Maddie came up alongside him. “Awe, look babe? It’s you when we met.”
Yeah, Eadric really liked Christmas.
Now for his own mate. He grabbed the two packages for her and took a deep breath. How could he be this nervous? He wasn’t nervous when he’d claimed her. He’d never been nervous a day in his life.
Right now though, holding the boxes, he was unsure of himself. What if she was disappointed? He hadn’t thought of that. Could he disappoint her? Eadric had assumed his entire life would be to protect his brothers, and they expected nothing more than what they all gave.
His mate, he wanted to give her so much more.
Perhaps they should do food first? Would he even be able to eat? Fuck. Is this what a normal man felt like? This would not do.
Eadric looked around. His brothers were all happy, all laughing at the gifts. Little trinkets to remember this somewhat disastrous trip. Maybe it was humorous too. They were bred to fight and had managed that challenge well, and mating had been much more complicated than expected. Fate had a sense of humor.
Fine. He would make sure his mate enjoyed this Christmas.
With gifts in hand he headed over to Lilly while she laughed with Cy who didn’t seem to mind his makeover anymore.
Mate?
She turned, meeting his eyes.
Yes, Eadric?
5
“Come with me,” Eadric said.
One last glance around the magical world, and she followed. Lilly had never seen anything so colorful, or beautiful. Of course she hadn’t. Her father had never celebrated anything. Not even a birthday.
Their mom had made sure to always sing happy birthday. No one knew if the dates were right, though. It was one of the few things she was able to do. But Christmas, it was so much more magical. Lilly never would have guessed that there were twinkle lights and colorful things that went on walls. Strange that you would bring a tree inside, but that was even fun. Everything was.
“Eadric, slow down. Why couldn’t we stay?”
He looked back at her. “We can go back. I just. Well, I had this whole plan.”
A lightness filled her. Not that he didn’t help chase away years of pain and anger and hell, but to feel the pride flowing through him right now gave her a sense of genuine happiness. She didn’t really understand what all he’d done, but she understood this was for her.
Eadric continued through the hall until they got to their room.
“I wanted to give you your gifts, alone. I feel like your very first Christmas gift was too important to share with them.”
Glancing back at the direction of the dining hall, Lilly smiled in memory.
“Eadric, they’re your brothers. I don’t see why they wouldn’t be a part of this.”
Grabbing her close, she let him pull her to him. It felt like they’d been apart for years. How could she miss someone she’d just seen a few hours ago?
“Some moments are not for everyone, this is one,” he said.
Images flooded her mind of him between her legs. Her body heated instantly. She had to focus a million times harder to control her fire in moments like these. Her legs nearly buckled in memory of what he could do to her body.
The excitement of Christmas, though, and the excitement within Eadric pulled her back from her mate’s body. He had something he wanted to give her. Gifts, she’d never truly received a gift. Although, the kindness and generosity of these men, these dragons was like Christmas every day, really.
“Thank you for Christmas, Eadric. This was fun. I don’t remember, but I always thought it was in December. Can we celebrate again?”
She shivered as his lips trailed tingles of pleasure down her neck. Screw getting gifts, she just wanted him.
Turning her head, she met his lips with hers. She’d missed his taste. Slipping her hand between the two of them, she reached down and grabbed the bulge behind his pants. Every day she grew less and less a fan of pants.
The memory of Eadric in that cave, pantless, still made her laugh. If she’d known then, what she knew now, there would have been no stopping her.
“Wait, mate. Not just yet.”
This time it was her turn to flash a few ideas into her dragon's head. He moaned.
“Mate. Calm yourself,” he said through gritted teeth.
He gently guided her backwards to the bed, forcing her to sit down.
“I need to finish my gifts.” He held two boxes in his hand. And if she didn’t know better, she’d swear his hands were a bit shaky? Why?
“Lilly? My mate. I wanted to give you the best memories of your planet. I wanted to share as many human customs with you as possible, before I take you to my home.”
She stopped him. “Our home. This place is nothing but a rock that has given me life. Home is where you are.”
Eadric smiled at her and Lilly knew that she’d suffer all over again to end up in this exact spot. He was worth it.
“Well still. Someone's past is important. It can define us or help us grow. I hope for you it will help you grow. So-”
He knelt in front of her, bringing himself to her level.
“Lillyanna, my first gift is to signify my love for you in your Earth’s way. One to show that you are mine.”
He opened a small box with a beautiful sparkling red stone in the center. The swirls around the gem reminded her of him, of the markings they shared.
Smiling, she held out her hand. It was a ring, she’d seen rings in magazines. You put it on a finger. This was simple enough. It was beautiful though. She’d never seen anything shine like it. The color reminded her of him. Everything about it was Eadric and her.
“I’m already yours and I don’t know how many men would come near me when I have this marking on my stomach, but if this is what humans do, I love it. It’s beautiful.”
She could hear his heart thundering away in his chest.
Eadric? Are you okay?
His eyes met hers as he looked up from the ring.
I thought I would be, but I want to give you the world and it scares me to mess it up.
Reaching her hand out, she cupped his cheek.
“You are my world.”
His hand covered hers before he gently pulled it away.
“This ring, I am told, goes on this finger. I prefer my version of claiming. Earth men aren’t very exciting, are they?”
A heat pooled between her legs. Yes, she preferred his way of claiming as well. But she wouldn’t exactly turn away a beautiful item.
“Thank you, Eadric. I love it.”
His eyes glowed warmly.
“I have one more. It isn’t something you wear this time.”
