“I understand.” There was no way Joanna could promise that Fabian would ever be safe or that he and Margie could go back to their old lives.
“Hey.” Kelos slid his arm around her shoulders and held her close. “It’ll all work out. One way or another, Fabian will be safe, even if I have to sell all my treasure and buy a remote island somewhere for us all to live.”
Amber chuckled despite herself. “I can always count on you.”
“You know it.” Kelos sighed heavily. “I hope this is what you were looking for, Joanna. I’m truly sorry about your dad.”
“It is what I was looking for.” Joanna glanced down at the file in her hand. “Nothing will ever bring him back. I know that. I just want to bring the person responsible to justice. It might give my family some closure.”
“Come on, the bar will be shutting soon, I’ll go and ask Eamon to lock up, and then we can get going.” O’Malley half turned as he reached the door. “You two aren’t going to fly away on me, are you?”
Kelos shook his head, his hand tightening around Amber’s shoulders. “I think we all need a good rest before we fly anywhere.”
O’Malley gave a sad smile and a brief nod. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Amber called out as Joanna and O’Malley left the room.
“Anytime.” O’Malley lifted his hand and waved before he entered the bar with Joanna following. As the door closed, they were left alone, a dragon and his mate.
“Let’s go to bed.” Kelos looked down at Amber. “Do you want me to carry you up the stairs?”
Amber swilled the last of her whiskey around in her glass before tipping her head back and drinking it down in one gulp. She winced and shuddered. “I think I can manage.”
“If you’re sure.” Kelos’s concern melted her heart.
“I’m sure. But if you want to hold my hand, that’s okay.” She slipped her hand into his and he led her out of the room. Taking a left, they headed down the corridor, past the kitchen, and another door that looked like a storeroom. At the end of the corridor was a flight of stairs. Kelos paused to check that she was okay before he began to climb.
Amber followed. At the halfway point, she regretted not allowing her mate to carry her. The events of the day, the dragon ride, and the fear for Kelos while he was gone, coupled with the double whiskey took its toll and she could barely lift one foot after the other.
Reaching the top of the stairs felt as if she’d conquered a mountain. Only without the breathtaking view.
“This room.” Kelos pushed open the door of a sparsely decorated room. There were no personal items, no photos, but the bed looked comfortable and the room was spotlessly clean.
“I think so.” Amber let go of his hand and went to the dresser positioned along the wall. Pulling open the drawer revealed an empty space, the same with the solid wood closet. “Empty.”
“Bathroom is down the hall.” Kelos pointed back out of the room. “Do you want to go first?”
Amber went to Kelos and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to go anywhere without you.” She tilted her head back and he kissed her mouth, his hands on the small of her back holding her close. So close it was as if they were forged as one.
“It will be okay,” Kelos murmured against her mouth.
“That remote desert island does sound tempting.” She tilted her chin up and locked eyes with him. “But I’d never ask you to part with your treasure.”
“I’d sell it all for you.” And when she looked into his eyes, Amber knew he meant it.
Chapter Twenty-Three – Kelos
“Morning.” Kelos kissed her cheek as her eyes fluttered open and blinked in response to the bright sunlight flooding the room.
“What time is it?” Amber sat up in bed, disorientated until the memories of the night before flooded back. She looked adorable and he longed to kiss her mouth.
“It’s late o’clock.” A warm smile spread across Kelos’s face. “I always wanted to wake up next to my mate.”
“Urgh!” Amber flopped back down on the pillow and pulled the bed covers over her head. “I expect I look awful.”
Kelos curled his fingers around the edge of the sheet and inched it down. “I don’t care what you look like.”
“Wrong answer.” Amber lifted the sheets up and he ducked down under them. “You are supposed to tell me I look beautiful even though my hair is a tangled mess and my makeup is smudged.”
“Ahh, but I swore I’d never lie to you.” He chuckled and rubbed his ribs when she elbowed him. “Ouch.”
“I’m sorry.” She wriggled down the bed. “Shall I kiss it better?”
“I think it hurts here, too.” He pointed to a spot on his chest as Amber lightly pressed her lips to his skin. “And here.” He placed his fingers higher.
“What about here?” Amber circled her tongue around his nipple before sucking it into her mouth.
“Oh, yeah. Right there.” His breath hissed through his teeth as she grazed her tongue over the taut bud. “You can kiss me there all day long.”
She laughed, her body shaking as her hands caressed his skin. Kelos had no choice but to join in. Her laughter was as addictive as her scent, as her touch. He loved this woman. She filled his life with laughter and love all at the same time. Life with Amber would never be dull, and he looked forward to that life.
Releasing his nipple, she wriggled her way up the bed and rested her chin on her hand as she looked at him. “I love you.”
His eyes widened and he lifted his hand and stroked her cheek, her thumb brushing over her lips. “I love you. So very much,
