Dragon with Benefits (Forgotten Dragons Book 4) Read online

Trevor grinned, apparently not unaware of his effect on her. “Stay here. With me. We have the place to ourselves. Why not spend as much time possible together?”

  She paused.

  It almost sounded too good to be true.

  “I still can’t say what will happen afterward. But I can say there’s not anywhere else I’d rather be than with you, wherever that is,” he added.

  When she couldn’t muster the words, slight worry shadowed his face.

  “Did you have other plans? We can go to your place if you’d like. Or—”

  She fell onto him, wrapping her arms around him. “Yes, that sounds perfect.” Her nipples were already hard again, feeling his firm pecs against her chest. “Now, about continuing where we left off…” She hinted unsubtly, surprised by her own eagerness.

  “As perfect plans go, that sounds the most perfect,” Trevor finished with a wicked smile.

  And God, did he really show her what he meant by that. All the way until the dawn finally cast the solarium in morning light.

  Chapter 15

  The next morning, Trevor made them coffee and avocado toast, and they ate it out on the balcony of his bedroom, overlooking the snowy estate.

  They were both bundled up in warm robes over pajamas, and Trevor had brought a space heater out so his mate (damn, he had to stop staying that) would be warm.

  Every moment spent with Petra felt like heaven to him. Like this was where he had always belonged.

  As he watched her sip her coffee and let out a breathy, satisfied sigh, he tried to memorize everything about the moment so he could save it for later.

  Her curls were pulled back, only a few wisps catching the wind, and her dark eyes were hooded, relaxed.

  Her warm brown skin was still dewy from the shower, and her lips were lifted in a silent half smile as she looked out at the land.

  She was the most beautiful thing Trevor had ever seen, inside and out. She fit with him, challenged him, and made him look forward to the next morning.

  For just that weekend, it felt like he truly could live the life of a human, of someone with no responsibility to anyone but himself and Petra.

  But the world wasn’t like that, and he knew, as he looked over the acres of land he owned, that outside of their little haven, all hell was still breaking loose.

  It used to be almost every night Trevor had to go out with Chadwick to suppress some shifter issue, but with the addition of new dragons to their area and the other two pairs picking up the slack, Trevor got to feel what a normal life would be like.

  As he quietly watched Petra, he ached for it.

  “What are you thinking over there? Your eyes are all scrunched up.” Petra looked over at him in concern.

  “Nothing,” he said, rubbing his hands together. “Just work stress.”

  “That’s right,” she said, sipping her coffee again. “But you can’t talk more about it.” She looked around at the mansion. “Even though, as a journalist, it’s really hard not to get curious about the things in your life that just aren’t… normal.”

  He nodded. “You have no idea.”

  She sighed. “I just wonder what will happen after this weekend together.”

  “I wish I knew,” he said flatly.

  She slanted him a look. “I mean, how can you not know, though? Like for me, I know what I want. I’m focused on work and my promotion and I’m having fun with you, obviously, but I’m still not looking for more.”

  Trevor inwardly cursed himself for being disappointed that she didn’t want commitment when he had no right because he couldn’t give it to her even if she did.

  Perhaps he should just talk to Chad. Perhaps there was a way…

  He decided not to worry about it yet.

  “It has to do with Chadwick,” Trevor said. “We work together. We travel often. We do things that I could never tell you about. You could never fully be part of my life. That wouldn’t be right for you.” His lips quirked up in a half smile. “So anyway, you already know I would be with you if I could, but I can’t.”

  “I see,” she said, looking only more confused by his answer.

  “But what about you?” Trevor asked. “You know more about why I’m not able to find love, but why aren’t you open to it?”

  She was quiet for a moment, and Trevor wondered if it was something he shouldn’t have asked.

  “It just doesn’t work out for me. I always end up putting my life to the side for others. I mean, I gave up my whole college life dating Bill and helping him with stuff. Then he left when I needed to help my dad. And my dad is amazing. He deserved my help, but being abandoned by a long-term relationship right when you need them just kind of kills your faith in love.”

  “It shouldn’t have,” he said quietly. “The guy sounds like a jerk, but he’s not the only guy out there. You’re amazing, Petra—”

  “Don’t start with that right now,” she said quietly. “It’s not that I think you would hurt me like that or maybe that anyone would. It’s just that I have to live my life for myself right now. I need to be strong about my boundaries for once. I need not to put someone else first and get my own life where I want it to be.” She cocked her head. “Then I guess I could consider a relationship.”

  “Got it,” he said, still a little disappointed that she didn’t want more from him. But still, every moment together was special.

  “Why does it bother you?” Petra asked him carefully. “You can’t give me that anyway, so—”

  “I guess love doesn’t make any sense,” he said, only slightly bitterly. His throat tightened as he realized what he said, and he glanced over at her.

  “You love me?” Her eyes were wide, glistening.

