Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
She could never have anticipated the joy that filled her life now with Keres. Rimi promised herself to savor the experiences he brought to her every day. She would never forget how he saved her along with himself.
“I love you, Snowflake.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
Chapter 13
Keres helped his mate up, loving how she trembled with the aftereffects from their lovemaking. He tenderly swiped a few daring coins that tried to cling to her skin and loved the imprint of others. Making love on a bed of money came with a few drawbacks but rated at the top of his dragon’s heart. He took care to check her clenched fists and remove the coins she held.
“So naughty,” he whispered before softening his words with kisses to her hands.
“Good thing you frisked me so thoroughly.”
He raised his head to check her expression. Was she teasing him or upset? Her slow wink assured him she had enjoyed herself completely. He stepped forward to cup her bottom.
“I missed checking one place.” His fingers trailed down the line between her cheeks suggestively. Keres loved the flash of red that colored her cheeks as she blushed.
“Not happening.”
“Oh, it will happen, Snowflake, and even better, you’ll enjoy it,” he assured her, squeezing her bottom. He loved knowing she would think about that for a while as she bit her bottom lip.
“Come on. Let me show you around.” He stepped back to take her hand, stopping her when she reached for her clothes. “I’m keeping you honest. No clothes for you.”
She opened her mouth to protest and snapped it closed when he shook his head. “Fine. You have to be naked in my hoard then, too. When I have one, of course.”
“Deal,” he readily agreed and tugged her forward. “Let’s go explore.” He glanced at her as they walked forward and considered her love-rumpled hair. She was gorgeous.
“Are those tiaras?” she asked, pointing to a display in front of them.
“Yes. Let’s choose one or two for you,” he suggested.
“Really?” she squeaked.
“Of course. All dragons need jewels. Are there any here that you like?”
Immediately, she pointed to the one he would have chosen for her. A diamond-encrusted platinum frame glittered on the top shelf. It was perfect for the crystal dragon—almost as gorgeous as her dragon was. Keres lifted it down from the shelf for her and placed it on her hair.
“There’s a mirror there,” he directed, pointing to the right.
She walked like a child learning to balance books on her head—her hands out to the side. Enchanting. He moved with her to see her reaction as she reached the mirror. Her sweet lips rounded in an O as she took in the gorgeous tiara above the face of a well-loved woman. She lifted a hand to smooth her rumpled hair.
“Don’t,” he whispered, and she dropped it back to her side.
She met his gaze in the mirror and Keres told her, “Don’t change a hair on your head, Snowflake. See how beautiful you are.”
Rimi stared at herself for a few seconds before turning to glide toward him. Her new confidence made him smile. “That tiara was made for you.”
“Really?” she squeaked.
“That is a crown I collected from a princess in a snowy kingdom. I’ve had it for many years. None of my mates gave it a second glance. It has been waiting for you—the crystal dragon. The princess I’ve waited for all my life.”
Tears gathered in her beautiful green eyes. Keres wiped those that tumbled onto her cheeks away with his thumbs. “Snowflake, what’s wrong?”
“You’ve loved so many. I can’t be special.”
“I’ve had six mates before you. I have loved each of them completely and mourned their passings. Then you appeared, shattering my idea of who could be my match. You restored me. Do you know what excites me the most?”
“Slate?”
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to meet my son if I’d ever had one. I thank you for him, but Slate will leave soon to lead his own life.”
“Then what are you talking about?” she asked in confusion.
“You are a dragon shifter, Snowflake. You won’t leave me. I get to keep you. I get to cherish and love you for the rest of my life.”
She stared at him in wonder. “You’ll want me for all that time?”
“Just try to get away, my precious Little dragon. I will spank off every crystal-colored scale on your naughty bottom,” he threatened, giving her a fierce look.
It didn’t scare her at all. Rimi reached up to smooth his furrowed brow. He could see her struggling to figure out what to say to him. I love you, Rimi. Tell me you’ll let me protect you until our last breath.
Rimi met his gaze and nodded. Until our last breath, she vowed before saying aloud, “I love you, Keres.”
Stepping forward, Keres wrapped his arms around her and hugged Rimi so close she squeaked. Then he spun in a circle that made her clutch at her tiara in panic.