Chapter Twenty-Three
Constance was at a loss. Nic was holding the most gorgeous necklace she’d ever seen. It reminded her of the one she’d given him, the one she’d found at the estate sale with the statues. But where that one had been silver with emeralds, this one looked to be platinum and was set with exquisite rubies.
“I don’t understand.” Why was he offering her this priceless piece of jewelry? “Drakon tears? You said the other necklace was made of drakon tears, and so were the eyes of the statues.”
He sat before her looking so big and gorgeous and radiating such sadness she wanted to wrap her arms around him. But he’d already sent her away, kicked her out of his life once. She couldn’t go through that again. No matter how deeply her feelings ran. She had too much self-respect. Plus, there was the whole he’s immortal and she’s human thing.
Nic held the shimmering necklace in his large hands. “A drakon only cries when his heart is breaking.” He looked straight at her, his black eyes like polished onyx. “A drakon only cries for love.”
“Are these yours?” She tentatively reached out and touched her finger to one of the rubies. “From when you were a child?” When he frowned, she added, “Because of what happened with your mother?”
“No.” He let the platinum chain and the dozens of gemstones slide through his fingers. “These tears are yours.”
“Mine?” She didn’t understand.
“After I’d sent you away, I finally admitted I was a coward. I was so afraid of getting hurt again that I let you go. Only problem was I hurt even worse when you left.”
He’d cried. For her.
Her heart began to race, and her hands became clammy. She was glad she was sitting down, because she was rather lightheaded.
“In four thousand years, I’ve cried twice.” He looped the chain in his hands and then settled it over her head. It was so long it went around three times. “When my mother sent me away and I was on my own.” He adjusted the strands so they hung like a waterfall around her neck. “And when I sent you away.”
The metal was cool against her skin, but when she touched one of the rubies, it was warm. The necklace was priceless. Not because of the flawless stones and expensive metal. No, it was beyond price because Nic had given it to her, because it was made from his tears.
“It’s the most special gift I’ve ever received.” She wanted to keep it so badly but knew she couldn’t. She started to remove it, and he stopped her.
“You don’t like it?” His expression was blank, but she was very aware of the immense hurt simmering beneath the mask.
“I love it. It’s perfect.” It was a symbol of emotional honesty. He’d laid himself bare. She could do no less. “But you should keep it.”
“It’s yours.” There was a sense of finality to his words. She knew he would never take the necklace back. A part of her was fiercely glad.
“Thank you.” She played with the strands of platinum. “So—” She blew out a breath. “Where does this leave us? You’re still immortal, and I’m human. Even if we had a relationship, it would be short-lived. I’ll age, and you’ll eventually move on.” It hurt to even think about Nic with another woman, but it was best to be realistic about their situation.
“Is that what you believe?”
“It’s the truth.” She released the chain and put her hands against his face. He’d taken a risk and come to her. Could she do any less for him? She loved him. No amount of time would change that. But regret…well, that would be a bitch to live with if she didn’t take a chance.
“But I’m game if you are. I don’t know if you’re looking to hang around a few days, a few weeks, months, or years, but I’m in.”
“Because of the necklace?” Something about his tone had her leaning away from him.
“Yes, because of the necklace. Not because of its value, even though it’s probably worth a fortune, but because of the honesty it represents. You really want me.”
“Yes.”
“Then that’s good enough for me.” She’d make it enough. Nic was offering her an opportunity for happiness. Maybe it wasn’t long term, but she’d learned that life didn’t come with guarantees and you had to take your happiness where you found it.
She leaned in and kissed him, releasing all the pent-up emotion, all the anger, and sadness, and disappointment she’d kept bottled inside this past week. He groaned and dragged her out of the chair and onto his lap, roaming his hands up her back and over her shoulders and arms. She snuggled as close to him as she could get, absorbing his strength and his heat. She inhaled his unique hot, woodsy scent.
All the tension inside her slowly bled away, leaving behind a healing balm that began to mend all the heartbreak inside her.
She had never been in love before but knew no other man would be able to compete with what she felt for Nic. This was it for her. She either took what she could get or she lost the opportunity forever.
