Page 18 of The Heart of the Dragon

I clutched my stomach and nearly doubled over the more he said it and the picture grew in my mind. I was going to have to make a new business suggestion to my father the next time I saw him. It was ridiculous, but I knew it would draw a laugh out of him.

"You are truly a strange woman," he said, pacing away from me and over to the nearest window. That window would give him a great view of the sea, because nearly all the windows on this side of the house did. I had an affinity towards water, making me want to see and feel it as often as I could.

The salty air alone seemed to rejuvenate me.

After a few more giggles, I finally caught my breath. "A book and bath shop sells a combination of books and bath products." When he looked back at me with confusion, I explained further. "Like specialty soaps and scrubbing salts. I make those products for them right here. It's how I spend my winters cooped up in this cottage. Your assessment that we were in the middle ofnowhere was spot on. And trust me, now that the cold has set in, you'll discover there's not much out here to do."

His eyes narrowed on me as his gaze roamed me from head to toe. That assessing look making my entire body heat.

"Oh trust me," he said. "I can find something for you to do that has nothing at all to do with making soap."

Chapter

Eight

Magnus

I watchedher eyes go wide in shock as my meaning sank in. If I was stuck out here with her until my dragon returned, I was damn well going to find something for her to do a sight better than just making up her witch's potions.

"If you're implying?—"

"I'm not implying anything," I interrupted. "I'm telling you there are better things to do with our time. Everyone has needs. And unless you are some pious creature who's made oaths against letting a man give you pleasure, then you know exactly what I mean." I didn't need the dragon or my magic to see the way her pulse beat against her pretty throat when she looked at me. Or the glazed look in her eyes when I’d made my suggestion. “Or you could simply fix what you’ve done to me and I’ll leave on my own.”

"You're a pig," she said, her words flat and devoid of emotion.

"No. Dragon. There's a BIG difference." Leaning in, I added, "I'd be happy to show you if you'd like a demonstration."

I was baiting her, but she'd brought this all on herself by dragging me out here and I wasn't going to let it go or let her forget. If she didn't like what she got, then that was her problem, not mine.

"The only thing I want to see is proof of this dragon bullshit you keep shoveling my way. And if you think you're going to scare me with empty threats, then you are both a liarandstupid."

A growl rumbled in my chest. This woman had a sharp tongue — and an impressive backbone to match. I admired that, even as I itched to put her in her place. Insolence was one thing, treachery another.

She also acted as if she didn't believe a word I said, but it was obvious that wasn't entirely true either. As far as I could tell, she was more curious than ever the more we spoke. I'd bet good money that if left to her own devices, she'd find a way to crack open my skull and dig out whatever knowledge she sought.

"Thanks to that fucking plant…" I pointed at the group of them in the corner that I wanted to burn to ash. If only I had my dragonfire. "I can't prove anything. If a tiny taste made me sick, I shudder to think about the consequences of the amount I ate in your stew. Speaking of..." I hadn't seen a kitchen up to this point, but I was going to assume she had one here. "Do you have any fresh meat? I'm starving."

Her eyes narrowed as she tried to assess me, likely looking for some hidden meaning in my words. After a few seconds she seemed to give in, even dropping her hands from where they'dperched on her hips. "I should. I called ahead and had provisions delivered. Follow me."

We left her plant growing room and followed a different hall to the opposite side of the cottage. It had looked small from the outside, but I could now see that it was larger than I'd expected. There were twists and turns as we passed several closed doors that could lead to any number of things. However, a moment later we entered a small room that looked capable of meals being prepared. Although calling it a kitchen sounded far too grandiose for this tiny space.

"Have a seat at the table and I'll see what I can whip up." She proceeded to open the refrigerator and began the hunt.

"No."

She whipped around, her eyes full of confusion. "Excuse me?"

I cocked a brow at her. "The last time you cooked for me, I ended up poisoned and dragonless."

"Don't trust me then?" She asked with a smirk.

"Not even a little."

"Fine." She held up her hands in what looked like surrender, but even that I questioned. "You can rummage around in the fridge and find something for breakfast while I go and park my trailer. I can't leave it in the middle of the drive."

I didn't have a chance to process the meaning of her words before she swept from the room and left me standing there like an ass.

I looked around wondering what to do next. Considering I'd never cooked a day in my life beyond charring a fresh kill with dragonfire, I had no idea what to do.

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