Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 772(@200wpm)___ 617(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“It sounds like you’re choosing for me.”
“No. Yet, there is no other option. What other choice could you make?”
Because you would never let me walk away. . .
And somehow, that didn't scare me.
It should have. Any sane woman would have felt the walls closing in. But I didn't feel trapped. I felt chosen. Claimed by a man who would burn the world before he lost me.
Surely, there were worse prisons than the arms of a Dragon.
His gaze softened. “And. . .I believe it's time that you have a throne, one that should sit right next to me."
"A throne?"
"Your realm. Your way. You will rule over my people in a different way. The arts. The movies. The entertainment. The food. The things that make them feel seen and valued."
I knew my life would change but. . .this is a lot. . .
Kenji’s gaze dropped again to the bite just above my collarbone where the fire diamonds met my skin. He was giving me a kingdom with his words. And staring at his teeth marks while he did it.
Like even the offer of power came with a reminder, you're still mine.
He cleared his throat. "We'll figure out anything else together. But on your throne, you will be in full control."
I thought about this. “Can you give me an example of what you mean by ruling.”
"The party for the Claws. That falls under this."
“Okay.” I nodded.
“I could stop it, but. . .this is your domain.”
“And there would be no reason to stop it.”
He frowned. “There would be lots of reasons, Tora.”
“Like?”
"I'm jealous of your cooking for other people, and I don't like the way my men have been fighting over your food and demanding that you cook for them. Being complete, unappreciative brats." His jaw tightened. "But I'm going to let you be in full control of that. And I'm not going to get in the way."
I smirked. “So basically, you have no rational reasons for stopping the party.”
“Your throwing this party for the Claws. . .it disturbed my sleep a little last night.”
“Wow.”
“It did.”
“Bullshit." I lifted my hand and traced a finger along his satin lapel. "You burned over a hundred people this morning but my serving macaroni and cheese to your Claws is what keeps you up at night?"
"Don't underestimate what your food does to me, Tora."
I laughed. Full and real. And his eyes softened at the sound the way they always did. Like my laughter was the only thing in this world that could make the Dragon go still.
“I’m not very rational when it comes to you, Tora.”
I looked at the space again and thought about this date. “Yet you are strategic.”
“That, I can’t help. It’s how I win.”
And you’ve damn sure won me. . .
He pulled me close. Those strong hands claimed my waist.
Our lips met in a collision that stole the air from my lungs—tender for just one heartbeat before igniting into primal hunger and heated consuming.
His mouth moved hard against mine with such devastating intimacy that the space, the war room, the 4D glowing city disappeared.
I tasted his desire.
His devotion.
His power.
His vulnerability.
The Dragon and the man—both claiming me as his own.
My heart thundered against my ribs as if trying to break free and join with his.
When we finally broke apart, my entire body trembled, and my fingers were clutching his shirt as if I might dissolve without his touch anchoring me to this world.
Then suddenly, the soft sound of footsteps came and I turned that way.
A woman entered the room, bowing low. She carried a lacquered tray arranged with small bowls of ice cream—pale green matcha, creamy vanilla, and something pink that might have been Sakura.
Two delicate silver spoons rested beside the bowls, and a ceramic bottle of warm sake sat at the center with two small cups.
She set the tray on the table between us, bowed again, and disappeared.
“Did you enjoy your meal, Tora?” Kenji poured the sake and handed me a cup.
“Definitely. The food. The performance. And most important. . .the company.” I took a sip of the sake and warmth spread through my chest. “Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to. . .work on the fracture between us.”
“And do you think that fracture is still there?”
“No. I think it’s healed.”
“Good. I always want my Tiger happy.” He took a sip from his cup.
I reached for a spoon, then dipped it into the matcha ice cream, and tasted it.
Delicious.
The flavor was subtle and earthy, sweet but not too sweet. The rest of any tension of the day began easing from my shoulders.
This was good.
This was right.
This was us.
Kenji reached for his own spoon.
I looked up, and to my surprise the dragon-shadow was there. Usually, it would have left as our conversation calmed.
But there it still remained, hovering behind him, watching me.
While I'd seen this odd illusion enough times, right now it felt different.