by Sophie Stern
“As far as I know, Michelle never breathed a word of who you were to Brooke. She only just confided in me recently, to be honest. For years, she just told everyone the father was not interested in being involved, and she left it at that.”
I sigh. “I hate knowing people thought I walked away from Brooke. I would never walk away from her.”
“Hey,” Jessica turns me toward her. “Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks,” she says. “You didn’t know. It’s not your fault. What matters now is that we’re together: all of us, and the future is bright, Matthew.”
She kisses me again and I feel the energy from that kiss soaring through my entire body.
She’s right, and I know it.
The future is bright because the three of us are facing it together: no matter what.
Chapter 8
Jessica
Days pass, and we sink into a comfortable routine. Matthew is incredible. Both Brooke and I are completely enamored with him. The three of us make a trip to Tyrone’s to let him know that Matthew has decided to be a permanent fixture in our lives, and I swear that hard-hearted lawyer actually tears up when we tell him. Good. He gave me a really hard time about letting Matthew get involved. I’m glad he gets to know that he was right. Even when I didn’t think Tyrone was correct about this, he was. He made everything okay, and I will always owe him for that.
He surprises me at the meeting, as well. When we tell Tyrone that Matthew plans to stay on Dragon Isle, he actually offers him a position working with him at his law practice on the island. Matthew and I are both completely blown away by this offer, but Matthew quickly says yes. I mean, what else do you say to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity like that?
Somehow, everything begins to fall into place.
We spend our days together, just the two of us, and the evenings, we spend together as a family. Matthew makes plans to return to the mainland to collect his belongings and finish up a few projects at his job there. Brooke and I will both accompany him, and the little dragon shifter has never been more excited. Each night, she packs and unpacks her bag, eagerly reminding us that she is super grown up and ready for anything she might encounter on our trip.
Before we go, though, we meet with Matthew’s parents, who are shocked, but completely overjoyed to discover that they not only have a grandchild, but that their son is returning to the island he was raised on in order to bring up his own child. Brooke, strangely enough, seems more nervous about having grandparents than she does about having a father, but as soon as Matthew’s mom gives her a cookie, she relaxes instantly and declares that Grandma is her favorite person in the whole world.
Everything is just as it should be, except for one thing.
We haven’t consummated our mating.
It’s a little thing, really, and I mean it’s hard because we have a child around so much of the time. You can’t exactly get down-and-jiggy-with-it when you have to make dinner or help with homework or bath time or do tuck-ins, and by the time the end of the night rolls around, everyone is tired.
Still, I can’t help but feeling a little disappointed. Matthew and I have been intimate many times, but we’ve never actually had sex. We’ve never actually marked each other as mate’s.
There’s a small voice of insecurity in me that whispers it’s because he doesn’t really want this. That couldn’t be true, could it?
Matthew is fantastic, really. He’s sweet and kind and interesting and he’s a wonderful father to Brooke. She absolutely adores having him around all of the time, but me? I’m nervous now. I’m a little bit on edge.
What if he doesn’t actually want me?
What if the understanding that we’re mates wasn’t real?
I wish I had someone I could talk to about this, but I don’t really have anyone I can confide in. Michelle was my very best friend, but she’s gone now. I still miss her so much. Even though we fought, and we both made mistakes, and our relationship had its ups and downs, I miss her. I think part of me will always miss the way we were together.
There was a lot of laughter.
Always.
Now I’m in uncharted territory, though. I’m completely crazy for this dragon man who came home to the island and swept me off my silly feet, but I don’t know how to tell him how I feel. I don’t know how to express to him that I want more, that I need more.
Does Matthew feel this craving the way I do?
The urge to become one with him is driving me crazy. It’s completely overwhelming me, overtaking my every thought. I need more from him than just this comfortable friendship and relationship we’ve settled into. I need the passion. I need it. My inner dragon needs it.
“I’m going to go fly,” I tell him one evening. Tomorrow, we’re leaving the island to make Matthew’s move permanent. We’re going to help him clean out his home and pack up his belongings. We’ll have a moving company come transport his things directly to the island. Tonight, though, I need a little bit of time to myself. I need some fresh air so I can just think.
“Of course,” Matthew says. He kisses me sweetly because that’s what he is: sweet. He’s kind, and who ever heard of a kind lawyer? Certainly not me. He manages to be thoughtful and terribly sexy at the same time. It really is a dangerous combination, and now I know it’s even more important that I go out and shift. I need to be free for a little while.
I need to fly.
Just for a little while.
I head out to the back porch and strip out of my clothes. Folding them, I place them on a little bench. Most dragons shove their clothes in baskets. The entire island is sprinkled with them. Since I’m just coming right home after my flight, leaving my clothing on the porch will work fine.
For a minute, I stand there, just looking at the beautiful jungle that lies before me. One of my favorite things about Michelle’s choice of home is that it’s a mansion on the edge of the village and it backs right up to miles and miles of trees. Oh, there are a couple of close neighbors, but they all pretty much keep to themselves and everyone leaves each other alone.
