Her Dragon (Book 2 of The Circle Series)

CHAPTER 17: ACIDIC

VALENTINA

My body is heavy and stiff, and the desire to turn around and go back to sleep is strong. Instead, I sit up with the intention of looking for my phone and wince. Reaching under the sheets for the source of the discomfort, I pull out an emerald the size of a coin. I cover my face with my hands and laugh, remembering last night when the jewels were draped all over me, and in places, they probably shouldn’t have been. I’ve always considered myself confident in the bedroom, assertive even when it comes to what I want and like, but last night was different than anything I had ever done.

“Different, good?” Amadeo asks, exiting his bathroom and fastening a gold watch.

“How many times do I need to tell you to stay out of my head?” I run past him into the bathroom and bolt the door to pee. My legs feel boneless, and the discomfort between them is another acute reminder of all the pleasure he gave me last night.

When I open the door, he’s waiting. Amadeo pulls me in for a hard kiss and walks us back to the bed, tossing me on it. He kisses his way down my body, swirling his tongue around my belly button. Before he can move any further, I shove him away. One dark eyebrow shoots up when he looks at me, confused.

“I need a shower.” His hands reach under me, lifting me towards his mouth. “I’m serious, Deo. I’m gross,” I protest.

He laughs and flicks his tongue over and around my nub, teasing and sucking it. Despite being sore, it still feels incredible. “This is me and you.” He inhales deeply and growls before burying his head again. “I love the taste between us.” My insides burn at his words and my hands reach for his hair.

“Don’t touch,” he commands.

”Again?” I whine, barely recognizing the neediness that’s crept into my voice. “You can’t be serious?”

“Do you remember what happened yesterday? I will stop and leave you frustrated once again.” His hand trails up my stomach and gives my breast a rough squeeze, and then he tweaks the n****e.

I lift my head and glare at him.

“Use your words, Valentina. Do you need a reminder of what happens when you get bratty and don’t listen to me?”

“No, Sir.” I hate him! Or something like that.

“Good girl.” He licks into my folds, and a low moan escapes me. I slide my hands under my pillow because I don’t trust myself not to clutch his shoulders or pull his hair. He slips two thick fingers inside of me roughly, and I hiss—his hand stills.

“Don’t stop.”

“You’re in pain.”

“I-I’m not.”

“My beast can sense it.” He frowns. He rubs the same fingers over my cl**. I cringe slightly and curse to myself. “You’re too sore even to do that, aren’t you?” He leans over me, running one hand under the pillow and intertwining his fingers with mine. “This is precisely why I wanted you to take a bath last night, but you fell asleep by the time the water was ready.” He chuckles.

I don’t remember closing my eyes. I do remember him being rapacious last night. We were still at it when the sun came up, so the second he stopped, I must have passed out.

He kisses and then sucks hard on the spot between my neck and my shoulders, and I shiver. I don’t doubt that I’m covered in his marks and the thought makes me warm.

“I’ll draw another bath now before we both get too excited.”

He readjusts his pants and then carries me to the tub, placing me gently on the tiled ledge.

I content myself with watching him turn on the tap and grab me a beautiful silk robe and towels from a linen closet.

“I wish I could join you, but I have a conference call I’m already late for.” He places me gently in the warm water. “And I may have to leave you periodically while you’re here this week. I can’t avoid it, unfortunately.”

I hug my knees to my chest. “It’s okay. You’re very important now.” I smile, but he sighs, and his mind seems miles away. “Don’t worry about me. Once I’m done here, I’m ready to get lost in your castle.”

“I’ll get Inés to prepare something to eat, and I’ll join you in the kitchen when I’m done so we can explore together” He picks up a small bottle and pours it into the water. “Be sure to rub this into your skin. Everywhere.” He leans down, with his hand loosely on the side of my neck, and kisses me on my forehead.

I’m always rushing from one errand to another, from one job to another back home, so since I have no to-do list for once, I take my time washing and conditioning my hair, and I stay until the water is cold. Then, I apply the scented oil that smells like oranges liberally, even between my legs. While drying my hair, I hear what sounds like the wooden doors of the bedroom opening. Excitedly, I grab the robe Amadeo laid out and barely have it over my shoulders when I run to greet him.

A tall woman holding my lingerie in one hand and my dress and purse in the other stares at me curiously from the center of the room. Her expression is odd, and I can’t tell if she’s upset or intrigued. I should be embarrassed, I realize, but I’m not. I’m not ashamed she picked up my clothes we discarded on our way in, nor am I shy about my body.

