Taming London (Warwick Dragons #1) - Milly Taiden Page 0,62

They were going to call it the Lilly Russo Haven, and it would welcome women and children who were in unsafe and abusive family situations.

It was the best way to honor her mother, and Lucille was happy to pour her anger toward Leonard into something more positive. She found helping others to be quite therapeutic and beneficial to her mental health after discovering her husband had had his previous wife murdered. Bethany hadn’t thought to be close to Lucille, but she was now. She was also pleased that Lucille and Johanna had struck up a good friendship.

Everything was falling into place quite wonderfully.

Even the Warwick matriarch had agreed as she had fluttered around the event like the beautiful social butterfly she was.

Johanna had gathered both her and London in her arms.

“I told you I had the perfect woman for you.” She gently tapped her son’s cheek. “Didn’t I say just that to you?”

Bethany couldn’t quite believe it. “You did want me to pretend to be his girlfriend and date to this event. You knew I was his mate?”

“Heavens no. I just thought you would be a good fit.” She had winked. “It was all just a bit of the good old Warwick luck. I’m glad you’re not pretending to be with my son. He needs a good woman like you by his side.”

“There’s no pretending here,” London had said, snaking a protective arm around her waist.

“I’ve got to say,” Johanna had added, “I read a nice piece in one of those gossip magazines. The article was titled Taming London. It congratulated you, Bethany, on bringing to heel one of the city's most famously notorious bachelors.”

Bethany had blushed, but not only because of the article. London had whispered in her ear, “Tame me again later?” He had said it too low for his shifter mom to hear. What he did say to her had left Bethany confused. “Oh, Mom, you really should head to New York City next. James said York was a right mess.”

Johanna had disappeared in a flurry of activity.

“Hey,” London kissed her head, bringing her back to the moment, in the back of the car. “I’m so proud of you,” London whispered. Her hand was in his, their fingers laced together. He kissed her cheek and inhaled her scent.

She was used to that small gesture. London was always taking a whiff of her, and she knew that it was a sign of love and devotion. He adored the scent of her shampoo. He would close her in his arms and smell her hair or her skin when he was happy, when he was feeling particularly randy, when he needed comfort.

In short, Bethany was who he wanted, no matter what mood he was in. She liked to joke with him that her sweet mate scent had tamed him. She was like catnip to her dragon man.

“Thank you. I’m proud of myself, too.”

“You look beautiful tonight; did I tell you that?” he asked.

“Only about every two seconds,” she teased.

There were hearts in her dragon’s eyes, and she knew that he was looking forward to getting back home to have their own celebration. It would be the naked and horizontal kind, and it was going to be amazing. It always was with London.

The car deposited them in front of the building, and as it did, London rushed around the car to open her door. He helped her out, knowing her skin-tight deep crimson dress was difficult to maneuver in. She had picked the gown specifically because the color had reminded her of London’s dragon. It looked great on her, too, the rouching at the back made her ass look amazing, a note that London had made when he had seen her as they got ready before the benefit.

Even then, his hand slipped down to her ass, and he squeezed. “I love you in this, but I can’t wait to get you out of this,” he whispered in her ear as they rode up the elevator. The brush of his words against her skin made her shiver.

“You read my mind,” she purred.

London took her hand in his and led them to the door of the penthouse. He seemed nervous, but that was probably just because he was tired. It had been hard work to plan the benefit after such a weird couple of days dealing with Leonard Humphreys. It had been nearly a month since then, but it still felt surreal.

A lot had changed since then.

Bethany had sold her house to Eugenie,