Even the size of the house is something I could take or leave. Michelle was the one who wanted a giant home to live in: not me. Me? I’m a simple girl. I want to love and be loved. I want to shift and I want to fly, so that’s exactly what I do.
I take off running toward the nearest tree, and then I jump into the air, shifting mid-leap, and I soar into the air. Instantly, I feel my entire body relax. When I’m in my dragon form, I always manage to find peace. Even when things feel hard or scary or difficult, I find a calmness that centers me as soon as I’m able to shift.
This is how I’m supposed to be.
Shifters aren’t meant to be locked up in little houses or tiny bodies. Our spirits are as big as our dragon-selves, and right now, I’m feeling the most wonderful sensation of happiness and comfort. As I soar higher and higher, I feel the wind against my entire body. It’s a lovely feeling.
There’s a flight path I like to take. Sometimes I mix it up, but tonight, I just want to enjoy the same flight I always do, so I head toward the beach and fly low, over the waves of the ocean. The water crashes against my belly and I pull back up to the heavens.
Yes, I know I shouldn’t fly so close to the water. It’s not safe, after all, but I can’t quite help myself. I need to do something a little bit wild, a little bit dangerous, before I start to feel like my life is settling into a routine I can’t quite manage.
I’m worried, I realize.
I’m worried Matthew doesn’t want me anymore.
I’m worried he’s changed his mind about us.
I’m worried, and I don’t like to feel worried.
After a lap around the island, I return back to the house. I drop in the backyard and shift back, but before I can walk back up the porch steps and grab my clothes, I notice Matthew sitting outside on the porch.
“You look beautiful in the moonlight,” he tells me.
“Matthew?” I squeak out in a tiny
voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Brooke is at my parents’ house for the night,” he says. “I think it’s time you and I spent a little bit of time alone together. Don’t you?”
“What are you saying?” I ask. Suddenly, my heart soars, and I realize that maybe all of my wild emotions were out of place.
“I’m saying that I’m sorry we haven’t had more time just the two of us,” he says. “I’ve been so excited to see Brooke that I’m worried I neglected you.”
Is this guy for real?
What kind of guy pays attention like that?
“You haven’t neglected me,” I tell him. “But I have been feeling a little down.”
“Because we haven’t had our moment yet.”
It’s not a question.
He just knows.
“Because we haven’t had our moment yet,” I confirm. I laugh lightly, shaking my head. “I have no idea how this whole thing is supposed to work, Matthew. I’ve never had a true mate before. I’ve just been making this all up as I go along, and I’m worried I’m not doing a very good job of it.”
“Jessica,” his voice deepens, and I look up at him. “You’re doing an incredible job. You know that, right? You had to face Michelle passing away all on your own, baby. You had to be there for Brooke even when you were hurting more deeply than I could possibly imagine. You did all of that without any help from anyone. You shouldn’t be worried, sweetheart. You should be proud.”
Then, just when I think my heart can’t swell any more, he kisses me. Matthew brings his mouth to mine, and he glides his tongue over my lips. He’s sweet, and gentle, but he holds me firmly against his body as he deepens the kiss. He lets me know, silently, that he’s in control of this moment.
He lets me know without words that he’s not going to let me down.
Not now.
Now ever.
Not when it comes to us.
“Jessica,” he whispers. The he picks me up and instead of going into the house, like I expect, he carries me toward the trees.
“Where are we going?” I ask quickly, looking around, but he just chuckles.
“Don’t you worry about that, princess. Don’t you worry one bit.”
Chapter 9
Matthew
Jessica hasn’t been herself the last few days, and I’m worried it’s my fault. I haven’t been there for her as much as I should have been. I haven’t been the supportive, caring man she needs. Instead, I’ve been overwhelmed with learning how to be a father and figuring out how my new job is going to work. I haven’t been paying her as much attention as she needs, and I can see the stress she’s been feeling.
It wasn’t until Jessica went for her flight tonight that I realized she felt unwanted.
Brooke was actually the one who pointed out. The fact that my six-year-old daughter had to tell me how to be a mate is embarrassing enough, but knowing that Jessica was hurting and I had no idea is devastating to me.
She’s going to fly. Jessica only goes to fly at night when she’s feeling sad. Why is Jessica sad, Daddy?
It hit me like a ton of bricks. Jessica and I have been intimate. We’ve kissed and touched and explored, but we haven’t truly bonded to each other the way a dragon is supposed to. We haven’t had that moment of intimacy where we feel our hearts merge into one.
We haven’t because I’ve had so many other things to do that I’ve neglected the most important person I’ve ever met in my life. I haven’t been there for Jessica, and that breaks my heart. I know tonight isn’t going to erase the pain I’ve caused her, but I plan to spend the rest of my life making things up to her.
I plan to spend the rest of my life worshipping her body, taking care of her, loving her.
I’m going to spend the rest of my life adoring her.
