Chapter 18

Waking up wrapped in her mate's arms was the best thing Ciel decided. She pressed a kiss to his broad chest. "Morning!"

"You are waking up in a good mood," he said, squeezing her close and inhaling deeply as if scenting her.

Ignoring that new trend of smelling her, Ciel answered him, "Of course. I slept very well." After he exhausted her with orgasms, she'd slept like a log.

"Perfect. My bedtime story worked well."

Ciel felt her face flame with heat. "You are bad."

"I'm referring to the chapter in the book we are reading together. What are you talking about?"

"Daddy!" Now she was even more embarrassed. She'd thought he was talking about making love to her. Ciel tried to keep her thoughts from replaying his masterful skills.

She seized on his reference. They were reading her books together. His deep voice made the words come alive more than ever before—especially when they came to a spicy scene. Ciel was sorry all her age play books had been on her ereader. They were lost to her. She couldn't imagine hearing him read one of those.

"You're thinking awfully hard," he observed.

"Sorry. I was just sorry I didn't have all my books in paperback form."

"Some books other than those in the library?"

"Yes. My… You know. My Daddy books," she admitted.

"Why don't you write one for us to read?"

"I'm not an author," she protested.

"Why not? What is it that makes an author, an author?"

"They've written a book?"

"So…" His voice trailed off.

"There aren't any computers," she reminded him.

"There might be a dragon in this bed who has a manual typewriter in his lair."

"You really are a hoarder, aren't you?" she teased.

"A collector of all things valuable," he corrected with a smirk.

"It might be fun to try. Not that I could really do it, but I really don't have anything to do."

"You do many things. The cheese crafters brag about your skills. I'm not railroading you into writing a book. I'm just making that possible if you're interested. Now, I think there might be something I'm interested in."

She watched as Argenis lifted the sheet over them and ducked under the covers. He trailed kisses down her torso, pausing to swirl her nipples in his mouth. Weaving her fingers in his hair, she caressed his scalp as he moved lower. As his mouth closed over her pussy, Ciel felt her eyes roll upward.

Daddy!

He nibbled and licked as if he wanted to stay there all morning. The vibrations of his hums of pleasure pushed her pleasure higher and higher. The feel of his mustache and beard added an extra boost to all the sensations he lavished on her. Damn, he's good at that!

Thank you.

She shook her head at his response. He did not eavesdrop on her thoughts, but Ciel tended to broadcast when aroused. And he was way too good at that. At everything.

All the whirling sensations build until she didn't care what she shared with him. With a cry, she exploded into a massive orgasm. He coaxed every bit of excitement from Ciel before rekindling her arousal. When his mouth lifted from her body before she could climax again, Ciel blurted, "No!"

"Don't tell Daddy, no," Argenis warned as he emerged from the bedding.

"But I was almost there. Meanie!"

"And calling Daddy names? You are off to a naughty start, Little Sky," Argenis warned.

The stern voice made her rebel. It wasn't her fault. "Don't be a jerk."

"That's it, Little one."

Before she knew what was happening, Argenis flipped her over on to her hands and knees. He wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her in that position when her first move was to flatten herself to the bed.

"I think your attitude needs some adjustments. You tell me when you can talk nicely to your Daddy." His hand landed on her bottom in quick, stinging swats.

Ciel could feel her skin heating. She wiggled, trying to get away, but Argenis held her firmly in place.

"Mates who talk back to their mates earn consequences."

"I don't like this consequence," she yelled at him.

"That means it's working. Spread your legs apart."

Careful to not add more infractions to her punishment, Ciel followed his instructions and earned a quick tickle that made her gasp and push back against his fingers. When that touch switched from caresses to punishment, the sting developed into a stronger sensation. Ciel closed her eyes as her arousal roared back to life. She didn't understand how spanking made her hot. The dominance of her mate made everything sexy.

"Do you have anything to say to your Daddy," he asked when she was close to another orgasm.

"What?"

"Did you forget how you earned this spanking?"

Searching her brain, Ciel tried t come up with the right answer as he continued to pepper her bottom with swats. Tears began to drip from her eyes onto the sheet below her. Unable to think, she went with something that could apply to anything.

