“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Afraid?” He pressed a last, lingering kiss on her lips before reluctantly lifting his head to study her flushed face. “I don’t believe you. You’re the most courageous creature I’ve ever met. Courageous and reckless and stubbornly impervious to the fact you’re mortal.”
“I don’t have any choice. Before last year I lived a very boring life. Well...” She wrinkled her nose at the blatant lie. “Mostly boring.”
“You’re an adrenaline junkie who lives on the edge.” He wasn’t teasing. This woman was a thrill seeker. He could only hope that taming a dragon would be enough of a challenge. “A trait that will no doubt give me an ulcer.”
Her lips twitched as she accepted she couldn’t fool him. “Can dragons get ulcers?”
“We’ll find out.”
“Hmm.” Her hands smoothed over the muscles of his chest. “Why would you care if I put myself in danger?”
He tugged her hard against the aching length of his erection. “You know why, Wynn.” He groaned at the feel of her soft temptation against his hardness. “We both know why,” he rasped.
The rich scent of her desire swirled through the air, but she arched back as she realized how close they were to forgetting the danger just outside the door.
“Azh.”
“Yes, I know. Wrong place, wrong time.”
Azh clenched his teeth. It took more effort than he wanted to admit for him to lower his arms and step back. He’d spent eons indulging his various appetites, including sex, with a casual appreciation that didn’t include clinging to anyone or anything.
The only thing he hoarded was his treasure.
And now...Wynn.
With a shake of his head, Azh forced himself to concentrate on his sketchy plan to locate Gabriela’s statue. His dragon rumbled in frustration, but with a huff of annoyance the beast settled back to sleep.
“Do you have anything you want to take with us?” he asked.
She sent him a confused glance. “Where are we going?”
“London.”
“Now?”
“The sooner the better.”
She reached into her pocket to pull out a small rock. “My skipping stones won’t take us that far. We’ll have to book a flight. It’s going to take a day or two to get things arranged. Always assuming you have a passport.”
He snorted at her ridiculous words. “I have an easier way. Get whatever you want to take with you.”
Turning, she headed toward the corner to grab her duffel bag that was obviously packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. He suspected she’d spent her entire life like that. Eager to run.
Could she be convinced to stay in one place? Or would she forever feel the need to roam?
A question for later.
She walked back to stand in front of him, a sudden frown tugging on her brows. “What’s your easier way? You’re not going to turn into your dragon, are you?”
He tried to imagine shifting into his natural form in the middle of New York City. It would be pure chaos. Not to mention warning every creature in the world that he’d left the confines of his lair.
Still, he couldn’t resist teasing his companion. “Does the thought bother you?”
“It’s a little intimidating,” she admitted. “I mean I logically accept you’re a dragon, but it doesn’t feel real.”
Azh held out his hand. “I have something that might help.” He smiled as she hesitated. “Trust me.”
