Leo grunted. “Dinner,” he repeated.
Gwenyth poked Leo in the chest. “Did you snort at me?”
“My dragon is making smart-arse comments.”
“I wish I could hear him.”
“That might happen one day,” Leo said, yet guilt filled him. What if she had a husband? He knew nothing of her previous life. Besides, he needed to investigate the failing barrier. He must send a message to his friends on the other Dragon Isles on the morrow. Although he hated to leave Gwenyth alone, he’d have to bury the wolf and investigate the mysterious slaying, drive his cattle home.
“How will that happen?”
“Sometimes, the dragon part will recognize his true mate and wish to bond. I’ve heard it feels as if a bracelet snaps into place. Not every dragon ends up with a genuine mate bond.”
She cocked her head, curiosity and intrigue fighting for supremacy within her gaze. “When does this happen?”
Normally during the first time a dragon made love with his woman, but he could hardly tell her that. “I’m uncertain,” he replied. “I’ve never met a dragon with a true mate.”
Gwenyth frowned. “Well, that pops the fairy tale of true love.”
“She sounds tetchy. You’d better feed her.”
Leo agreed with his dragon. “I’ll serve dinner.”
“You know me so well,” she said, her brow smoothing. “I get grumpy if I’m hungry. Will the puppy be all right there?”
“She will. Dragons have excellent hearing skills. I’ll know if she’s in distress.”
“You’re a caring man.” She gave him a quick squeeze before aiming a kiss at his lips.
The instant their mouths met, he groaned. His dragon groaned.
“Kiss her back, numbskull. This is our opportunity to romance her.”
Leo didn’t hesitate further. He dragged her close, his pulse racing in exhilaration, and kissed her. Her mouth opened to him when he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips. Sweet darts of pleasure surged the length of his body. Her lips were soft. Decadent, and he wanted to feast on them for hours. Their tongues twirled together as she plastered herself against him.
Sweet, sweet lodestone.
He groaned again. His dragon echoed the sentiment, and they dived back into a second kiss. Finally, he pulled away and pressed their foreheads together. His lungs labored while her taste lingered on his tongue. Her scent wrapped around him—memorable and so intimatelyher. His natural scent added a piquancy that thrilled him.
“Mine. Mine. Mine.”
“Ours,”Leo corrected silently.
“We’re not giving her back.”
“We might have to if she has a man.”
“Stop mentioning a man. I get it. Either way, we will fight for her. We are The Champion of the Skies. We will not fail.”
Gwenyth’s belly let out a rumble, tearing Leo from his unpalatable thoughts.
“I’d better feed you before you nibble on me,” he quipped.
Gwenyth laughed and twirled away from him. He caught her audacious wink before she sashayed to his kitchen. “I might enjoy nibbling on you.”
“By Lodar,”his dragon breathed.“Let her nibble.”
Leo had to agree.
