Dragon Soul

Chapter 16

16

Dryness coated my entire mouth, making me desperate for a drink. I tried to force my eyes open, only to discover they were stuck together by whatever it was eyes produced while we slept. Reaching out, unfamiliar sheets reached my fingertips.

Oh no.

Where was I?

The lethargy left me as quickly as it had arrived and I sat bolt upright, my eyes snapping open and taking in the room. It was impersonal and almost tidy. A guest room then. Not someone's home. The untidiness was caused my clothes strewn across the floor as if people had ripped them from their bodies in a fit of passion.

Except...that was my shirt.

My eyes widened as the events of the night before came rushing back to me. The drinking. The fun. The Porter.

"Oh no. What have I done?" I asked myself, cradling my head in my hands and trying to recall just how far we'd gone the night before. I was still wearing my underwear, which was something, but I could easily have gotten dressed again.

The door pushed open and Porter walked in, topless save for the jeans he'd been wearing the night before. Even in my panic, I could appreciate the hard planes of his chest. I wonder what he did to earn them.

"I brought you coffee," he said, handing it to me.

Our fingers brushed as I took the mug from him and tingles spread throughout my body. Oh no. Whatever we did last night, it had changed something.

“Thanks.” The porcelain was nice and hot against my parched skin.

“How are you feeling?”

I cracked my neck. “Depends. What time is it?”

Porter twisted his arm to check his watch. “A little after nine.”

“Then I’m feeling like I’m about to be murdered. Mum is going to kill me.” I pushed the mug up on the nightstand and brought back the memories of last night. There was a lot of giggling, a bunch of swaying with green drinks, and a kiss under the table.

I stared up at him, guilt balling up in my stomach. It hadn’t been just one kiss, there’d been kisses. Under the table, up the stairs, down the hallway, even in the bed.

I stared up at his naked chest, only slightly distracted by the chiselled lines. We didn’t… Did we?

My hand trembled as I gestured at him. “Where’s your shirt?”

“Huh?” He stared down at himself. “I got stuck behind a door knob and it ripped further.”

“So, you binned it?”

He shrugged, his muscles rippling. “I have a sweater in my backpack.”

“Maybe put it on?” I suggested. It was hard to have a decent conversation with him while he was standing there in his half-naked glory.

“Yes, of course. Sorry.”

Once Porter pulled his green sweater on, it was easier to concentrate on the problem. I’d stayed out late, I hadn’t come home, and now it was morning. Mum would be furious.

The bed dipped as my friend sat down next to me. Well… Friend. After we kissed, were we still just friends?

He swung his arm around my shoulders and the stress melted away. I leant into him, the comfort a nice silencer from the never-stopping nagging voice of Mum in my head.

“You look worried,” he said.

“I’ll be okay.”

He cleared his throat, cutting through the silence. “So what now?”

That was a great question. What now? Things were so different and yet, nothing actually changed. I was still an earth dragon with parents set on adhering to our customs and traditions. My marriage with an unknown man was still right around the corner and I didn’t have nearly enough savings to get a place of my own.

I was stuck in my life and the future that was planned out for me. Not just that, I made it a lot harder for myself. Mum was going to bring down earthquakes and thunder on me for disobeying her.

I stared at the man holding me and smiled to myself. Even if last night made everything harder, it’d been worth it. He was worth it.

But now it was time to come back to reality. The dream was over. I was getting married and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

“JJ? What’s wrong?” Porter brushed his hand along my cheek, electricity sizzling where he touched me.

I needed to get out of here, away from him. But then how could I walk away from him? He was so kind, so loving, so perfect. He wasn’t mine, but I wanted him to be.

“I loved spending time with you.”

He sighed. “But?”

“But this is not going to work. You’re getting married.” I rested my head in my hands, exasperated. Why did this have to happen to me? Why couldn’t I just be a normal person that got to choose who she dated and married?

“Hey! You’re getting married too,” Porter defended himself.

“I’m well aware,” I grumbled.

He cleared his throat and rubbed his stubble. “I think I have to tell you something though.”

“I’m really not in the mood for more bad news.” I pulled on my hair. Why was I me? Why was I stuck in this life?

“It’s not bad news, at least… Not necessarily. See, the thing is, I think I know who I’m going to marry—”

“Oh, how great. Great. For. You.” I held back the growl, but my anger trembled through me. Why was he telling me these kinds of things?

Porter cleared his throat again. “I’ve known her name since I was twenty-five, but I think I’ve finally found her.”

Well, wasn’t that fantastic. He knew who his mate was and instead, he played this game with me. Giving me hope that I should’ve never had. “Couldn’t you have said so last night?” I snapped.

“I wasn’t sure yet. But now…” He brushed his thumb along my cheek. “Now I’m pretty sure.”

“How snazzy.” I pushed his hand away. I didn’t want to be next to him anymore. It was time to go home. “It’s late, I need to go home,”

“I can drive you.” Porter jumped up, his car keys already jingling in front of my face.

“Are you crazy? My mum will skin you alive.”

“You don’t have to invite me in for coffee. I can just drop you off across the street.”

I bit my lip, hesitatingly. Even if this got me longer with him, I should take the bus. I couldn’t let him drive me home, Mum would explode. I should say no. “Yes, thank you.”

Damn words. Damn my traitorous tongue.

“Let’s go.” Porter reached for the door, but I stopped him. I clamped my hand around his wrist, making him turn back around.

A beat passed, a moment wasted. I ignored the nagging voice in my head and pressed my lips firmly on his, stealing one more kiss. One last kiss.

His summery scent, the warmth of his lips, the tenderness of his embrace. Everything in this moment was perfect.

But it couldn’t last. I broke apart from him, my heart breaking as I knew this was the last time I’d see him. After my stunt, there was no way Mum would let me out of the house until I was married.

I touched his face, the five o’clock shadow rough under my fingers. I would miss him, even if I hadn’t had much time with him. I turned my pretend key. “Click.”

Now it was time to go.