He handed her a larger box. Pulling the ribbon on top, she slid the lid aside.
Curious. Examining the globe like item, she reached in and pulled it out.
Lilly studied it for a moment and then turned it upside down and then right side up and watched little glittery flakes fall to the ground.
“It’s a little you,” she said.
Reading the inscription, ‘Home is where the dragon is.’ She smiled. Because it was true.
“How did you find a red dragon in a - well, a beautiful little ball?”
Eadric took it from her and gently shook it again.
“It plays a Christmas song and is apparently a decoration of sorts. I don’t pretend to understand this world. Apparently, even though Earth hasn’t known dragons in modern history, we are still a fantasy. The store lady said so. This is called a snow globe.”
Lilly took hold of it again and watched the flakes fall over and over.
“Fantasy?” Lilly mulled the word over and over. There were several meanings thanks to her free time of reading a dictionary on the really slow days in the lab.
“I think she means the world of mythical creatures. But, I would agree you are my fantasy and I don’t mean it in a mythical way.”
Gently she put her snow globe down before she wrapped her arms around Eadri
c’s neck and kissed him.
Mine. She thought as she envisioned claiming him her own way.
He growled and pushed her further back on the bed as he crawled above her, supporting himself on his elbows.
Yours indeed.
His fingers played at the waist of her pants, and her skin dimpled in goosebumps. Her body already excited in anticipation of what was to come. Eadric’s hand brushed her skin as he slowly pulled the fabric down. She kicked at the pants as he neared her ankles.
A shiver chased up her spine as his palms moved up her legs. Closer and closer. Her body waited impatiently until finally, his hands gripped her thighs and pausing. Her nipples tightened under his hungry gaze.
He licked his lips and she let out a small moan as a finger traced along her slit, slowly spreading her as he began to play with her clit.
Moaning in pleasure, she pushed her pelvis up. More. She wanted more.
Grinning against her mouth, he read her mind perfectly and slid another finger into place as he traveled down her slick heat. Down a little further until he slid into her. Her breath caught.
It still wasn’t what she wanted.
I want one more gift for the perfect Christmas.
A vision of her, now, the way he saw her. Eyes closed and her cheeks pink flashed through her mind.
What other gift would make my mate happy?
As he pressed his fingers in deeper, massaging her from the inside, she felt the pressure building and the warmth coiling. He moved his fingers faster until she couldn’t deny a scream of pleasure and her muscles pulled around his fingers.
Was that it? he asked.
She heaved in a breath, trying to form the word asshole. Instead, she found the benefit of their mind connection.
Ass.
He pulled his fingers away and while her body was still limp in sated pleasure; he removed his own pants.
What about my ass?
She didn’t care right now. Lilly wanted to smack him or something, but her arms were rather useless.
A moment later, Eadric slowly crawled up her body to kiss her skin inch by inch, bringing her back down to him. Already, she ached for more of his touch.
What was your last gift for a perfect Christmas? he thought once more.
Running her hands up his arms, over his shoulders, and down his back, she arched into him. His hard length brushed her belly. Need fluttered in her belly.
You. All I want is you.
Moving slightly, he repositioned himself over her, pushing her legs wider with his knees.
Leaning down to kiss her, he paused, whispering in her ear.
“Then it’s me you shall have.”
A moan escaped as he slid his thick length into her.
He pulled back, and her nails dug into his back as she fought the need to cry out.
Her gaze watched his face, watched his eyes slit from human to dragon. Watched as his lips smirked as he quickly thrust forward, surprising her.
Eadric swallowed her next cry as he thrust into her quicker this time. He thrust over and over.
Her body began to tingle, the pressure rebuilding with each thrust. Yes, this was what she wanted. This is what she’d needed. Him. Only ever him.
As she grew closer to the edge, closer to coming, she hooked her legs around his hips, trying to control it, force him to finish her. So close. She was nearly there, again.
Eadric was in her head. He knew the game, and he knew her body better than she did. A few more thrusts and she could barely breathe. There was nothing around her, just feeling. Lilly nearly begged for release, but before her desperation could grow any further, Eadric answered as he slammed into her once more and her body exploded around him, while he spilled into her.
Merry Christmas, Lilly.
Yes. Merry Christmas.
And then she closed her eyes as her dragon folded her into his arms, cradling her as she rode the waves of pleasure running through her body.
COMING SOON!
Book 3: Dragon Wanted
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Coming Soon
Space Dragons Seek Mates
Book 1: Must Love Dragons
Book 2: Single Red Dragon
COMING SOON!
Book 3: Dragon Wanted
Deo wants to save everyone, but what if she doesn’t need saving?
Book 4: Looking for a Good Dragon
Book 5: No Scales Needed
Book 6: Desperately Seeking Dragon
Also by Michelle Ziegler
Do you like fate? Or maybe you're tired of waiting for it. Try Michelle's
Move Over Fate Series
When it Raines, He Purrs
Icing on His Mate
Snowy with a Chance of Mating
About the Author
Michelle's imagination started spilling out onto paper the second she could scribble. Her drawing never improved, but her love affair with words continued and evolved as she became infatuated with one story after another. If life could be written, Michelle would write everyone's ending as a happily ever after.
Michelle grew up in Chicago and later moved to Colorado. Her husband still makes fun of her Midwest accent. She has traded in her engineering degree to raise two little humans and three dogs, and prays she survives it all. Her sanity survives on the pages she writes. As Michelle always says, in a world of serious she writes an escape.
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Dragons Under the Mistletoe Page 3