Chapter 12

Austin stood in the shower, his forehead against the cool tiles as the cold water sprayed across his back. Fuck. He’d done his best not to peek. He really had, but when that towel had dropped, he’d already been looking at her back in the mirror. And he’d be lying if he said that he hadn’t wished that towel would disappear, but then it had fallen and taken all reasonable thought from his mind. In that instant before he’d pulled his gaze up, all the blood in his body had gone shooting into his cock. Even now, standing in the frigid spray, it was rock hard and throbbing. Her heart-shaped ass was fucking perfect. She was tiny, but she had all the right curves to make him want to lose himself in her and never be found.

He took slow breaths, willing his dick to calm the fuck down, but the image of her body, as fleeting as it had been, would not allow it. With a groan, he twisted the hot water faucet and waited for it to warm before turning into it and taking hold of himself. He couldn’t go in there sporting a monster of a hard-on and expect her to be comfortable with him getting into bed with her. He wouldn’t do that to her. Closing his eyes, he welcomed the image that had created the problem in the first place into his mind, and stroked. Shooting his load down the drain wasn’t what he wanted—not even close—but it was the best he’d have. For now.

As primed as he was, it didn’t take long, and he made quick work of showering. The last thing he needed was for her to figure out what he was doing in there. By the time he pulled his clean boxers on and dragged his jeans over his hips, he was certain that he wasn’t hard enough to scare her anymore. He hadn’t gone completely soft, but he wasn’t pointing at the fucking ceiling, either.

He half expected Tulia to be asleep, or maybe feigning it, by the time he walked into the room, but she lay there, eyes wide open. The last thing he wanted was for her to lose sleep over sharing a bed with him. As appealing as having her in arm’s reach as they slept was, he’d give her space—for now.

“Sweet dreams,” he said as he took the spare blanket from the closet, then crossed over and plucked a pillow from his side of the bed. The floor wouldn’t be nearly as comfortable as the bed, but it would be worth any of the aches and pains he’d suffer to know that she was resting better.

“What are you doing?” Tulia sat up, the sheets covering her falling to her waist. The shiny red lips of her night shirt spread across her breasts, drawing his gaze. He stifled his groan, barely. Seeing any part of her, covered or otherwise, would be his downfall.

“I’m taking the floor, Sweetness.”

“Why? There’s plenty of room on the bed,” she argued, the last words muffled as she fought back a huge yawn.

He stood there with his pillow covering his groin. “I think you’d sleep better on your own. I’ll be fine down here.”

Her brows furrowed. “That’s ridiculous. You came all the way out here to get me, you saved me from my clan, you’ve gone out of your way to take care of me. You even bought me this nightie and paid for the room, for Pete’s sake. I’ll take the floor.” She jutted her chin out, defiant as could be, yet still managed to be the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.

Like that was going to happen. “Not a chance,” he said even as she whipped the blankets off and made to stand, showing him a nice expanse of bare legs and thighs in the process.

Tulia paused, still staring at him. “Fine, then quit stalling and get into bed. I’m too tired for this,” she snapped.

He fought his grin so hard his jaw hurt. His mate got cranky when she was worn out. He’d have to remember that.

A moment later, she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please? I wouldn’t feel right sleeping in comfort while you’re on the hard floor,” she said much more softly.

His intentions had been good, but arguing with her was causing more stress than it was worth. If she wanted him in the bed with her, who was he to deny her? He’d just have to keep to his side of the bed and his mind out of the gutter so his body would behave. Right. No problem.

As soon as he sat, she let out a tired but contented sigh and snuggled under the sheets. Sleeping with Tulia and not touching her would be hell, but he’d do it a million times over to make her happy.

Austin didn’t dare move or make himself comfortable until her breaths lengthened, and dainty snores drifted to him from Tulia’s side of the bed, making him smile. Only once he knew she’d dozed off did he close his eyes and allow sleep to take him.

Eyes gritty from waking again too soon, Austin lay still in the bed, trying to figure out what had woken him. The sun had yet to come up, and nothing stirred. He was about to drift off again when Tulia jerked in the bed next to him.

Instantly alert, he flicked the lamp on, bathing the room in a soft glow. Several locks of her soft hair were strewn over her face as she tossed her head back and forth.

“Tulia?” he said softly, not wanting to jolt her awake, but all she did was moan.

He’d promised not to touch her, but when a sob ripped from her throat and she jerked her arm away from him, he took hold of her shoulder and shook gently. “Tulia, wake up, Sweetness.”

Her entire body stiffened, and she shrunk away from his touch as her eyes flew open. For as long as he lived, he would never forget the terror shining in their depths.

“Austin?” she finally asked in a shaky voice when she recognized him.

“It’s me. You’re okay. You were having a nightmare.”

She scrubbed her hands over her face. “T-that happens sometimes. Is it time to get up?”

“Not yet.”

She kept her gaze averted, but even in the dim light, he could see the shimmer of her tears. “Come here,” he told her as he opened his arms.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to hold my mate until she falls asleep again. Nothing more,” he assured her. He wouldn’t push her or pressure her in any way, but he really hoped she would take him up on his offer.

Tulia nibbled on her lip and swiped a stray tear from her cheek before finally nodding and then scooting across the bed to his side. For a few minutes, she lay there, curled against him, as stiff as a board, but he didn’t say a word. He kept his arms around her and breathed her in. Holding her was as much of a balm for his soul as it was for hers. Making sure not to go past her waist, he stroked his hand up and down the line of her spine with a feather-light touch.

