Part 41 (1/2)
She went on her tiptoes to place a light kiss on his jaw.
”Did you see your mother?”
His eyes darkened, but it wasn't pain. Instead it was a bittersweet regret.
”Yes.”
Her hand moved to cup his lean cheek. ”And?”
”We can discuss it once we're in my lair-” He gave a sudden shake of his head. ”Not my lair. Our lair.”
She tried to read his expression. ”At least tell me you listened to what she had to say.”
”I listened.” He flashed a teasing smile. ”And even learned.”
She widened her eyes. ”A miracle.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead before they skimmed down her cheek to the corner of her mouth.
”You are the miracle, my love,” he murmured in husky tones. ”My mother is preparing a portal for us to leave. Let's go home.”
”Oh.” Rya stiffened at the mention of a portal.
Torque narrowed his eyes, studying her apologetic expression.
”h.e.l.l. I'm not going to like this, am I?”
”I have to see my mother.” She gave a small shrug. ”She used the last of her strength to create the portal.”
He heaved a resigned sigh. ”Perhaps my father wasn't completely wrong to barter off his family.”
She skimmed her hands down his neck and over his broad shoulders. Torque wasn't the only one anxious to return to the privacy of his lair.
”Thankfully, you will be a much better father,” she a.s.sured him in husky tones.
His eyes flared with sapphire fire. ”I'm more interested in being a mate.”
Pulling out of his arms, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the waiting portal.
”We have a whole eternity ahead of us.”
He stroked a finger down the curve of her back, sending sparks of fire through her blood.
”Not long enough.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.
Torque had been a very good dragon.
Not only had he patiently escorted Rya to her mother's lair so she could a.s.sure herself that Kai was properly resting, but he'd actually waited until they were in the privacy of his lair before he'd torn off her clothes and ravished her.
Then, as a reward for his excellent behavior, he'd carried her to his bed, and allowed her to ravish him.
Now he held her tightly in his arms and nuzzled at her throat.
Eventually he would get up and make them something to eat, but for now he intended to enjoy a slow, thorough seduction that might very well take the entire day.
Nibbling a path of kisses down the curve of her neck, he pretended he didn't hear the sharp knock that echoed through the lair.
Beneath him, Rya stiffened. ”Torque.”
His lips traced the dragon marque that draped over the luscious curve of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
”Hmm?”
”There's someone at the door.”
He released a small burst of fire that made her squirm with pleasure.
”Ignore them and they'll go away,” he told her.
She gave a throaty laugh, her fingers combing through his hair.
”You always say that.”
”Because it's true,” he said.
Then the knocking stopped, only to be replaced by an explosive burst of power that rattled the bed and sucked the air out of the room.
Which meant that either a nuclear bomb had just been planted in his lair, or it was Baine on the other side of the door.
”Not when it's a p.i.s.sed-off dragon,” she muttered.
No s.h.i.+t.
Muttering beneath his breath, Torque reluctantly climbed out of bed and pulled on a pair of faded jeans.
”I've changed my mind,” he said, his gaze captivated by the sight of Rya spread across his bed.
Her dark satin hair was spread over the pillows, her eyes smoldering with amber fire. She was sensual female temptation wrapped in glorious beauty.
Was it any wonder that he wanted to toss her over his shoulder and disappear in a puff of smoke?
”About what?” she demanded, covering her slender body with the sheet.