Her gaze lingers momentarily at my open robe, and then her eyes flicker to my face. “Quién es usted? (Who are you)”

I tie the robe and move closer to her. “I don’t speak Spanish.” She doesn’t need to know I understood her, not until I figure out what she’s doing here.

She places my clothes on the dresser and eyes my new citrine necklace. “Of course you don’t.” She slides her hands in her pockets and leans her hip against the dresser. Her dark hair is pulled tight in a long braid that swings a bit from just below the crown of her head.“What are you doing here exactly?” Dressed in all-black cargo pants and combat boots, she looks like she’s ready for military training.

“I should be asking you that since you’re in my room.”

She raises a dark eyebrow at me. “Your room?” She looks around, and I know the exact moment her eyes land on the bed with its rumpled sheets and all the things we played with yesterday strewn about.

“Yes. This is the one given to me during my stay.”

“Interesting.” She looks back at me but doesn’t say anything else.

I walk up to her and grab my purse from the dresser, looking for my phone. “Can I help you with something? Because if not, I need to get ready.” I purposely check the time and look for any messages before bringing my attention back to her.

“I’m looking for my brother. This is supposedly his room as well.” She crosses her arms.

I want to smack myself. I should’ve made the connection. The resemblance is rather obvious now. Despite the similarity in appearance, they’re completely different. Elena’s coldness doesn’t even bother me. Hell, I get it. What’s bothering me is that Amadeo didn’t mention to his sister that his mate is staying with him for the week. Or maybe he did, and she knows exactly who I am.

I don’t know which is worse.

“He’s in his office on a conference call.”

She nods and leaves the room without so much as a backward glance.

After properly styling my hair, I head to the kitchen in my robe and nothing else. My thoughts are filled with Amadeo’s possible reaction to my lack of clothes until I turn the corner and am met with another female dragon who doesn’t seem to like me, Inés.

Today must be my lucky day.

She takes one look at my bare feet and what I’m wearing, and her frown deepens.

“Good morning,” I mumble and take a seat.

“I made torrijas for today. It’s like French toast, but better.” She motions to the orange juice and fruit.

I don’t bother asking for coffee, but I desperately need it. The woman clearly has a problem with me, and as soon as she leaves, I’ll figure out where the coffee is. I pour myself a glass of juice and take a few mandarins from the bowl in front of me. I start peeling them, and the smell reminds me of the oil from my bath—what a great scent.

I put a generous amount of cinnamon-sugar and syrup onto the torrijas, cut a few pieces, and take a bite. “This is really good.” I take a few more bites, and already I feel full. Inés watches me the entire time without acknowledging my compliment.

Is there a reason why Amadeo surrounds himself with particularly acidic women?

Elena. Inés.

Me.

I’m not the warmest person, but I don’t go out of my way to be mean to anyone I’ve just met. I just take a while to warm up to people. I hadn’t considered this a problem until now. Maybe I should’ve introduced myself to his sister. Perhaps I could be friendlier to Inés?

“Manuel told me it’s just the two of you this week. Maybe I can help you in the kitchen when Amadeo is working.”

When her eyebrows shoot up in surprise, she almost looks pretty. Her cropped burgundy hair and amber eyes are unique. I wonder if she has a mate?

“You cook?” she asks.

“No. I don’t. Not at all, but I’m a quick learner.”

Her face falls, and her expression turns to one of disgust. “Another one who knows nothing about dragons. Perfecto! (Perfect).” She turns her back to me and wipes the counter. How many women has Deo had here? My heart sinks. “Enjoy your food and your stay, for you’ll be gone in a few days like the others,” she sneers.

“Maybe. Maybe not.” I pop a piece of mandarin in my mouth. If she thinks she can intimidate me with her little tirade, she has another thing coming.

She whirls around, and her eyes swirl with hints of red. Like this, they sort of remind me of Amadeo’s dragon eyes. Is she a red dragon? That would make sense. “I know it! His Majesty can eat enough for five people, and you don’t know how to cook? How will you take care of him? How will you feed him?”

“Isn’t that what he pays you for?” She takes a step back and her face pales. “If I start, why would he need you?”

She throws down the cloth and then leaves in a huff.

Well, I tried.

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A/N:

Hello lovely readers! This part of the story has us meeting some new characters. I hope you enjoyed getting the bits of conversation with Elena and Inés. Tell me your thoughts!