Page 51 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

“But they said…” My bottom lip quivered until I forced it to stay steady. “They said this was your land now.”

“And I’m giving it back to you.” He put one hand on the wall, leaning forward and caging me against the door.

I hadn’t realized just how big he was—how deliciously masculine he smelled—until he was crowding all my senses.

“I can’t pay you. I don’t even know where all the money I paid for taxes on this place over the past decade went.” I stared into his eyes as they flashed brighter in the shadows, hints of red mixed with the brown irises as his pupils widened.

He focused on a tendril of my hair that he caught between his finger and thumb, instead of looking at my face. “I don’t want your human money.”

I tried to ignore the dirty thoughts of what he implied, but his nostrils flared and his tongue wet his bottom lip. I had the embarrassing realization that he could smell my desire.

“What is it that you want?” My tone was too breathy for my liking.

“Too much, probably,” he whispered, almost as if he didn’t want to admit that aloud.

He wanted me.

That thought made me bold. “Are you going to take what you want?”

“Do you think me that much of a beast?” He let go of my hair and took a step back. A rush of cool air blew between us.

“I think you’re a man,” I said hesitantly, not sure if he’d take that as an insult.

“I’m not a man.” His smile held the warning of a challenge. “I’m a dragon.”

And that made me clench my thighs together.

Seriously. What was happening?

I didn’t usually get this tripped up over myself.

“Well, Mister Dragon,” I tried to joke. “I guess we’ll be neighbors then? I’ll make sure to lock the pitchforks in the shed.”

That wasn’t even funny.

My brain was turning to mush with him standing this close and my eyes kept going to his lips. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to kiss the dragon shifter. I’m not saying something was wrong with me, but I always did pick the strange ones.

“Neighbors.” Kieran nodded, licking his bottom lip as if he knew what I was thinking. “You should go inside.”

“And if I don’t want to?” I smiled.

Oh my God, I’m flirting!

Kieran took another step back and rubbed his hand over his neck. “You don’t have to do this. I’m serious. This is your house. You and your friends are safe here. No one is being forced to leave.”

“I don’t have to…”Oh.The weight of his insinuation sank in. “Do you think I’m trying to offer myself in exchange for rent?”

The audacity of this man—ugh—dragon.

“What? No. I just don’t want you to think that you owe me anything. I need you to know that a dragon’s honor prevents me from taking advantage of your situation.” A voice like his could soothe even the rage I was feeling now. “You and your friends are safe here on my land.”

“Your land?” If my eyes could flash red like his, they would. “I thought you were giving it back to me.”

It’s not like it was truly his anyway.

Stupid, useless lizard government always thinking they could do whatever they wanted.

“Ember, wait,” Kieran sighed like we’d already had this fight before.

---