Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“I know that already,” Eira grumbled again, letting him know he was too late telling her that as well.
“Okay, well, good. That should be it, then,” Ryu confirmed, like a weight had been lifted … almost. “I think.”
Eira couldn’t help but laugh at him, knowing he wasn’t capable of being malicious toward her. He was right; even if Ryu had been alive since the dawn of time, nothing would matter with the pull they felt between each other.
Twisting his hand in hers, she was reminded of the longing that coursed through her body and the words his father had told her earlier.
The pain you are causing him, Eira, is cruel.
She noticed the flex in his jaw just by the simple action, which did let her know it was true.
For the first time, Eira was the one to initiate intimacy between them. Kissing him passionately, she pushed at his chest until he backed up to the bed. When she gave him a harder shove, he took the hint and fell back down on top of it.
With him now eye level with her, her fingertips slowly went to the buttons of her top.
Ryu was so captured by her beauty that it wasn’t until she had released three of the small gold buttons and got an eyeful of the tops of her breasts that he noticed she was undressing. If he let her undo just one more button, he was certain they would splay free, and then he’d no longer be certain that he could stop her.
He grabbed her hands to cease her from going further, and his voice came out hoarse, making it sound much harsher than he had intended. “What are you doing?”
“What do you think I’m doing?” she asked, shooing his hands away in an attempt to continue.
“As much as I’d love to,” Ryu grumbled painfully, capturing her hands in a loving but tighter grip, “I know you’re not ready yet.”
“I am.” She tried her best to convince him, and when she wasn’t sure it had worked, she swept his mouth up in a fervent kiss, hoping it would make him forget.
He kissed her back for only a moment before Ryu’s wits returned. Rising back to his feet, he put distance between them. “What’s going on, Eira?”
“I-I-I thought this is what you wanted?” she asked, confused.
“It is, but not if you’re not ready,” he assured her gruffly before his tone turned sweet. “My only desire is to have you willing and wanting it as much as me.”
Eira slumped down again, defeated. “Sorry.”
“You do not need to apologize.” He grabbed her face, rubbing his thumb over the burns on her cheek. “I just don’t understand where this came from all of a sudden.” He was just as confused.
“I-I just thought it was something I was supposed to do, is all.” She decided to keep the reason why to herself.
“I would never ask you to do anything you do not want to do, Eira. I apologize if I made you think otherwise. I know moving here and changing your whole life are things I might have expected from you, but you do have free will, and I will no longer make you feel otherwise.”
She knew he meant every word. The relief that flooded her brought her to tears. It hadn’t even been a full day, and she hated it here, wanting nothing more than to go back home. And now, she didn’t have to hide it.
“I don’t think I belong here, Ryu,” she whispered truthfully.
“Oh, Eira,” he crooned, wiping up the fallen tear. Then, when she continued to sob uncontrollably, he held her close to his chest. “You would not be my fated mate if you didn’t.”
She tried to get her words out through the harsh sobs, but it took a moment, afraid he wouldn’t actually let her. “Can … I … go … back … home?”
“You can.” He nodded. “But could you give me just one more day? And then, if you still want to leave, I’ll fly you back home tomorrow night … Is that a deal?”
Eira sniffled, already feeling lighter. “Deal.” Flying in the clutches of his dragon form again didn’t sound like fun, but she’d gladly do it to get back home.
Just one more day. She smiled before letting out a big yawn. Today had been long, and it was starting to catch up with her.
“I almost forgot.” Ryu reached into his pocket for the small vial that was supposed to help her dreams. “One drop.”
“P-Please, can I-I go?” she pleaded, fearing what her future might hold from this moment forward.
Lucca stared down at her, bringing his hand up close to her face. “I don’t think you understand.”
Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. She desperately wanted to close her eyes, but his wouldn’t let her, forcing her to remain looking up at him.