Sylvie woke up relaxed and energized at the same time, wondering what had just happened between her and the sexy dragon she’d unwittingly brought into the shower.

She blinked as she looked around the nicest room she’d ever stayed in, still a bit unable to believe she was here to stay.

Or was she?

Well, at least for now she was. And after a couple great orgasms and a nap, she was ready to do some more exploring. She wasn’t someone who could just sit in her room for long.

She pulled on a pair of comfy black yoga pants and a white tank, plus a soft gray hoodie that zipped in front. She ran a hand through her curls in the mirror, swiped on some lip-gloss from a cosmetic kit she’d found in one of the bathroom drawers, and smiled at her reflection.

She wasn’t sure exactly why she was putting in effort, but she felt like it for some reason.

She left the room with pep in her step and headed upstairs, listening for the sound of voices.

When she didn’t see anyone, she walked toward the kitchen, following the delicious aroma of spices.

Chromium was there, white hair bound back in a low ponytail as usual, huge form bent over a cutting board as he trimmed some sort of meat and rubbed spices over it. He had an apron tied around his waist, and when he turned to greet her with a small smile, she thought any apron would look comically small on this giant.

All of them were giants. She didn’t think she’d realized it until Cobalt had been kneeling in front of her, sucking her off.

Chromium jumped slightly, then put his hand to his mouth, and she realized he’d cut himself. She rushed forward, setting the knife aside and taking his hand in hers.

“Are you okay?” She turned his hand over and looked up to see him flushing deeply at her, the red clearly visible on his pale, clear skin. His creamy, light-jade eyes were wide for some reason, and he slowly pulled his hand back.

“I’m fine.”

She released him, wondering why he looked as though she’d said something embarrassing. “We should get a bandage on that.” She glanced at the deep cut, which was still welling with blood.

“No,” he said in that soft, plainspoken way he had of communicating with as few words as possible. She’d found it comfortable to be around him since first meeting him, probably because he reminded her a lot of the fighters she’d hung around with. All action, few words, and just cool to chill with. Always doing something.

“I can get you one if you tell me where you keep the first aid stuff.” She opened a few cupboards, looking for anything that might work.

“It’s fine.” He held out his finger, and she noticed in shock that the cut had already closed. “Dragon.” He washed his hands off in the sink, and she noticed his blush was gone and his demeanor seemed to have returned to normal.

It was a pity Cobalt didn’t blush as brightly. Even when she’d jerked him off—

She heard a thud as Chromium jolted, knocking his elbow into the faucet and letting out an unfamiliar curse.

“What?” She leaned forward and noticed his brows were furrowed, and he looked at her with a frustrated glance.

“Dragons can read minds. Didn’t anyone tell you?”

Her eyes widened. “I think someone mentioned it. But I didn’t have to worry about it because you all usually chose not to.”

“I… Easier said than done.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he retied his apron. “Some people’s thoughts are like yelling. And besides, thought has been my primary form of communication.”

“Is that why you’re so quiet?”

He nodded, picking up the plate of steaks he’d prepared and walking out of the kitchen, going slow enough for her to follow. “And the only one I really communicate with is Cobalt.”

She smiled. “So I should probably stop thinking dirty thoughts about him?”

Chromium grinned crookedly. “Probably. I’m happy to answer any questions about my cousin, but I would really rather not know certain things.”

She held the door open that led out onto the deck, and Chromium walked through it. “So I should probably not think about his O-face right now.”

He nearly tripped but righted himself easily. “I can only guess what that is, but please, no.”

She laughed. “All right, as long as I can stay out here and help you with those steaks.”

Chromium hesitated. “Are you a good cook?”

She laughed as she took a seat on one of the deck chairs by the grill. “I think so, as long as it’s meat.”

He gave an approving nod, his ponytail bobbing as he placed the steaks on the grill. “Then I’ll allow it.”

“Protective of your food, are you?” She kicked back on the chair, happy to let him do all the work if he really wanted to.

He nudged the steaks with his tongs, and they made a light sizzling noise, releasing more delicious smells into the air.

“Protective of being able to please the people I care about.” He closed the grill. “Those will take a minute. What did you want to talk about?”

“Nothing really,” she said, crossing her legs and leaning her head back on her hands. “It’s enough to just chill.”

He visibly relaxed, taking a deck chair next to her. “Usually when people come by, it’s to talk, and sometimes I find that exhausting.”

“I get that.” She nodded, looking up at the sunny sky dotted with fluffy white clouds. “But sometimes I like to be around someone and just not think.”

“I get that,” he said, leaning back as well.

For a moment, they just stayed like that, and as she enjoyed the cushioned back of her chair, she couldn’t help thinking about Cobalt and where he was and how nice it would be if he just straddled her on the chair and—

Her thoughts were cut off by a cough from Chromium, who looked at her with a terse expression.

She laughed and sat back. “Sorry, I guess my thoughts are more active than usual.”

“If you’re going to sit and think about dirty things, I think I’d rather talk.”

She rolled onto her side to face him. “About what?”

