Page 55 of The Dragon Recruit
“I was just daydreaming.”
She arched an eyebrow. “Daydreaming? The great Antony Holbrook?”
Even though he should focus on what he’d learned and their shared enemies and the mission, he couldn’t help but reach out and tickle her side. Iris yelped, moved away, and glared. “That wasn’t fair.”
“Why not, my dear?”
“Don’t ‘my dear’ me right now. You still haven’t told me what happened after I left the town.”
“And I will, as soon as we sit down to eat. You can take a few minutes to unwind.”
“Being tickled is unwinding?”
He raised his arms and gestured toward his sides. “Come try and find out.”
“Some of us are adults.”
“Oh, come on, Iris. You know you want to. Besides, then we’ll be even. Think of it that way.”
She glanced down at his chest and Antony resisted undoing his buttons to tease her some more. He wanted to bring out the slightly playful version of Iris, the one he rarely saw but knew existed.
He twirled once and said, “Your chance is going away in ten, nine, eight…”
As he counted down, he wondered if he’d misjudged the situation. But in the blink of an eye, Iris rushed over and danced her fingers along his ribs. Antony barked out a laugh and tried to move away. When she followed, he gently took hold of her wrists and stared into her dark brown eyes.
Her hot breath danced across his face, making desire rush through him, straight to his cock. What he wouldn’t give to be able to lift her to the counter, spread her thighs, and make her relax even further. Well, mostly, until she started digging her nails into his scalp and begging for release.
“Antony.”
“Yes, Iris?”
Her gaze searched his, and he almost missed the dance of emotions there—uncertainty, worry, desire, and yearning.
So she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
Leaning in, he nuzzled her cheek. “Tell me what you want, Iris.” He kissed her neck. “Ask me for anything.”
He released her wrists, and her hands gripped his shoulders. After a beat, he ran his fingers down her sides. Slowly, inch by inch, and this time, she sucked in a breath instead of laughing.
“I want…”
Her voice died down as he moved to nuzzle her other cheek. “Yes?” Antony moved back until he could see her eyes again. For once, her guard was down. The soft, heated look made him want to growl.
And yet, Iris had been hurt. Badly. There would come a time when he didn’t need to be so patient. However, she wasn’t quite there yet.
Since her pupils didn’t flash, it meant she still had the blasted contacts in. And yet, he swore she was talking with her dragon.
As he lightly caressed her hip, he waited to see if his dragonwoman was ready for more. He could wait if he had to. But Antony hoped he could finally see her gorgeous naked body, drink in every inch, and start winning her with more than words.
Iris had fully planned on avoiding Antony’s childish games to focus on the mission.
However, at his twirling and showing the playful side he usually hid from the world, she hadn’t wanted him to bottle things up and go back to being secret agent Antony.
So she’d tickled him. And when he’d taken her wrists, a thrill shot through her. Not fear. Oh, no, far from it. Desire and need and wanting.
And now he waited for her to say what she wanted.
Her dragon spoke up.Tell him to strip. I want to see him. Then he can undress us and help us relax.
