Page 24 of Been There Dragon That
She’d been in a full panic.
But she had him now, and she would never have to feel such terror again. Whatever was hunting her, he would end it without a single regret.
Destroy.His dragon’s anger rumbled. Vengeance would be his on all her enemies.
Wrath rolled his shoulders and took a calming deep breath, shifting his focus back to Rylee. To the present. What did she need right now, and how was he going to explain to her that he was much more than the man she saw standing in the room with her?
She was standing still, staring at him, like she was trying to figure out what to say next. Her body was relaxed and leaning against the cabinets. But she’d kept the kitchen peninsula between them. Still, she was calm and thinking too much.
Not for long.
He rounded the counter, blocking her into the kitchen with his body. Then reached around her to the cabinet behind her head. “Thirsty?”
The only thing she could do was step toward him and duck her head. And she did, barely avoiding touching his chest.
“Um, yes. Please.” She licked her lips again. Her heart raced, and Wrath struggled to contain the rumble of pleasure from his dragon.
“Do you know what personal space is?”
Wrath took a glass from the cabinet and then took a step back, allowing her a moment to breathe something other than his scent.
Mate.Claim.
He mentally assured his dragon that was the plan, but they needed to be gentle. Slow.
“I do. And I very much like you in mine. I intend to keep you as close to me as physically possible most of the time.”
“You’re crazy.” She laughed, but it was forced.
“You’re still attracted to me.” He turned to the sink and filled the glass with water before turning back to offer it to her. Except she’d moved again.
She was back in the living room standing in front of the big windows. He was pleased she liked the view.
“Just because you’re nice to look at doesn’t mean you’re not crazy.”
“Naomi says we’re all crazy when we meet our mates.”
“Who’s Naomi? And I’m not your mate, whatever you think that means.”
Wrath joined her at the windows, standing at her side this time. He offered her the glass of water, and she took it.
“Naomi is mated to Col. And you are my mate. I only have to prove it to you.”
She gave a small huff of dismissal, but didn’t comment back. They stood quietly together staring out into the swirling white blizzard covering everything with snow.
“This is really strange, you know that, right? I’m cold. Your house is empty. You’re a stranger. And you’re acting like I’m a Christmas gift from Fate.”
“I give you my word; you’re safe with me.”
“But that’s just it. I don’t know you. Why would I trust you?” Her eyes were wide, a little wild, and her pulse was racing again. She was letting her worries reign in her mind.
“Rylee, I give—”
“Wrath. You home yet?” The crackle of Kann’s voice on the CB radio in the back of the room interrupted his mate’s rapidly approaching panic attack. “Naomi says get your dragon butt over here. You’re late for dinner. She won’t let us eat till you get here.”
He listened with amazement as his mate’s pulse slowed. Her breathing evened out.
“Fucking lion,” Wrath said, his tone halfway to a growl. He wanted to be angry with Kann for interrupting, but apparently, the lion’s comments had grounded Rylee.