Their breath mingled, their tongues battled for supremacy before finding a rhythm where they both came out on top. They were both breathless when they pulled apart. Nic slowly smiled and brushed her hair away from her face. “Constance,” he began.
She grabbed a handful of his shirt and yanked him closer. “No. No talking. Not now.” She didn’t want to discuss the future, one where he might be gone and she’d be alone. She wanted to bask in the now, the feel of his hard arms wrapped around her, the press of his thick erection against her stomach, the smell of his heated skin, the sight of his beloved face, and the heavy thump of his heartbeat against her chest.
He nodded and pushed to his feet with her still in his arms. The man was enormously strong, but he wasn’t just a man. Nic was her drakon, part man and part dragon. He was unique, and at least for now, he was hers.
…
Nic knew Constance didn’t truly believe him, didn’t understand what he wanted from her. He knew she thought their time together would be short, and she still opened her arms to him.
For now, that was enough. They’d talk more later. Now, he wanted to love her.
She ran her fingers over his nape. “Are you okay?” she asked as he carried her into her bedroom. The genuine concern in her voice gutted him. He’d driven her away, been purposely cruel about it, and yet here she was worried about him.
He was beyond talking, so he kissed her. He pressed his lips against hers and took them both down onto her bed. She made a small sound in the back of her throat and slid her fingers into his hair, holding him to her. He loved her aggressiveness, how she showed him what she wanted.
He spread one hand over the side of her face and deepened the kiss. Their tongues stroked and teased. The creature that resided inside him seemed at peace for the first time since he’d watched her walk away from him.
The urge to claim her was overwhelming.
He went to work on her clothing while he was still kissing her. He gripped the neckline of her top and ripped. He ignored her gasp and found the fastener of her bra and unhooked it. Bare skin met his fingers, and he groaned. She arched into his hand when he cupped one of her breasts. The gemstones of the necklace he’d given her glowed against her pearly white skin.
Constance was open and giving.
She was perfect.
She was his.
He nibbled on her bottom lip and then spread kisses down her jaw and neck. “Nicodemus.” She said his name and tugged at his shirt. He reared back long enough to yank it off.
She laughed, the sound vibrating through him. “You seem to be in a hurry,” she pointed out. She was teasing him, and he loved it.
“Whatever gave you that idea?” He opened his mouth over the tip of her breast and took the pert nipple inside. She sucked in a breath and moaned.
“What idea?” she muttered, making him smile.
She ran her hands over his shoulders and back, stroking his skin. He loved her touch. He wanted to lie in bed for hours and let her stroke him. Whether she knew it or not, she had the power to tame both man and beast.
“You’re always so warm.” She pressed her hands against his skin.
“Hot. I’m hot.”
She started to laugh, but it turned into a groan when he flicked her nipple with his tongue. “You are hot.” She licked her lips. “What about the necklace?”
“Leave it.” He wanted to see her wearing his gift when they made love.
He worked his way down her ribs and unfastened the button of her jeans before lowering the zipper. She was wearing plain white panties. He’d never seen anything quite so sexy.
He pushed his hands beneath the fabric and caressed her soft skin before shoving her jeans down her thighs. He could smell her arousal. It made his skin prickle, almost like it did when he was about to shift to his dragon form.
“I love your tattoo,” she murmured, tracing her finger over one of the swirls.
Here was a moment for truth. “All drakons have one. The colors signify what kind of drakon we are.”
“That’s why Dent wanted to know?”
He didn’t want to talk about the Knights. Not when she was touching him. It seemed like forever since they’d made love. He managed to get the rest of her clothes off in a flurry. If he didn’t get inside her soon, he was going to disgrace himself. It had been one hell of a long week.
“I missed you.” His voice was low and guttural. The fire within him burned hot and bright. He would protect this woman with every breath in his body. Never again would he be parted from her.
“Oh, Nic.” He forced himself to look up into her beautiful eyes. “I missed you, too. So much.”
He surged over her and captured her lips. She clung to his biceps, digging her nails in. She parted her legs wider, inviting him inside. He reached between them and managed to get his pants undone. His cock surged free from the tight fabric. He guided it into her waiting heat. He wanted to go slow, planned to take his time. Instead, he drove forward like a battering ram. She gasped but didn’t stop him. No, his Constance wrapped her legs around his flanks and urged him closer.
