Page 19 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

The cold was instant.

She covered her face with her hands as her shoulders curled in. “I’m tired.”

“Let’s get you to bed then.” I smiled as I opened the door.

“I don’t want to stay here.” The sharpness of her words rattled my dragon.

Fine. I’ll take you wherever you want to go.

But I was confused. “Why did you say you wanted to stay?”

I’d felt it in our shared looks all night. The way she turned to me for support when Kieran and Ember got a little too open. Her body angled towards mine, seeking connection between us. It was more than instinctual. She’d been acknowledging our bond, and now she was cutting it off.

“Because Ember and Willow have done so much for me, I can’t ask them for more,” Riley whispered.

Despite the resigned frustration in her tone, her eyes told a different story. That look was pleading with me to understand.

I leaned against the doorframe, keeping my limbs relaxed as I considered her words. “They’re like family to you.”

“Yes.” Riley bit her bottom lip as she looked over her shoulder and took a tentative step back.

She wanted to run.

As much as I loved that game, my beast would terrify her if she acted like prey.

We needed more time. More trust to repair that which was broken and strengthen the ties between us.

I tightened the reins on my beast and focused on keeping my voice soft. “And your friends like family, they consider you a burden?”

Anger flashed in her eyes as she turned back to me. There she was. My fighter.

“They would never.”

I shrugged with one shoulder. “Either they’ve made you feel that way or you make yourself feel that way. Which one is it and why?”

Color flushed her cheeks and fire danced between us. My dragon wanted to unfurl to meet the challenge, but I commanded him to behave.

It took everything in me not to smile as Riley marched forward, shoving her pointed finger into my chest.

“You don’t get to do that,” she said.

“Do what?” I reached up and caught her wrist, holding it soft enough so she could escape, but firm enough to let her know I was here.

“That.” Her breath caught as she looked away. “Psychoanalyze me. It’s none of your business why I am the way I am.”

I inhaled deeply, tasting her sweet scent as the bitter hint of fear faded. “Anything that concerns you is my business.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I don’t want your concern. Or your pity. Or your…”

I licked my lips and she quieted, looking at my mouth.

“Or?” I prompted.

A frustrated sound came from her chest.

Such a precious growl.My dragon grinned.

Quiet now.I held back my smile.

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