Page 23 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
Had Avery done something wrong? Had his behaviour made Jack uncomfortable? Had he been too greedy and grabby with the figures? Should he have offered to buy one for Jack? Dragons had a habit of not sharing and being greedy. Had he acted selfishly?
Then Jack smiled. “No. Everything is fine.” He reached out his hand.
Avery took it and felt the muscles along his spine release. He’d done nothing wrong. Maybe Jack just liked to look at him. After all, this was a date. One often liked to look at their date.
Avery liked to look at Jack and his broad shoulders, big hands, wide smile, and deep-brown eyes.
They didn’t speak for several minutes as they walked. Avery ate some more of Jack’s cookies. Jack took his bag of packages so they could continue to hold hands. The snowflakes fell heavier, catching on cheeks, eyelashes, and hair.
“Did you want one?” Avery offered a cookie, mindful not to hog them. He placed a jam-filled one into his mouth.
Jack shook his head. “They’re for you.” He stopped walking.
Avery stopped too. They stood, face to face.
“I like watching you eat them. I like knowing you enjoy them.” Jack stepped in closer to Avery. “And I like hearing the sounds you make.”
Avery swallowed the last of the cookie. “What sounds do I make?” Avery hadn’t realised he made sounds. He licked his lips, capturing the last few crumbs.
Jack’s deep-brown eyes traced the movement. “You make little moans. Little sighs of pleasure. Hearing those sounds makes me want to touch you. It makes me want to kiss you.”
Avery’s lips tingled.
“Can I?”
Avery nodded.
Jack reached out. He stroked Avery’s cheek. Avery’s body vibrated with anticipation. Then Jack pressed his lips to Avery’s. Jack’s lips felt so soft.
Avery held completely still, worried about disturbing the magic, worried the kiss would melt away with the snow. No single moment in Avery’s life had ever felt so perfect. No night had ever been so wonderful. He wanted this kiss to go on and on forever.
Then Jack’s lips moved against his. And somehow the moment grew even more wonderful.
Avery sighed into the kiss. Jack’s arm wrapped around his waist. His hand pressed against Avery’s lower back, bringing them closer together. Avery rested his hands on Jack’s shoulders, lost in sweet, gentle kisses that tasted of Jack, hot chocolate, and Christmas cookies.
Mine,his dragon growled.
CHAPTER 13
Jack’s arms tightened around Avery as they kissed. Jack wanted to spend hours, days, and months kissing Avery, learning the feel and taste of him.
But unfortunately, Jack had to break the kiss to get air into his aching lungs. Puffs of breath rose between them. Jack lifted his hand, tracing the freckles on Avery’s pale cheeks.
I wonder if he has freckles elsewhere.
Jack suddenly felt the urge to search Avery’s body for freckles and kiss every single one.
“Your skin is so warm.” Jack’s own cheeks felt cold in the brisk winter air.
Avery laughed. “That’s probably because of my dragon blood.”
Dragon.Jack froze. “You’re…you’re a dragon?”
Avery’s smile dropped. “Did I not mention that?” His golden eyes widened. “I…yes. I am a dragon. Is that a problem?” His gaze flicked over Jack’s face.
“No.” Jack shook his head. Was it a problem? “I just didn’t know.”
Jack didn’t think he’d ever met a dragon before. They were rare. Regal and powerful. The stories described them aspossessive, terrifying, and cruel. Everyone knew not to cross a dragon. Or go near their hoard. They tended to be in the ruling classes. They led armies into battle. They were to be revered and feared.
