Page 24 of Cowboy Dragon's Rose

My Dragon’s energy runs hot and wild, but animals don’t fear it.

They recognize it.

Respect it.

And in moments like this—when I’m too human, too raw, too close to falling off the edge of my own instincts—they soothe me as much as I do them.

I murmur softly to the roan in stall four, letting the brush slide gently along her side.

“Easy, girl. You’re alright.”

She whinnies low, and I feel my Dragon settle just a little beneath my skin.

But not much.

Not really.

Not when she’s here. On the ranch. Close, but still so far.

Casey.

Es meus.

Too soft.

Too sweet.

Too human.

And yet every inch of me—bone, blood, fire—wants her.

The kiss shouldn’t have happened.

One touch, one taste, and I lost control like some fresh-shifted teen with his first heat.

I saw her eyes go wide.

Felt her lips part.

Tasted her sweetness on my tongue.

And then that damn look when she glimpsed what I am—what lurks beneath my skin.

She doesn’t know.

I know she doesn’t.

Not about Shifters. Not about fated mates. Not about Dragons.

She’s an innocent.

Too good for my world.

Too soft and pure.

But still, I need her.

How the fuck am I supposed to woo a woman like that? Who doesn’t even know monsters are real, let alone that she’s soul-bound to one?

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