Page 37 of Dragon Valley
“Hey,” he said softly. “Were you going out?”
“Just… for a walk,” I stammered, blinking from the bright light of the candle he held.
“Can’t sleep?”
I shook my head.
“Me neither. Can I come in?”
After a moment, I pulled the door open and stepped aside before closing the door after him. Only after he sat on my bed and placed the candle on the side table did I realize how ridiculous I looked with one boot on.
“I thought you’d be sleeping soundly, or at least preoccupied,” I blurted. My attempt to be aloof and uncaring only made me sound petty and jealous.
He noticed right away. “Why would you think that?”
I lifted one shoulder in a shrug, still clinging to a calm facade despite my emotions roiling under the surface.
“You had no shortage of attention at dinner and before.”
“And you looked miserable at both occasions.” He patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Come here, Nadi.”
No, I couldn’t. If I got close enough to touch him, smell him, to look in those eyes of his, there was no telling what I would do.
But my body took me there anyway. My physical craving of him somehow outweighed the fear of him hurting my heart. I sat down next to him stiffly, my eyes glued to my hands in my lap. He radiated such warmth, strength, and comfort, it was all I could do to not lean against him and melt.
“I’ve gotten so used to sleeping near you,” he said, barely above a whisper. “I think I sleep better when you’re nearby.”
My teeth cut hard into my lip. I had to know. It would kill me if I didn’t.
“Caden, did you—”
“No, Nadi.” He turned to face me, resting one hand on the mattress behind my back. “I would never.”
My lips trembled. “Why not?”
For a few moments I heard nothing but the sounds of his breathing and my own pulse in my ears.
“Because you’ve been the only woman on my mind since I set foot in Dragon Valley.”
I barely had to turn toward him for his lips to capture mine.
His kiss was gentle, even shy, but that touch sent a jolt through me all the way to my toes. When I returned it, pressing my mouth to the warm softness of his, he grew bolder. His hand behind me slid up my back to cup and massage the nape of my neck, a touch that seemed so platonic before but now radiated intimacy.
I shivered at the contact and scooted closer, deepening the kiss and reaching out to touch,reallytouch that body I’d been staring at for so long. His fingers threaded through my hair as his tongue gently probed my mouth open. A soft groan escaped his mouth as my hands slid across his chest, my palms exploring his shoulders and biceps.
He wrapped me in an embrace that felt so good I wanted to melt into him. He smelled wonderful and he felt like home.
I lost all track of space and time while tasting and exploring him. At some point I realized I was lying back in bed, still wrapped up in him lying next to me.
“Do you want me to take your boot off?” he murmured into my neck before kissing me there.
“Um, yes.” I stifled a giggle remembering I only put one on.
He pulled the shoe from my heel and let it drop to the floor. When he kissed me again, it was accompanied by his thumb pressing into the arch of my foot.
“Mm!” I was so startled I accidentally kicked against his hand.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, bringing his hand to my waist.
