Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“Dragon,” he reminded her, patting his chest.
“You can’t hold off an army.”
“Dragon,” he repeated, trying not to bristle at the thought that a mere army would be able to best him. “I think a tiara would be a good first pick.”
“Like a princess’s tiara?” she asked, searching around the room. “There!”
He grinned as she ran toward the display of breath-taking headdresses. Following at a more sedate pace, Drake watched her link her fingers together behind her back as if she were afraid to touch anything. She seemed to focus on one.
Following her gaze, Drake picked up a gold tiara with amber embellishments. Inside, his heart skipped a beat. This was his absolute favorite. He’d had it created years ago by a master jeweler. The craftsman had balked at using so much gold with very ordinary stones. Drake had insisted.
He held it out to her. “I would love to see you try this one on.”
“Really?” she squeaked.
“Absolutely.”
He held it while she smoothed her hair into place with her hands. Then, he placed it on her head. He’d never considered himself a pushover, but Aurora pleased him. “You look regal.”
“Regal?” she echoed. “Is that a good thing?”
“The best. Go look.” He waved in the direction of the large mirror.
Aurora walked with her head up straight and her shoulders back. He loved her confidence. When she stopped in front of her reflection, he saw her mouth round in a silent O. Her hands rose to check the fit of the tiara but never touched it. It was perfect.
She turned around to face him with tears in her eyes. “You made me a princess.”
“You’ve always been a princess, Little one. The tiara is just the final touch.”
He started toward her, and she walked to meet him halfway. He loved how she glided over the floor and the beautiful smile on her face.
You are a besotted fool.
Even that thought from his dragon didn’t dull his delight. He had loved all his mates for the amazing women they were. Aurora had something special.
“You have two more gifts to choose, Little one,” he reminded her gently.
“Oh, no. I’m sure this counts for three.”
“It does not, but you may choose the others in the future if you wish.”
“Thank you. I’ll do that,” she rushed to say before turning to look at herself in the mirror. “I don’t have to take it off, do I?”
“Only at bath and bedtime,” Drake assured her, controlling his desire to make love to her on the pile of coins.
He sent a message to his dragon. That would not be comfortable for her.
Echoing in his brain came the response, making him grit his teeth. She could be on top.
Shaking his head, Drake forced himself to walk to the exit.
“He’s talking to you, isn’t he?” Aurora whispered.
“He is.”
“I wish he’d talk to me. Your dragon was beautiful.”
A roar in his mind made Drake wince slightly.
“He likes compliments, doesn’t he?” Aurora asked, her pace changing to a skip to keep up with his long strides.
“A dragon is a fierce, battle-hardened warrior,” Drake told her stiffly and felt his dragon almost preen at the description.
Who says you can’t be fierce and beautiful? In our mate’s eyes, I can.
“And beautiful.” Aurora echoed the dragon’s voice inside his head. “His scales shined in the light and shimmered when heat slid over them. He didn’t get burnt, did he? Or you?”
“You’ve guessed correctly, Aurora. An injury to the dragon impacts my human form as well. We are both fine,” he assured her.
“Beautifully fine,” she corrected, smiling at him. The tiara shimmered with her every movement, enchanting him.
“I’m not going to win this, am I?”
“I’m not going to change my mind, Daddy. Your dragon is beautiful.”
“Fine,” he harrumphed as he picked up the jewelry box from where he’d left it. “I’ll take beautiful in your eyes.”
“Thank you.”
Drake just shook his head and ushered her through the door.
She has you wrapped around her little finger.
Chapter 9
“I can dress myself,” Aurora told him the next morning.
“Daddy’s job.”
Grimacing at his dominating tone, Aurora decided he needed a wakeup call. “You know I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
“Daddy’s job,” Drake repeated firmly as he looped a bright blue T-shirt over her head.
“I need to do more than be your toy, Drake.”
“You are my mate and my Little one. Never a toy.”
When she snorted her annoyance, he cupped her shoulders with his large hands and turned her to face him directly. Stubbornly, Aurora stared straight at his broad chest in front of her. Drake had not dressed yet. Those tempting curls of chest hair tempted her to reach out and twirl her finger through them. Clenching her back teeth, she resisted the urge.
“Look at me, Aurora.”
She took one long second to follow his directions to show him she didn’t have to jump to follow his instructions. When his hands tightened on her shoulders, she quickly complied. Meeting his gaze, she tried to keep her expression blank.