Page 24 of Charming the Dragon
Wait, had that been his dragon’s thoughts?
His beast laughed.No. That was all you.
Oh, shit. He had to be careful.
“Well?”
Right, he needed to answer Hayley’s question. “You’re amusing, in an unintentional way.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “That’s not a compliment.”
“Yes, it is. Few people can make me smile, so it’s definitely a good thing.”
She tilted her head. “Is it, though? Because I bet you’re smiling at the state of my hair. It’s straight, and it never stays put, no matter what I try. And I don’t like it short, because then I have to get it cut all the time.” She sighed. “It’s truly a no-win situation.”
His eyes roamed over her dark hair, loving how it brushed against her chest and shoulders. “Your hair is perfect.”
She stood up slowly. “Okay, what have you done with Nathan Woodhouse? Because that seems out of character for you.”
He also stood. And it took everything he had not to pull her close, run his fingers through her hair, and show her how perfect she was. For him.
Fuck.
His dragon cackled, and he mentally gave his beast the middle finger.
After clearing his throat, he turned from her and gestured toward the mini-command center. “I might be able to trigger the emergency power supply from there. For your protection, you should stay with me.”
“Yes, for my protection. Just in case.”
He glanced over his shoulder and as she readjusted her glasses, he suddenly wondered what she looked like without them.
Which was ridiculous.
His dragon sighed.Eventually, you’ll have to accept the truth.
Which is?
You’re not ready to hear it. Just make her less afraid for now.
With that, his dragon curled up and fell asleep inside his mind.
He wasn’t stupid and knew what his dragon was alluding to. But for now, he refused to deal with it. So Nathan gestured toward the end of the hallway. “Come on.”
They walked into the room, and he surveyed the computers, panels, and various other electronics. This was what he was good at, and it would take all of his focus to restore the power and learn what he could about the secret bunker-like space.
There wouldn’t be time to think about Hayley or his dragon’s secret.
And if he stole a few glances every now and then, it was only to ensure Hayley was still in the room and safe. Just that, and nothing more.
Chapter Seven
As Hayley sat and watched Nathan fiddle with one computer and then another, she did her best to tame her hair and smooth her clothes.
She hadn’t meant to break down in the hallway. However, being trapped again had made all those memories come rushing back from her childhood.
Memories of how she’d screamed and cried and pounded. Over and over again, until she grew hoarse and nearly lost her voice.
Of Nigel laughing and telling her she’d die in there.
