He sighed with relief when he picked it up and found it unmarred.
"Careful," a deep voice cautioned.
"Sorry. I'm not usually so clumsy." Lian brushed off his pad before glancing up at the speaker. His mouth dropped open when he focused on the man who'd stopped him from falling. Rich, black hair curled in a sexy tumble around a strong face set with light green eyes. The man's face, too masculine for pretty, oozed sex appeal.
A whimper rolled up Lian's throat. The heat from the stranger's gaze sent shiver bumps popping across Lian's arms.
"Um, hello." Annoyingly, Lian's usual smooth speech deserted him. He figured it would be rude to jump the man and climb him like a monkey on a tree.
"Hello," the stranger replied.
His green eyes examined Lian as if he wanted to devour him. Lian had absolutely no objections to that plan.
* * * *
Until a second ago, Nevair had never thought of a man as beautiful; handsome, sexy, or hot, yes, but not an object of beauty. He threw that opinion out the door at his first glance of the man before him. A narrow face with high cheekbones framed amazing eyes the color of the blue sky on a cloudless day, and smooth flawless skin the color of deep gold covered the man's fine bones. Nevair didn't know where he came from but he wanted to examine how thoroughly the gold tone covered the man's body. The stranger's hair, a dark brown, made Nevair itch to touch and see if it ran through his fingers like the fine silk it resembled.
Mine,Nevair's inner beast whispered. He froze. His dragon half had never claimed anyone before, it barely acknowledged other people. To have it jump to attention unnerved Nevair more than a little.
Although his advisors had presented him with a variety of men, and women on optimistic days, none of them held a fraction of the appeal of this blue-eyed beauty.
Nevair looked at the map glowing on the man's compad and decided to push his advantage. "Are you lost?"
An impish smile crossed the man's soft lips. "I was trying to decide that." A self-deprecating laugh plucked at Nevair's heart. "I'm afraid my goal of reaching the medical center is doomed if I can't even get out of the space port."
Nevair nodded his agreement. For the first time, temptation to break his self-induced vow of celibacy trampled his common sense. As the spiritual leader of the dragonkin, Nevair had to choose a man above reproach to be his partner despite what Tres liked to pretend. No one would think it odd if Nevair dated, but it had never felt right. However, in that moment, Nevair didn't really care about the moral fiber of the man before him, his dragon would willingly toss everything aside if they got to keep him.
"Lian Blythorpe." The gorgeous man held out his hand.
Nevair resisted, growling over the distance between them as they shook hands.
"Nevair Dragonfang." The lack of recognition in Lian's eyes told Nevair his new friend hadn't visited before. Nevair's position as the planetary religious head made his name famous across Dragait.
Lian stepped closer to Nevair. "I don't suppose you could give me directions?"
Standing so near, Lian's scent had Nevair breathing deeply to capture more of the fragrance. Lian smelled like cloves and lavender, an oddly enticing combination. "I'd be happy to help you with anything I can."
Unbidden, an image of Lian sprawled naked across Nevair's finely woven sheets burst into his mind like a brilliant waking dream. Nevair hardened at the picture filling his mind.
"Mmm, just what I like to hear from a gorgeous stranger." Lian flashed Nevair a flirty grin.
Nevair smiled back. "What are you going to do at the medic center, Mr Blythorpe?"
"I've come to do some research regarding dragonkin fertility. Sadly, I can't even seem to figure out how to get out of this goddess-damned airport." Lian waved his compad in the air.
Nevair jumped at the opportunity given. "The medical center is only a couple miles from the cathedral. I can have my driver give you a lift. It'll save you from having to catch an expensive transport from here." He would've offered to see Lian all the way to the medic center personally, but Nevair needed to attend a meeting soon and couldn't spare the time. "Why did they not send a car for you?"
Lian shrugged. "I told them not to bother." He narrowed his eyes in a considering way as if contemplating Nevair's offer. "Hmmm, my mother always told me not to get in a car with strangers."
Nevair laughed. "I can assure you I have the highest credentials, but I make no promises about not stealing a kiss."
Lian's smile warmed Nevair to his toes. "I consider myself warned, or is it promised?" Lian linked his arm through Nevair's. "Let's go, unless you need to wait for your luggage?"
Nevair indicated the bag on his shoulder. "I already have mine."
"You travel light," Lian commented.
Nevair shrugged. "I had a short two day trip. You aren't carrying much either." He tilted a head towards Lian's small satchel.
