Sasha touched his forearm and squeezed. “Noel is a great kid. He has lots of friends. He’s well-behaved, although sometimes stubborn. My dragon is stubborn, too.”
“Huh!”her dragon said but confined her comments to that.
“You didn’t see him after Mum and Dad died. You’ve worked miracles with Noel.”
“Jerome arranged for the owner to stock up on breakfast food. We have milk, tea, and coffee, along with bacon and eggs. A few other treats too.”
“Something else,” Max said. “There is one other bedroom with an enormous bed, admittedly, but if we both want comfort, we’ll have to share.”
“Tell him he’s safe,”her dragon murmured.“We’re too tired to attack his body.”
Sasha chuckled.
Max’s brows rose.“What?”
“My dragon confirmed you’re safe. We’re as exhausted as Noel.”
“Then, we’ll share.”
“Yes,” Sasha said without hesitation, although her stomach did a slow flip of anticipation.
“Let’s go then,” Max said. “You can use the bathroom first.”
“I wouldn’t mind a shower,” Sasha said. “We’re sweaty after the flight over to the island.”
“Did you sense your barrier?”
“Yes, it was there. Intact. Honestly, I have no idea how we crossed through.” She stopped in the middle of the passage. “What if I can never return?”
“We’ll try to find a way for you, Sasha, but you will always have a home with Noel and me.”
“While I didn’t part on great terms with my mother, I miss my family.”
“I get it. I miss my parents too.” Max folded her into a hug, and Sasha melted against him, accepting the comfort he offered.
“We’ll go for a walk tomorrow. Perhaps we’ll find something to help you get home. A clue.”
“Suddenly, I am not tired,”her dragon said, her tone distinctly flirtatious.“This man is decent. I bet he wouldn’t go around pinching other dragon’s backsides.”
Max pulled away from her, smiled, and kissed her lips. He shunted her toward the bathroom. “I’ll bring your bag to you. You’ll want your clothes.”
“We normally sleep in our skin.”
Max stilled and waited for a beat before speaking. “Please, for my sake, wear something to bed this once.”
“Fine,” Sasha said.
“I’ll leave your bag outside the door.”
“Aw, he’s so sweet,”her dragon cooed.“A gentleman.”
“Thanks,” Sasha said.
The water was hot, and she enjoyed her shower immensely. After donning a long T-shirt, she padded down the passage to the bedroom. She found Max stretched out on the bed, fast asleep. He wasn’t snoring, but his loud breaths were close.
Shrugging, Sasha let him be.
“At least we can take off our T-shirt and get under the blankets,”her dragon said.“You know I prefer to sleep without clothes because—”
