The Dragon King's Substitute Bride

Chapter 54

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Morgan

Relief washed over me, momentarily pushing aside the flurry of emotions Tsuneo's words and gaze had evoked. Thank goodness for Maya's timely interruption. The intimacy of the moment had escalated quickly, and I wasn't sure I was entirely ready for where it might have led.

"Thank you, Maya," I called back, projecting my voice through the outer chamber door. My voice was slightly breathless. "I'll get ready quickly."

I glanced at Tsuneo, a hint of apology in my eyes. His expression was unreadable, but a flicker of something akin to disappointment crossed his features.

"Of course," Maya replied.

Taking a deep breath, I rose from the bed, smoothing out the wrinkles in my robe. The playful fight from earlier seemed a lifetime ago, overshadowed by the unexpected turn of events.

"It seems like... the day has to start."

Tsuneo's lips twitched. "It seems like."

"Shall we?" I asked Tsuneo, offering him my hand.

He took it, his touch sending a familiar warmth through me.

"We shall," he replied, his voice low and enigmatic Tsuneo

desire, a potent current that had me leaning in, my gaze locked on Morgan's flushed cheeks and parted lips. Her

I could have had Morgan beneath me for at least another hour. Maybe not completely, but certainly more than I had to date. Part of

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relief, unwelcome and unexpected, but a relief nonetheless. Morgan wasn't ready, not yet. The thought sent a pang of disappointment through me, a physical ache that surprised me with its intensity. I looked back at

I replied, my voice gruff but laced with a possessiveness that surprised even me. Morgan leaned in, surprising me with a soft kiss on the cheek. The touch, fleeting though it was, sent

suggested, her voice barely a whisper. We should

away from prying eyes

garden," I rumbled, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "After your meeting? I can pick you

spread across her face, a radiant sunrise that chased away

then she

on the closed door for a beat too long. The thought of following her, of joining her in the cool sanctuary of the bathroom, sparked a delicious heat in my core. But one look from Maya, the knowing smile turning to a smirk on her lips, quashed the impulsive notion. With a defeated sigh, I slumped

peace?" I grumbled, more to myself than to Maya. "We're

took Morgan far, far away from them. The retreat to the fairy pools was looking more and

chuckled, the sound

"The coronation will be here before you know it, and then you'll have plenty of time

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moment now, a chance to explore this newfound connection with Morgan, away from the pressures and expectations that seemed to constantly swirl around us.

I began, my voice thick

offered, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "I

low rumble. Heat flared in my cheeks, mirroring the blush that crept up hers under my intense gaze. "And anything

inadequate. I wanted to tell my father he would have to wait. I wanted to taste the dampness on her neck and everywhere else, smell the fresh clean scent of her, and tangle my fingers in her curls. I licked my

moment."