Page 26 of There's Something About Dragons
He shakes his head. “No, you. I insist.” The growly command in his voice makes my core clench.
“Together?” I suggest, stripping off my spicy gloves.
He does the same and takes my hand. Together, we press the button to a chorus ofawwws from the diners and servers who have been spectating. Even with all the attention and chaos in the restaurant, Radar bouncing around under the table, and my stomach stretched to the limit, all I can feel is Zed’s hand around mine.
Neither one of us lets go. I’m so focused on our point of connection that I hardly notice when the host crowns us champions and takes our picture to put on the wall as the first couple ever to finish both Volcanic Eruption wings. I eat my dessert with my left hand. Zed pays the check with his right. And we leave the restaurant with our fingers still tangled together.
It’s a beautiful night, clear and cool with a gentle sea breeze. A few stars are visible, though not nearly as many as in Apple Grove, where there’s less light pollution from city streetlamps. Walking together with Radar at our side and full stomachs from a feast reminds me of the old days, and it makes my heart ache a little because I know it’s just temporary.
It can’t last more than a day or two. Zed has to go back after his conference is done. And even if we stay in touch, there’s going to come a point when he finds his fated mate. But I don’t want to think about that right now. I just want to enjoy what we have tonight.
“I could get used to this,” he comments as we wind our way through San Drogo’s cute little downtown, heading in the general direction of the park.
I nod. “The weather’s nice here. You should stay.” My joke comes out half-hearted because I really mean it.
His fingers, a few degrees warmer than a human’s would be, tighten around mine. “This. Not the weather.”
“Oh.” I squeeze back. “I agree. I mean, I know we have to let go, but…”
“No, we don’t!”
A laugh bursts out of me at his stubborn tone. “Eventually. We can’t do everything one-handed.”
“I don’t know why not. We already proved we can eat and walk. I am positive we can sleep like this. So I don’t foresee any problems holding hands with you forever.”
Forever!I know he’s just playing around, but the lick of hope that runs over me is intoxicating.
“What if one of us needs to pee?” I ask, still giggling as we cross the street and enter the park. I give Radar a little more slack on the leash now that we don’t have to worry about cars and bikes so he can ramble and sniff.
“We’ll leave the door cracked open and take turns standing outside.”
“What about clothing? Shirts are going to be tough to get on and off.”
He chuckles. “Hm. I’m pretty sure I can cut these off us with my claws.”
My breath catches. I wouldn’t mind sacrificing my favorite dress to see that fantasy come to life. “Wh-what about putting them back on?” I stutter, feeling tongue-tied.
He shrugs his impossibly broad shoulders. “Do we really need clothes?”
Heat creeps over my whole body. I feel like I’m naked already. “Maybe in the winter?” I squeak, playing along.
He pauses in the circle of a streetlamp’s glow, using our joined hands to twirl me around before pulling me close. Loose loops of leash slide down my legs and pool at my ankles. “I’ll keep you warm,” he says, his voice a low promise that’s backed up by a very sizeable hardness sandwiched between us.
I’m warm. So warm my center is melting like the chocolate lava cake we had for dessert. I’d be tempted to touch him if I had a free hand, but one arm’s doing leash duty and the other one’s still firmly in his grip.
“Kiss me,” I order, turning my face up to his. A tiny thread of smoke leaks from Zed’s nostrils, and he gives an embarrassed cough.
“I have a confession to make,” he says, pausing for an awkward moment. “I still haven’t kissed anyone. I’m not really sure how to do it.”
“Never?” I gape at him, trying to wrap my head around it. “You haven’t dated at all?”
He looks uncomfortable. “I didn’t say that. I’ve just only dated other dragons. I wouldn’t even call it dating.”
“Hookups?” I supply, feeling an unwelcome tinge of bitterness toward all the dragons who dumped me. I wish I’d realized sooner that they don’t take dating as seriously as humans do. It’s just a way to pass the time until they find their mates. “One-night stands?”
“No! Friends with benefits, maybe, but truly friends. Anyway, our kind doesn’t usually kiss. Nothing against it. It’s just when your partner breathes fire, it’s not the first thing you think of. And I haven’t been with any humans, so…” Zed gives my hand a squeeze, his expression open and vulnerable. “You’ll have to teach me how. I promise, I won’t burn you or bite you. Just don’t laugh too much at my early attempts.”
I bite my lip. He’s so cute and earnest, I can’t stand it. “However you kiss me will be the best kiss ever, because it’s you.”