Stars burst behind his eyes. That was the only explanation he had for being as lightheaded as he was. Every sense was magnified. The puff of her breath on his cheek. The hot clasp of her inner muscles around his shaft. The light perfume from her lotion and soap mixed with the unique scent of her arousal. The small gasp and tiny moan of pleasure.
Nic knew he was as close to heaven as he’d ever be.
Then she moved. It was only the slightest adjustment in her position, but it sent him over the edge.
…
Constance was surrounded by Nic. His hard body was levered over her. His silky black hair was damp from perspiration and hung in his face. His eyes seemed to glow. His tattoos seemed more vibrant than ever.
Nic was really here, in her bed, with her. Maybe she was crazy to open herself up to such hurt again, but she didn’t care. She loved him. Being in his arms, having him touch her felt right.
The necklace he’d given her seemed extra warm against her skin. It was strangely erotic to be making love to him naked but for the priceless chain of rubies wrapped around her neck.
Their bodies moved together in a dance as old as time. The bedsprings creaked under their combined weight. The headboard smacked against the wall each time he thrust. She tightened her legs around him and held on.
His eyes glowed, and he growled. The man was magnificent.
“Don’t let go,” he whispered in her ear.
“Never,” she promised. She knew his request went beyond their time together in her bed. Right now, she’d promise him anything.
He unhooked one of her legs from around his hips and pushed it up and out, opening her to his touch. He rolled his hips when he stroked forward, rubbing her clit. The intense pleasure made her shake.
“Come for me.” He picked up the pace, going even faster.
She tilted her head back and cried out. Heat erupted low in her belly and spread outward through her body.
“Mine,” he uttered the single word. His roar filled the room. His cock rippled inside her. He plunged deep one final time before his entire body went rigid.
Nic rolled them both onto their sides and wrapped his arms around her, their bodies plastered together. He rubbed his chin over the top of her head. “I really missed you.”
“You were the one who sent me away,” she reminded him. The long strands of the necklace had settled back between her breasts. She lifted a length of the chain and studied it. The gems were a tangible reminder of his commitment to her.
“I was an idiot.” His blunt reply surprised a laugh from her.
“So what do we do now?” She didn’t want to bring up the obvious problem but knew she couldn’t let it rest. “I’m human. You’re not.”
She placed a hand over his beating heart. “I have maybe five or six decades. And that’s only if I live a really long time.” She traced the swirls of his tattoos over his chest. She didn’t want to think about growing old and leaving him. Not to mention she’d age while he’d still be young and hot.
He tilted her face back. “You’re forgetting one thing.”
“What?”
“I’m a drakon. My blood will keep you young.”
She scowled. “I’m not going to drink your blood to stay young.”
“You’d rather leave me?”
Put like that, it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. “I don’t want to use you, don’t want you to think I’m with you because you can keep me young. I don’t want to be like the Knights of the Dragon.”
“You could never be like them. This is a gift I offer freely to you.
…
When she hesitated, Nic’s heart sank. “What do you need from me? Tell me, and it’s yours.” He’d do anything, give her anything within his power to give.
She shook her head. “If I have to tell you, then it doesn’t count.”
Oh God, this was one of those strange women things. One a man didn’t stand a chance of winning. But he had to win. He couldn’t lose her. Not now.
“I’m offering you everything I have, everything I am.”
She caught his face in her hands. They were much smaller than his, but they were strong and capable. Fierce in the defense of those she loved. “I want you to love me, you idiot. The same way I love you.”
That was it. She didn’t want his wealth or the power that came with it. She wanted something that had no monetary value but had the power to move the world.
He lifted the strands of the necklace he’d given her. “This is tangible proof of my love,” he reminded her. “I need you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Those four words rocked him to his soul. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to hearing them. “That’s all that matters. Everything else we can work out given time. I have so much to tell you, so much to share.”
“And I want it all.” She kissed him then, sealing their bond forever.
Both their pasts were behind them, and they had a bright future ahead.
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