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Chapter 11
“That lion has a thing for you.” Gage said nonchalantly without a hint of jealousy.
We strolled through the forest, having left behind the pride a while ago.
“So does the tiger. Saw the way they both stared at you, stripping you with their gazes.”
I glared at Gage, who had his hands stiff by his side, not ready to deal with emotions when technically I was pushing everyone aside until I fixed my problems.
“Are you jealous again?”
“Again? Honey, I’ve been watching men devour you with their eyes since I first met you years ago, and this isn’t jealousy, but admiration. I’d give anything to watch the lion or tiger take you. But you’re still mine.”
“What?” I slapped his arm while he reached down and adjusted his package. “Are you getting off on this?” It never occurred to me he’d enjoy watching me with other men. The concept seemed foreign because maybe this whole time I’d misunderstood his protectiveness for jealousy. Was he into swinging with other couples because, while I’d never contemplated it, now it tickled me inside.
“If we were dating, it wouldn’t bother if you if I slept with another man?”Or two?
“No, but it would have to be someone who adored and worshipped the ground you walked on like I do.” He grinned as his eyes glazed over. “Do you even understand how fucking sexy you are? Those gorgeous curves and that ass. You’re on my mind every day. I want to claim you, make you scream out my name until you forget everything else.”
There was that word again.Claim. I loathed what the witch and gargoyle had done, keeping me in the tower against my will, yet for these powerful men stating they want to take me as theirs, I only melted in response. I yearned for them to assert themselves over me in ways that would stimulate me to no end.
You’ve got one twisted mind.
“Yep, that’s me.” I shook my head. “Anyway, don’t say shit like that, Gage.”
“Why? Turning you on too much?” he teased.
I bit down on my cheek and sauntered ahead while Gage laughed. He always pushed his limits, and the scary part was that I loved it. Like the time he’d insisted on making love to me on a thick branch up in the tree where he’d had his house built. Sure, the tree was encased in a thick canopy of leaves, making it was close to impossible that anyone would see us, but he had neighbors in other trees. It had terrified me at first, but once we’d started, I hadn’t been able to stop, loving the idea that we might get seen.
“Knew it,” he said. “You want it so bad.” He jogged up behind me as we entered the ruins and headed toward the tower, then he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. “Come on, Elliana. Admit you’re dying to scream with an orgasm, for me to fuck you.” He licked his lips and already his sexy eyes hooded.
I gasped for air, catching my balance as his grin agitated my libido in all the right ways, but I also didn’t want to lead him on. “Don’t think so.” I wrestled free from his grip and recoiled backward, but my heel caught on a rock, and I stumbled, my arms pinwheeling.
He moved with such swiftness, he might as well have been the wind. His arm swooped under my back, catching me, but instead of bringing me back up, he fell to his knees and laid me onto my back in the lush grass rustling around us. He joined me, his body against my side, his head rested on a bent elbow.
“Damn, that was smooth.” I laughed, and he blew on his bent fingers before rubbing them across his chest.
The moon’s halo reflected in his green eyes, and I had no intention of getting up when arousal drove through me unannounced and ready for explosion.
“Elliana.” He whispered my name on the wind and brushed away a leaf caught on my sleeve. “Do you want to be with me?”
“Of course!” No hesitation. “But—”
“No.” His fingers crossed my mouth. “Tonight we are free. No restrictions. Nothing. Just us two.”
I adored that so much, and I smiled, giving him a slight nod. I longed for the time when every day I could do whatever I pleased.
The overgrown grass swayed, rustling, concealing us. My breaths picked up speed being so close to Gage, having his gaze swallow me. He had always been there for me, never pushed me away, even after I’d walked away from our relationship. With the prospect of Kahlo’s help, part of me toyed with letting down my walls, with finally falling into Gage’s arms and allowing myself to believe a blissful future was possible.
Reed’s words swirled in there too about him claiming me, and it excited me to have two incredible men desire me. Unsure how this would work out, I thought back to Gage’s comment about watching me have sex with another shifter. Was that just a fetish thing or him willing to share?
Yeah, because the lion will share! And oh, what the hell are you waffling about? Focus on the mission. Eradicate the gargoyle, then go all sex-crazy.
But with Gage’s thumb caressing my collarbone, thinking straight seemed too hard. What could I offer him if tomorrow I found freedom? For so long I’d craved escape, but now that I might gain liberty, fear squeezed in my mind. What would my future entail? What if I couldn’t stop the dread from owning me? Could I be normal? And it terrified me that such a simple concept seemed foreign. I’d lost part of myself so long ago. So who was I?
“Why didn’t you tell me about you not turning into a real dragon until you found your true mate?” I asked.
His eyes wandered to the field momentarily and the corners of his mouth tightened. “What difference would it have made? I didn’t want you to feel pressured or responsible. The love must be real for it to work.” He rolled onto his back alongside me and stared up into the speckled night sky.
