Page 63 of Charming the Dragon
So she wouldn’t think about being underground.
Yes, he’d get pleasure from it too. But Hayley was starting to wonder how anyone could be afraid of Nathan simply because he was a dragon-shifter. The man was more thoughtful than any other she’d ever met.
She nodded. “It would relax me, but then I’d also want a turn with you. By the end, we’d both be tired and little would get done.” Caressing his jaw, she whispered, “But they do say anticipation makes it even better.”
He grunted. “I’ll always be impatient for a taste of you, Hayley. Say the word at any time, and I’ll whisk you off to drive you wild.”
Her cheeks heated as she imagined Nathan spreading her on a desk in the records room, the danger of someone walking in on them making it even more intense.
Stop it, Hayley.She needed proof that when they were back in the real world, things wouldn’t become awkward or either of them would have regrets. Even if Hayley didn’t think she would, she needed to be sure of Nathan. She’d been hurt too many times to just jump in and hope for the best.
She stroked his jaw. “I’ll keep that in mind, and thank you for not pressuring me, Nathan. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course, love.” He kissed her cheek. “Now, let’s get ready for the day. The quicker we finish my improved grappling hook launcher device, the sooner we can return to the surface and work on us, the future, and keeping promises.”
They both got up but showered separately—it was too tempting otherwise—ate breakfast, and set to work.
As Hayley helped Nathan by finding supplies he needed, it kept her mind occupied. Although every once in a while, she dreamed of a future on Stonefire. The more she did, the more she started to want it. Both because of Nathan, but also for the close-knit community and her ability to make a difference in the dragon-shifters’ lives.
Right after lunch, Nathan proclaimed his device ready, and they set out for the other side of the lake.
It was strange how Nathan shifting and her riding on his dragon’s back across the lake seemed so…normal now. Sometimes life could change drastically in a matter of days.
Once they reached the far side of the lake and Nathan was in his human form again, they laid out everything from the pack they’d brought. As Nathan assembled his device, Hayley eyed the tiny holes far up in the ceiling. “This is going to be like playing a video game on the most difficult level.”
“Luckily for you, you’re looking at the king of difficult modes. My faster reflexes come in handy for so many things.”
He flashed her a grin, and she laughed. “Yes, yes, you’re a god in the bedroom, I get it. Use those reflexes to make this work.”
“You’ve gone from calling me lazy to a sex god. I rather like that.”
“I never said sex god. I don’t have any experience to judge that yet.”
He groaned. “Now I’m thinking about you naked again.”
She poked his shoulder. “The sooner you finish this, the sooner that may happen.”
“May happen?”
“Well, I’m sure the clan will make a fuss, as will your family. I’m sure you’ll be busy with them for a bit.”
In truth, Hayley was afraid that returning to the familiar would revert Nathan to his grumpy, cooler self from before.
He placed a finger under her chin and gently raised her face until their eyes met again. “I’m not going to instantly forget about you, about us, and I’m going to do my bloody best to see you again as soon as possible, love. Dragons don’t give up easily, and I’m sure as hell not going to give up on you.”
Some of her anxiety eased. “Oh, good.”
“I know it’s a lot to ask, but I need you to trust me a little, Hayley. Can you do that?”
Searching his gaze, she thought of everything he’d done since getting stuck in the underground complex. From taking care of her to making her laugh, to treating her as an equal when it came to ideas and forming plans, Nathan really was different from other men.
She bobbed her head. “I’ll try.”
He stroked her cheek. “Good.”
They stared at each other, and Hayley wondered when Nathan’s face had become so familiar to her.
Not wanting to crumble and ask him to make her come again, she cleared her throat and said, “Right, then, let’s get all this assembled.”
