She’d run into a kitchen, of all things, with a dead end. A cast iron pan rested on the cutting board next to a large carving knife. She grabbed the pan’s handle and spun around in time to meet the swing of a sword.
The cook squealed and dove behind a long, wooden table in the center of the room.
Her hand went numb with the impact, but she didn’t let go of her only weapon. She’d never had to fight, and assumed she’d be better with a skillet than a knife. It was bigger and carried more weight.
She dodged the next sword swing as she swept around behind her attacker, using the momentum to smack him across the back of the head. The pan rang and her fillings vibrated.
The thing stumbled forward a step but then straightened its spine, twisting to face her with a slow turn.
Her stomach bottomed out. “Oh shit.” She shuffled to the other side of the table and joined the cook.
He squealed again and made an attempt for the exit.
Their assailant blocked his way with a slap of the flat of its sword.
The cook fell to his knees with a cry as the sword was raised over his head.
Her heart jumped into her throat and she raised her hand. “Stop.” Over the creature’s head, a set of red inhuman eyes peered through the door. She met the dragon’s gaze and sighed, almost dropping her pan with relief.
Blood pumped through his body with a surge of heat. Filled with battle fury, Ishi raced through the maze of tunnels, hot on Sandra’s trail, to find her fighting with kitchenware.
Pride swelled in his chest as his little human took on a goblin three times her weight. This was no meek mortal waiting for rescue. She still needed it, this goblin was a warrior after all, but she fought back and even seemed to protect his pet.
He snatched the back of the goblin’s tunic with his canines and tugged him out of the kitchen. The place would need a good disinfecting. Tossing the goblin against the far wall, he smiled at the satisfying crunch the goblin made upon impact. It didn’t move.
Sticking his head through the door, he eyed both his pet and his toy. “Are either of you injured?” He used the kitchen only in his human form. It wouldn’t accommodate his dragon size.
Urgle scurried under the table and remained silent.
Sandra strode around the table, wielding his largest frying pan.
The knot that had formed inside his chest when he’d seen the goblin pursue her finally unwound. “Sandra?” He leaned closer, but couldn’t spot any visible injury or smell her blood. If they had harmed her…
She took a wide stance and swung the pan in a two-handed arc that smashed across his jaw. “You lied to me.”
His head snapped back at the unexpected assault. Sharp pain flared along his jaw. He tongued the inside of his mouth. “I think you cracked my tooth.” Standing at his full height, he loomed over her so she couldn’t get in another cheap shot. “I didn’t lie. I just didn’t disclose the full truth.” He pointed to the spot she’d hit. “I have my reasons.”
“You didn’t tell me you’re Ishi because I might hit you? You’re a dragon. You could swallow me in one bite.” She wielded the pan as if it were a baseball bat.
“That’s something I wish you’d keep in mind while swinging that thing.” He plucked it from her struggling hands before she did either of them more damage. “I don’t trust anyone who comes searching for me and my treasure. No matter how pretty.”
She sighed and appeared to deflate. Leaning on the table, she sagged. “I can’t believe I’m alive.”
“Me either.” He stroked the back of his claw along her arm.
She recoiled. So much for the kiss they’d shared. She jerked once more without his touch and cried out while swatting at her leg. “Don’t touch me.” She directed her command at Urgle and scrambled toward Koishi.
The goblin withdrew his hand to his chest, his wide-eyed gaze on her. “Soft.”
She pressed her body behind his foreleg and pointed at Urgle under the table. “What is it?” Apparently, dragon flesh was more appealing than goblin.
“Urgle is a goblin, like the others, but he’s my pet. Don’t whack him unless he really deserves it.” He eyed the roast cooking over the fire. “It’ll burn if you don’t rotate it.”
“Yes, Master.” The goblin shuffled from his hiding place, not turning his back on the deadly human female.
Koishi resisted the urge to stroke her again. The goblin was right. She was soft.
With his tail, he poked the goblin he’d tossed out in the tunnel. It was as dead as its comrades. Shape shifting appeared safe now. He glanced at Sandra and the knives within her reach. Somewhat safe. He changed form.
Her eyes went wider than Urgle’s, if that were possible.
“You’re pale.” Maybe her injuries were internal? He swept her into his arms and carried her past the carnage of the gateroom to his private quarters.
He kept both a large bed and a nest of gold to sleep upon, depending on the form he wore. Setting her on the blankets, he ran his hands over her chest and abdomen. Neither seemed hard or bulging. He began to undo the buttons down the front of her dress.
“What are you doing? I’m fine.” She shoved his hands away. “Stop it. Of course I’m pale. I just fought a goblin for the first time and I haven’t felt well since we–we teleported here.” Dropping her head onto his pillows, she relaxed into the cushions and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Grabbing onto me was an unbelievably dangerous thing to do.”
“You were fading, like Ishi.” She gave him a pointed stare. “Like you did on the mountainside. I wasn’t letting you get away. Not again.”
Escaping this female was the last thing on his mind. His gaze traveled over the generous curve of her breasts, along the graceful sweep of her waist, to the juncture–
She tapped under his chin. “I’m up here.”
He gave her a small smile and watched the blush rise on her cheeks. Leaning closer, he whispered, “I’m very, very aware of where you are, Sandra.”
Chapter 7
Koishi’s softly spoken words re-awoke desire in Sandra. The man appealed to her. However, the dragon terrified her. She couldn’t believe they were one and the same. Even after watching him change form twice.
The oxygen in the room seemed to have vanished and she found it hard to catch her breath as he drew closer. His dark stare sent a thrill of lust straight to her core.
“You should spend the night, just in case you’re injured and aren’t exhibiting symptoms yet.” He ran his fingertips along her arm. “I’ll stay close and watch over you.”
She pressed her hands against his shoulders and tried to restrain him, but the strength of a supernatural monster was contained in this body. He could do whatever he wanted; she couldn’t stop him. “I’m fine. That thing never touched me.” She had the impression he wanted to do more than just watch her sleep. Deep down inside, she wanted more too.
He traced a line over the buttons of her dress. “Maybe I should check and make sure.” He popped one open. “I’d hate to leave a bruise unattended.”
Muscles low in her stomach clenched as he undid another. “And if I said no?”
Circling the next button, round and round, he regarded her as if not understanding.
Like a shot in the dark, it struck her. “Oh my God, no one has ever said no to you?” She thrust his hand off her chest and sat up, leaning against the massive wooden headboard. With a glance over her shoulder, she swallowed a hard lump in her throat. The thing had handholds carved into it. She was so out of her league.
His soft laugh grew louder. “Of course some females denied me. They went down well with a bottle of Bordeaux.” He patted his stomach.