  He nodded. “I’ll always care for you, regardless of what happens after this. I told you I hadn’t felt like this about anyone else. It doesn’t change my circumstances and that I’m still trapped, but—”

  “Why are you trapped?” She scooted her chair closer so she could look him in the eyes. “Sometimes when I watch you, I get that feeling, so I’m glad you said it. I haven’t known how to ask.” She frowned. “Are you involved in something dangerous? Someone I need to expose with my journalism powers?”

  He shook his head. “It’s nothing like that. It’s my choice, truly.”

  But had it ever really been?

  He’d just done what was expected of him.

  “It just doesn’t look like it’s what you want sometimes.”

  “It’s not.” He looked at the overcast sky, following the slowly moving clouds to keep his mind peaceful. “But it’s like we talked about before. Dreams and reality.”

  “But being with someone you love should always be an option,” she said, standing and moving onto his lap.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, and Trevor felt wholly complete with her softness against him, the kindness in her eyes offering him so much.

  “What? I thought you weren’t doing feelings,” he said, looking down at her.

  She sighed. “I mean, I said I’m not doing a relationship, and I’m not giving my life over because of a man again. But that doesn’t mean I can just not get feelings for a guy when he’s as incredible as you.” She reached up to stroke his cheek, and Trevor wished he could record it to play it over and over whenever he needed some tenderness.

  She brought warmth and sunlight into his life. He could fight down anyone if the powers that be would just let him have her.

  He took a deep breath. “So if for some reason I wasn’t trapped and you didn’t have any big plans you were working on, you think I’m someone you could fall in love with?”

  She met his gaze and bit her lower lip. “I think even without those things, I already have.”

  It felt like sunlight was bursting from behind the clouds, washing over everything, though it was as cloudy as ever above.

  “God, I love you,” he said, placing a kiss to her forehead and wishing Chad would never come home.

  Wishing they could
freeze time and just never go out of the bubble.

  “I love you too,” she said quietly. Then she pushed up on his lap to give him a kiss on the cheek. He tilted her face to capture her lips, and she let out a pleased moan as he parted them and stroked in with his tongue, gently meshing with hers.

  Her hands moved up to tangle in his hair, and he kept the kiss gentle, sensual, full of promises and the feelings he couldn’t convey.

  When he finally pulled back, he felt he’d just been overwhelmed by a wave that was just now receding.

  It was hard to even remember how to breathe whenever they touched.

  And he had only a few days more with her for sure, so he intended to take everything he could and give her everything he could as well.

  “For what it’s worth, that guy was a worse jerk than the sushi douchebag, and you deserve so much better.”

  She smiled up at him. “And for what it’s worth, you’re too incredible of a person to not be allowed to follow your heart. So someday, I hope you get to.”

  He did too. But in the meantime, keeping the world safe, knowing Petra was out there living in it, would be fine for him.

  “So how should we spend the afternoon?” He stood, lifting her in his arms, and took her back into the bedroom to set her on the bed.

  Then he brought in their things from the balcony as he waited for her to think of what she might like.

  “I think I just want to stay in with you,” she said, kicking back on the bed and looking comfy. “I just want every minute that we have before we both go back to the real world.”

  “That’s right,” he said, jumping onto the bed with her and making her squeak in surprise as she was launched a couple inches into the air.

  “Oh my God, you’re huge,” she said, cuddling in close to him. “Every guy after you is going to feel tiny.”

  He let out a growl. “There are no other guys after me. At least that’s what I’m going to tell myself for as long as possible.”

  She flushed and put a hand around his neck again. “All right. And I’ll pretend you’re going to get down on one knee at the end of this and solve all my problems.”

  He laughed, but there was pain behind it. For both of them. “Sounds fine to me.”

  She sat up, looking like she needed to compose herself. “So you have any cool stuff to show me in the mansion?”

  His lips pulled up in a grin. “Oh, you have no idea.”

  And then he grabbed her hand, pulled her from the bed, and slung her over one shoulder, enjoying her giggling as she playfully beat on his back.

  “Unhand me, beast!”

  He shook his head. “A dragon never gives up its treasure.”

  She giggled at the joke, but it felt good for Trevor to tell her the truth for once, even if it was hidden.

  “So where are you taking me?”

  “The torture chamber, obviously,” he said, making her gasp in shock.

  He laughed as he turned down a hall and pushed a button for the elevator.

  They were headed to the downstairs movie theater, but she didn’t need to know that just yet.

  Chapter 16

  Petra sighed as she leaned back against the back of the spa, enjoying just being totally naked in the hot, steamy water.

  And seeing Trevor across from her, his perfect chest steamy and wet, his gold eyes blazing every time he looked her way.

  He loved her. He’d said as much. Could she really believe it?

  Or believe herself when she said she loved him? Were they crazy?

  She did, though, because why would he lie? He still wasn’t promising her everything.

  He couldn’t.

  Nothing made sense in this big house where Trevor was usually busy but had time to spend with her right now.

  Plus, wherever they went, there was evidence of just how enmeshed Chad was in Trevor’s life.

  Not that Trevor ever had anything bad to say about Chad.

  Perhaps they were old friends and Chad paid the bills?

  Don’t think about that, Petra. It’s none of your business.

