"You are so beautiful," he whispers, stealing another peck.

I believe him. For the first time in a long time; I feel pretty.

I smile shyly. When I thought of my future husband, I always imagined being with a human man that's as frail and fearful as me. I never dreamt of a dragon unless it was a nightmare.

Now I have Drakkon. My powerful dragon that makes me feel so very feminine under his intense, hungry gaze.

We pull away from each other and stare out the window. I sit on the ground and hug my knees to my chest. Drakkon sits beside me. After a minute, he reaches for my hips and drags me so I'm sitting between his spread legs.

I chuckle and lean into his chest. We stare at the sky together until I nod off. Later, I stir awake when I feel my body get lifted.

"Drakkon?" I ask, blinking at the darkness. I know it's him, though, because I've learned what his embrace feels like.

"Sleep, Lucky." He lays me down, and I grasp his forearm.

"Stay with me."

He doesn't hesitate. My greedy dragon slides behind me and pulls me close, wrapping an arm around my waist. My bottom is flush against his groin. Within a minute, he becomes harder than a diamond. I know he's not trying to intimidate me, but I can't help but tense. The only contact I've had with men is to slap their wondering hands away. Now I have the epitome of masculinity against me, so sexy and strong, silently offering me pleasure beyond my wildest dreams.

I bite my lip and shut my eyes tight, trying to become smaller.

What would happen if I turned in his arms and my groin was against his? The hand he has around my waist would end up touching my ass. Would he get harder?

I don't have it in me to find out. I'm brave in the streets, but not in the sheets.

For the rest of the night, I stay still, but can't control my rogue heartbeat. Drakkon thrills me. I've never felt like this for a man, but I will not run away from my feelings anymore. As fucked up as our situation is, I care for him.

I touch my scarred wrist, which was covered by my long sleeve. It's time for a new beginning.

After an hour of playing dead in his arms and wondering if his erection will ever go away, I fall asleep.

Gentle kisses awaken me. I open my eyes and find Drakkon hovering over me. He looks unreal with the sun glistening against his bare chest. I have to remind myself to not stare.

I smile. "Good morning."

I wouldn't mind waking up to this every day.

"Good day," he replies and kisses my forehead one last time. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

We invite Jexis to eat breakfast with us. We all enjoy breakfast in silence. It's peaceful.

"So." Jexis clears his throat and intertwines his hands. "It has been a few days. Tell me if you have settled in well."

"We have," Drakkon answers. "There has been no sign of the other dragons. This is a good location you have nested in."

"What is the plan, Drakkon? I am much too old to lead anymore. It is your duty. You know how to open the portal, so when will you breathe your fire?"

Drakkon finds my eyes. "Lucky is not ready yet."

I'm not. I don't love him yet. Do I?

I notice that he doesn't mention himself. He's sure about what he feels for me.

"Have you mated yet? A good rut would increase fondness of each other," Jexis so-casually suggests.

I choke on the almonds I'm eating.

"Jexis..." Drakkon warns. Unlike me, he's not flustered. Of course he's not. The guy is too confident to ever blush.

"I will refrain from giving tips, then." Jexis says.

My shoulders relax.

"I'll leave the tip-giving to you, Drakkon." He laughs.

I don't miss the innuendo.

"Oh, these old bones." He struggles to stand, and Drakkon rises to help him.

"Go terrorize another couple, old man." He says with a clap to his back.

Jexis leaves, and Drakkon settles back down next to me.

"Pay him no mind," he tells me. "He is only jesting."

I don't miss how he lifts his knees to hide his lap from me. It's too late, though. I've spotted his erection, and it's effecting me. Warmth pools at my center, and I have no idea what to do with it.

We eat in silence for the rest of breakfast until he breaks it by clearing his throat.

"I must ask you something."

Yes, you can kiss me again. You can kiss any part of me.

"What's that?"

"I would like to spend more time with you other than while eating in here. Would you like to go hunting with me? I can show you how to decapitate your prey."

Is he asking me on a date?

"Uh... sure. We can spend more time together outside, but I'll have to pass on the decapitation lesson."

"Why not? It is an essential skill."

"I'm just not really interested in taking heads off people or animals. Thanks for the offer, though."

He pauses. "Very well. How about self defense? I can teach you five ways to murder a man without spilling blood."

Wow, that sounds so romantic.

"How about we just go star watching? We'll sit outside and look at the sky."

He blinks. "This would make you happy?"

I nod.

"Very well, then. Tonight."

I smile at him. Slowly, I'm falling in love with this quirky, confused dragon.

For the rest of the day, I tidy up our room. It feels weird, not having to worry about food anymore. All I'm in charge of is basic tasks, and standing around looking pretty.

Pretty, huh?

I touch my hair. It has grown longer, down to my shoulder blades. It hasn't been this long in a decade. I'm tempted to grow it because I want to look more feminine for Drakkon.

Thinking of our date, I pull the nicest dress I own. It only has four holes, and although it has a modest neckline, it gently flares at the waist to give the illusion of wider hips. I've seen girls in magazines wearing makeup, but that doesn't exist anymore, so the best I can do is pinch my cheeks and pout my lips.

Drakkon walks into the room after an hour, bringing in fresh buckets of water. He doesn't notice my dress, but my ponytail catches his attention. This is new, since I always have my hair shoved into a tiny bun.

"Lucky, you will explain why your hair looks like a dragon's tail."

I laugh. "Just wanted to try something new. Do you like it?" I touch my hair. It's oily and in need of washing, but I did my best.

Drakkon thinks for a while. "No. An enemy could snatch your tail and capture you. It is a liability. What is the purpose of having it like this?"

I don't fault him for thinking tactfully, since that's what he has done all his life. Still, I had hoped he liked it. I look at the ground. "Well, I was trying to look attractive."

"Why? I am already lusting after your cunt, and my inner fire has chosen you as the mother of my children. There is no need to flaunt mating colours at me."

I no longer need to pinch my cheeks because I'm naturally blushing.

"We should go before we, uh, miss the stars outside."

He gives me a look of confusion before turning and leading the way. Turns out that we don't have to go far. He takes me to the backyard of the neighboring building, and we sit atop a blanket among the rubble.

"Where do you think your galaxy is?" I ask as I stare at the endless sea of stars.

"I do not know, but I hope it's within my sight," he replies.

We don't speak much, too busy staring at the twinkling lights. I never paid much attention to the sky, other than to check for dragons, but this is beautiful.

I exhale when I'm suddenly pulled from my seat and onto Drakkon's lap. I don't know if he realizes that it's rude to snatch people, but I don't want to correct him. I like that he grabs me whenever he misses me, because I'm not brave enough to tell him I want to be held.

His arms wrap around my midsection, just like last night. I wonder if we'll ever sleep cocooned against each other again.

An idea appears— a naughty, unspeakable one.

The next time he cradles against me at night, I can wiggle my bottom against his groin, pretending to be adjusting my position while trying to make him harder. I have no idea how he would react to the tease, but I want to play.

I have my reasons, right? I have to fall in love with him to get the portal open and essentially save humanity.

Butterflies flutter in my belly. This is so, so naughty. I'll be playing with fire with a dragon, and I'm bound to get burned.