Page 15 of Marked By His Alpha Dragon's Desire

“That’s crazy,” he said. “There weren’t many bears where I came from.”

“Me neither. I haven’t seen any, but I’ve heard them when I am sitting on my deck at night. And there are always huge paw prints in the park. It’s crazy how close to town they get. Tyler has assured me there’s never been any attacks or anything though, so it’s safe.”

“What made you move from the big city to a small town?” Raphael asked.

“I love my job as a paramedic. I really do. I love being able to help, to be with people in their most hectic moments and be that level of calm. But the city was just burning me out too fast. Every shift was one tragedy after the next, and I needed a slower pace.”

“That makes sense.”

“Here, I can get to know the people that I’ll be working with, which lends itself to its own dangers. It’s very likely I will come upon an accident someday and know the people in the car. And that’s never easy.”

“I was called to a fire once. A friend I grew up with—his parents...”

My heart twisted for him. I couldn’t imagine such a thing. I reached my hand over and grasped his. “That must have been awful.”

“It was,” he said. “Thankfully I was living close to my brothers at the time. They helped to ground me and encouraged me to talk to the department therapist. It helped.”

“I’m glad.”

We reached the restaurant, and Raphael parked. He was out of the truck and jogging around to my door before I could open it. I let him open it for me and help me out.

The restaurant was a charming little place, and the fresh scent of basil and tomato sauce wafted through the air.

“I’m never going to be able to pick a meal,” I said.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had good Italian, but I’m willing to share if you are.” The fire in his eyes as he looked down at me sent a jolt through me. Every time I looked at him it made my skin tingle, and I had the oddest desire to get as close to him as possible—with no clothing between us. I’d never been so drawn to an alpha before, and my gut told me this was right. I wasn’t going to question it.

“That sounds great.”

Chapter 9

Raphael

Dinner could not have gone better.

We talked long after we had finished our meals. Our server was practically begging us to leave and give up the table. I left him a generous tip to make up for it.

I drove slowly on the way home since I had no desire to return to the fire station and my single lonely bed. Staying with Luca foras long as possible was my main priority. I was running out of excuses, though.

When I arrived at his house, I got out of the truck. I would absolutely walk him to his door like the gentleman that I was. With any luck, I may get a goodnight kiss and a promise of another date. Maybe we could even set a date for the next one.

I held his hand while I walked him to the door.

“I had a great time tonight,” I said, feeling very much like a nervous teen awaiting their first kiss.

This would be my last first kiss. There would be no other man in my life except for Luca. He was my mate, my one and only. Just the anticipation of it was enough to bring my dragon roaring to the surface.

I stopped just outside his door and faced him. His eyes flashed like there was a heat behind them. Like a backdraft in action.

I didn’t have time to prepare before he launched himself into my arms.

His lips landed on mine.

Time stood still.

I kept still.

Then he was moving, his tongue coaxing my mouth open, and I responded in kind. I moaned into his touch. His taste ignited the fire within my soul, like breathing life into me.

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