AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Wrapping her arms around her body, she asked, “And what shall we do in themeantime?”
I grinned. “Sleep, of course.” Standing, I walked around the table and held out a hand. “Come on. You look about ready tocollapse.”
“I am,” Peri whispered, “but I’m afraid to stop researchingtoo.”
“No arguing.” I scooped her up into my arms. To my delight, she twined her arms around my neck and pressed her head against my chest. Carefully, I carried her up the stairs and into the bedroom. Ever so gently, I laid her on the bed for the second time. This time, she pushed the covers back and wiggled under while I watched. Then I bent down and kissed her forehead. “Rest,” Iwhispered.
“Where will you sleep?” she asked almostshyly.
I stepped aside and pointed to the chair and ottoman behind me. “There. Don’t worry. I won’t leaveyou.”
Peri frowned. “Could you sleep here? With me?” There was a pleading look in her eyes. “I feel better with youclose.”
I inhaled deeply. “I understand. I feel the same way.” I studied her face. “Are yousure?”
She nodded happily. “I’ve never been more positive of anything in my wholelife.”
I started toward her. Peri threw the covers back and slid over to make room for me. “I’m not sure if this is going to make you easier or harder to guard,” I joked as I drew her against myside.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m going to sleep better. That’s what counts.” Then she laid her head against my chest and quickly fell asleep, leaving me too much time and quiet tothink.
Mostly, I tortured myself with regrets about my past, the way I tried so hard to fill the void in me with all those women. Inevitably, they’d want more than I could give, since none of them were my mate. Over time, I learned not to give in to the magnetism, ignore their advances because it ended up being more trouble than it was worth. I analyzed all my bad decisions, which stemmed from this need to prove myself and assert my masculinity after years of being bullied growing up. The years had been long and challenging, but as I laid here holding Peri, I was amazed at how quickly the emptiness had disappeared with her near. “I’d be happy simply holding you every night for the rest of our lives,” I whispered into her hair, “but I’m hoping soon, you’ll let me claimyou.”
* * *
Peri
My growling stomach woke me.Mishal was still sound asleep, his arm lazily draped over my hip. The weight of him on my body made me feel happy and safe. Deep inside, there was a contented thrumming which radiated through my abdomen. I’d never experienced anything like this before and I knew it had to mean something. The way Mishal and I couldn’t stop touching, the way we couldn’t stop staring, all this added up to something I wasn’t ready to think about. I’d barely accepted my wiccan abilities. How the hell would I truly cope with being a dragon shifter’smate?
Sure, I’d had a bit of a crush on Devon. Every female who met him was drawn to him thanks to the magnetism. For me, I was attracted to the man who spoiled me, who constantly complimented me, and who made me feel wildly important and attractive. Hell, half the attraction was probably knowing there would be no commitment. We weren’t mates. There was never any doubt about thatfact.
Rolling over, I stared at Mishal, knowing I wouldn’t be able to walk away from this, not now, not ever. The commitment, the responsibility of it had me tense and nervous, while the loss of Devon had me saddened and scared of what my future might hold. Still, I tried to focus on the positive, like the gorgeous beast of a man wrapped around me. He was insanely tall and ridiculously muscular. His features were absolutely god-like with his long straight nose, his chiseled jawline, and his amazing cheek bones. I ached to run my fingers through his hair, but I wouldn’t let myself give in to anything yet. If we couldn’t find the killer, there was a distinct possibility I’d be arrested for Devon’s murder. I’d heard stories about what happened when dragons lost their mates. I’d never risk hurting Mishal in such away.
“What are you thinking?” he asked quietly without even opening hiseyes.
I bit my lip, struggling to come up with an adequate lie to cover my thoughts and feelings. “You’re a bed hog.” I laughed and shrugged. “There.Happy?”
“Well, we’ll have a king-sized bed and it will never be a problem again.” His eyes opened and fixed on myface.
Inhaling sharply, my heart raced as I imagined what the life he hinted at might actually be like. Really, it sounded lovely. I reached up and pressed my hand to his cheek. “Okay,” I whispered, but I couldn’t look him in the eye. His words offered a special kind of hope and though I wanted to hold on with both hands, instead, I pushed him away and hopped out ofbed.
“Where you going?” Mishal propped himself up on his elbow and stared at me, but I swear, I felt like he could see right through my clothes to my naked form beneaththem.
“Bathroom?” My brows rose. Then I turned on my heels and darted inside, shutting the door behind me. My heart beat so erratically, I had no idea how I hadn’t passed out. Staring at myself in the mirror, I noticed my cheeks were pink and I looked alive in a way I hadn’t ever previously. Before I even had a chance to pee, I heard my phone ringing. Flinging the door open, I bounced over to the nightstand, but realized Mishal was already holding it. “Hey!” I grabbed for mycell.
“Hey yourself. Who’s Spencer?” A fire flashed in his eyes and I struggled to hide mysmirk.
“I told you before. He’s the lawyer.” I shrugged and bit my cheek as a giggle bubbled up insideme.
His eyes narrowed. “I think you’re enjoying this a little too much. Answer yourphone.”
My brow rose. “You’re going to try to boss me around one time too many at some point, dragon.” I spun away from the bed and left the room altogether. After skipping down the stairs, I finally answered the cell. “What has you calling on a Sunday, Spencer?” I wrapped my arms around my body mostly because the man gave me the creeps. For some reason, I found him trulyrepulsive.
“I heard Devon died,” he began quietly. “I just checked my records and it looks like he didn’t turn in his will by Friday like Iasked.”
I licked my lips and counted to ten because if I responded immediately, I’d bite his head off. “I’m sorry, Spencer. We were a little busy running the business to drop everything and meet your unnecessarydeadlines.”
“It doesn’t seem so unnecessary now,” he snapped. “Now he has passed and there’s no will. Probate is going to be anightmare.”
