Page 13 of The Manny's Fiery Dragon Bond

“Because you’re so old?” I pushed my shoulder into him and stuck out my tongue. Way to make myself appear older and wiser.

“Ouch.”

“Ouch as in I hurt your shoulder or your pride?” I watched his face, hoping I wasn’t crossing any lines. I felt comfortable with him, comfortable enough to be myself and have fun. That didn’t mean I should be doing so. He was still related to my bosses. It wasn’t like I randomly met him at a coffee shop and it was time to get my flirt on.

“A little from column A and a little from column B. I’m not that old, not as far as dragons go.” Great. I hurt his feelings.

“I didn’t mean either. And for what it’s worth, you look great for your age.”

“For my age?” He quirked a brow.

“Period. You look great period.” And I needed to stop going down this path. And quick. “Anyhoo, tell me about what it was like when your kids were young?”

His lips turned into a half smile, and his eyes took on a faraway look. “Well, as you have already indicated… it was a long, long, long, long time ago.”

I couldn’t help but giggle.

“But seriously, it was a lot different but also the same. Kids are kids. That doesn’t change.”

“That makes sense.” But didn’t give me insight into the alpha I was crushing so hard on.

“Tell me about you. How did you get into mannying?”

Was he asking about how I chose this career or why I was alone? That one I’d heard a lot over the years, as if being a manny was somehow such a horrible job that people would only take it on if they had no other choice, like they wanted to be married with kids but no one wanted them. Malric wasn’t that kind of guy, though. At least I didn’t think he was. I was still getting to know him, and it would be fair to say that my attraction to him might cloud my judgement.

“I’ve always loved kids. I’m certified to teach, and while I was looking for a teaching job, I got a gig as a manny. Turned out I liked that a lot better.” As great as being in the classroom was, there was so much grading and paperwork. With my job, instead of spending my time on that, I was able to focus on the parts of the job I loved. “I’ve manny’d for three different families now. I love it.”

“You’re great at it.” Malric’s gaze locked on mine. “It’s like it comes naturally to you.”

I leaned closer, licked my lips. The scent of him drew me in like a moth to a flame. For a moment I lost myself in the what-if. What if I leaned in even closer? What if I put a hand on his thigh and felt the heat of him beneath my palm? What if…

Then reality came crashing back.

This was my boss’s father! It was bad enough I had the naughty thoughts I did about him. But to actually contemplate acting on them? That would only result in disaster.

I got up from the couch. “Let me get you—” I tripped over my own feet, and before I knew it, I was falling directly into Malric’s lap. Because of course I did.

He caught me—his hand clasped over my arm, while my body landed on him. Our heads collided, his nose was mere centimeters from mine.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

I was categorically not all right.

With him this close to me, his scent was the only thing I could think about. It wrapped around me, trapping me, keeping me from moving. My gaze dropped to his lips. Surely a taste wouldn’t hurt.

Mine. My mouse told me so.

He was mine, and I wanted him more than I ever thought possible.

Mine.

I closed the distance between us, crashing my lips onto his, not caring about the consequences. If this was all I got to have with him, so be it.

For a split second, I thought maybe it was just me, his body frozen against mine. Maybe I acted too impulsively and Malric didn’t feel this attraction. Maybe he thought me too young or my beast too small.

But just as I was about to break away and apologize a gazillion times, he kissed me back.

Fire warmed in my belly. His hands went to my waist, and he lifted me as if I weighed nothing. Hie settled me onto his lap so that my knees were on either side of him. The kiss deepened, his tongue sweeping into my mouth and devouring me. I moaned against him and rocked my hips.

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