"I'm sorry, Daddy."

"That's my good girl."

She felt him shift behind her, moving between her thighs. He thrust into her body, filling her so completely, the air in her lungs gushed from her lips. Desperately, she inhaled as she tried to withstand the sensations his thick shaft created. Her control shattered and Ciel screamed her pleasure into the room and fell to her forearms.

Argenis didn't hesitate. He powered into her body over and over. Pushing her arousal to levels she'd never thought were possible. When she thought she'd never survive another climax, he growled into her ear.

"With me, Little Sky."

Her body launched into one more burst of incredible bliss as he increased his speed. She heard his shout fill the room and then blackness took over. Ciel was vaguely aware of him gathering her back into his arms a brief time later. The sweet kisses on her temple made her heart ache with love.

"I'm going to apologize more often," she mumbled as she squirmed into a comfortable position against his hard body. His rumbling laughter that jostled her head pillowed on him didn't bother her at all. She was asleep in seconds.

When her eyes blinked open, sunlight filled the room. Ciel stretched, felling slight aches from his lovemaking last night. She deliberately stayed on her tummy, knowing she'd feel that spanking for the day at least. The evening replayed in her mind, putting a smile on her face.

His idea that she could write stories flashed into her mind. Argenis certainly had figured out her sexual needs. He was unlike any man she'd ever had a relationship with. Not just sexually, but in how he took care of her and made her the center of his world. She could picture Argenis patting himself on the chest and reminding her he was a dragon. It was more than that.

He cared for her more than anyone had. She knew that he loved her with all his heart. Her worries of his previous mates had disappeared. From what she'd observed, dragons had no desire to interact with others—except their mates. Then they never forgot any they loved. Argenis focused completely on the now. On the relationship he had now. On her.

Rolling onto her side, she wrapped her arms around herself. How had she gotten so lucky to be his mate?

"Good morning, Little Sky."

"Daddy," she said, lifting her arms to request a hug.

To her delight, he wrapped his arms around her and took a seat on the side of the bed, holding her close. He pressed a fiery kiss to her lips. When he lifted his mouth from hers, he gently brushed her tousled hair back from her face. "Now, it will be a good morning."

"Wear some of your new earrings today," he suggested.

"Are we going somewhere special?" she asked eagerly.

"Not today, Ciel. You don't need an excuse to wear something that makes you happy," he pointed out.

"I know." She laid her cheek against his chest, enjoying having him to herself.

When she heard him inhale, she leaned away. "Why do you keep sniffing me? Do I smell?"

"Only of the very best things. Sex and sweetness underneath."

"Is that a dragon thing? To sniff people? I knew dogs sniffed people."

Affront covered his features. "Dragons do not sniff things like simple-minded dogs."

"Dogs are smart. They can track lost people. Can help people with mobility problems… Or the blind. They can even sense when illnesses are coming like a seizure."

Something in his face made her pause. "That's it, isn't it? You're checking to see if I'm sick. Like your previous mate."

"Ciel," he began, but she interrupted.

"Are you smelling something? Am I going to die?"

"No, Little Sky. Your scent is young and healthy. I can not sense anything wrong with you."

"Then you need to stop. We have however long we have. We need to make the most out of every day. I kiss you goodbye to you every time you leave, and I don't allow myself to think about all the things that could happen to you."

He stared at her before nodding. "You are much wiser than I am, Ciel."

"I doubt that seriously. But I love you—whether we have fifty years or fifty days. I'm going to enjoy every one."

"I love you, Little Sky."

"Then give me another of those yummy kisses that make my toes curl and go make sure Wyvern is safe."

That kiss almost made her beg him to stay. She felt her lips curve in satisfaction at the hungry look on his face. He was voracious. Rwahr!

"That is not what I sound like when I roar."

"In my mind it is," she answered pertly.

"I drew a bath for you. Let me reheat it so you can soak your tender parts. Then wear a pair of your earrings and visit the library today." He lifted her to stand next to the bed.

"Yes, sir, Daddy, sir!" she saluted and earned a quick swat to her behind that made her gasp and promise. "I'll be good."

"Just be yourself, Ciel. That's all I ask you to be, Little Sky."

"Deal!"