Chapter Twenty-Three
Cassie leaned against him, and his taniwha sighed and purred with satisfaction. Having her here felt like home. Another purr vibrated in his chest.
“Is that your taniwha?”
“Yes.”
She struggled against his embrace and pulled away a fraction when he relaxed the hug. Her gaze was serious, and something in him fractured at her expression.
“I have commitments. Meetings planned after I finish the last vineyard concert.”
His purring ceased. Instead, fear chilled his skin. “So you’re leaving, despite everything?”
“Yes.”
Hone swallowed down a growl when he wanted to howl his anguish.
“For one month, maybe two, and then I intend to come back to New Zealand.”
Hope flared in him. “To me?”
“We’ll see.” She beamed and blurted, “There is a good chance.”
Hone grinned back at her, his heart lightening at her words. “Are you ready for bed?”
“More than ready,” Cassie said. “It’s been a hell of a day.”
In the bedroom, Hone stripped and Cassie did the same. No matter how exhausted, he intended to make love to her. His mate. She mightn’t accept it yet, but that didn’t make it any less true.
Dragons were real. Her best friend was married to one.Dragons were real. Flying, fire-breathing freakin’ dragons.
Hone kissed her and her toes curled. She kissed him back before breaking their lip-lock.
“Is it easy to fly?”
“It’s a learned skill. We have to reach sixteen human years before we’re allowed to try.”
“Interesting. How do you manage to stay hidden from humans?”
“It’s becoming more difficult all the time. We have scientists working on ways to allow us to travel unseen in dragon form. We have our own doctors and medical staff.”
“Do you guys get sick a lot?”
“No, we’re incredibly healthy.”
“Could you take me flying?”
“That is only allowed if you fully accept me as your mate.”
Cassie frowned. “Being with you is right, but after Kevin, I don’t trust my own judgment. I mean, you don’t exactly have a good track record. Everyone warned me about you.”
“Everyone?”
“Emma. Jack.”
“Hell,” Hone muttered. “Don’t I get a chance?”
“I’m giving you a chance,” Cassie said and grabbed him by the shoulders to focus his attention. “We’ll spend time together before I go, and I said I’m coming back. Don’t you trust me?”
