Page 17 of Stryker

“And do you only… have relations with other dragons?” In my defense, I’d never been around a dragon before, and my experience with relationships was non-existent. I’d been kissed in ninth grade by Johnny Wilson, but that’s as far I’d ever gone.

He shifted in his seat, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Are you… being racist—or species-ist—right now? Like a dragon can only sleep with another dragon?”

My cheeks blazed white hot. “Of course not! I just don’t know how it works!”

He laughed. “Calm down. I’m just messing with you. It all comes down to the person like anything else. Some dragons prefer mating within the circle. Others are indiscriminate. It doesn’t really matter because pure dragon blood is like human blue-blood. It’s generally frowned on by all but those that practice it.”

“So which are you?”

He pulled away. His arm left my shoulders and he put a few inches of distance between us. I worried I’d been too forward. Maybe I’d misread the signals. Maybe he was just being nice and had no actual interest in me. Why would he? I was poor as could be, socially awkward and I’d just dumped all my life problems in his lap. He knew I was a hot mess. Why the hell would he get involved in all this drama?

“I’m not a purist.”

“Am I being rude right now?” I needed to know why he’d pulled away.

“Forward, yes. But ignorance is never rude. How can you learn without asking questions?” His words held the ring of truth and I nodded.

“Do you have other questions?” he asked, leaning forward and planting his elbows on his knees. He spread his hands as if to indicate he was an open book.

I had a doozy of a question for him. “So if you and a human have a baby, is it a dragon or a human?”

He shrugged, then rubbed his palms together. “It’s a toss-up. Like flipping a coin or rolling dice.”

Fascinating. “Thank you for answering my questions.”

He dipped his head.

“Do you have any questions for me?” I had a feeling I’d regret the question, but I had no idea how much I’d regret it until he glanced at me, an evil glitter in his eyes.

“Actually, I do have a question for you.” His tone of voice screameddanger, but there was no way I’d back down now.

“Okay, go.” I sat upright and crossed my legs under myself. I couldn’t think of a single question he could ask that I wouldn’t want to answer. After all, I’d already told him the worst, ugliest things about myself. And it was… oddly freeing for him to know all my worst secrets and thoughts. Now if he wound up liking me, I’d know it was for the right reasons. “I owe you everything, you know.”

He arched an eyebrow at me. “How so?”

“You could have let me die. You could have walked by and left well enough alone. You chose to step in and do something. Plus, you’re helping my parents. So ask anything you want. I’ve got nothing to hide from you.” I relaxed my shoulders and smiled at him. “So what’s your question?”

Without hesitation, he leaned in a couple inches. I mirrored his motion, wondering if his question was a secret.

“Why are you a virgin?”

My mouth dropped open and I stared at him. How the heck did he know that? I’d never said it! Could he read my mind? What gave it away?

I didn’t know what to say, so instead, I leaned in and pressed my lips to his.

10

Stryker

Her lips were warm against mine and she just held them there. No movement, no tongue, no nothing. Just her lips pressed to mine.

Obviously, she was more than a virgin. She had no idea what to do next with the kiss and I wasn’t about to put her out of her misery. Lust tightened my stomach and I flexed.

She pulled back, her lips peeling away from mine as if we’d both had something sticky that stuck us together. The sensation left me oddly more excited.

As she backed off, her wide, anxious eyes locked on me.

The corners of my lips lifted into a slight smile and her gaze assessed my face before meeting my eyes again. Some invisible tug pulled me closer to her. I knew it was wrong, that I shouldn’t even think about touching her, that kissing her was fucking off-limits.

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