Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Haru’s smile was dazzling. “I’m happy to have sex with you any time you wish so that you can get adjusted.”
Adrian covered Haru’s grin with his hand and shoved the man, groaning. Of course, he was willing to fuck Adrian any chance he got. “Get away from me, glutton!”
But to Haru’s credit, he didn’t carelessly pull away. He moved deliberately, removing his cock from Adrian’s body with extreme care prior to collapsing next to him on the bed. It was something Adrian wasn’t sure he’d ever get accustomed to. Haru was always so very careful around him, putting his comfort and safety first.
“Fuck.” Adrian sighed. He tossed an arm across his eyes and tried to get his brain working. “I need a shower, and then maybe I can think about calling Cael about the Shey problem.”
“No, you must call Cael first.”
“You’re crazy.”
The bed shifted violently, and Adrian found himself being rolled onto his side as Haru cuddled up behind him. His arm wrapped across Adrian’s stomach while his face pressed into Adrian’s neck. “It is the perfect time to call Cousin Cael. You’re relaxed now. Don’t let all my hard work go to waste.”
Adrian chuckled and tried to twist to look at Haru, but the dragon had him tangled up too solidly. “You did not fuck me to get me to relax before calling Cael.”
“No, it wasn’t the only reason.”
This was the moment. He needed to spring up and lay down some hard boundaries between him and Haru. Sex was one thing. It was fun and could be without all the messy emotions. That kind of arrangement did not include things like cuddles and the little kisses Haru was dropping along his shoulder while wandering fingers toyed with the light sprinkling of hair across his chest.
Except springing up was tiring, and this was easily the most comfortable and relaxed he’d been since Rayne’s wedding. He didn’t want to move.
But what was he supposed to do about Haru? He couldn’t handle trying to find Prince Shey and figuring out his feelings for a dragon at the same time. He wasn’t that smart a guy. Quick-witted and crafty? Sure. But smart? No, he’d leave that to Rayne and King Caelan.
Yet, before he could figure out what he wanted to say or do, the oversized space heater behind him moved. Haru couldn’t sit still for long. He had no idea how Nori put up with him. Probably nailed his tail to the ground.
“Haru—”
“Here!” Haru shoved his phone in front of his face. As his eyes focused on the screen, he discovered Haru had already placed a call to Cael.
“Shit!” Adrian shot into a sitting position as he snatched the device from the dragon. “What are you doing? Do you even know what time it is in Stormbreak?”
“Late afternoon.” Cael’s amused voice filled the room, and Adrian almost jumped. Haru had put the call on speaker prior to handing it to Adrian.
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. Really. It’s fine.” Amusement rippled through Caelan’s voice. “We’re only a few hours behind you, so it’s not early. I’ve been hoping you’d call soon. How are things going?”
Adrian swallowed hard. There was static on the line. Residual magic from the God Wars in the Ordas still made things like phone calls across the continent difficult. The odds of the call cutting out were high. Adrian didn’t have time to beat about the bush. “Not good. We found his two companions dead, but no solid sign of him. We followed a lead to Voxmore, but it was a dead end. Things are…weird here. Unsettled. Dangerous.”
As he spoke, Haru shifted on the mattress, sliding his long legs alongside Adrian so that he was wrapped almost completely around him. His arms circled Adrian’s waist, and he rested his lips against his shoulder in silent, unwavering support.
“Are you safe? Injured? Haru?”
“We’re both safe and unharmed.”
Caelan’s heavy sigh stretched through the room, bringing a hint of a smile to Adrian’s lips. It was weird to think that the king of Erya was genuinely concerned for his well-being, but it was easier to believe that his friend Cael was worried.
“I’m sorry. I think you sent the wrong person. This has been overwhelming. I don’t know where to dig,” Adrian admitted, his voice growing rough. Haru’s arms tightened, and it was like being wrapped in a fierce, protective cocoon.
“No, this is my fault,” Caelan argued. “I sent you ill-equipped for the task ahead of you. My first concern was speed. But how were you to succeed? It’s not as if he were going to be standing on a street corner, waving a big yellow flag to catch your attention.”
There was a low snort followed by Drayce’s sarcastic voice, proving that the king’s fiancé was also listening in to their call. “Yeah, like that wouldn’t have gotten him killed.”