Page 21 of The Last Bachelor Dragon

Stepping up behind Nora, he wrapped his arms around her and leaned down. “Good morning. I’m not sure which is more beautiful, you or the sunrise,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “You’re up early, is everything okay? Is your head hurting?”

She looked up at him over her shoulder. “I’m fine, my head isn’t bothering me,” she said, then hesitated. “It’s just…well…last night everything seemed so perfect, it all made sense, but this morning…”

“You haven’t changed your mind, have you?” he asked, suddenly afraid. “I mean, I know it was a lot to absorb, and I know you probably have a lot to think about…”

“I haven’t changed my mind about us,” she said, turning in his arms. “Don’t think that for a second. I’m just worried about what my father is going to do when he finds out where I am. He’s going to try and make me come back with him. I’m worth too much to let go that easily, and he won’t play fair, Max. He’s already threatened to have me committed if I don’t do what he wants. I can’t imagine what he might do to you.”

“Your father can’t hurt me, Nora, don’t forget who I am,” he said. “And if he even thinks for a second that he’s going to get his hands on you, he’s delusional. You’re mine, sweetheart; no one is going to take you away from me. I can play dirty too, and you’re not too bad at it yourself. Between the two of us, he doesn’t stand a chance.”

She laughed. “I wasn’t playing dirty, I was just determined not to let you win,” she said, shaking her head. “Honestly, I didn’t know what I was capable of accomplishing until you pushed me so hard. I should be thanking you, I guess, but you were such a jerk, I’m not going to give you the satisfaction.”

“Glad I could help,” he said, grinning at her, then an idea popped into his head. “I just had a bit of a crazy idea. You’llprobably say it’s too soon, but it might solve a few of our problems with your father.”

Nora studied him for a second. “I know that look, I’ve seen it enough times to know there’s something brewing in your head,” she said. “What are you planning, Max?”

“Marry me, Nora,” he said, grinning at her. “I want you to be my wife.”

“What?” she asked, her face full of shock. “We’ve only known each other for a week, you can’t be serious.”

“I’m as serious as I can be,” he said, reaching up to cup her face with his hands. “We’re bonded, Nora. It’s the next logical step. We’re already going to be together for the rest of our lives, marriage would just make it official.”

“I don’t…I thought…you mean everything you said is true…this bond thing is real?” she stammered. You weren’t just sweet-talking me.”

“Those weren’t just words, Nora. I told you the truth,” he said. “The bond between us will link us for the rest of our lives. If we’re not together, we’ll both be miserable. We need each other now to be happy.”

It took her a second to fully absorb what he was telling her. “I think I have a lot to learn about shifters,” she said, then shrugged her shoulders. “I guess since you put it that way, we might as well get married; if nothing else, it will piss my father off.”

“And make me your next of kin,” he said, grinning at her. “It takes all the power out of his hands; he won’t be able to commit you or force you to marry an old man.”

Nora didn’t look as happy as he thought she would. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “I can tell something is bothering you.”

She didn’t say anything at first, then sighed. “You’re going to think it’s silly,” she said, looking away. “It’s just that Ithought there would be more, a ring at least. I know how bad that sounds…I should be happy and I am…”

“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry, I should have waited, I got carried away,” he said. “The thought of losing you terrifies me, but if it’s too soon, if you want a big proposal, we can back up and do it all over again with a ring and everything.”

Nora thought about it for a second, then shook her head. “I was wrong. This is perfect. This is exactly how it was supposed to happen,” she said. Life with you will always be full of surprises. I guess I just wasn’t ready for that one.”

“You’ll get used to it,” he said, grinning at her, then pulled the blanket away, leaving her standing naked in his arms. “And right now I have a few other surprises in mind that you might enjoy.”

***Nora***

Nora was in the cabin washing dishes in the tiny sink, wishing they could stay on the boat for longer, but the current was dragging them back toward the island, and it was just a matter of time before someone found them. As if in answer to her thoughts, the sound of a motor caught her attention. She let out a little sigh, then dried her hands and went up on deck. In the distance she could see a boat coming toward them, and knew that their magical time was over. It was time to rejoin the real world.

Looking over at Max fiddling with a fishing pole he’d found in one of the lockers, she couldn’t help but smile. So much had changed and in such a wonderful way, it was hard to wrap her mind around it. Instinctively, she knew that their troubles weren’t over; they still had to face her father and Carlos Adaloni, but she wasn’t about to back down from either of them. Max belonged to her as much as she belongedto him, and she wasn’t about to lose him to anyone, she would die trying to save him if that’s what it took.

Sensing her presence, Max looked over at her. Then, as the boat got closer, he set down the fishing pole and walked over to her. “What were you just thinking about?” he asked, pulling her into his arms.Whatever it was, it must have been serious.”

“I was just thinking about what I would do to anyone who tried to hurt you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “You’re the most important person in my life. You belong to me, and I’m not going to let anyone come between us.”

“My brave little beauty,” he said, smiling down at her. “I pity anyone who takes you on. You’ve become a fearsome warrior, and I’m proud to call you mine.”

He bent his head to kiss her, but before he could, the loud blast of a boat’s horn made them jump apart with a start. “Do you two want to be rescued, or should I come back later?” Montgomery called. “I’ve been out here all night, but what the heck, I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”

Nora felt her cheeks turning pink, but helped Max get the other boat tied to theirs, then stood back when Montgomery jumped on board. “Well, that was exciting,” he said, looking around. “Where did this boat come from?”

“It was in a slip in the marina. It was the only one that had the keys in it,” she said, stepping forward. “I’m sorry I took it. I’ll pay for any damages.”

“This isn’t our boat. I don’t know where it came from,” Montgomery said, then let out a long sigh. “I think this is one of those things I’m not going to question very much, isn’t it?”

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