Page 24 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
I hadn’t meant to come in so aggressive either. It wasn’t like me. I must’ve been more tired than I thought.
Get control of yourself. He’s staring at you.
I lowered my voice to a whisper, hating what I had to say, “The dress is fine for someone younger and less… um… gravitationally inclined.” I motioned to my chest.
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say because his nostrils flared in anger. “I can assure you there is nothing wrong with your body and you’re young enough to wear whatever you’d like.”
“Compared to you maybe,” I huffed, not sure if he’d given me a compliment or an insult.
But with the way he was staring and the way my core warmed at the thoughts of what we’d done…
Coming here was a mistake.
And why is it so hot?
“It doesn’t matter.” I took a step back. “We need boundaries anyway. Starting with: you don’t get to dictate what I put on my body.”
His gaze followed my hand as I instinctually touched my neck where he’d bitten me and left a claiming mark.
Okay, starting now.
Something dangerous swirled in the look he gave me as his eyes swept up mine. “I suppose you’re right. My claim to your body has already been made.”
It felt like the air rushed from my lungs.
“I don’t know who you think you are,” I growled, trying to gather the nerve to stand up for myself. “But I won’t let you talk to me that way.”
All trace of emotion vanished.
It was like he shuttered off his face.
Malachy was cool and detached as he nodded. “My apologies. I only meant that you need not share your body with me again. The claim has already been made.”
“I…”Fuck that.Wait.What was I talking about again?Oh yeah, boundaries. “That’s not why I’m here.”
“Why are you here?” Malachy watched me like a cat would a mouse. Cold and curious, deadly silent. I wondered if he knew how hot that was. “You’ve been avoiding me all week.”
My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I hated that I couldn’t control my expressions as easily as he did.
“How do you know that?” My voice came out softer than I intended.
“It doesn’t matter.” He let me off the hook too easily, and for some reason that pissed me off. “Now that you’re here, we have some last-minute details to go over before the ceremony tomorrow.”
“That’s part of the reason why I’m here.” I rubbed my arms, suddenly cold. “Let’s start with the dress.”
“You don’t like the dress.” He glanced at the bag. “Do you have something else suitable you want to wear?”
I took a calming breath before I spoke. “Can’t I just wear the dress I wore for Kieran’s ceremony?”
Malachy stared straight ahead. His face was carved from stone, but I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes.
“I’d prefer if you wore something special that hasn’t been worn in front of the representatives from the dragon clans and other supernatural groups. It’s a source of pride for a dragon to bestow lavish gifts on his mate. They’ll assume you’re lacking or I’m a bad provider if you wear the same outfit twice to an event.” His voice was clipped and businesslike, but I felt that flash of anger again in my chest.
It flared hot, demanding I not let this go. “I’m not some doll for you to dress up.”
What is happening to me?
I was losing my temper. I never lost my temper. Honestly, this didn’t feel like me at all.
