The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 52

CH52

Morgan

I woke up not necessarily remembering how I went to sleep, but knowing that I was safe, warm, and comfortable. The morning light, pale and tentative, filtered through the gaps in the curtains, painting delicate stripes of gold across Tsuneo's face. He was still asleep, his chest rising and falling with each slow, steady breath. The darkness that had tainted his skin had faded quite a lot, leaving behind about him, let alone all the human women we'd run into who had such an interest in him.

an olive, almost golden skin tone. Like this, it was no wonder that Ari was crazy

A strand of his hair tickled my cheek, and I reached up instinctively to brush it away. That simple touch seemed to rouse him. His eyes fluttered open, a slow smile spreading across his face as they met mine. For a moment, we just lay there, lost in the quiet intimacy of the morning. My stomach jolted but it was nice comfortable. It wasn't anything that I ever expected to have for myself.

Then, a playful glint sparked in his eyes. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he rumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. "It's time I got up."

I made a move to disentangle myself from the sheets, but Tsuneo tightened his grip around me playfully.

"Oh no, you don't," he teased. "Not without a proper goodbye."

Before I could protest, he rolled us both over, pinning me beneath him. He kept his weight off me so that he was just barely pinning me to the bed. It was enough to keep me from moving and wiggling away. We stared at each other for a beat, laughter bubbling up in my chest. Heat pulled in my gut. Getting caught up in Tsuneo's passion was dangerous if I let myself be swept away in it. Sometimes I could see the dragon in him peeking out. I saw just a flicker of fire in his eyes. I didn't know what the plan was, but I tried to laugh it off. "This isn't fair!" I exclaimed, feigning indignation. Two against one isn't exactly a fair fight."

"Two? Where in all of the realms do you get that there is two of me?"

I think you are at least two of me. Never mind your dragon."

He chuckled. "Perhaps in stature, but my dragon and I are one." He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "And we agree on everything."

"T-Tsuneo..." I shifted, and he growled at me, sending my heart racing.

CH52

We want you, and love isn't fair," he

supposed to take that the way it sounded like? Or

He leaned down, his lips brushing teasingly

laughter as he started tickling my neck with his breath.

there, but there was more amusement in

wife is

This was a side of Tsuneo I hadn't seen before playful, teasing, completely unexpected, and probably more dangerous than his other

sides. That ticklish, uncomfortable feeling, raced. through me and I couldn't

up in

struggled, but he was too big and

a kiss before

Okay. Just please

the sound rich and warm, and finally relented, pulling back slightly. I was breathless, my cheeks flushed,

so very lovely laughing," he said, tracing my hairline with his fingertips. His voice still tinged with amusement. "I think this is the first time I've ever seen

I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I

laughed. "I

have the potential to be this

CH52

fangs at me and his eyes flashed. "There's more to me than just scales and fangs, you know. You'll learn all of me. I

I replied, catching my breath. "You're a menace," I added playfully,

the arm.

on

arm dramatically. "A menace, am I? I think that warrants another round

toying with me. It was nice after everything that had happened to have this unexpected moment of lightheartedness. Finally, out of breath and completely disheveled, we collapsed back onto the pillows, chests

you, I whispered,

moment. Then,

"For this moment, for the laughter, for..." My voice trailed off, unsure of how to express the jumble of