He snarled, because he didn’t want to wait, but there was no choice if he desired to get the hell out of here.
Cyan’s small body coiled around his calf, breaking the mood and his concentration. Sharp teeth nipped his skin, and he fought the urge to smack him away.
Gods, don’t let the little dragon show himself. She’ll freak out before I can perform the test.
Dragging a breath through his nose, he willed his pulse to normalize. The sensation of her delicate lips on his was heaven. How long had it been since he’d been this close to another—held someone in his arms? He couldn’t remember.
Something fierce and protective reared inside his chest, and the intense emotion frightened him. Normally, negative emotions fed his power. But for some reason, the intensity of his pleasure sparked a slower buildup.
A soft sigh escaped her mouth, spiraling fiery desire to shoot straight to his loins.
She should be my enemy—not my weakness.
An image of Vito Ninnette’s brutal smile flittered through his mind, squashing his lust and killing the surge of magic rising within.
I must stop this nonsense. I’ve sacrificed too much to ruin the opportunity.
He broke the kiss and turned away to draw a steady breath. His hand wiped the moisture coating his lips, but he didn’t meet her eyes.
She wiggled on his lap and tried to pull him against her mouth.
“No.” His voice was low and gruff. He hated himself for refusing what he wanted so badly, but it couldn’t be helped.
A small line formed between her brows. “But I—”
An index finger stopped the rest of her words, and Fin dumped her off his lap.
She slipped but caught herself before tumbling straight to the floor.
“You’re a freaking idiot.” Her mouth tightened into a straight line, and her eyes glittered. One hand was braced against the table, and the other managed to grab onto the back of her chair. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
A warm trickle of heat and scaly flesh snaked up the inside of his robe, letting him know Cyan shifted to his regular hiding spot.
Blowing out a long breath, Fin fought down a pang of regret. He had to keep his distance if he wanted to maintain a grip on sanity and his plans. “I’m not into frolicking with women at the dinner table”—he brushed the front of his robe and hardened his heart—“like two rats in heat.”
“Psycho.” Sliding onto her chair, she sat sideways and crossed her legs, and the foot on the floor tapped a staccato beat. “You say you’re not into it.” She clucked her tongue and pointed a finger to his crotch. “But your dick seemed to enjoy it.”
Hearing the word fall from her mouth sent a rush of blood from his brain straight to his heart and lower.
Remember your goal.
“Darling, most any bloke’s knob—when approached by an attractive person—enjoys the attention.” He stood and knocked back the last dregs of wine, keeping an appearance of outer calm. Inside, though, his heart was raging chaos. “Don’t think you’re anything special.”
She is, though. Just look at her.
Sacha lifted her chin and gave him such a disgusted look, he felt like a heel.
For a moment, all became still and quiet. The silence wound itself in the cozy dining area while they stared across the table; one gaze with fire and the other with ice.
Not completely quelled, Fin fought the unwanted passion and frustration she stirred within his veins. Without breaking eye contact, his fingertip brushed the stone wall next to the table.
A sizzling log exploded, and torrential rain beat outside like an invading army.
“Oh, no worries,love.” She smoothed her hair and stood. “As tiny as it felt against my leg, I’m sure it’s glad to get attention wherever it can be found.”
Her jibe made him want to bend her over the table and show her howtinyit was.
“Careful.” He took a step in her direction, but she didn’t back down. If anything, the spark in her eyes seemed to indicate she relished the thought of a verbal sparring match.
