Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“He’s a monkey?” Monroe’s shrug almost had Lorne going flying and the troublemaker giggled as his body was tossed around. “He’s a monkey that needs to hold on better.”
The giggles that were still escaping from the smiley little said he had no plans on promising that anytime soon. “But you got me, Daddy Monroe.”
Technically, Monroe did have one hand behind him on what I was assuming was the monkey’s bottom, but I wasn’t sure that was enough. “I should not have to point out how dangerous this is.”
Lorne rested his head on Monroe’s shoulder. “Hi. Daddy Monroe said you’re my mates and that you like privacy and that you don’t mind that I’m sparkly.”
“He’s correct.” When I left my answer at that, Monroe laughed.
“So chatty. Invite us in.” Monroe jostled Lorne to get another giggle out of him. “We need to help monkey find his phone. He lost it.”
That was not a shocking revelation.
“I don’t know where it went, but Daddy Monroe found my wallet.” Lorne patted Monroe’s head before smiling back at me. “I didn’t realize how helpful mates were going to be.”
Or he’d have looked for us sooner?
I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer to that question, though, so I kept it to myself. “Please, come in.”
Lorne turned his head and whispered to Monroe as he gave me a curious stare that seemed to be radiating displeasure. “Is he just being magey?”
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but Monroe shook his head, able to translate the question without too much thought. “He’s the type of Dom who likes plans and knowing what’s going to happen next. We surprised him and he doesn’t know what to do.”
“Oh.” Lorne seemed to think that made perfect sense and the negative bubble that’d been building around him popped like a balloon. “That makes sense. Daddy Monroe said you’re my mates and he said I could climb him like a tree. He didn’t break your privacy at the diner, even though that was really hard, and I even told Alick to tell Kenzie that I couldn’t tell him about us having sex or anything like that. I’ll respect your limits.”
Having mates was turning out to be more difficult than I’d expected.
I wasn’t going to say it was because they were dragons…but they were dragons.
“Thank you for respecting my limits on privacy.” That seemed like the best place to start since he was doing his best to think of me. “I know that’s not typical for the local culture, but I spent several years living with conventional humans.”
Blaming it on them always made everyone happy, and when Lorne nodded along like it made perfect sense, part of me relaxed. “Okay, we need to make sure I know what’s private and what isn’t and what I can just tell Kenzie, Alick, Mr. Librarian, Boyd, and Kenzie’s Daddy Talon. Did I miss anyone?”
That question seemed to be aimed at Monroe but we both shrugged, getting a sigh from Lorne. “Well, we can start there and I’ll figure out if I lost anyone later.”
Considering how often he lost things, that was probably a good idea.
“I’m going to need some time to evaluate my limits.” There was no reason to beat around the bush with that. “My first response was to say everything is private, but I know that’s not reasonable.”
Lorne’s eyes went wide, and somehow he ended up leaning so far over Monroe’s shoulder he almost fell. The ridiculous dragon laughed as he caught Lorne and set him on his feet. “No crashing, monkey.”
Pretending my heart hadn’t nearly leapt out of my chest, I raised one eyebrow and glared at both of them. “If he’s getting a mark on his body, it better be from me putting it there and not you dropping him.”
Monroe was still snickering but Lorne stepped closer and looked at me like I’d just become more interesting. “Everyone said you’d be nice to me.”
I had a feeling everyone meant most of the town, but I ignored that as I nodded. “Yes.”
He stepped closer, clearly attracted to something I’d said or done. “Then what kind of marks would you give me?”
Well, at least he hadn’t immediately thought I’d beat him.
“To begin with, I’m going to say that I will always respect your limits. Primarily because it’s the right thing to do, and secondly because you’re a fucking dragon and can eat me in one bite.” Somehow mages always seemed to forget they were adorable carnivores and not just pets.
Lorne beamed and wiggled excitedly. “Two or three bites, but yes, I’m very dangerous.”
It had to be the smiles that confused mages because while he was cheerful, Lorne wasn’t wrong.
“That’s good to know.” Information was always useful in one way or another. “With that out of the way, I would mark your ass and thighs primarily. I’m a Dom and I lean toward impact play.”