A Few Weeks Later

“Mmm, harder.” Chromium gripped the headboard above him as Helen rode out her release against him, throwing back her head so her beautiful blond hair fell over her face.

His hands gripped her hips, and she moaned as clenched around him, her body shuddering and gleaming with sweat.

He loved moments like this most. Totally naked. Nothing between them.

And now they could do it whenever they wanted.

Today was a special day, though.

She leaned forward, exhausted, cheeks flushed prettily as her hands rested on his chest, cupping and squeezing his pecs. “How do you last so long? I swear you’re going to be the death of me.”

“Never,” he said, putting a hand up to her face. “All I want is to give you life.”

She sighed at that and slowly began moving again. He liked having her on top because with his size, it gave her the ability to control things exactly as she liked them.

And it left his hands free to play as he wished.

He smoothed his fingertips over her soft waist and up to her perfect breasts, cupping and supporting them as she moved up and down, forward and back on him. He tweaked her nipples gently, and she bit her lip, increasing her pace against him.

He was very aware of the tension building inside, the exquisitely hot friction between them that grew greater with every touch.

But he was more aware of their connection. The way she felt totally at one with him. The way he felt that she was safe here, contained within his sphere of protection, focused on him alone as he focused solely on her. As they joined and kissed and pleased and loved and just acted like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Yes, these quiet, heated moments were his favorite.

Of course, there were other favorite moments now that he was enjoying his life with her.

Like being at the mansion with his friends and enjoying the hot tub there while talking about Drakkaris. Or helping redecorate the restaurant and pick appliances to replace those damaged in the fire. Or hanging out with her work friends, keeping them updated on how things were going.

And then today when they would go down and work in the restaurant together for the first time since the fire.

He felt her hand on his waist, stroking him, and looked up at her. “Hm?”

“Where did you go? You’re distracted.”

She looked slightly disappointed, so he hooked his hands on her hips and thrust upward, getting her moving again.

“I was just thinking about the restaurant and how wonderful the past few weeks have been with you and how many things I like to do with you and how I get to do them now forever…”

She laughed, getting into a comfortable rhythm again. “I get it. I’m excited, too.”

The pressure was building more rapidly this time, and he supposed he would go with her soon. Which would probably be fine with her because she’d come so many times as to be utterly exhausted.

Just how he liked her.

After a good breakfast (fixed by him of course), she’d be good as new.

He kept his hands on her soft hips and just enjoyed her movements, focusing on the luxurious feel of her soft, wet heat and how it seemed to fit him completely perfectly. The softness of her curvy thighs straddling him, the pleasant movement of her perfect breasts and her gorgeous hair.

The way her eyes were starting to become unfocused, glazed, as she got closer to her pleasure. The way her hands were tightening and she was leaning harder on him, her body going slightly rigid.

The panting of her breath.

The way she looked into his eyes like he was everything.

The way he felt he could explode at any moment but knew he could hold on, for her.

“Oh God, Chromium. I’m coming.” And then her sex clenched around him, her entire body jerking, and the euphoria of it sent him rushing over the edge with her, unable to hold back any longer.

He gasped as release burst through him in ecstatic waves, and he couldn’t help sitting up slightly and pulling her against him, holding her close as he felt their bodies come together, hip to hip, stomach to stomach, heart to heart.

The rhythm of their release seemed to be perfectly synchronized, and he could tell as she called his name desperately, she felt everything he was feeling.

“Helen, I love you. So much. To the moon and back.”

She simply held on to him, her nails digging in tight. He didn’t mind, though. It was the greatest compliment in the world, and she could hold on to him whenever she wanted, for whatever reason.

That’s what he was there for.

His reason for existing.

As their orgasms subsided, she slowly sat up, pushing hair off her forehead, glowing from release and good, honest sweat.

Chromium thought she’d never looked more beautiful. Then again, he thought that every day.

He brushed her hair back and cupped her face, loving how her plump, soft cheek rested right in his huge palm and how she turned to nuzzle against it. “You’re amazing, sweetheart. Should we go shower?”

She laughed and bit her lip nervously. “I don’t know if I can even stand.”

He stood up, sweeping her into his arms. “I can carry you. That’s what I’m here for.” He headed for the bathroom. “Now let’s go and get cleaned up. You deserve to have a good first day back in your restaurant.”

She buried her head against him as he walked. “How did I get so lucky?”

“I’m the lucky one, Helen.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“I got you.”

And with that he turned on the water, already excited to support his mate through the rest of the day as they returned to the place that was the start of their love.

* * *

It was a busy reopening of the restaurant, and Chromium smiled at the amount of support that had turned up for Helen.

It was clear that the little neighborhood had missed their lasagna, as that was the top thing that was ordered tonight.

He was glad his friends hadn’t let the fire spread much, as the repairs had been fairly quick and painless and one would never know the place had ever been on fire just by looking at it.

Though, he could still remember those moments of terror when he’d seen smoke coming out and known Helen was inside with a madman.

He was still grateful for the mystery man who’d given him a warning and wondered if he’d ever see him again.

