Page 51 of Charming the Dragon
“No one wants their flat to burn down.”
He growled. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” He dared to cup her cheek. “Since I know you face things and don’trun away, just promise me that if you have any sign, any at all, that someone is following you or wants to do you harm, you tell me.”
“I will. But I don’t think any of them are stupid enough to try something whilst I’m living on Stonefire.”
Nathan’s desire to get out of this bloody underground complex only strengthened. Because he couldn’t go looking for traces of Hayley’s enemies until he had access to the internet again.
And he would check into them, just to be safe. While in the past humans had been terrified of dragon-shifters and would only attack if they could lure them off their clans, things were different. Especially given the propaganda and such the Dragon Knights and dragon hunters had used over the years. Or the vile videos they had on the dark web, showing off the dragons they’d killed to drain their blood.
All it’d take was one cocky bastard who thought attacking a dragon clan would be as easy as picking off a lone dragon.
And while he trusted Kai and the other Protectors to keep Stonefire safe, he wouldn’t take any chances when it came to his female. None.
Hayley’s voice brought him back to the present. “I’m careful, Nathan. And I promise, if anyone looks dodgy or I get any sort of threatening message, I’ll tell you straight away.”
After caressing her cheek, he replied, “Good. And I’ll need to hear more about the person who tried to burn down your flat.”
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Later, though. I want to see what’s down the tunnel.”
Searching her gaze, he started to wonder if Hayley didn’t like talking about her weaknesses or faults. He’d teased her a little earlier, and she’d deflected yet again with the daft muscleman competition stuff.
His dragon spoke up.It’s only been three days. We’ll figure her out, no matter what.
You do love your puzzles.
And this one comes with fantastic sex one day, too.
He barely resisted snorting.Puzzles, food, and sex—you’ll be so happy, you won’t know what to do with yourself.
I’ll never tire of our mate. That’s all I need.
Now who’s spouting romantic shite?
His dragon sniffed and fell silent.
Nathan finally released Hayley and gestured toward the two unmarked tunnels. “Your pick. Which one will we explore today?”
She tapped her chin as her gaze darted between the two, and she pointed to the one on the far right. “That one.”
“Do you have your candle and matches, just in case?”
Holding them up, she nodded.
Earlier in the command center, Nathan had discovered the layout of most of the lights. There should be some down each of the tunnels, but he’d rather be prepared.
“Then stay close to me.”
“Don’t you have a shirt packed in there? It’d be easier for me to grab and stay close.”
“Just hold on to my waistband.”
As soon as her fingers brushed the small of his back, he sucked in a breath. Maybe a shirt would’ve been a better idea.
But since they didn’t have a lot of time and he didn’t want to disappoint his female, Nathan trudged forward with Hayley’s fingers against his back. All the while imagining how it’d feel to have them caress him everywhere else, especially his cock.
Hayley hadn’t sharedwith anyone except the police about the attempted arson or the stalking, not even with her sister. When it had all happened, her sister’s health had started to decline, and she hadn’t wanted to add any additional stress.
Although telling Nathan about it had seemed…natural. As if she didn’t want to hold anything back from him. Being honest was more freeing than she’d ever imagined.
