The Dragon's Fate - Roxie Ray Page 0,44

her. “I hope you’re ready for me because I’m about to give you everything.”

She didn’t realize just how deeply I meant it.

15

Bri

Jace's words left my skin buzzing and now I was beyond ready to see everything he said he was going to give me. I’d been anxious all week as we went back from spring break and got the new semester started.

Friday afternoon, I was more excited than I had been the Friday before spring break and damn near sprinted out of class at the end of the day to collect Hayden.

“Why are you here so early, Mommy?” Hayden asked when I walked into her classroom. The elementary school was released about ten minutes before middle school, but Hayden’s teacher knew I worked up the hall. If I ever didn’t get down here fast enough to get Hayden, Ms. Rogers sent her up to me. She was probably old enough to make the trek to the middle school portion of our meandering hallways, but I’d never suggested it, and neither had she. I was okay with waiting as long as possible for her to try independent things.

“I just had everything ready to go. No reason.” I waved at Ms. Rogers and helped Hayden gather her things.

“You’re all jumpy,” Hayden observed as I stuffed everything in her backpack.

“Just ready for the weekend,” I muttered as I once again marveled at how dang smart she was. She really didn’t look convinced. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I took Hayden straight to my parents’, eager to get back home and get ready for my date. I wanted to do all the pampering.

On my way out, Bianca stopped me. “Wanna go out tonight?”

“No, but thanks. I’ve got plans.” I smiled and tried to edge past her, but she crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow.

“What sort of plans?” she asked in a suspecting voice.

I didn’t want to answer, but my face answered for me when it flushed dark red.

Bianca looked properly scandalized for a moment, but then she smirked. “Be safe.” She winked. “Or not. This time I want a nephew.”

I scoffed. “Keep dreaming, sister.” Waving over my shoulder, I went out the door laughing. But then on the drive home, I couldn’t help but wonder. Maybe more kids weren’t outside the realm of possibility. I tried not to dwell on it or jump too deep into thoughts of the future, but I wondered if Jace wanted kids. I pushed that thought away, too. Too much, too soon.

I tried to remember the last time I had a good pampering session. I was pretty sure it was several girls’ nights ago. I had time, so I spent the afternoon pampering myself. A bubble bath, shaving… everywhere. Lotion, oils, the whole nine yards. I painted my nails and tried not to let my insecurities bubble up. It’d been way too damn long since I’d gotten some.

What if I wasn’t good enough? Jace had been with a lot of women. He was experienced. I, to put it simply, wasn’t.

I tried to find my confidence.

Apparently, it was off somewhere in space. By the time Jace arrived, I looked and felt like a million bucks, except for the whole being so nervous I was about to vomit. He took one look at me and chuckled, then pulled me close and kissed me long and deep, forcing me to relax, and only then did he lead me into the living room.

With his hands on my arms, he sat me down. “Talk.”

I blew a breath upward and bit my lip.

He crossed his arms and looked at me like I was grounded or something. “I’m not starting anything until you’re fully comfortable.”

I sighed. I was seriously thinking about starting something serious with him, which meant I had to be totally honest with him. “Okay. I’m sorry.”

“You have no reason to be sorry.”

“Okay, so… I’m worried about not being able to please you,” I blurted out. “Damon was… the book I read basically would’ve described him as vanilla. He didn’t like blow jobs or, uh, returning the favor on me.” My cheeks got redder and redder as I tried to explain. “So, I feel like a teenager just now starting to date for the first time. And that you’re like a grown man. Experienced. Uh, oh, geez.”

He listened and let me ramble until I got it all out. He didn’t interrupt.

When I wound down, he nodded and pulled me close to him. He grabbed my hand and put it directly on his dick.

I looked