Luckily, my parents were overjoyed at the request to babysit Brooke on short notice. My mother actually squealed with delight when she found out she was going to get to spoil her granddaughter for an entire night. Even though I’ve only been a father for a short time, I’m already worried about how much sugar my mother is going to shove into the little dragon child.
Whether or not my mother gives my child cavities tonight, I’m lucky that Brooke is safe and protected and cared for this evening while I make sure that Jessica is also safe and protected and cared for.
I carry Jessica into the jungles of Dragon Isle. This area is really more of a forest, actually, while the areas in the center of the island are solidly jungle. There are some places on Dragon Isle you can only access if you fly, which is one of the most wonderful things about being a dragon here, of all places. When you’re a dragon on Dragon Isle, you can fly anywhere you like. Other shifters aren’t banned from living on the island, but this haven was created specifically for dragons. Some shifters on the island live off in caves in the middle of the jungle, while others have built incredible mansions on different parts of the island.
Tonight, I’m going to show Jessica just how wonderful being mated to a dragon can really by.
Tonight, I’m going to show her she’s mine.
Now and forever.
“Where are you taking me?” She whispers.
“You’ll see.”
“How very mysterious.”
“Jessica, you’re important to me. You know that, don’t you?”
“I know, Matthew.”
“I feel like I really let you down this week.”
She shakes her head. “It’s okay, Matthew. You don’t need to feel bad.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, love. I shouldn’t have gotten distracted. I should have put you first. Instead, I was thinking about work and moving and all of these other things, and I forget about the most important thing of all.”
“What’s that?” She whispers, and I look down at Jessica. I’m still walking deeper into the woods, but despite the darkness, I can clearly see her face. One of the perks of shifter-sight, I suppose. I can see the way she looks up at me with hope in her face, with light in her eyes. She’s the most beautiful, most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.
I can’t wait to show her exactly how I feel.
“How you’re the most wonderful thing to ever happen to me, Jessica. I never thought mates were real, and even if they were, I never thought I’d find one. You proved me wrong, baby. You proved me wrong.”
I stop walking, and she peeks to see where we are.
“Oh, Matthew,” she whispers.
We’re in the center of a clearing. There’s a large blanket spread over the soft grass, along with a bottle of wine and several pillows.
“What is all this?” She asks, and I lay her down in the center of the blanket. She’s still naked from her flight, still completely bare, and she looks more beautiful than she ever has in her life.
“Jessica,” I whisper, kneeling beside her. “I may not be the best man in the world. I’ve already made many mistakes, and I promise you I’ll make many more, but I will always try. I will try to get better, try to improve, and try to impress you every day of your life. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met, and you make me want to be a better man. I don’t promise things will always be smooth or easy for us, baby. I can’t promise you that, but I can promise you that no matter what happens, I will always be there for you. I will always take care of you, and I will always love you. Jessica, will you be my mate?”
I can smell her tears before I see them, but she nods her head as she looks up at me.
“Yes,” she whispers. “Yes, of course, Matthew. Of course.”
She reaches for me, and I pull Jessica back into my arms. I wrap myself around her and I just hold her for a very long time.
This.
This moment is what being true mates is all about.
This moment is what having someone to love and to cherish is all about.
It’s not about the ceremony or the social prestige or impressing people.
It’s about taking care of someone very special for t
he rest of your life.
It’s about loving someone so completely that it hurts.
She looks up at me and kisses me, and I kiss Jessica back eagerly, hopefully. I kiss her with the fervor of a man who has made mistakes, but who knows he’s being given a second chance. I kiss her like I’m not going to screw this up a second time because I’m not. Jessica is incredible, and I know I don’t deserve her love, but I’m going to try to earn it anyway I can because she’s the most amazing dragon on the entire damn island.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you, Matthew.”
Chapter 10
Jessica
He’s wearing too many clothes.
All I can think as we kiss is that he’s wearing too many clothes and I don’t like it.
Shouldn’t there be a rule that says dragon mates need to be naked at all times?
Shouldn’t there be some sort of policy that dictates the proper attire for mates?
I think so.
I’ll have to talk to the clan leader, Emerson, about getting something set up. Emerson has been mated for a long time. Surely he’ll agree with me about partners not wearing clothes.
As Matthew kisses me, I tug on his shirt and pants. Despite the lust-filled haze that clouds my mind, I manage to undress him somehow. Maybe I just tore off his clothes. I’m not sure. Either way, it’s only a few minutes before he’s naked on his back, and I’m hovering above him.
I look down at him for a long minute.
He’s beautiful, really. He’s got bright eyes and a lovely smile. His skin is lighter than mine. It’s smooth and soft. His abs are hard and toned: one of those genetic perks to being a shifter.
And then there’s everything lower than that.
There’s everything I want.
Matthew is still as I run my hands over his front. I touch every inch of him here. My hands move of their own accord to his nipples, his belly button, and his abs. I touch and stroke and rub as much as I want. Soon, he’s making little moaning noises that are starting to drive me crazy.