Chromium faced her in a position that looked like an odd parody of her when such a large man was doing it. Girl talk, with a dragon. She had to resist the urge to giggle.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She wrinkled her nose. “It’s just not what I expected.”

He looked around him. “What, this place?”

She nodded. “And all of you living together. You all seem like great people, and this place is amazing… It’s just not what I’m used to.”

Chromium’s brows furrowed together. “You don’t seem to be uncomfortable. You seem to be making yourself right at home with my cousin.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Oh, overprotective again?”

Chromium cocked his head slightly, looking confused. One pale eyebrow lifted. “Maybe? He is my family.”

“I get that. You also seem to care about everyone here.”

“Yes, but Cobalt and I grew up together. He’s an important part of my heart.”

She felt her soul warm at Cobalt having such caring family. Not to mention, it was a sweet, unexpected thing for such a warrior-like man to say.

Chromium was still watching her blankly, and she gave him a questioning glance.

“I guess I’m just wondering about your intentions,” he said, resting his head on one hand. “With my cousin.”

She laughed, sitting up and resting her elbows on her knees. “I don’t know. I never thought someone would ask me about it.”

Chromium stood up and tightened his apron, making sure his hair was out of the way. “Cobalt is a sensitive person. Thoughtful. Every action is considered. I would just ask you to be careful with him.”

“What does that mean?”

“I just mean that even big, strong dragons can get hurt.”

She felt her pride ruffle slightly as she folded her arms and walked over to the grill to stand by Chromium. “I’m not trying to hurt him.”

Chromium nodded mildly. “I know. And I would appreciate if you didn’t mention my interference. I just know him better than most, and while he has a hard exterior, underneath, he is quite soft.”

She snorted. “Oh, don’t worry. I figured that out right off. He’s a cream puff.”

Chromium wrinkled his nose. “I wouldn’t say that. In battle—”

“No, I mean his personality. He’s caring and sweet, and—”

Chromium put up a hand. “Please don’t think about the shower again.” He shook his head. “I’d never be able to face him. Even now, it’ll be hard.”

“But yeah, I won’t tell him you talked to me about it. In return, you can answer any questions I have about him.”

Chromium chuckled. “Of course. As long as your intentions are pure, I don’t mind helping you with my cousin.”

“My intentions are pure all right.” She rubbed her hands together. “Purely lustful.”

He laughed outright this time, throwing his head back slightly before looking at her while shaking his head. “You’re funny. I think I like you.”

“Duh,” she said, folding her arms. She pointed at a steak. “That one’s done, unless anyone likes char.”

He pulled the steak off the grill and onto the plate. “Thank you. Not like me to get distracted.”

She laughed. “No problem.” She slapped a hand on his shoulder in camaraderie. “It’s a good thing you have me here.”

“Sure,” he said, but just as she let her hand drop, she felt a sudden tension and turned to see the back door opening as a handful of the mansion’s inhabitants came through it.

Cobalt at the head of them, his eyes fixed pointedly on her and Chromium.

She flushed, unsure why she should feel embarrassed, and folded her arms defensively. Every time she saw him, she felt like a defensive, lustful kid under the watch of a stern teacher.

Which was ridiculous because they probably weren’t that far apart in age, and despite his immense intelligence, he often could have a stark innocence about him that seemed much younger than his years.

“Cobalt.” Chromium stepped forward and closed the grill. “We were just talking about you.”

“Oh?” Cobalt’s eyes were narrowed, but his mouth strained to maintain a pleasant expression. She’d give anything to hear his thoughts right now.

“Yes.” Chromium untied his apron. He looked at the other dragons. “Steaks are ready. Arsenic, set the table?”

“Listen to Chromium being all verbal,” Arsenic said with a toss of his black hair and a look at his mate. “Maybe he likes our new visitor.”

Chromium shook his head, slightly panicked, but the flush on his cheeks was more than a little incriminating, and Sylvie couldn’t suppress a snort at how embarrassed her new friend looked.

He was probably thinking about all the indecent things she’d been thinking about Cobalt and how preposterous it would be that he was into her when he was encouraging her with his cousin.

Cobalt’s posture stiffened, but that strained smile remained. “Shut up, Arsenic. They’re just friends, and Chromium does talk with his friends. Which may say something about your status with him.”

Arsenic’s brows drew together, and he glared at Chromium. “Is that true?”

Chromium just laughed, and the tension was broken. “No. You’re all my friends. Now let’s eat.”

And Sylvie let out a sigh of relief that everything was going to be just fine between the dragons. The last thing she wanted was to cause trouble when they all seemed to get along so well together.

She sat at the long wooden table and told herself not to think about Cobalt. After all, the dragons’ mates were here, and it was her chance to get to know them.

She slanted a glance at Cobalt, noting he was looking at her with those intent, deep-blue eyes. She suppressed a shiver, noting the dragons around her and reminding herself that anyone could hear her thoughts.

So she’d just have to think about wet, sweaty Cobalt later… when she was in bed.

She heard a choking sound from Chromium’s direction and laughed, then mouthed an apology and turned back to her plate, hoping her steak was enough to distract her from Cobalt’s curious glare.