Is he her lover, boyfriend, kidnapper or sex slave owner?

As much as Zi Mei missed Thorin, she still could not bring herself to make love with him. Their kiss ended as just that, a kiss. The moment the started touching her body, pushing his hands into her blouse, she pulled away in a panic.

"I…I really can't do it, Drags…I…" she hangs her head. She doesn't understand why she is like this. It has been a few months. She should be ready to accept Thorin back into her life and her bed and yet she isn't.

Thorin stopped the moment he noticed her panic and fear. He pulled her into his embrace and tucked her head under his neck.

"Don't worry about it my lil Zi," he murmured. He patted her back gently. "Some wounds take longer to heal and it is only natural that you need more time to heal,"

She felt tears brimming in her eyes. The old dragon is such a big softie despite his severely stern expression. Of course she won't tell him that's what she thought about him. He would definitely take offence to being called a big old sweet and soft old dragon.

"Let's just spend some time together like this, I have missed holding you, you have no idea how much," Thorin told her. He gathered her close to him and they both leaned back on the lounge together.

"Are you sleepy? I'll carry you up…I promise, I won't do anything that you are uncomfortable with," he said.

She nodded. Now that he is here, she felt warm and fuzzy and sleepy. She lets him gather her up in his arms like she weighs nothing and he made his way easily up the staircase. This is one of the perks of having a dragon boyfriend (or is it boss-lover? Kidnapper?), they can easily carry you anywhere without even a tiny bit of exertion. All thanks to their tremendous power.

He set her on the bed and arranged the blankets over her. Then he got in and lay down next to her. She cuddled next to him and he held her close.

"You must be so tired, go to sleep, I won't disturb you," he said. He kissed her forehead gently and stroked her arm. She yawned. Sleep is a cloying darkness that came upon her almost immediately. Soon, she was deep in sleep while Thorin watches over her.

He sighed.

"Perhaps you are a little too young…what should I do with you?" he murmured. Sadness filled his eyes. It would seem he has a decision to make.

****

The next morning, Zi Mei rolled over on her bed and stretched luxuriously. She had a really good sleep last night. For the first time in weeks, she doesn't feel exhausted. She had literally slept like the dead. She turned to the other side of the bed. It was empty.

"Thorin?" she called, her morning voice croaking slightly.

There was no answer. Strange.

She got up and walked over to the ensuite bathroom. It is empty. Could the old dragon have left early in the morning? Disappointment rose within her. She had hoped to see him a bit longer. Seeing him again only made her realise how much she actually missed him. Now that he's gone again, she wished she is back in his house living with him. Despite his weird idiosyncrasies and his vain tendencies, the old dragon has been nothing but nice to her. Caring even. As for love…this she is not sure. She is beginning to think that she might be in love with him from the way she pines after him. Or it could just be a crush. She sorely needed to confide in someone about this. Someone other than the cold, unfeeling Jessica.

She brushed her teeth, took a quick shower and changed. Feeling fresh, shiny and brand new from the good rest and the shower, she hopped down the stairs cheerfully. Maybe she should give Darren a call to see if he has any classes today. She almost miss a step and fell when she saw Thorin lounging casually on her sofa, staring at her widescreen TV. He looks so engrossed, he didn't even notice her coming down the stairs. She stole a look at the screen. It was a romance film. She stifled a chuckle and walked quietly over to him.

"I never take you for a romance kind of guy," she said to him before jumping on his lap and hugging him while simultaneously kissing his cheek. To say he was startled was an understatement. She could feel his muscles tense and his hands had grasped her hard for a fraction of a second before he realised it was her and he loosened his hold.

"Looks like you are feeling much better and not so tired," he drawled, smiling at her. He planted a kiss on her lips. "It's good to see you so cheerful early in the morning," he said.

She grinned at him. It felt so right to be sitting on his lap and snuggling close to him. She buried her face in his muscly chest and inhaled his scent. She missed his fresh minty scent too.

"If you keep wriggling like that, we might end up with a problem that you can't solve for me," he told her, shifting his position slightly. She could already feel him hardening under her butt. She wriggled again teasingly.

"I do miss you Drags…" she said.

He tightened his hold on her to stop her from moving.

"Really, Zi, don't start something you can't finish," he growled his warning.

She kissed him on his lips and pressed herself against him. He groaned and pulled her close. Then she pulled away and jumped up.

"Oh boy, now I am hungry, lets go get breakfast," she said.

Thorin scowled at her. He stood up and she noticed the huge bulge on his crotch.

"Maybe…we can finish this later tonight?" she suggested.

She hoped she will be ready by tonight. It took a lot of her willpower to tear herself from him just moments ago. Her body is definitely craving for him. Like an addict craving for their next fix. Thorin is her addiction. One that she knows she will never get rid of.

"Don't rush lil Zi, I can wait, there are other ways to relieve my problem," he said suggestively.

"What do you mean?" she feigned innocence. Surely, he can't expect her to give him either a hand job or a blow job? She remembered the first time she gave him a blow job…it took so long that her mouth was sore and he was still hard as steel.

"Women fall all over my feet all the time, I can have my pick of any of them whenever I want," he said haughtily.

That rankled her.

"What?? Other women? But…"

Then she remembered. Who is she? She is merely his mistress. His contracted baby making slave. Nothing more. She is not his girlfriend and definitely, she is not his wife either. She has no right to be jealous of who he sleeps with when he's not with her. Still, thought of him naked and making love with other women pains her. It drove a cold shard of ice into her heart. Her cheery mood crashed. Thorin doesn't love her and he doesn't really need her except to have his babies. Since she's 'out of commission' for a few more months until the doctor says they can try again, he can go around sleeping with countless women to his liking.

Thorin noticed her downcast expression. "Hey…hey…I was just kidding,"

He went to her and gathered her close to him.

"Let me tell you a secret, once a dragon finds his perfect match, he can never sleep with any other woman again, except for a few, er, other conditions, but generally, we are tied to our match for life," he said.

"Really?" her heart lifted at this. She narrowed her eyes. "What 'other conditions'?" she asked suspiciously.

"Er…nothing…" he avoided the topic. "I thought you said you are hungry, let's go get food and I believe Darren is at the door right this moment," he said just a few seconds before the doorbell rang.