15: Julia.

And Ramsy seems to realize that the closer he gets to reaching me, because he groans, a ridge forming at the front of his pants. As natural as breathing, I twine my arms up around Ramsy's neck and he enfolds me in his arms, his embrace lifting me to the very tips of my toes, one hand settling on my backside and shuttling me closer to his lap, pinning his erection between us. "Thank you," I whisper against the hot skin of his neck. "I didn't know how much I needed my dragons slayed until you did it. They're not so scary now."

His hand slides up beneath my dress to take firm hold of my butt cheek, massaging it slowly. With ownership. "You never have to be scared again."

It's such a foreign thing, to put my trust in someone when I've relied on my own courage and fortitude for so long. But I don't feel as though I'm giving those things up. I feel as if I'm taking a break from constant worry when I lay my cheek on his shoulder and let his hands roam all over my body, knowing I don't have a