It took a while, but eventually, her body grew heavier against him, and her breaths deepened, allowing him to release the tension bunching his muscles. “As long as I live, no one will ever hurt you again,” he vowed in a whisper before he kissed the top of her head, then closed his eyes.

***

Being in Austin’s arms, having his warm scent enveloping her, was both heaven and hell. It was all Tulia could do to keep her dragon from purring, which wouldn’t have been such a bad thing under different circumstances. They both needed sleep, and she wasn’t ready to act on the sexy feelings her dragon was shoving at her.

For the first time in more months than she cared to remember, Tulia felt safe. Maybe it was foolish to put her trust in a man—one she’d just met, no less—but how could she not? Austin’s actions had already proven what kind of man he was. He’d treated her with nothing but tenderness and respect. Of course, one could argue that it was easy to put on an act for a short time, but her dragon would have alerted her if he wasn’t being sincere, and the beast had no reservations at all about falling asleep in his arms.

With a soft sigh, she snuggled deeper into his embrace and willed herself to relax. Floating in that blissful place between wakefulness and slumber, she heard his whispered words. Sweet words she’d never forget. As long as I live, no one will ever hurt you again. Then he’d pressed his lips to her hair.

Even before she opened her eyes, Tulia stretched and smiled. She couldn’t help it. She hadn’t slept so well in weeks. Maybe even months. Her cheek still rested on Austin’s chest, and in her sleep, she’d draped a leg over his, but she didn’t care.

His breaths were regular, but not so deep that he would be sleeping. Not only that, but his fingers traced abstract little patterns on the bare skin of her arm. “Good morning,” she said as she stretched against him again.

Austin stiffened and moaned. It was a soft sound, barely there, but she heard it. Realizing how close her knee was to his groin, she lifted her head to look at him. “Did I hurt you?” she asked, ready to move away from him if she had.

“Not at all.” His smile made her heart flutter faster against her ribs.

“But…” she was about to question him further when the reason for his moan came to her, bringing with it a flood of heat to her cheeks she was sure had turned them beet red.

“But nothing. I’m enjoying the cuddle.”

She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t, too. When she licked her lips, Austin’s gaze dipped to her mouth and then followed the movement of her tongue. His pupils dilated, and he took a sharp breath. There was no denying the passion in his eyes when he looked at her again.

Warmth curled from her core outward, reaching every cell, every nerve ending. Her nipples tightened under the soft material of her shirt. For a second, she thought he might kiss her. But then he blinked fast and stayed where he was. He’d given her his word, and he wasn’t going to break it. Did she dare take that first step?

Bracing herself on his chest, she leaned closer. Just one little kiss. That’s all she’d take. Her dragon surged forward, bolstering her courage. Ours, the beast whispered into her mind. Tulia couldn’t deny it. Her reaction to the hotel clerk’s flirting was proof enough of that. Neither she—nor her dragon—wanted any other female anywhere near him.

His warm breath teased her lips, tempting her. So close.

Austin’s fingers stilled on her arm, but he didn’t remove them. His gaze dropped to her mouth again, and this time, it was his tongue that darted out to moisten his lips.

With a needy moan, she closed the gap, taking what she wanted.

Austin’s body tensed beneath her, but he didn’t pull back. The soft touch amped up her desire for more. Bringing her hand to his jaw, she deepened the kiss. In an instant, the tides somehow turned. He wasn’t aggressive, but he threaded his fingers in her hair, holding her for his invasion. Sliding his tongue into her mouth, he tasted her, then moaned.

Yes, this is what we need. More, her dragon purred as though Tulia needed prompting. She wasn’t sure if he moved, or if she did, but one second she was on top of him, and the next, she was on her back. His hard body covered hers, pressing her into the mattress, pinning her.

Still, it wasn’t enough. Wrapping her leg around his hip, she dragged Austin closer until no space existed between them and his cock pressed snug against her. She could blame her coming heat for the need pulsing through her, but it was a partial truth at best. She would want him regardless. That thought didn’t frighten her like it might have even a day ago.

The rough denim of his jeans scraped at her inner thighs. Desperate for more, she reached between them, seeking out the button and zipper that would free him. Austin tensed and then groaned before pulling away, leaving her gasping for breath. His own came in ragged pants against her neck where he’d tucked his face. His body shook, but otherwise, he didn’t move.

“Austin?” she asked after she managed to find her voice, breathy as it was.

With a deep sigh, he gently removed her leg from around his back. “As much as I want this, I don’t think we should,” he finally said.

She blinked up at him, uncertainty making her question herself until reason came back to her. He was right. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to finish what they’d started—and from the erection still nuzzled right there at the juncture of her legs, he did, too—but they didn’t have the time. When they finally came together—and it was evident that they would—she wanted them to have the time to explore and enjoy every moment. She wanted to create new memories to obliterate the old ones that still haunted her in her sleep. She deserved that. They both did.

“You’re right,” she said, then pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “This isn’t the right time.”

Some of the tension seeped from his body.

As much as she enjoyed having him right where he was, he’d have to move. Knowing it was the right thing to do and resisting temptation were two different things. With one last peck on his lips, she shoved at his shoulders. “Time to get a move on.”

“You’re not upset?” he asked as he rolled off her.

Sexually frustrated? Definitely. Upset? No. “When we make love for the first time, I want us to take our time, not rush through it like horny teenagers.”

The kiss he gave her lingered a lot longer than the one she’d given him, making her toes curl and a fresh wave of heat pour through her. “You’re amazing, you know that? Let’s get going before I forget my good intentions.”