Page 22 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

As soon as the words left my lips, I wanted to clap my hands over my mouth.

Who was I?

My heart started beating faster.

Raising my voice with Drew would’ve gotten me…

I ignored the memories my thoughts were spiraling towards, focusing on the crisp, white sheets. “Never mind. I’m sorry. This is your room.”

“And I plan to share it with you.” Lucan’s voice was calming as he leaned back against the headboard, crossing his arms behind his head. “The bed is big enough for more than two and we’re both adults. I won’t touch you.”

I frowned.

Nope.Didn’t like the sound of that for some reason.

Lucan arched an eyebrow. “Unless you want me to touch you.”

“No.” I shook my head, backing slowly towards the door. Dobby chose that moment to bolt from my arms.

My traitorous cat landed on the bed and pranced his way across the covers. He sniffed and kneaded the down comforter a few times before plopping his butt onto Lucan’s bare chest.

Wide-eyed, I stared at the two of them. “What did you do to my cat?”

“Gave him a place to sleep?” Lucan shrugged as he scratched under Dobby’s chin. My cat, who hated all things male, and barely tolerated me, started to purr.

Lucan’s grin was playful as he looked up. “Maybe you should follow his lead. You need your rest.”

“I…” I was out of excuses and feeling ridiculous. As a fully grown woman, I could sleep next to a half-naked man in a bed with no funny business going on.

“What are you doing?” Lucan asked as I started moving the pillows. There were so many and they were all so fluffy yet firm. They must’ve cost him a fortune.

“Building a wall,” I huffed as I stacked them in the middle of the bed.

This would befiiineee.

It’s not like I was a heavy sleeper anyway. It’d been years since I’d gotten a decent night’s sleep. The older I got, the more it seemed that my brain was on high alert and never completely shut off. It was always ready to act at a moment’s notice.

“You think a pillow wall is going to protect you from a dragon?” Lucan chuckled.

Even if his words sounded dangerous, I knew there was no malice to them. Besides, if he decided to turn into a dragon, he’d do more than ruin the pillow barrier.

I nodded, pulling the comforter up to my chin. “And the blanket will keep the monsters away from my feet.”

Lucan’s face softened as he watched me.

It was unnerving.

I looked away.

“Are you ready for me to turn out the light?” he asked.

Dobby was still curled onto Lucan’s chest. But he was a free cat. He could do what he wanted.

“It’s your room,” I said. “Turn out the lights when you want.”

“It’s yours too,” Lucan whispered as the bedside table lamp clicked off and darkness fell. “Goodnight my Riley.”

“Night,” I mumbled, trying to not let the kindness in his tone get to me.

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