Page 11 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

Except the books say to trust your instincts.

I didn’t know what was right.

There had to be an angle, though.

I just needed to wait for Lucan to show his hand. If I stayed on guard, I could prepare for the coming blow. The nice guy routine would wear away eventually.

Hopefully, I’d be long gone by then.

He said he’d find me a charger and there was cell service out here. Whether I believed his line about dragons keeping their promises was irrelevant. We’d know soon enough if he was telling the truth.

Sucking in a shaky breath, I got a whiff of myself.

Maybe Lucan was right and I should clean up.

I grabbed the edges of the sink, not bothering to look at my reflection in the mirror. I already knew what I’d see. Dry skin, limp hair hanging around my shoulders that frizzed up in the humidity without enough length to weigh it down. Bags under my eyes and hollow cheeks.

At least the bruise had gone away.

I still couldn’t believe Drew hit me in the face.

He was usually smarter than that, knowing to leave marks in places no one could see. Proof of his anger didn’t linger long on the outside. Inside was where the real mess was made.

But he’d been slipping over the past few months as the worry about the future started to get under his skin. He’d lashed out more, losing his temper in public a few times.

And he’d started to let himself go. A few extra pounds around his waist made his constant nitpicking of my body worse.

I couldn’t believe I’d once thought him attractive.

Compared to the kidnapping dragon in the other room, there was no comparison.

Lucan’s body was sculpted like an ancient Viking warrior god and he wore his skin comfortably. It’d been an effort to sit there all through breakfast, eating his bacon and keeping my eyes away from his muscled chest.

He thought I was his mate.

My heart started beating faster again.

I slowly raised my eyes to the mirror, wondering what it was he’d seen in me. Maybe he was just lonely.

Guys like that aren’t lonely, Riley.

I snorted.

Okay, maybe he was insane.

I looked around the spa-like bathroom.

An oversized jacuzzi tub sat under frosted windows that looked out toward the mountains behind the house. Stone-tiled floors led to the walk-in shower. White terry towels were pristinely folded on the rustic wood wall shelf. A basket of bath salts and soaps sat on the ledge of the tub.

My eyes narrowed as I read the labels.

Lavender and almond milk and Moroccan oil scents. A sinking feeling twisted my gut, which instantly made me sick.

I had no right to care if another female had been here. Jealousy wasn’t my vibe; Drew had the monopoly on that. Not me. And I wasn’t starting now.

Besides, Lucan said I was welcome to anything in his house. If I was going to be kidnapped, I could at least enjoy the perks.

See? I was doing great at this gratitude thing.

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