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

in this world. You smell divine. We want you,

the way it sounded like? Or was

was 1?' He leaned down, his

with his breath. He went still. Then he did it again, and I

was still there, but there was more amusement in

wife is

This was a side of Tsuneo I hadn't seen before

sides. That ticklish, uncomfortable feeling, raced. through me and

cried, squirming beneath him. Tears welled up in my eyes, not from pain,

was too big and enjoying this far too

expect a kiss before you try to get

Okay. Just

finally relented, pulling back slightly. I was breathless, my cheeks flushed, a wide grin plastered on

hairline with his fingertips. His voice still tinged with amusement.

wrapped my arms around his neck. "I

"I

potential to be this sort

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"There's more to me than just scales and fangs, you know. You'll learn

"You're a menace," I added

the arm.

on

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

overpowering me, he seemed to enjoy 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 heaving with laughter.

you, I whispered, surprising even

down at me, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a slow smile spread across

this moment, for the laughter, for..." My voice trailed off, unsure of how to express the jumble of emotions swirling within me. I thought of Keiji and his accomplices. I thought of my brother, my family, and everything that had brought