Page 11 of Shifting the Flame

"Which isn't much," she teased, a smile playing on her lips.

"Which isn't organized," he corrected, returning her smile despite himself. "There's a difference."

He led her to the sleek red Porsche parked at the curb that he had his second-in-command Caleb drive over while they were surveying the festival grounds. He enjoyed the widening of her brown eyes as he opened the passenger door for her.

"Nice car for a small-town mayor," she remarked, sliding into the leather seat.

"Family money," he explained, closing her door and walking around to the driver's side, and sliding into his leather seat. "The Ectorius family founded this town. We've had some successful ventures over the centuries."

"Centuries?" Her eyebrows arched as he started the engine.

"Figure of speech," he said smoothly, pulling away from the curb. But his mind churned with thoughts that were anything but smooth.

Dragon shifters lived far longer than humans. Their matings were permanent, spanning centuries. If Danica truly was his mate—and every instinct screamed that she was—that complicated things exponentially. How did you explain to a human that they were destined to be with you for a lifespan far beyond what they'd ever imagined possible?

Worse, how did you protect a human mate? Dragons were built for combat, with scales that deflected most weapons and strength that rivaled industrial machinery. Danica had none of that. No enhanced hearing to detect danger, no heightened reflexes to dodge falling objects, no natural armor, and no ability to fly away from threats.

She was fragile. Vulnerable. Mortal in ways that made his chest tighten with ancient fear.

"You're quiet," Danica observed as they drove through the tree-lined streets. "Worried about the festival?"

He glanced at her profile, memorizing the gentle slope of her nose and the fullness of her lips. "Among other things."

The short drive to his estate gave him time to reconsider his decision. Maybe he should send her away. Protect her from the dangers of his world by keeping her out of it entirely. His dragon snarled at the thought, rejecting it outright.

When they pulled up to the wrought iron gates of his property, Danica let out a soft whistle.

"When you said 'home office,' I wasn't expecting a mansion."

The gates swung open automatically, and Asher drove up the curved driveway lined with ancient oak trees.

"The family home has always belonged to the Alpha."

"Alpha," she repeated. "Gerri mentioned that. You're the leader of the local dragon... group?"

"Clutch," he corrected, parking beside the three-story colonial-style home. "It's what we call our community."

He led her inside, through the grand foyer with its crystal chandelier and up the curved staircase to his office. The mahogany-paneled room with its wall of windows overlooking the grounds was his sanctuary, though today it felt different with Danica in it—smaller, somehow, despite its generous proportions.

His eyes fell on the festival binder splayed open on his desk, pages of notes and sketches spilling out in disorganized chaos. Next to it sat his laptop with twelve tabs open to various event planning websites.

"So," Danica said, approaching the desk with an appraising look, "this is what we're working with?"

Asher shifted his weight to hide his embarrassment. "No, this is what you're rescuing me from."

Her laugh wrapped around him like warm silk. "I've seen worse."

"I doubt that."

She pulled out her notebook, flipping it open to reveal neat columns, sketches, and what looked like a comprehensive timeline.

"I thought we could integrate some of your bigger ideas—not the color-changing ribbons, sorry—but maybe we could project some images onto the town hall at night? Much easier than lasers, and still visually impressive."

As she spoke, gesturing with slender hands that somehow conveyed both strength and vulnerability, Asher felt his resolve crumbling. He needed her. Not just for the festival, but in ways he wasn't ready to examine quite yet.

"You'll stay with me," he said, more statement than question. "I mean, to help with the festival."

Danica raised an eyebrow. "Did I ever say I wouldn't stay?"

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