B013U5A18C (A) by Jessie Donovan Page B

wondered why Bram trusted him; there was always a small chance Kai could regress and go after Maggie if he saw her again.
    Pushing thoughts of Bram aside, Kai studied Jane’s face.  Telling even a small part of his past to Jane made him feel lighter. Especially since his human was looking at him with curiosity instead of pity.
    His dragon spoke up. Jane just wants the story. Yet another reason she is perfect for us.
    You’re really cheering for her now, aren’t you, mate?
    Of course. I will never see her naked if I don’t. You’re too stubborn and never go after what you want.
    Jane’s voice cut into his thoughts. “You can’t just stop there. Something must’ve happened between then and now or you never would’ve admitted to wanting to kiss me.”
    His eyes darted to Jane’s mouth and he lingered on her full bottom lip. Despite the pain and his exhaustion, he burned to kiss her again.
    Jane cleared her throat and he met her blue gaze. He couldn’t help but smile at the faint blush on her cheeks. 
    “Finish the story so I can check on your wound,” Jane ordered.
    The image of Jane’s hands on his skin made Kai shift his position. His dragon chimed in. I want to feel her soft fingers. Hurry up.
    Too tired to argue with his beast, Kai raised an eyebrow on Jane. “Yes, ma’am.”
    Her smile warmed his heart. “Glad to see you finally acknowledge that I’m in charge of you until you’re better.”
    “I wouldn’t say in charge, but if saying yes means I can have you touching me, then it’s a small price to pay.” Jane merely shook her head and he smiled as he continued, “Fine. Although if you’re looking for a happy ending, it’s not going to happen.”
    Jane tilted her head. “I just want the facts.”
    His dragon crooned. She is perfect.
    Kai replied, “Well, I was young and my dragon didn’t take it well. He roared and clawed his way out of any mental prison I constructed. All he wanted was Maggie.
    “I spent three weeks locked inside this cottage. A guard was posted near my place at all times and the old clan leader checked on me every day. Bram checked on me too since he had been one of my schoolmates and had been concerned. Bram has always cared about the clan, even before he was leader.
    “Anyway, after three weeks, once I was able to keep control of my dragon for several hours at a time, Victor sat me down and told me about his brother, who had gone through the same experience with his true mate denying him. That time, it had been one of the human sacrifices who had run away and left her child behind. You actually know that child, by the way. It was Nikki. Being the first child of a human sacrifice has been much tougher than people realize.”
    Jane nodded and waited for him to go on. He liked that she could remain quiet if a situation needed it. Not that he didn’t love matching wits with his human, but it showed her in a new light—one where he could imagine her helping him with his Protector duties.
    He paused at that. He’d barely kissed the human. It was a bit early to be thinking of a future with her.
    Pushing aside that thought, he carried on with his story. “Victor’s brother eventually found someone to love within the clan and is mated to her to this day. Knowing it was possible to survive a true mate’s denial was the missing piece I needed to get my life together. After that, I focused all of my energy on my work. I became head Protector shortly after Bram took over the clan, and the rest is history.”
    Jane remained quiet for a minute. Then she moved closer to him and placed a hand on his cheek. “You are much more than a muscled fighting machine. You’re strong inside and out.”
    His dragon chimed in. I’ve been patient, but I want her to fix our wound and touch us. Ask her.
    We need rest, so if you’re hinting at her touching our cock, it’s not going to happen.
    His dragon growled. I’m not stupid. If you don’t get well, I may never be able to shift into my