Page 31 of Blazing Joysticks
His dragon, usually so focused on conquest and power, now demanded nothing less than her absolute safety and happiness. It was a startling shift, but one Keir embraced wholeheartedly.
Gently, so as not to wake her, Keir pressed a kiss to Cat’s temple. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, as much a promise to himself as to her. “And I’m never letting go.”
As the credits rolled on their second movie of the night, Keir realized with a start that his priorities had shifted irrevocably. The drive for success, for technological dominance - it all paled in comparison to the woman sleeping peacefully in his arms.
For the first time in his long life, Keir Sharpe, dragon shifter and tech mogul, understood what it meant to be truly, completely in love. And he knew with bone-deep certainty that he would move heaven and earth to keep Cat safe and by his side.
With careful movements, he gathered Cat into his arms and carried her to bed. As he tucked her in, mindful of her injuries, Keir allowed himself a moment of vulnerability.
“I love you,” he whispered, the words both terrifying and exhilarating. “And I swear, I’ll spend every day proving it to you.”
Settling into the armchair beside the bed, Keir prepared for a long night of watchful vigilance. His dragon, for once, was perfectly content to stand guard over their sleeping mate.
FIFTEEN
Cat winced as she shifted on the plush couch in Keir’s living room, her ribs protesting the movement. The doctor had cleared her to move around more, but her body still ached from the attack. She glanced at the sleek laptop perched on the coffee table, the screen displaying lines of code she’d been working on. Even while recovering, she couldn’t stay away from her work.
Keir’s penthouse was a far cry from her own cozy loft. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of Central Park, the lush greenery a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. She’d been staying here since the attack, and despite the circumstances, she found herself growing accustomed to the luxury—and to Keir’s constant presence.
Her phone buzzed, Laura’s name flashing on the screen. Cat smiled, grateful for the distraction.
“Hey, Laura,” she answered, her voice warm. “How’s my favorite nephew doing?”
Laura’s laugh tinkled through the speaker. “Ayers is currently attempting to scale the bookshelf like it’s Mount Everest. I swear, Cat, your influence is turning him into a little adventurer.”
“That’s my boy,” Cat chuckled, picturing her adorable nephew’s determined face. “Maybe we can introduce him to some safer video game adventures when he’s a bit older.”
“Speaking of adventures,” Laura’s tone turned sly, “how are things going with your dashing dragon CEO? Still playing nurse, is he?”
Heat crept up Cat’s cheeks. “Keir’s been... amazing,” she admitted, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “I’ve never had someone take care of me like this. It’s a little overwhelming, to be honest.”
“Overwhelming in a good way, I hope,” Laura pressed. “Come on, spill the details. Has he been pampering you properly?”
Cat sank deeper into the couch cushions, a small smile playing on her lips. “He’s been incredibly attentive. Bringing me meals in bed, helping me with my exercises, even reading to me when my eyes get tired from staring at the screen too long.”
“Ooh, bedtime stories from a sexy dragon? Sounds steamy,” Laura teased.
“Laura!” Cat sputtered, laughing despite herself. “It’s not like that. He’s just been... sweet.”
“Uh-huh.” Laura’s voice dripped with skepticism. “And you’re telling me you haven’t thought about thanking him properly for all that sweetness?”
Cat’s mind flashed to the nights she’d spent with Keir, the hot, dirty, and the tender moments they’d shared. Her cheeks flushed at the memory.
“I... maybe,” she confessed, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Okay, yes. And that’s something else I’ll be working on, but I want to do something special for him. To show him how much I appreciate everything he’s done.”
“You mean something more special than offering yourself up to be devoured?”
“Laura!”
“What? It’s true. I’m sure he’s been dying to eat you up. Wait, you guys have…right?”
“Yes. We have. And I think I’m the one who’s been counting down the days until the doctor gives me the all-clear.”
“Ooh! Sounds like someone’s on a mission.”
“Back to the topic at hand. What can I do?”
Laura hummed thoughtfully. “My first suggestion stands, lay on the table naked and wait for him to come home and tell him dinner’s ready.”