He’d been paying attention. He’d actually been listening.
“Yes.” I ducked under the water again to rinse the soap from my hair, came up, and slicked it back. “If I could take regular measurements at various altitudes, during different seasons, the data would be invaluable. But I’d need a consistent flight schedule, and I know you’re busy with kingdom matters, so I don’t want to presume?—”
“I fly every morning,” he said. “Weather permitting. You’re welcome to join me.”
I stared at him. “Really?”
“You’re my wife. And your research could benefit our agricultural communities. Why wouldn’t I accommodate you in that?”
Because no one had ever made concessions for myresearch before. I’d always had to fight for time, for resources, for anyone to take my theories seriously.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
We sat in silence with steam rising between us, and I found myself studying his face when he wasn’t looking. The sharp angles that had seemed severe yesterday now appeared more elegant. The amber eyes that had intimidated me were actually rather beautiful, especially when they caught the light from the luminescent crystals.
He glanced over and caught me staring. Neither of us looked away.
The air between us felt charged with a feeling I couldn’t name. My weather magic stirred, responding to my confusion, and a gentle breeze swept through the cave despite the lack of windows.
Raoul’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Still thinking about thermal patterns?”
“No, I was thinking that your eyes are the same color as dragonfire gems. And that you’re much more handsome than I first thought. Which is a strange thing to notice about someone you’re maintaining a professional distance from.”
Why had I said that? What was wrong with me?
But Raoul didn’t look offended. If anything, his expression grew more intense. “You think I’m handsome?”
“Objectively speaking.” I tried to sound clinical. “Facial symmetry, strong bone structure, pleasant proportions. It’s basic aesthetic appreciation.”
“Basic aesthetic appreciation,” he said slowly.
“Yes.”
“So when you’re looking at me right now, you’re conducting an objective assessment of my facial symmetry?”
“Exactly.”
“And what conclusion have you reached?”
That I wanted to glide across this pool and kiss him, which was absolutely not maintaining professional distance and definitely not objective.
“That your facial symmetry is very well-proportioned,” I spit out.
His lips twitched. “That’s good to know.”
The moment stretched between us, heated and confusing and entirely unprecedented in my experience. I’d never felt this awareness of another person, this magnetic pull that made me want to move closer despite every rational argument against it.
A knock at the outer door shattered the tension.
“That’ll be breakfast,” Raoul said, his voice rougher than before. He rose from the pool and stepped out.
I gaped, noting a few important details as he moved past me.
He had a large, long cock. But what else would a dragon shifter have?
It didn’t dangle like the only cock I’d seen in my lifetime. That one had taken some effort on my part to make it sturdy enough to, well, perform.
Raoul’s rose, erect and proud, stabbing at his abdomen.
