CHAPTER ELEVEN: HUDSON

HUDSON'S DRAGON roared as he came, letting everyone know how satisfied he was as he filled one of his mates. His dragon had spoken through him to Kit. Hudson was stunned.

Kit collapsed against Connie's back, reached around, and swiftly started stroking him.

Connie pulled off Hudson, gasping for air. "Yes, yes! But fuck, I need it—"

"Hard and fast, Kit. Stroke him hard and fast," Hudson demanded. He knew exactly what Connie needed.

Hudson's dragon wanted Kit to actually bite Connie, but that was something Kit wasn't ready for. He might never be, and Hudson's dragon needed to understand that.

"Coming!" Connie gasped. "Oh gods, yes!"

Hudson enjoyed watching his mate fall apart. Soon he wanted to see Kit in the same position.

Connie rolled over just as Kit straightened. Kit gazed boldly at Connie and Hudson as he licked Connie's come off his fingers. Hudson rumbled. He wanted to lick Kit's fingers too, maybe even nibble at them a bit.

Then he wanted to whisk Kit off to his hoard and maybe curl around him in his dragon form. He could literally see it in his mind, so much so in fact, he started pushing his dragon back down inside him. The creature was really riding him hard.

Connie moaned, watching Kit. "You're going to start something again doing that."

Hudson agreed.

"I—" Kit suddenly yawned, then fought another yawn off, his eyes watering. "Jeez, that came out of nowhere. Sorry about that. I'm tired. It's been a long day."

Whatever naughty thoughts Hudson had been having came to a screeching halt and Hudson's dragon reluctantly retreated, thank Gaura.

"Yes, it has, and it's been a very eventful day at that," Hudson said. "Let me get a washcloth and help Connie clean up, then let's go to bed."

Hudson was fully aware of what he'd just said. He wanted Kit to spend the night with them instead of going back to his own room, but he wasn't going to push. His dragon rumbled unhappily in his head, and he shushed him. But there was nothing that said he couldn't throw the idea out there, though. Maybe that would please the damn insistent creature.

"Come with me, and I'll get you cleaned up too," Hudson said.

"He's in caretaker mode. You might as well go," Connie said, still sprawled on the bed.

"Caretaker mode?" Kit asked.

"Yep. You'll see."

Connie wasn't wrong. Hudson had always been attentive to any lover he'd had in the past, but the driving need to take care of Connie and Kit was almost overwhelming.

A couple hundred years ago he would've been hard-pressed not to carry Kit off to some castle in the mountains and stash him there. He was sure Connie had the same thoughts.

Fortunately for Kit, Connie was there to stop any of the more primitive thoughts Hudson had. So far. He might not restrict Kit's movements, but he'd certainly made sure his mate was protected when he went out.

Kit followed Hudson into the bathroom. Hudson ran water in the sink, then grabbed a washcloth. When it was warm enough, he wet it and handed it to Kit.

He grabbed another one, repeated the process, and carried it back to Connie. A few minutes later, Kit joined them. Hudson returned the washcloth he had and joined them in the bed.

So what if he stood at the edge for just a moment and admired the two men in his bed? A feeling of calmness descended over him and his dragon. This was where his men belonged. This felt right.

Kit had slipped on his underwear, and Hudson's dragon huffed in his head. The beast wanted Kit naked, but Hudson would say nothing, even though he agreed. But right now, he was more concerned with Kit being comfortable than any demands he and his dragon might make.

Again, for now.

But Kit was sitting on the edge of the bed. Baby steps, Hudson reminded himself.

"How are you doing?" Hudson asked.

"Pretty good, all things considered. Finding out that all three of my parents are shifters? Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that, but knowing what I know now, I'm glad my papa changed them," Kit said. "Mom and Pops would've hated knowing that Papa would outlive them."

"It is one drawback to dating a human," Connie admitted.

"I can imagine." Kit ran his hand through his hair.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Connie asked.

Hudson noticed that neither he nor Connie had gotten dressed. Both tended to sleep in the nude.

"Honestly?" Kit bit his lip.

Hudson immediately moved to where Kit sat on the bed. Connie beat him there by mere seconds. Connie wrapped his arm around Kit's waist. Hudson sat on the other side and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"I really am okay. I'm just a little out of sorts."

The fact that Kit could say he was only "a little out of sorts" was amazing, especially with all he'd been through lately. His mate really had a strong will.

"I know I said I wanted to take things slow between us, and I'm not changing my mind on that. I still feel like we need to get to know each other, but I really don't want to go back to my room tonight." Kit slumped. "I don't want to be alone."

Hudson knew even those with a strong will occasionally need a break.

"You know we want you here with us," Connie said immediately.

"But what if I sleep here tonight and then want to go back to the guest room tomorrow night? Is that going to upset either of you?" Kit asked. "I don't want to do that."

The acidic scent of distress rose from Kit, and Hudson simply could not allow that. "We would miss you, of course, but the choice is yours." Hudson softly petted Kit's knee. "Neither one of us would be upset."

Connie nodded. "Forcing you into our bed defeats the purpose, you know?"

