Page 37 of Thrown into the Mob

I almost made light of the plate incident because I’d convinced myself I was doing the wrong thing and going too fast.

“I’m going to kiss you. Is that okay?”

“You're asking permission.”

“Yeah, because we’ve done things the wrong way around and I’m unsure where we stand.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “Ummm, in the kitchen.”

Gods, he was being silly, and I took in deep breaths to steady my nerves, not that it worked. His eyes dropped to my mouth before he grabbed my shirt and yanked me to him. Heat wafted over my face as he slammed his mouth on mine. The heat, his scent, his lips on me made me dizzy and the room spun around.

I craved this man and wanted to rake my nails over him, to shove my tongue down his throat and call him mine. My frantic energy was matched by his as he ran his fingers through my hair and panted how he’d been waiting for this moment. His other hand squeezed my hip while I clutched either side of his face, anchoring him to the floor and to me, as if I was worried he was going to vanish.

He was pressed against the kitchen counter as another wave of heat washed over me. His breath was on my cheek and his nose tucked in beside mine as I tapped my tongue on his lower lip. I relished his taste and scent as he mumbled, “Mmmm.”

I nibbled the lower lip, his mouth parted, and my tongue slid inside. He whimpered and curled his fingers in my hair. When I pulled out, he groaned and shoved his tongue in my mouth. He swirled it around and teased me by flicking my tongue.

With my arousal grinding against him, I wondered if this man had ever experienced being with someone who cared. If this was his first time, I had to be gentle.

Pulling away, I examined the color in his cheeks and what I hoped was longing in those dark eyes.

“Conrad, I want to take you to bed.”

He put a finger to my lips. “There’s no need to ask permission. I’m your mate and I want that too.”

“With me?”

He burst out laughing and slapped my butt. “No, with the guy who sells newspapers downstairs, silly.”

I grinned and nuzzled his neck. “Glad we cleared that up.”

He took my hand. “I even know where the bedroom is.”

I kissed his brow and scooped him up. My big strong dragon shifter who helped me break out of his prison squealed as I kicked the bedroom door closed behind us.

NINETEEN

CONRAD

I was in Madd’s arms with my head resting on his chest and inhaling his intoxicating aroma. But I couldn’t wait until we made it to the bed.

I needed more than just his arms around me. Lifting my head, I peppered small kisses over the delicate skin at the base of his throat. He froze and dug his fingers into me. Rearing my head back, I stared at his dark eyes that were so like the luna noir of his pack name. Goosebumps strutted over my skin as I locked eyes with my mate and slick streamed from my hole.

With both hands draped around his neck, I bit his lower lip, and he yelped. His eyes smoldered, and he squeezed my ass. I tensed, thinking he was going to rip my pants off.

But he placed his lips on my brow and neither of us moved or spoke.

It was a simple gesture and yet so intimate, as if his lips were claiming me, and it calmed the frantic energy bubbling inside me. I was overcome by a powerful emotion, one I’d never experienced before, and I blinked away tears.

In the background, traffic drove past in the street below. But here in the bedroom, we were cocooned away from the world, and it was safe and cozy. My mate’s fluffy sweatshirt tickled my nose, and I stifled a sneeze.

This wasn’t how I imagined our first time, and as much as I loved the tenderness, I ached for passion rather than softness.

“Maybe we should get undressed,” I whispered in his ear as I tried to tamp down my desire.

“That’s the plan.” Madd twisted his head around and bit down hard on the soft part of my ear.

Owww, but also hot. Narrowing my eyes, I took huge gulping breaths because his man had heat simmering in my belly that had nothing to do with me being a dragon shifter.