Page 37 of The Black Dragon
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After a delicious dinnerof takeout Thai food, they sat on the red bricked patio with its splendid view of the red-rimmed cliff walls. Pine trees framed the view like a pictureframe.
He watched as Ariel set the iced tea pitcher and two glasses on the wrought iron table.She shivered. “Maybe I should make coffee. It’s a little chilly outtonight.”
Justin went to the fire pit, and released a stream of flames from his finger. The hickory wood caughtfire.
Ariel gulped. “Thanks. Ithink.”
He paced, pausing to stare at the distant red sandstone cliffs. “Tomorrow while the Drogmire is sleeping after noon, I need to get inside that cave and checkout the babydragons.”
“Let me go with you. I canhelp.”
“No.”
“Why not?” she challenged. “What do you have tofear?”
Justin gritted his teeth. Refused to answer. Shepersisted.
“Why?”
“Because I won’t risk losingyou!”
His tone rose to a shout. Justin fisted his hands, turned fromher.
Ariel’s heart skipped a beat. “Afraid you’ll lose outon yourinvestment?”
She crossed in front of him. When he lifted his head, the misery on his face stunnedher.
“No,” he said quietly. “Because I don’t want you to get hurt. It would… killme.”
Ariel could not speak. Think. She reacted on pure instinct and went to him, sliding her arms around his neck, kissing himdeeply.
She knew what would happen. Though she was alittle afraid, her instincts urged herforward.
“Are you ready for me?” shewhispered.
The dark hunger on his face assured her he was. She’d known this from the moment she’d boldly faced him the cage in his dragon form. Pregnancy wasn’t an issue, as she’d started on birth control lastmonth.
Maybe she was tied to him through the arrangement they’d made. But what coursed throughher now had nothing to do with practicality and finances. It was sheer need. Ariel felt as if she tumbled through the sky without a parachute. She wasn’t certain she could have sex with him and keep her emotional distance. All her feminine instincts urged her onward, chanting for her to forget sense, forget everything except the raw arousal grippingher.
He stood there, motionless, watchingher. Fine. First move was up to her. Ariel tugged at his beltbuckle.
Nothing could prepare her for how swiftly he acted next. Shirt came off with an impatient tug. Boots and socks next. Jeans fell to the deck with a thud of a belt buckle. The black dragon stood nude before her, his shaft semi-erect. It was long and thick and the space between her legs clenched with hot longing as she thoughtof what wouldtranspire.
Justin held out a hand. “Come with me, Ariel,” he softly ordered. “It’stime.”
He waited, his palm outstretched, his manner that of a determined man. Ariel took his hand as he led her inside. Justin closed the door behind her and turned around, an intent expression marking his face. His body taut, coiled energy ready tospring.
A little shiver wentthrough her. He meant to take her. Tonight. Here.Now.
He would not be denied her any longer. And she had agreed to this bargain, to save her father. She wanted him equally, and the hell with theconsequences.
He led her upstairs to her bedroom. Slowly Ariel removed her clothing, watching him. His eyes widened as she stood naked before him. Approval twined with arousal on his face.His neck chorded as his entire body seemed to thrum with tension. Ariel’s gaze dropped to his fingers flexing and bending, and the taut control heexercised.
Justin remained silent, his gaze hot and intent. But he remained motionless, his naked body like chiseled marble in the lamp’s pale yellowglow.
As much as this dragon wanted her, he was waiting for her to make the first moveagain. Releasing the breath she’d held, she knew in her heart she could trust him. Justin’s muscles quivered like a racehorse eager for the gate to spring open. The control he exhibited reassured her that the reins were in herhand.
