Page 33 of Dragon Unleashed
I narrow my gaze then shove my finger into his chest. “Listen here, asshole, you do not get to come into my world, my library, and start insulting my friends.” Riding the adrenaline high from nearly dying, I glare up at him, preparing to throw down if it comes to it. Though, why I’m pissed at Aries is beyond me. He’s not the one who tried dropping a light fixture on my head.
Aries grips my wrist then pulls me forward until I’m a mere breath from him. “I meant no offense, Paige,” he says in that gravelly voice of his.
Fucknugget.That voice. Like the velvet wrapping on decadent chocolate.
“Fine.” I rip my wrist free and take a step back so his scent will stop invading my lungs. “We have bigger problems, anyway.”
“Bigger problems?”
“You said youfeltwhatever was upstairs?”
A muscle in his strong jaw twitches. “Yes.”
“Well, whatever it was nearly killed us.” I drop down onto my couch and close my eyes. The seat dips with Aries’ weight as he takes a seat beside me, though he doesn’t say anything. “Along with that lovely twist of events, the chaos it rained down on us tonight will surely have everyone on high alert. Which is going to make part two of our plan immensely more difficult.”
“You should have given me a weapon,” he says. “I could have slayed the creature and saved you all this frustration.”
“Oh, could you have?” I crack open one eye. “And how would you have managed that without being seen?”
Aries is frustrated. His expression is one of controlled anger. So controlled I can practically feel him vibrating with it. “I am not accustomed to being so damned helpless.”
“Or being told what to do,” I say, and his eyes narrow. Despite his irritation, my mood softens some. It’s not his fault that he’s here, it’s mine. So whatever burden that mistake brings with it will be mine alone to carry. I blow out a breath, my misplaced anger deflating. “I’m sorry. I was just seriously hoping to get you home tonight.”
Pushing to my feet, I make my way into the kitchen to grab a bottle of wine from above the fridge. After opening it, I pour two glasses then hand one to Aries and take my seat beside him again.
He sniffs the liquid. “Wine?” he questions.
“Yes. In this world, we drink when plans blow up in our faces.”
“In my world, we do the same,” he says then downs half the glass.
I stare, rapt, as he swallows the liquid. A small muscle at the base of his throat pulses, and my breath catches. How did I get so lucky—and so cursed?
He lowers the glass, and I look away, pretending I hadn’t found a man’s throat muscles sexy as hell. Again.
“Glad to hear some traditions are true in all worlds,” I manage to say. Then I lean back and close my eyes, refocusing on the problem at hand. “What are we going to do?”
Someone raps on my door.
“Paige. Open up!”Blossom.
“Fuck a duck!” I whisper loudly as I jump to my feet. “Get in my bedroom! Quickly!”
Aries stands then hesitates. “Are you going to be safe?”
“Yes! For fucks sake, she’s my friend. Just go!”
He turns and walks quickly toward my room, disappearing inside, though the door remains cracked.
“Paige? I know you’re home. Open up, or I’m kicking it in!”
I take two deep breaths then set my wine down. “Coming!” Forcing a smile, I stride across the living room and pull the door open. On the other side, Blossom’s cotton candy pink eyes are sharp as she studies me.
“What took you so long?” She breezes into my apartment, stopping just inside the door. Blossom’s trained gaze travels around my space until it lands on my single glass of wine. I exhale quietly, relieved Aries thought to take his glass with him.
“I was in my bedroom. Is everything okay?”
“Not sure.” She turns back to me. “We had a disturbance downstairs.”