Kit blew out a breath. "True. And neither one of you would do that. Okay. If you're sure it won't cause a problem, then yes, I'd like to stay tonight."

"Then let's go to bed," Hudson said, standing. "I hope you don't mind, but I always sleep closest to the door."

"It's a protection thing," Connie said, also getting up. "He can't help it. Okay, Kit. Do you want the middle? Or the outside edge?"

Leave it to Connie to downplay Hudson's instinctual need to protect his mates.

"I sleep on the edge of the bed. Would it be okay if you slept in the middle?" Kit asked.

"Sure." Connie immediately crawled into the center of the bed and patted the empty space next to him. "No problem."

Hudson slipped under the sheets. His dragon rumbled contentedly in his head. "It's probably going to be a little tight with three grown men, even though this is a king-sized mattress."

"Yeah, that could be a problem," Kit said, settling down.

"For tonight, possibly," Hudson admitted. "But I'm having a custom bed made that'll be much larger. It'll be the size of two king-sized mattresses."

Kit goggled. "Well damn. Do they even make sheets for something that large? What about a comforter? Headboard? Footboard?"

"All of it will have to be custom made, and we'll pick out a comforter and sheets together, along with a head and footboard. I want something that appeals to all of us," Hudson said. "I also plan to enlarge the master bedroom, the master closet, and do some work in the master bathroom."

"Construction. That's going to be fun." Kit snickered.

"I'd already planned to expand an underground area for Connie's hoard, so I decided to go ahead and do this as well. Now that you know you're our mate, I want to get started on that. I also want your input," Hudson said.

"Oh, wow, really?"

"Of course," Connie said. "Eventually you'll be staying here too. Why wouldn't he want your input?"

"Thank you," Kit said. He leaned over Connie so he could kiss Hudson. "That means a lot to me. Good night."

"Anything for my mates," Hudson said. "Good night to you."

Kit kissed Connie too. "Night."

"Night, babe. Sleep tight."

MORNING FOUND Hudson awake first, so he fixed himself a cup of coffee and went out on his back deck. The birds were chirping, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. Another perfect California morning.

He enjoyed the view for a little while before he returned inside. Both of his mates were still asleep, so Hudson brushed his teeth and took a shower. He'd just finished drying his hair and braiding a section near his face when Connie stumbled in to use the bathroom.

The countertop in his bathroom had two sinks, but they really needed three. One more thing to add to the list, along with the makeup vanity he planned for Kit. He couldn't wait to see Kit's reaction when he told him about it.

Connie washed his hands, then brushed his teeth. When he was done, Connie leaned against Hudson. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Hudson took the offered kiss. "How'd you sleep?"

"Great. What about you?"

"Very well. It was like I could finally truly rest now that Kit was there with us."

"I know. Even my dragon felt more relaxed." Connie stepped toward the shower and turned it on. "I'll be out in a minute."

"Sounds good." Hudson took his coffee and walked into the closet. He flicked through his clothes until he found a pair of jeans and a silky black button-down shirt. After he dressed, he returned to the bedroom.

He hated to wake Kit up, but they planned to meet his parents for breakfast. Hudson set his coffee on the end table, then sat on the bed. He placed his hand on Kit's hip and gently shook him. "Hey, babe. Time to get up."

Kit came awake slowly, stretching lazily. Opening his eyes, he grinned at Hudson. "Morning."

"Good morning."

Kit groaned as he pointed his toes. "I thought the bed in the guest bedroom was awesome, but this one has it beat hands down."

"I take it you slept well?"

Kit nodded. "Very well. Where's Connie?"

"Showering. We have about an hour before we need to meet your parents for breakfast."

"Showering, huh? Wonder how he'd feel about company?"

"I doubt you'd hear any complaints." Hudson smirked. If he hadn't already taken a shower and dressed, he'd seriously consider joining them. Next time. And he was sure there would be a next time.

Kit flung the covers off and jumped to his feet. "I think I'm going to surprise Connie."

Hudson watched Kit hurry to the bathroom. Oh yes, Connie was certainly in for a surprise.

Hudson amused himself by playing a game on his phone while he waited for his mates to join him. Even though they were in the bathroom, he still picked up the muffled sound of a groan or two.

As tempting as it was to go in there, he resisted. They might be in a three-way relationship, but each of them deserved time with the other alone.

And he was okay with that. He and Connie spent most of their day together, taking care of dragon business and running Hudson's kingdom.

If Kit wanted to help with that, Hudson would gladly have him join them. But Kit had his own business, one that he'd made clear he loved. By the very nature of how things were set up, Hudson and Connie spent more time together.

Because of that, he was completely okay with each of them having some alone time with Kit. Besides, most of the time, it'd be the three of them together, anyway.

A short time later, Kit and Connie joined Hudson. Connie was dressed in jeans and a navy polo knit shirt. Kit followed behind Connie. He was dressed in a pair of black pants with floral designs, which he'd tucked into black combat boots.

The shirt he wore was a lacy pink crop top. It picked up the pink of the flowers on his pants. He wore a couple of beaded pearl necklaces, some bangles on his wrists, and hoop pearl earrings. Interestingly enough, Kit had braided a section of his hair nearest his face like Hudson often did.

