“I decided it’d be safer not having it within dunking distance of my crotch.”
She scrunched her nose. “Like I’d do anything that mean. Even if you are always telling me what to do.”
The corners of his mouth tipped upwards. “Are you insinuating I’m bossy?”
“If the dragon tail fits.”
Chuckling, he coasted a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
A sigh pushed its way past her lips. “I know, and it isn’t that I don’t appreciate the sentiment. It’s just I feel…itchy…having you around me constantly.”
Speculation and breathtaking carnality flared to life in his eyes. The hands riding the slope of her shoulders tightened a fraction before trailing toward her collarbone. He pressed a little closer, making her acutely aware of the thick, rigid cock nudging her belly. “You make me feel itchy too, sweetheart.”
Her nipples—the traitorous little buggers—strained against the flannel of her pajama top. Oh how tempting it was to rip off her shirt and rub all over Aiden’s hard chest. Instead, she dug her fingernails into her palms. “I bet you say that to all your sacrifices.”
“No.” He caressed the nape of her neck, his face descending until the rough stubble covering his jaw scraped along her cheek. His lips hovered near enough she could almost taste the rich coffee scenting his breath. “You’re very special, Dana.”
A warm glow coursed through her at his husky words. It was ridiculous, this raw giddiness. Same went for the thundering of her heart. Dragon or not, a male would say anything to get inside a woman’s pants.
She looked up and gulped. Oh boy. Forget about him getting inside her pants—the blistering intensity of his stare alone could disintegrate her undies. She licked her lips and pretended to ignore the way his eyes darkened. Too bad she didn’t have the same success pretending not to notice how his cock thickened and bumped her stomach. “Um…”
The front door squeaked open, allowing in a cool draft. “I smell coffee. And hopefully Danishes.”
Aiden blinked as if he’d suddenly awakened from a deep trance. Taking advantage of the opportunity, she pushed away from him and glanced at Jace. “Sorry, no Danish. But the coffee is hot and plentiful.”
Jace hitched his shoulder in a half shrug. “Guess beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Here, I’ll get you some.” She reached into the overhead cupboard and fetched a mug. “Your brother was just saying he needs to run an errand, but refused to let me out of sight until you got your buns out of bed.”
Cracking a yawn, Jace scratched his bare chest. “Looks like my timing was right on the money then.”
She snuck a sideways peek at Aiden and found him watching her with a hungry expression. One she suspected had nothing to do with imaginary Danishes. Jace’s timing was perfect. She suspected if he’d waited a second longer to traipse into the kitchen, she would have gladly offered herself to Aiden for breakfast.
Chapter Thirteen
Despite the unease twisting Aiden’s gut at having to leave Dana for even a second, giving his body and his head a break from the immense chaos she wielded over their state of being was probably wise. Too bad he couldn’t do a damn thing about the state of his heart. A continent could separate him from Dana and still she would reign supreme over that particular organ.
Aiden rested his forehead against the steering wheel. Jesus, he’d gone and done the unthinkable. The epitome of stupid. He’d fallen in love with her. With his sacrifice. Correction, his and Jace’s sacrifice.
As if that weren’t enough shit to deal with, the dragon lurking within him was convinced he’d found his mate. The signs were all there. He could scent Dana from miles away. The overwhelming need to claim her, mark her as only his, remained a constant force driving him. He wanted to string his brother up by the balls each damn time Jace laid his hands on Dana—which seemed to be every other second.
His jaw rigid, he lifted his head and shifted the Navigator into reverse. After a quick check of the rearview mirror, he backed out of the driveway. He didn’t know why, but he’d been jostled out of sleep shortly before dawn with the certainty that they’d missed a relevant clue regarding the break-in. It was too early to say anything to Dana and Jace about it though. For all he knew, his suspicion was unfounded, nothing more than the byproduct of his overactive imagination and an overindulgence of wine the night before. The only way he could banish the niggling concern was by visiting the scene of the crime, and that’s exactly what he planned to do.
Forty-five minutes later, he pulled into the lot of Fancies. He cut the Navigator’s engine and climbed out, inspecting the gallery’s darkened front windows. Considering the way he planned to sneak inside, it was best if he avoided detection. Remembering the doorway that led to the back alley, he strode around the side of the building. A loud thump came from the area by the dumpsters.
Every muscle in Aiden’s body tensed in preparation of taking on whatever threat might spring from the shadows. Another thump sounded, followed by an orange and white blur that bulleted out from behind the dumpster.
The bushy tail attached to the blur identified the fleeing feline culprit. Allowing his muscles to once again relax, Aiden continued down the alley until he came to the rear entrance to the gallery. After a quick scan to ensure the cat was indeed the only witness around, he stretched the fingers of his right hand. Familiar tingling raced through his tendons and cartilage. Shimmering scales appeared, forming into a talon.
Wasting no time, he inserted one razor-sharp claw tip into the key slot with a satisfied smile. Having a built-in lock pick had its advantages.
With a deft flick, he sprang the bolt from its housing. Shifting his talon back into its human form, he twisted the doorknob and walked inside the gloomy rear hallway. He stepped over the yellow crime-scene tape that cordoned off the gallery’s main room. His attention automatically veered to the graffiti splattered across the once-pristine white walls. Impotent rage welled inside him all over again.
Whoever did this—Drakoni or not—would pay. By the time he was finished with the perpetrator, the bastard would know just how stupid it was messing with a dragon’s woman. He stalked to the nearest wall, his narrowed eyes fixed on the word cunt and whore scrawled in black paint. Angry flames shot from his nostrils. Those offensive words would earn the creep a pair of busted kneecaps. He swiveled, surveying the opposite wall. More crude profanity, but none of it incriminating enough to hint at a Drakoni being responsible. Not that he’d expected it.
Still, there was something stoking his suspicions. Something staring him in the face. He was just blind to it at the moment. The frustration bottled inside him threatened to blow its gasket. Dragging impatient fingers through his hair, he sat on the edge of the low table that’d displayed the colorful frogs.
He wasn’t certain how long he sat there mulling over puzzle pieces that refused to click together, but he’d burrowed deep enough in his thoughts that he damn near jumped out of his skin when a hard rap pounded on the front window. Jerking his head around, he stared at the woman standing with her nose pressed against the glass. The sun glinted off Claudia Knoxville’s wild hair, highlighting the pink streaks.
“Un-fucking-believable.” Growling, Aiden lurched to his feet and stormed to the entrance. He unlatched the door and swung it open just far enough for him to reach out, snare Claudia by the belt loop, and yank her inside the gallery.