Page 24 of Savoring Her Snake

“Your brother left,” he says, turning and handing me the cup.

“That doesn’t surprise me.” I take a sip gratefully.

“Eat,” he says. I open the first container and find waffles with strawberries and whipped cream on top. Gulping, I open the next, which is filled with biscuits and gravy. “I like breakfast food.”

“I do, too. I like to cook, but I’m usually in a rush in the morning and don’t have time.” I look from one delicious dish to the other before looking at him. “Breakfast anytime a day is great. Thank you.” He can’t know how much these simple acts affect me.

“You’re welcome.” He relaxes in his chair. “Why doesn’t your brother care that you are here alone with a strange man?” It’s a reasonable question.

“I’m the older sister, and I have always had to be the one to take care of him.” I cut off a piece of the waffle, holding it in front of my mouth. “He sees me as the responsible one.” I eat the piece and savor the sweetness.

“Brothers should protect their sisters.”

“Maybe in most families,” I say softly and take another bite. I don’t want to talk about my family dynamics and dig the hurt from deep inside out.

“Today, you will meet the dragons,” he says.

“What?” I gape, my mouth full. I’m having breakfast with a snake; dragons aren’t a stretch.

“Roxanne has two sons. When I called them, they decided to come today. Kingston is a gold dragon; the other, Maverick, is a green dragon. They mated recently to a gold dragon, Saphira. Roxanne rescued her sons when they were children and took them in. Saphira is special to me.” He shuts his computer.

“Special?” Jealousy is an emotion I have never felt with a man. No one has meant anything to me.

His lips twitch, and I narrow my eyes. “She is like a sister to me. She does work for me.”

“What kind of work?” I ask, shoving in more food. The sick feeling in my stomach has to be because I’m hungry.

“Sensitive work,” he says. I lift a brow. “There are many men who abuse women and children. We find them and dispense justice.”

“That is very vague.”

“I am not ready to share,” he says, looking at his cup.

“Alright.” I understand having secrets that you don’t want to voice.

“Thank you.” He takes a drink.

“I need to go home and change. I work a few nights a week at a bar. I have to go tonight.” He lowers his cup slowly, his hand tight.

“I don’t want to let you go,” he says softly, lifting his head.

“I have to work,” I say. I can’t give up everything I worked for because I met a sexy snake who says I’m his mate. I feel like I’m in a dream, and at any moment, I could wake up and be disappointed that he’s not real. “You could sit at the bar and watch me work,” I suggest, hoping to soothe his anxiety.

“Will you come home with me after your shift?” he asks.

“Yes.” The word popped out quickly. It seems I don’t want to be far from him either.

“I’m sure the whole crew will want to join,” he grumbles.

“Who else is here?” I ask, pulling the biscuits in front of me.

“Gabby is a bear shifter. She is the sister of my friend's mate, Stephanie. Quinn is the closest to family that I have. He is much like me and doesn’t like crowds, but he will do anything for his mate and anyone she loves.” He crosses his arms on the table. “I have to warn you. They will meddle in your life. They know you are my mate and want to get to know you.”

“You are uncomfortable being around them,” I guess.

“Yes. Not because they are bad people or have bad intentions. They have been trying to bring me into the group. I’ve resisted.” His jaw ticks.

“I see.” I see how he keeps to himself, afraid to get hurt. We are the same in many ways. “Anyone else coming?”

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