Kit must have seen where Hudson was looking, because he subconsciously touched the braid. "Is this okay? I noticed you do it a lot." Then Kit paled. "Oh, damn. Is this a dragon thing? Am I screwing up some dearly held tradition? Maybe I should take it out."

Hudson quickly crossed to Kit and grabbed his hands. "It's perfectly fine, and no, it's not some sort of dragon tradition. It's just something I started doing several centuries ago."

Kit blew out a breath. "Centuries ago."

Hudson shot a quick look at Connie. "Not a word out of you."

Connie chuckled quietly.

"You did it for me? The braid, I mean?" Hudson asked.

Kit nodded. "Yes. I hope that was okay."

"I am honored. Thank you." Hudson kissed Kit's fingers.

"Okay, good. Glad to know I didn't inadvertently step on some dragon toes. Whew. So, who's ready for breakfast?"

THEY STOPPED by the room Kit's parents were staying in, and together the six of them went to breakfast. Sir Parker, Hudson's IT specialist, and Lord Mitchell, the weapons specialist, were already there.

Hudson introduced Kit's parents to the two members of his inner circle, then escorted them to the buffet line. Mistress Sheila, his financial advisor, and Lady Audrey, another dragon who specialized in fighting, also showed up shortly after everybody was seated, and he also introduced them.

Hudson noticed an odd look on Michail's face. "Michail, is there something wrong?"

Surprise, along with a touch of unease, crossed Michail's face. "Forgive me." He bowed his head slightly to Hudson before making eye contact with the two female dragons. "And I also ask your forgiveness. Where I come from, females are not allowed to hold positions of power. My surprise showed, and for that, I am sorry."

Audrey put her fork down. "Do you believe females are incapable of holding positions of power?"

"Not at all!" Michail hurried to reassure her. "Such a bias based on gender is antiquated, and quite frankly, stupid. I'm relieved Hudson does not follow such thinking since he is a mate to my son. But unfortunately, not all leaders feel this way."

Audrey relaxed. "Very true."

"Again, I apologize."

"No, no, there's nothing to apologize for. I might've overreacted a tiny bit. Even though I'm a dragon and part of Hudson's inner circle, I still get the occasional male who questions my position."

"More fool them," Connie mumbled into his eggs. "She teaches us new fighting techniques in our dragon form. She also doesn't take it easy on us during training. When I tell you she's vicious in a fight, I'm not exaggerating in the least."

Audrey's smile was only slightly evil. "Why, thank you."

Kit's parents seemed relatively relaxed, considering they were surrounded by dragons. Hudson was glad to see that, though. As Kit had been told, it was hard going into another paranormal's territory—especially when you were the weaker paranormal.

Which reminded Hudson of something he needed to talk to Kit's parents about, but he wouldn't broach the subject at the breakfast table.

Once the meal was over, he invited Kit's parents back to his private quarters.

After they were settled, Hudson brought up the topic he wanted to talk to them about. "Grace, Chris, Michail? I have something I wish to ask you. It concerns Kit and him being my mate."

"Is there a problem?" Grace asked.

"Not a problem, per se. More of a security issue. As you know, Kit loves the three of you very much. He'd do anything for you. And that's a problem," Hudson said.

"Excuse me?" Chris demanded, outrage clear in his voice.

Michail groaned. "Chris, he's a mate to a dragon. Actually, he's mate to two dragons. One of which is the right hand to a king. The other, of course, is a king."

"As my mate, Kit will be targeted. What is the best way to hurt me? Hurt my mates. Out of the two of them, Kit is more susceptible. I'm sure we all know why."

"It's because he's human, isn't it?" Grace asked.

"After we officially mate, Kit will not be fully human. Connie and I will take steps to make sure of that. But unlike you and Chris, Kit will never be a dragon. My kind cannot change another into what we are," Hudson said. "He will be protected, of course. They both will."

"If Kit is protected, who would someone go after next?" Connie asked. "His parents."

"And Kit would do anything for you three," Hudson added. "Which brings me to my point. I'm sending a couple of my dragons back with you."

Chris immediately shook his head. "That's not necessary."

"Pops—"

"It is necessary," Hudson continued. "I'm going to be brutally honest—Kit is my greatest weakness."

"Oh, wow, thanks. Just what I love to hear," Kit snapped.

Hudson turned to Kit. "Do you have fangs? Claws? Can you shift? Breathe fire? Cast spells? Yes, after you become our mate, your hearing, vision, sense of smell, and ability to heal will increase, but—"

Connie jumped in. "But Kit, you'll always be vulnerable. You'll have some paranormal abilities, but you'll never be a paranormal. Unlike your parents."

Grace and Chris started speaking, both interrupting each other. Kit was arguing with them, trying to talk over them.

"Chris? Grace? Okay, Kit, if you could—no, Grace, that's not—" Michail stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Loudly. "Mother of all, that's enough!"

Chris and Grace cringed, but they stopped immediately and turned toward Michail. Hudson and Connie also winced.