Chromium knew he couldn’t have left Helen either way, but he still appreciated the heads-up he’d been given.

He finished prepping the toppings for the house salad and turned to Mario. “Are you okay here if I go check on Helen?”

“Go see your fiancée,” Mario said, smiling indulgently. The big man had a huge soft spot and already felt like a part of Chromium’s family.

“Thanks.” Chromium removed his apron and headed out into the dining room, searching for his mate. He knew it was needy, but every few hours, he needed to check on her. Or was it every few minutes? Who knew?

All he knew was that sometimes he needed to see her, to reassure the dragon inside himself that she was fine, happy, safe.

His eyes locked onto her in a corner, serving a table with a lone guy seated there.

He couldn’t see the guy’s face because Helen was blocking him, but he could hear the guy’s voice as he walked closer.

And there was something oddly familiar about it. Something that tickled the back of his mind.

“Helen?” Chromium put an arm around his mate when he reached her and pulled her in against him. “You need anything?”

The customer at the table looked up at Chromium, and he was surprised to look into the eyes of Nathan Whatshisname, the rich guy from before.

Chromium narrowed his eyes, more out of habit than anything else, since this guy had asked Helen on a date. “What are you doing here?”

Helen gave him a playful shove. “Chromium, don’t be rude.”

“The lasagna,” Nathan said calmly, sitting back and folding his arms. “I came for the lasagna.”

“I was just finishing up his ticket and about to cash him out,” Helen said. “He’s allowed to be a customer, like anyone.”

Nathan finished signing something on a slip of paper that he tucked back in a black folder. Chromium never worked the front of the house, so he wasn’t sure how things worked out here, but he assumed Nathan was paying.

“I just wanted to make sure the place was okay,” Nathan said quietly, not making eye contact with either of them. “I heard there was a fire.” He looked up at them. “I assume no one was hurt?”

“No one was hurt,” she said. “Chromium was there.”

“That’s good.” Nathan gave them a mild smile. “Was anyone in danger?”

What kind of question was that? “No.”

“Um, I was, but Chromium was there,” Helen said kindly. “I’m lucky to have him.”

Nathan looked between them. “You’re lucky to have each other. It doesn’t always work so well for our type.”

Helen’s eyes widened, and she looked between him and Chromium. “What type?”

Nathan shook his head and chuckled as if amused by an inside joke, and Chromium just stared at him, baffled. There was something about this man that set him on edge. Something that reminded him of something, that made his skin tingle.

But he couldn’t put a finger on it, and perhaps it didn’t matter.

“Anyway.” Nathan put out a hand, and Chromium shook it reluctantly. “It was nice to meet you both, and I wish you the best of luck here. I just wanted to make sure things were okay, and I won’t be back.”

“What?” Helen asked, aghast. “Did we do something wrong?”

He shook his head and picked up his takeout container. “I got what I came for.” Then, with a nod at them both, he headed out the door, his silver-blue suit glinting in the sun, contrasting with his dark hair.

“Well, I guess Nathan Lancaster has a lot to do other than go to restaurants like mine. Nice of him to check in, though.”

She started clearing the table, and Chromium helped her, still watching Nathan, who was standing outside on the sidewalk. To Chromium’s shock, he turned and dumped his takeout container in a nearby garbage can.

He’d thrown out Helen’s lasagna! What kind of monster was he?

But then he took out a small white notepad of some kind and a pen and marked something down on it, looking thoughtful. Then he tucked it away and strolled down the street and out of sight.

What a weirdo.

But then that weirdo’s words came floating through Chromium’s head, bringing recognition.

I got what I came for.

He ran for the door, jerking it open and running out onto the sidewalk to see if he could find where Nathan had gone, but there was no sign of the mysterious man.

He was the one who’d warned Chromium the night of the fire. Chromium was sure of it.

And he was gone.

Chromium folded his arms, unsure if he was just imagining it, as Helen came up beside him and grabbed him by the arm.

“You rushed out of there. Are you okay?”

Chromium stared impotently at the empty street, then put an arm around his mate, pulling her close. “I’m fine.”

Whatever Nathan was, he was gone now, and Chromium probably wouldn’t see him again. Which was fine with him, though he would like to thank him.

But if Nathan wanted to be left alone. If he wanted it to be over, that was fine with Chromium.

He was just happy to return to focusing on his mate and ensuring her happiness until the end of time.

Uncaring that anyone in the restaurant was watching, he gathered Helen’s face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her deeply, feeling that cosmic sense of home as he did.

There were a million mysteries in the universe, but all Chromium cared about was this little, warm corner of space he could share with his mate. She was his universe now.

* * *

* * *

I hope you enjoyed Chromium and Helen’s story. If you enjoyed it, I hope you’ll give it a review to help other readers find it.

Thanks again so much for your support! I always know I have the best readers.

Sincerely,

Terry

Sign up for my newsletter for announcements on new Dragon releases!

Boxed set for Rent-A-Dragon!

I decided to release a limited boxed set of my popular Rent-A-Dragon series, with all three books for only .99. Hope you enjoy!

Sample on the next page: