“Maybe, but that's what I feel,” I whispered in answer to Tanekan.
Soft footfalls reached my ears. I turned to see Kirion approach. He looked stunning dressed all in white with a thin black scarf draped over his shoulders. I hadn't seen these clothes before. He’d probably ordered them online. I was glad to see that he wasn't afraid to use the cards I'd given him to buy what he needed and wanted.
“What do you feel?” he asked.
“What?”
“I heard you talking. You said, ‘that’s what I feel’.” Abruptly, he put his hand over his mouth. “Ohh, were you talking to Tanekan? I didn't mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not. I mean… yes, I was talking to my dragon. But you're not interrupting.”
He relaxed, then looked down at his hands. Maybe he was looking at that very space of skin my lips had grazed. What did he feel? What did he think? I wanted to know but had no courage to ask.
“I didn't mean to pry,” he said.
“It's fine. We were just looking at the storm coming in. The wind has already picked up.”
Kirion came to stand beside me. “Well, we got in just in time.”
“The temperature has dropped, too.”
We sat at the table as the staff brought in our dinner. Potato soup, rosemary seasoned baked chicken, glazed asparagus and a fresh mixed fruit salad. Elias poured the wine.
I was shaking inside. What had I done? I'd kissed his hand and led him on. I wanted him but I did not feel good about it.
You think too much.
Despite my nerves, I was able to eat. My cooks were that good and I was hungry. I kept wanting to bring up the subject ofus. I had no idea where to start.
Kirion kept looking at me with bright eyes. He had on a little makeup tonight around the mouth and eyes. He looked fantastic.
Don't play the fool. You can read him, his body language, how he looks at you. You're so worried about consent while he isn't. It's obvious.
He kept complementing the food as he ate and bringing up all the positive details of our day... except for the conversation in the den. That was the big cloud hanging over us.
Dinner was over too quickly. All my opportunities to continue to make a deeper connection with him we're lost. Or to at least to explain myself and why I abruptly left him before dinner.
I completely chickened out. It had been so long since I wanted someone. Why did it have to be someone I owned? It was too complicated.
It's not complicated unless you make it that way.
I stood. “I have some work to do tonight. I'll be in my office.”
Kirion's eyes widened. “Okay.” The tone of his voice rang with disappointment. It wasn't okay and I knew it.
His gaze turned sad. His eyes followed me as I left. When I looked back over my shoulder his head was bowed over his empty plate.
My skin burned. I could smell him even as I walked away, so light and sweet and young. That was another reason I needed to stay away. He was too young for me.
Bullshit. Dragons mate their whole lives. It doesn't matter what age they are when they meet, only that they are compatible and in their adulthood.
But Tanekan was the dragon. I was human. I had to take that into account.
Upstairs, I got no work done. My skin was flushed all over. The idea of being with Kirion wouldn't leave my mind. I couldn't think. I wanted to strip off all my clothes and writhe on my bed.
He had hooked me well and good. Something had to be done about that. But I couldn't face it.
Not tonight.
