Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 166(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Holding it together, she guided him through the old town to the second ring of houses. “There. That green door.”
“It will have to be repainted,” Argenis said arrogantly.
“Really? Why?”
“You belong to the silver dragon. Your family is now aligned with me.”
“Is that silly?” she asked.
“Not at all,” he answered before twisting the doorknob and walking inside as if the house belonged to him. After lifting the suitcase inside, he closed the door.
“Mom? I’m home,” Ciel called.
“Ciel?” The thud of something heavy landing on the wooden table preceded the quick footsteps coming toward them.
In just a few seconds, her mother appeared. She paused for a moment at the sight of Ciel in the dragon’s arms. “Are you hurt?”
“I ran into some barbed wire, and I didn’t sleep on the way, but I’m okay. Argenis, you can let me down.”
Slowly, he lowered her feet to the flooring. The protective dragon did not release her, but stood behind her so she could lean against his body. Looking over her shoulder, Ciel thanked him.
Her mother rushed forward to hug her, hesitating for a fraction of a second when Argenis didn’t step back. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, Mom. Argenis had taken remarkable care of me. These scratches came from me freaking out when a dragon flew over me, changed into a person, and talked to me. Did you know there were dragons?”
“Your grandmother tried to tell me about them. I… Um… I thought she had dementia. Since meeting Argenis, I went through her papers and found a… A tome, I think you’d call it. And a bunch of pictures. Your great grandmother’s sister was the mate of a dragon.”
“Khadar, the emerald dragon,” Argenis commented.
“I think that was his name,” Ciel’s mother said in surprise.
“You can look at the history later. Now, you need a shower and sleep. Where is your room?” he asked.
“I can take her there.” Her mother tried to tug Ciel’s arm.
“She is my mate. Have you read that section?” Argenis asked.
Ciel watched her mother’s face and saw the answer. Whatever this tome was, her current condition was detailed inside. She looked back at Argenis to protest and snapped her mouth closed. He would not allow this now.
“I need to get caught up with sleep, Mom. And eat something other than peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”
“I can make you something on the grill. How about a hotdog and some veggies?” her mother suggested with a smile, knowing that was her favorite meal.
“With lots of mustard?”
“Of course. You go get cleaned up. I’ll put a tray outside your room and knock when it’s ready.”
“Thank you, Mom. And thank you for getting help. I don’t know that I would have made it home.”
“You can tell me about it later. For now, push everything out of your head so you can rest.” Her mother stepped forward to press a kiss to her cheek before disappearing back into the kitchen.
“Show me where your room is,” Argenis directed, lifting her back into his arms.
“Down the hall. The second door on the left.”
Ciel had never felt so completely devoid of energy. She couldn’t even hold on to his neck. Somehow, he managed to get them and the suitcase through the doorway.
He sat her on the bed, and she closed her eyes. Able to track his movements with her hearing, she conserved energy. Ciel almost groaned aloud at the sound of the shower in the attached bathroom.
She dragged herself off the mattress and headed for the bathroom. Ciel pulled her torn and bloody T-shirt over her head as she walked. Strong hands gripped the material and pulled it off easily. “I can do it,” she told Argenis.
“If I walk away, you will hurt with need and might drown in the shower. I’d promise to keep my eyes closed, but that won’t happen. Let me unwrap my present,” he coaxed, as he unfastened her jeans.
With sweeping caresses to her skin, Argenis smoothed her clothing, shoes, and socks off. The hungry look on his face told her he did not see all the flaws she did when she looked in the mirror. “Argenis?”
“Daddy.”
“What?”
“It’s time for you to call me Daddy.”
He pulled his shirt over his head and pulled his belt from the loops on his pants. She froze as he wrapped the leather strip around his hand. “You’re not going to spank me, right?” she blurted.
“Definitely. Now? No.”
She opened her mouth to ask another question, but froze as he unzipped his pants and pushed them over his hips. In a few seconds, the most scrumptious collection of manly attractions appeared on a display she wouldn’t forget. Ciel didn’t know where to look. Maybe she’d start with those attractive V-shaped grooves at his hipbones.
Argenis stepped forward and lifted her chin up to close her mouth. “Ditto.” Taking her hand, he led her into the shower.