He kneeled, gentle fingers working to free my feet from their dirty confines. Once the shoes were off, he looked up at me, his brow creased with concern.
"What in the world were you doing on the roof?" Ashton's tone was tinged with disbelief.
I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel the lingering feeling of vertigo. "Forget why I was on the roof... Where did you come from? You weren't there when I fell."
His eyes met mine, steady and calm. "I was just coming around the corner to see what you were up to and to offer my help when you fell. Right place at the right time."
"Right place..." I said, letting the reality of what could have been sink in. "I can't thank you enough."
Lying there, the panic began to fade, and I realized Ashton was closer than I had first thought. The bed dipped under his weight, and as I sat up, our faces were just inches apart. His eyes searched mine, concern etched deep within them.
"Thank you for saving me," I whispered, my voice barely a thread in the thick air of the room. "I thought I was going to die."
His response came in a low, husky tone that seemed to vibrate through me. "You are most welcome."
The moment stretched out, charged with something unspoken. Then, with a slowness that felt like time itself was holding its breath, Ashton leaned forward. His lips met mine in a kiss so gentle, so deliberate, it didn't need anything more to convey the depth of emotion behind it. It was the most sensual, erotic experience of my life, and it was just a simple press of lips.
"Dinner is on me." Ashton broke the electrifying silence that followed the kiss. "You rest here for a minute and let me know if you need anything." His lips brushed against my forehead, a comforting, tender gesture, before he stood up and walked out of the room.
As the door clicked shut behind him, I lay back against the pillows, trying to steady the rapid beating of my heart. The sensation of his kiss still lingered on my lips,sending waves of unexpected arousal through my body. I closed my eyes, half-expecting to feel the rush of vertigo that had overwhelmed me during my fall. This time, it wasn't fear or panic threatening to make me pass out—it was pure, unadulterated erotic tension.
Chapter 15
Ashton
The tasteof Erin’s lips lingered, a sweet, electric hum that resonated deep in my bones. Every instinct screamed to return to her, pull her close, deepen the kiss, and feel the warmth of her skin against mine. But I held back, reminding myself to go slow and steady. My offer to bring her supper was more than generosity. It was a way to extend our time, to nurture the growing connection between us.
I moved with focused efficiency, making my way quickly down the stairs and into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I spotted a container of soup Erin had already prepared. I poured it into a pot and set it on the stove to warm through. While it heated, I grabbed bowls and spoons, then sliced some fresh, crusty bread. From the vase on the table, I plucked a single daisy, placed it in a small glass, and added it to the tray, a small, unspoken gesture.
Balancing the tray, I climbed the stairs and knocked softly on her door. When she opened it, her unique energy wrapped around me as I stepped inside. She smiled when she saw the daisy.
We settled into the armchairs, a small table between us. I laid out the simple meal. "I hope you don’t mind soup," I began, gesturing to the bowls. "I assumed it was meant for dinner."
"No, it’s fine," she replied, her smile soft. "This is lovely. Thank you, Ashton."
As we ate, the conversation flowed, untethered and easy. We talked about the trivial things—the Inn’s quirky guests, the absurd prices of certain produce at the grocery, the fiery sunsets over Stock Creek. With each shared word, each shared glance across the small table, the connection between us deepened. By the time the bowls were cleared, the feeling was undeniable. She fit. She was profoundly, irrevocably right.
I tidied the bowls, wiping away imaginary spills, anything to make our time together longer. I didn’t want to leave, not yet.
Finally, tray in hand, I rose. "I'll speak to you in the morning," I said, my voice soft. "You had a scare today, so make sure and rest."
Then, with a reluctance I fought to conceal, I rose and left her room.
I carried the tray with the dishes downstairs to the kitchen. The soft click of her door closing behind me was the only sound in the quiet Inn. I moved straight to the sink, running water over the bowls. The simple chore became a way to channel the restless energy still thrumming beneath my skin.
I pictured her across from me at the small table, her eyes bright as she’d shared snippets of her life, her smile soft as she’d listened to mine. Then, the memory would shift, hot and urgent, back to the earlier searing kiss, the surprised gasp she’d uttered, the way her body had subtly leaned into mine. My heart thundered against my chest, erratic as the thoughts tumbling through my head. Erin’s lips, soft yet demanding, had ignited something within me, a blaze I couldn’t contain. I paced the kitchen, then back to my room, every nerve ending still sizzling.
"Think, Ashton," I said, raking a hand through my hair. The image of her, eyes closed, leaning into me, was all I could see no matter how many times I blinked. Her scent lingered on my skin. Wildflowers and something uniquely Erin that made it impossible to focus.
I flopped onto the bed, the mattress barely creaking under my weight, but restlessness shoved me right back to my feet. Back and forth, I paced, the dragon inside me stirring, pushing at the confines of my human form. He wanted out, wanted to claim her,but that was not how things were done. Not with Erin, not with someone so purely human.
My dragon roared within, insistent, reminding me of the truth I carried in my veins—we were mates. Dropping a bombshell about dragons and destiny wouldn't win her heart. She needed gentleness, patience, the slow unfurling of trust.
"Start slow," I whispered, conviction settling in my bones. A date. I could do that—I had to.
Before I knew it, my feet moved with purpose, carrying me across the hall to Erin's door. I raised my hand, knocked twice, and held my breath.
This time when I stepped into her domain, she was a vision in the late afternoon sun spilling through her window, her movements graceful as she tidied her space. She was supposed to have been resting, but like me, she seemed unable to find stillness; the air around her charged with the same current that buzzed under my skin.
