“Please come in.” I step aside, and just when he’s about to enter, logic creeps right up on me and reminds me that there is a very naked man in my bed. “Wait!” I throw myself against him, blocking his path and making the two men behind him stumble, dropping the precious tote to the ground. “Be careful back there,” I say with concern, leaning on the tips of my toes to peer past the Prince.
“Can we come in…?” Thick brows lower even further and I can’t help but wonder how furious he’d be if he found Chaos.
Prince Linden is a friend. Kind of. An associate of sorts. But I know he likes me. And I also know he has a terribly fragile ego that constantly needs to be stroked.
How furious would he be to find out I spent all these months ignoring the advances of the most prominent man in the Kingdom just to fuck a dragon?
Goddess, where did my life go so wrong that this is a real question for me? A moment ago, I was so pleased with my good choices in life, and now I’m starting to second-guess those fantastic decisions.
How do these situations happen to me?
“Um—” Just before a lie has a chance to slip over my lips, a purring sound of fire and lust reverberates against my side. Chaos’ snout pushes beneath my arm until my hand is against the back of his neck.
His curious eyes settle on the Prince before me. Narrowed slits of glowing attention is held on him.
“Wow, he’s incredibly tame.” Linden’s brows rise a little higher as Chaos nuzzles closer.
And closer.
Until his face is nearly pushing against my breasts.
“Okay—” I shove the beast back from me, “—that’s enough.” My lips purse and a humming sound shakes through him.
I step back, my gaze held on the dragon as the Prince and his men usher my earnings into the room. The shack looks smaller now with the totes filling the majority of the kitchen floor. Not that I care. I’d climb in there and live with that money. And what a happy life I would live in there. Surrounded by all the things I care about in this world.
“I’m sorry I’m so late. Work always gets in the way.” He takes a step closer to me, and I’m very aware of his men exiting, closing my door behind them.
Until he and I are alone.
He and I and one big fucking dragon that’s glaring daggers at the close proximity of the Prince to me. His fingers slip through mine, and I force a pleasant smile to my lips.
I’m not an idiot. I know what he’s thinking, and I also know that he still owes me exactly seven hundred and fifty thousand parchels. Minus a bologna sandwich.
So I can piss him off, shove him away, and kiss that money goodbye. Or… I can avoid him. For at least another day.
And then it happens.
He kisses me.
His lips press fully against mine. Heavy and parting and demanding and completely suffocating. There’s an anxious feeling pushing within my chest.
I shove against him hard until he stumbles back from me.
Chaos wastes no time. The dragon’s storming steps bring slashing talons and sharp teeth into the Prince’s face. I barely have time to throw myself between the two of them. A rumbling growl of frustration and aggression rolls off the dragon as he stalks back from me, his glaring attention held on the Prince.
“I’m so sorry. They’re overly protective.” I put my hand affectionately against his chest and his wild gaze finally pulls to that small touch between us. “Could we reschedule for after you’ve taken the little beasts off my hands.”And paid me in full. The smile I give him is the opposite of how he’s making me feel right now, but I force it to hold in place.
Let’s reschedule for after I’ve left town. That sounds perfect. Yes, let’s call it a date.
The warmth of his hand makes me tense beneath his touch as it settles low on my back.
“Of course.” Once again, his gaze lowers to my lips, and despite how much I lean away from him, he pushes his lips on mine just lightly before stepping away, opening the door, and walking out of my fucking life.
For tonight at least.
A shaking breath falls from my mouth the moment he leaves. The air seems to actually reach my aching lungs now.
Chaos’ strong arm slips around me, his bare chest brushing against my back. Without a word he leads me back bed. He pulls back the blankets for me. Exhaustion pulls at my body as I slip beneath the smooth quilt.
