"Hahhn..."
Riley’s breath came out in a sharp moan as his head lolled back. His thoughts scattered completely, eyes unfocused and glazed with heat. They hadn’t even gotten anywhere sensible yet, and still, his body was already burning.
He had tried making sense of it, wondering if this was really the effect of someone else’s touch.
No.
It wasn’t just because of someone else’s touch.
It was Kael.
Only Kael.
Because just any random person wouldn’t have the same hands that could probably hold even his soul.
No one else was built of heat the way Kael was. No one else had those eyes that looked at him like he was prey and sanctuary at the same time. And no one else could drive him to madness so easily, making Riley, in his daze, actually whisper that there was more to learn.
He didn’t even know what possessed him to bring it up.
But now he did.
Now he felt it.
Because if Kael’s hands could do this...
What about his mouth?
What about that tongue and those lips?
Riley’s fingers found Kael’s face as it trailed slowly down his neck. His skin prickled at the contact. He guided him lower, chest rising and falling fast, until Kael was hovering exactly where Riley wanted him.
Over the place that ached for more.
Kael blinked up at him, surprised. But only for a second. Because to Kael, who now couldn’t see or think of anything but Riley, hesitation didn’t exist.
He dipped his head.
And kissed him.
From the edge of his chest, Kael pressed gentle, searing kisses along Riley’s flushed skin until his lips found one sensitive peak.
And took it into his mouth.
"Oh god—!"
Riley’s body twitched violently. His back arched, and his breath hitched in a sharp, choked cry. For a moment, he thought he might actually pass out. The sensation was so overwhelming, so immediate, it made his fingers scramble for something to hold on to.
But Kael was far from finished.
What’s more, he didn’t even have to teach him this.
Guided by instinct, curiosity, and something far more possessive, the dragon’s tongue swirled around the hardened nub, slowly and deliberately. And yet the sensation was a first for the sensitive human, who couldn’t help but feel his entire body wanting to respond.
Kael felt it in every tremble. Every gasp. Every ragged inhale.
It was insane.
Riley was a mess beneath him. On fire. Practically writhing in his lap as Kael shifted to the other side and gave it the same attention.
"Ahhh...! Holy—!"
Riley’s hands flew up, one reaching for Kael’s back while the other tangled in his hair. His fingers tugged, a sharp pull that made Kael growl deep in his throat.
Instead of pulling away, the tug only encouraged him.
Kael licked and sucked as his hands roamed, exploring every part of the trembling body pressed against him. His touch was desperate, just as desperate as he was to have Riley.
Then came the question.
"Can I mark you here?"
Riley barely processed it. His mind was swimming. He was holding onto Kael and the table both for dear life.
"What...?"
Kael’s voice was low, breath hot against his chest.
"Riley. I want to make you mine. Can I mark all of you?"
God.
Riley wasn’t even sure what kind of question he was hearing because would anyone even ask for anything as audacious as that?
But then again, this was Kael.
The dragon lord, who really didn’t know anything about asking for permission.
Also, what could he say to his boyfriend whose mouth was currently lapping up his nipple, while he—the paragon of alleged innocence—was now half-sprawled on said boyfriend’s lap, just to teach him about pleasure.
But most importantly, did he not want that?
Had his body not been screaming to be marked so badly that he almost thought of throwing caution to the wind just so he could give himself to Kael?
Yeah. He absolutely considered that.
So "Yes...!" he gasped. "I’m yours to mark."
Everything stilled for one second.
Then Kael nearly shook with restraint, the words hitting him so deeply he had to draw in a breath just to keep from combusting. His teeth grazed the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood.
His body shook with power that he was afraid he’d end up destroying the furniture.
But he couldn’t because Riley was using it.
Because now the safety of everything was contingent on whether something mattered to his human.
So instead, he claimed what was his. Repeatedly.
And Riley thought there was no escape.
The dragon lord leaned forward, mouth pressing against the place he’d already kissed—then lower, then elsewhere—leaving traces behind, warm and lingering.
Little marks.
Little claims.
One at a time.
His tongue was relentless, licking and sucking on everything that he could graze. And yet all the while, Kael’s hands continued their reverent work, reminding Riley that he just taught this dragon more ways to ruin him.
And he was close to losing it.
But couldn’t he do the same?
He definitely could.
And so, the courageous—or possibly suicidal—human dared to stop the frenzied dragon.
His hands gently pressed against Kael’s chest, and Riley let out a shaky breath as he tried to steady himself. His skin was flushed, his body trembling, but his voice, though breathless, was firm.
"Kael... we really have to proceed to the next lesson."
Kael froze.
Everything from the slow flick of his tongue to the possessive curl of his fingers halted.
Riley could practically feel the protest about to erupt from the dragon’s throat. But the second part of his sentence registered.
Next lesson.
The words alone were enough to still Kael completely.
Still enough for Riley to shift forward—his breath coming in hot little gasps—until he was seated right up against Kael again. His palm slid down, slow and deliberate, pressing against the dragon’s clothed hardness.
A hiss escaped Kael’s mouth as Riley stroked once through the fabric. The sound was sinful, sharp, and absolutely addictive.
Then Riley leaned in, lips barely brushing Kael’s ear.
"Strip."
Kael blinked.
His golden eyes widened, but he didn’t move.
Not until Riley slowly pulled back, locking eyes with him.
"Strip," Riley said again, softer now, but heavier. His voice was thick with desire, glazed with a sensual tone that should not have belonged to someone who started the night saying they were a rational human being.
Kael stared.
And for one moment, all he could think was that if Riley asked him to jump, he probably would.
No hesitation.
No second thoughts.
Just complete, willing surrender.
Because that look—those eyes—made it impossible to think of anything else.
And so, the dragon obeyed.
Silently. Without a word.
His fingers went to the buttons.