“What do you want?” Her voice was a little gruff as her body was waking up slower than her mind.
“Sorry to intrude, but—”
“I’ll accept your apology if you leave right now.”
A half grin spread across his face. “It’s really funny that they all seem to think we are mates.”
Maya sat up, the comforter falling into her lap. “Not happening,” her voice was low, but not as commanding as usual.
His eyes moved down her partially exposed body. “Interesting.”
“What?” Her tone was flat as she tried to give him a harsh glare, although she had to fight back a yawn by gritting her teeth.
“I wouldn’t have taken you for the type to sleep in the nude.”
Maya looked down at the slip that still covered her body. “I’m not naked.” She pulled at the material, and it flickered a little in her hands. “That’s never happened before,” she said, more annoyed than concerned, especially as the material entirely disappeared.
“Are all your clothes magically applied?”
“Of course,” Maya looked up. “I don’t have time to waste on shopping and fittings. Magic has always been more than enough. Should have known this hellhole would short-circuit my abilities.”
The storm dragon sat on the edge of her bed, his expression very serious. “I’ve got a question for you, Maya.”
“Is this the part of the conversation where I say something ‘cute,’ like ‘just one’? Because it feels like a setup to a romance I won’t indulge.” His stormy eyes were looking at her chest, but Maya didn’t really care. “Buddy, if you are going to stare, I’m going to defenestrate you.”
That got his attention, and his eyes snapped up. “Can you blame me? A gorgeous woman like you sitting naked in front of me is incredibly distracting.” When she glowered in response, he got up and moved over to the drawers. “Here, I’ll get yousomething to cover yourself up since your magic is on the fritz. Apparently, whatever we want appears, so—yep.” He pulled something out of one of the drawers. “Here you go.”
He tossed her a hot pink shirt with more lace and frills than Maya had ever seen. She eyed it, then looked up at him with her face still pointed down. “Do you really think this is something I would wear?”
“I’m quite sure you wouldn’t, which is the point. And that will really help me to stop thinking of you naked. If you would, please just humor me.”
All she wanted was for him to leave, but she knew that asking likely wouldn’t get her the results she wanted. Storm dragons were known for doing whatever they wanted. Gritting her teeth, Maya picked it up and put it on. “They are trying to push us together.”
“Yes, yes, they very much are.” The storm shifter moved over and sat on the foot of the bed. “And just so you know, while I find you mind-bogglingly attractive, you have as much of a chance of being my mate as the old man downstairs.”
“Old man?” Maya pulled her hair out of the shirt, and it fanned out down her back.
“Yeah, some old couple came in and split me and Naomi up. Sent her outside to chase after Apollo, then they pushed me up the stairs to force us together. And since you’ve made your feelings toward me clear—and I feel exactly the same way, just so you don’t worry that I’m hoping you’ll change your mind—I’m trying to figure out a way to escape this house without them noticing.”
Maya stood up, the shirt barely covering the tops of her legs as she walked over to the dresser. “You said that you were interested in finding a mate. Now you want to escape? Are you always so indecisive?” He opened his mouth to respond, but she continued as she bent over and opened a lower drawer. As shepulled out a pair of slacks, Maya said, “You are a storm dragon. You should not be here.” She finally looked at him as she started to zip up the pants.
He watched, then looked toward the window. “That’s what I’ve been thinking. But this is an opportunity I never thought I would have. If I can actually leave this island with my mate …” There was something in his voice that caught Maya’s attention.
Pressing her lips together, she opened another drawer and pulled out a blouse that was more to her liking. She removed the pink frilly nightmare and threw it at the storm dragon, momentarily covering his eyes as she put her arms through the sleeves of the blouse and started to button it up.
“Do you ever feel shame or the traditional sense of modesty common to most people?” The storm dragon was looking at her as she finished the last couple of buttons.
“Only when it is earned. And since I didn’t invite you in here, nor did I cause my magic to break, it’s on you to deal with your own feelings. I’ve no reason to modify my behavior to accommodate you.”
This got a laugh, and Maya looked up at him. He then said, “Do you even know my name?”
There was a pause as the earlier conversation had largely slipped her mind. Then she shrugged, “I remember you and the blond mentioned who you were, but names hardly seem relevant.”
His eyebrows went up. “What fool thinks that you and I will make a good couple?” Then he shook his head. “Look, Maya, I believe that Naomi is my mate. Does that change your opinion of whether or not my name is relevant?”
Maya became immediately defensive. “I will not let you mess with her. She’s been through enough, and I’m not letting some chaotic mess of a—”
He held up his hands, his eyes wide. “Holy moly! Where is this coming from?”
