Page 32 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

But She made her choice,I reminded myself.

I wiped the sweat from my brow as I rounded the corner outside of the greenhouse and then stopped cold in my tracks.

Ember was bent over in jean shorts, giving me the most perfect view of milky white thighs and a rounded ass that I’d seen in… I couldn’t remember.

Her red hair was tied into a braid swinging low over her sun-kissed shoulders as she tugged the blade from the earth with a groan.

My fist found my mouth and I bit down on my knuckles, attempting to control the possessive roar ofmy beast. Need slammed into me harder than the hoe Ember dug into the dried dirt.

She let out a softly worded “Fuck” as her muscles flexed and I almost hit my knees.

Drips of sweat beaded on the back of her neck and the breeze shifted, sending her delicate musky vanilla scent in my direction.

Sunlight glinted off the hoe as she raised it, making it flash like a sword in battle. She hit the dirt again with a frustrated cry before tossing the tool aside.

Her hands found her lower back and she panted, out of breath and chest heaving, as she turned toward me.

I froze like a cobra poised and ready to strike, embarrassed at being caught red-handed like some prepubescent pervert, even though I was hundreds of years her senior.

The bulge in my jeans threatened to give all my dirty secrets away.

I wanted her.

I couldn’t have her.

Our position was unequal. It’d be taking advantage. She was human. I was a dragon.

It would never work.

I silently cursed Fredrick for putting these thoughts in my head. It was his fault I had to tear my gaze away from her breasts bouncing and the hint of skin showing above the waistband of her shorts as she marched over.

Everything about her was shapely and feminine and called to the primitive nature of my beast.

Succeeding in pulling my eyes up did nothing to cool my desire. Dirt streaked the side of her delicateface and strands of hair were plastered to it, escaping the confines of her braid.

She was wild and beautiful.

Any male could see that.

But I wasn’t foolish enough to make her mine.

I would be cordial though. “Good morning, Ember.”

She almost skipped a step as I said her name and I didn’t miss the way her scent heated with arousal. I knew I had that effect on most women, but it gave me pleasure to know it worked on her too.

Maybe I wouldn’t have to suffer alone.

“Good morning, Kieran,” she smirked as she replied and I had to admit my name sounded good on her lips.

Ember crossed her arms over her chest, pressing the tops of her breasts higher, and I had to focus extra hard on keeping my eyes at a decent level.

What is wrong with me?

“You’re up early.” There was a challenge in her tone.

I couldn’t help but rise to it. “I have chores to do. A homestead to keep running.”

Her eyes narrowed and I realized too late how that sounded. So much for being friendly.

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