Page 15 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

But I’d already shown enough pride for one day. “Yes. You’re safe here with me.”

“With you?” She stared into the distance as I carried her to the house. “As your mate?”

“As whatever you’ll have me as for now,” I explained as I reluctantly set her on her feet. “You’re not a prisoner here. I do apologize for your abrupt arrival, but when I thought you’d mated Kieran, my beastly impulses overacted a bit.”

“Why would you think that?” Her brow furrowed as she slid down my body, keeping her hands on my arms to stabilize herself.

“I’m not sure I’ve had a clear thought since the minute I scented you.” I shivered as her fingernails gripped my forearms, missing a breath as I stared down into her expressive eyes.

Her lips were so soft.

I could only imagine tasting them.

“The other day when you landed at Kieran’s house. I couldn’t focus either.” Riley shook her head as if that was an afterthought, breaking the spell between us. My heart soared at her admission anyway.

She stopped touching me, but I’d take the small victory of her not cowering away. “I’m not a prisoner, even though you kidnapped me?”

“What can I say?” I grinned as I pushed open the French patio doors that led to the living room, unashamedly enjoying the way she brushed past me as she walked inside our nest while wearing nothing but my shirt. “I’m not that much of a beast.”

7

Riley

Stockholm Syndrome

“Come here, baby.” I pulled my big, orange furball of a cat from the carrier. Dobby swiped at me with a hiss and scrambled out of my arms, bolting under the bed.

“I know. It’s a lot of change, really fast.” Tears misted my eyes again.

Something was wrong.

I hadn’t been able to turn off the waterworks all morning. Lucan had brought me my suitcase and cat. I’d shoved him outside the room, needing a moment to put on fresh panties and collect myself. It was like my eyes were leaking for no good reason.

I was a mess.

It wasn’t the fun kind of mess I used to be before my ex made me start to worry too much. This was more of an emotional rollercoaster ride I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Except maybe Drew—because fuck him.

Seriously, that narcissistic prick never would have brought me clothes. I couldn’t even imagine crying around him. He would’ve berated me for being weak. And he definitely never would’ve carried me inside the house.

Not like Lucan…

Stop right there.I pushed the heels of my palms into my eyes.You are not going to be this woman.

I wasn’t running from one monster just to fall into the arms of another. So what if there was bacon and baths and kindness?

The dude still kidnapped me.

“Don’t get too comfortable. You can use the litterbox and get some water,” I told Dobby as I put on fresh clothes and then zipped up my suitcase. “Hurry, because we’re getting out of here.”

∞

“There you are,” Ember said. My bestie was glowing as she clung to Kieran’s arm like she couldn’t stand on her own if he wasn’t around. “This big guy had me worried sick. Willow is still freaking out, but she calmed down a bit when we got the phone call.”

“Yeah. I was worried too.” I forced a smile.

Ember wasn’t talking about Kieran, though. I’d thought he was big when we first met him, but Lucan had twice the shoulder width and a few inches on the other dragon. Admittedly, it did make sense that all dragons were big in human form.

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