Page 2 of The Black Dragon
As a man, he wasfascinating.
“You’re insincere, Ariel Harrington.” His deep voicerumbled.
“And your magick is still potent.” Ariel wrapped her arms around her bentknees.
For Justin to shift into a man while bound with iron spoke of magick far more dangerous than the powers Leo had siphoned from him. Though the chains adjusted to his skin form, she sensed they might not hold him for muchlonger.
Even if Justin could not conjure energy bolts or breathe fire in his dragon form, he was stilllethal.
In more ways than one. Finely-sculpted features defined his face, from his elegant cheekbones to his nose. Tall and muscled, he was a magnificent example of masculinebeauty.
Andstrength.
Blue inked his right shoulder, the intricate tattoo of a snarling dragon, its tailsnaking down to his strong bicep. Her hungry gaze traveled from the thick black hair at his chest, to the line marching down past lean hips to the thicker thatch of black hair at his groin, and the length of hisshaft.
Justin tracked her gaze and offered her a knowingsmile.
“Interested in a night with me, Ariel?” He rattled the chains. “Free me and I’ll give you pleasure you’venever experiencedbefore.”
Words of truth, she sensed. Notarrogance.
“I wouldn’t know,” she muttered. “Nothing to compare itwith.”
His nostrils flared and he sniffed the air. “Ah, the scent of vanilla. Purity. Andinnocence.”
Ariel’s cheeks flushed. At twenty-five, she remained avirgin.
For goodreason.
Her father had warned the moment she surrenderedher virginity, she’d lose all her Mage powers. Powers that had flourished in the days since Justin’simprisonment.
When that happened, she would have nothing left in her life. Not even the ability to cast fortunes at the travelingcarnivals.
Ariel would become a despised dependent, living off the mercy of her father. Lately, he’d failed to demonstrate much of thattrait.
He leaned forward, his mouth flattened. “Why are you holding onto your innocence, little bird? Afraid of theunknown?”
“You’ll never know,” she retorted, suddenly hurt at hisscorn.
“Won’t I?” Justin laced his hands behind his neck, making the iron rattle. “Do not reject what you don’t know, little bird. We dragons are experts in pleasuring ourpartners.”
More than anything,she longed for independence and to break free of her own prison – one of her choosing. Surrendering her virginity, and her heart, for she would never willingly lie with a man she failed to love, was not worth therisk.
If I can hold out one more year, I’ll have enough money saved and experience in conjuring to seek a job elsewhere. Break outside these walls and be my ownperson.
Justin leaned back against the wall, one leg bent at the knee. Shadows thankfully hid his considerable masculine assets, quelling her flare ofarousal.
Never forget this is a dragon who can kill you, her father hadwarned.
Kill me or seduceme?
Ariel huggedherself.
“I won’t lie with a man without love,” she told him, wondering why this need to defend hervalues.
Instead of laughing at her, he nodded. “I understand. Then what are you waitingfor?”
“Huh?”
