if I just explore?”

“Of course not. It’s our home, yes?” Albin beamed at him, got out another mug, but didn’t ask any questions or even really watch him. He just made tea.

Our home. That sounded so wonderful. Sharing Lachlan’s home. Being free to roam. It was at once terrifying and freeing.He wanted it so badly. Not only did he want to please Lachlan, he wanted to feel brave.

Tobebrave.

He owed that to Lachlan, to Micah. To himself.

He opened cabinets, finding all the ways Alban stored things. He felt certain Lachlan had nothing to do with the organization.

“Do we have chocolate chips and pecans?”

Alban nodded. “We do. We have many different kinds of chips, but he likes these.”

Sure enough, in the pantry there they were, marked “chocolate chips,” and there were many, many different kinds and nuts of all different sorts.