  She shook her head, smiling when Trevor looked up at her as if to ask if everything was fine.

  She swam over and straddled him, liking the feel of his firm thighs beneath her soft ones. “Hey, sexy. Your house is awesome.”

  “I like the spa,” Trevor said. “It’s good stress relief.”

  She sighed, loving how relaxed she felt after the sauna, the massage chairs, and now the jetted tub. “This is the life. Except, you know, for the not being able to date someone thing.”

  He glared at her flatly. “Thanks for reminding me.”

  She giggled, brushing away his hair, which was sticking to the side of his face from the steam from the hot tub.

  He really was handsome, she thought, as she looked down into his eyes closer and more calmly than ever before.

  The entire day had been amazing, from the breakfast on the balcony to watching movies together, playing games, and then relaxing here together.

  Now she spent every minute just trying not to think about going back to everyday life. At least she had a promotion to look forward to and a story to take from this adventure.

  And a bunch of beautiful memories as she worked hard to memorize every plane of his face and body. She bit her lip as her eyes moved down to his mouth.

  “When you look at me like that, you make it hard to hold back,” he said hoarsely.

  She squeezed her body even closer to his in the swirling hot water. “So don’t.”

  He kissed down her neck, making her gasp.

  “Wait,” she said. “Is this allowed in the hot tub? Will Chad be mad?”

  Trevor pulled back, and this time his golden eyes were twinkling. “You know what? For once, I don’t fucking care.”

  As his lips covered hers, she melted and tried not to think of how her very soul seemed to connect with him deeply.

  Was she just getting carried away while dating the hottest guy she’d ever met? Could someone really go their whole life not knowing romance until the right person?

  Was she making the right choice to walk away from him to focus on her job? Did she have any other option?

  Her head was racing from all the questions, but as his lips kissed down her neck to the space at the top of her breasts, she felt her body and thoughts go still.

  There was only time for pure sensation.

  His hands moved down to cup her hips, squeezing lightly. “God, you feel amazing. You’re so fucking beautiful that I can’t believe you’re here with me.”

  She laughed. “You always make me feel like I’m a beauty queen or something. I’m just a journalist.”

  “You’re beautiful,” he murmured, placing a kiss just above her nipple, making her shiver. “You’re my queen.” He flicked out his tongue, teasing her. “Close enough.”

  She sighed as she arched, feeling his broad hand come up to support her as she leaned back. She could feel everywhere he was touching, thighs, chest, hands, lips, his hair falling over her skin, dripping onto her.

  She didn’t know if she would ever feel something more perfect in her life.

  Perhaps this was how love was supposed to be. So intense you could barely think straight. Perhaps arrangements like this were better. Perhaps people weren’t meant to be together so long they got bored.

  But deep down, she knew she was wrong. She’d been with Bill for years, and it had never been like this.

  And it wasn’t just Trevor’s face, because she’d seen his face on the video many times and not been interested until that night at the restaurant.

  It was him. Difficult. Sensual. Brave. Hidden.

  As he lightly grazed her nipple with his teeth, shocks went through her, and her hands buried tighter in his hair.

  His other hand gently covered the breast he wasn’t teasing, and the sensation of both being handled by him made her core even hotter.

  She ground against his hard length beneath her, already clos
e from his touch. He ground up against her, teasing her with the hard length as his lips gently sucked and teased one nipple then the other. Then he moved his lips to her sensitive neck.

  She gasped his name as she got closer, begging even as he refused to thrust up against her just yet.

  “Tell me who you belong to,” he said gruffly, and the heat in his eyes told her he was serious.

  “You,” she said, and though she knew it couldn’t be true for always, it didn’t feel like a lie right then.

  “Damn right,” he said, then ground up against her, and the hard, thick length moving over her clit for the final time sent her rocketing off in release, her whole body overwhelmed by the waves of pleasure. He kissed her neck, murmuring words of love through her orgasm, and then she reached down to stroke him, wanting to see the same desperation on his face that she had felt.

  She stroked, and his head arched back against the wall of the tub, though his arms stayed on her waist to support her.

  “Petra,” he groaned as she marveled at how big he was even in her hands. It surprised her that he could even fit inside her. Or that it could feel so good.

  She stroked him until he was panting, looking anywhere but at her as he attempted to fight off her long, hard strokes and the way her breasts moved in the water.

  She dropped her hand, feeling an ache inside her that had only one release. “God, I want you,” she said.

  “Not in here,” he said. “We need protection.”

  She shook her head. “I’m on the shot.”

  He hesitated for a second, then nodded. “If you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure,” she said, moving so she was on top, so his hard length was poised at her tight, slick entrance, which was still wet with her cum despite being in the hot tub.

  She slid over him easily, biting her lip as the mild soreness she felt whenever she took him inside gave way to almost instant, unbearably strong pleasure. She moaned.

  “Is it okay?” He looked concerned, pulled back slightly, but she shook her head.

  “It’s just so good.” She moaned again as she raised herself and then lowered back onto his lap, pushing up on her knees and then down again, loving the amazing friction and the fullness and heat that came from taking him inside her.