I swallowed hard.For a shifter who’d sworn not to love again, I was falling harder and faster than ever before.
CHAPTERELEVEN
BRIA
After my set ended, Darius strode across the lounge toward me, his amber gaze bright with pride.
My panther sat upright and purred.There’s our mate.
“You look breathtaking tonight,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sparked tingles on my skin.“And your voice…” He dipped his head closer, eyes gleaming with more gold.“Spectacular.”
“Careful, dragon,” I teased.“Flattery might get you whatIwant.”
“I hope so, kitten,” he murmured with a deep laugh.“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”He leaned in and nuzzled my neck.“And what we could do all night.”
Heat ignited low in my belly.I placed my hand on his chest, feeling the warmth beneath the fabric.“Sadly, it’s going to have to wait.”
“Why?”he asked, brows lifting.
“I’m still working.There’s a North Pole–themed party on the pool deck, and I need to schmooze.”I cocked my head.“Come with me?”
“Only if you come with me to my suite again tonight,” he said with a sinful smile.
I tipped my head and said, “I’ll think about it,” with a sly smile.And think about it I did—vivid flashes of last night coming back to me and fueling the fire the dragon had stoked.
We walked out together, and the holiday party was already in full swing.Ruby and emerald lights twinkled near the dragon-scaled pool.Music thumped from massive speakers while the DJ mixed Christmas classics with pop hits.Tipsy supernaturals tripped over each other as they line danced, including a wolf shifter who wobbled dangerously close to the pool’s edge.Oversized candy canes lined the pool bar where staff—dressed as elves with pointed ears and curled shoes—handed out winter-themed cocktails.
The fun theme carried over into the pool, where a couple floated on an inflatable Santa sleigh while others struggled to stay upright on reindeer floats.
“Gargoyle ball!”Van announced from somewhere behind us before he ran for the pool and leaped in, his body curled up.He landed beside the gargoyle Caleb and water unfurled upward, splashing my dress.
I cursed under my breath.“Why don’t you get yourself a drink?”I told Darius.“While I get a towel,” I grumbled as more noise from the pool caught my attention.Caleb picked up a laughing Van, who sprawled his limbs uselessly in his leopard-print Speedo, and tossed him across the pool.
I exhaled.“Boys will be boys,” I muttered.Not like Darius, who was undoubtedly refined.I placed my hand on his cheek and arched a brow.“I hear there’s a delicious rum served at the bar.”
Overhead, dark-winged shapes soared across the nearly full moon, casting rippling shadows over the deck.Darius glanced up.
“Or go for a flight?”I suggested.
He lowered his gaze to mine, golden heat sparkling within his eyes.“Join me.”His velvety smooth voice rolled through me like lava.
My tongue went dry.“Sounds intriguing, dragon.Meet you upstairs in an hour.”
An hour later,I’d changed into black leggings and a fitted workout top—my short green dress was not suitable for flight.My pulse fluttered.
When I climbed to the upper deck, pale moonlight spilled across the Gargoyle’s Perch—and my breath hitched.
A massive dragon waited there.Deep green and amber shimmered in the low light.A familiar golden gaze turned to meet mine.
I stepped closer.“Darius?”
He nodded his giant head and bent down, as if an invitation.
I hesitated, nerves tangling with excitement.“Perhaps I didn’t think this through,” I said with a shaky laugh.
He huffed softly and lowered his head further, nudging me gently—encouraging.I remembered how he’d walked beside my panther earlier.
My cat cheered inside.Let’s ride the dragon!
