Page 39 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
“What were you doing out in this snow?” Avery demanded.
“You were sick.” Jack opened his eyes. His head felt like the space between his ears had been stuffed with jelly. “You needed scones. I had to bring them for you.”
Avery’s eyes widened. “Oh.” Avery glanced at Daniel. “Bring some dry clothes. A robe. And ask Cook to make tea. And to heat the chestnut soup we had for lunch.”
“Yes, sir.” Daniel gave a quick nod and dashed from the room, hoofed feet clopping down the hallway.
“You need to get out of your wet clothes.” Avery tugged the wet coat and scarf off and dumped them on the floor. Jack tried to assist, but his hands wouldn’t stop shaking. And Avery moved so fast.
Avery yanked the shirt, partly sodden, over Jack’s head. Jack wrapped his arms around himself, still shivering.
The memory of the last time Avery had undressed Jack popped into his mind. This time felt so different from that night at the Christmas markets. Had it really been only two nights earlier?
Every time Avery touched Jack, he wanted to lean in. He wanted to tell Avery not to fuss so much, just keep touching him with those warm hands.
But he couldn’t. He’d lost that right when he’d turned Avery away earlier today.
Avery knelt to take off Jack’s sodden boots and socks. “And your trousers too.”
“Are you sure?” Were all Jack’s clothes really so wet?
Avery didn’t answer. He just undid the buttons and tugged Jack’s trousers down. Jack lifted his feet in a poor attempt to help. Jack’s underclothes remained mostly dry, so Avery left them on.
Then Avery rose, concern brimming in his expressive eyes. Another wave of guilt rolled through Jack, almost knocking him over.
Avery shouldn’t care so much for him. Not now.
He’d thought bringing Avery the scones would alleviate the remorse Jack felt for hurting Avery. But now Avery had to care for him after Jack had caused him pain. Jack had just made the whole situation worse.
He should have stayed far away from the dragon.
Daniel returned with the robe, which he handed to Avery. “Cook is making the tea now.”
Avery nodded as Daniel disappeared again. Avery helped Jack into the robe, which was similar to Avery’s. Jack groaned as the dry, soft material wrapped around him.
Avery led Jack to the drawing room and right next to the fire. “Here, sit.”
Jack did so, leaning towards the flames.
“I’m so sorry, Jack.” Avery turned and stared into the fireplace. “This is all my fault.”
“It definitely isn’t!” Jack groused.
Jack didn’t know what Avery was taking the blame for, but it definitely wasn’t his fault. Jack was the prick. Jack was the arsehole. He’d been the one to put a stop to them. Then he’d been the one who’d foolishly headed out in the snow to deliver scones.
Avery had done nothing wrong.
“I’m not sick,” Avery whispered. He ran a hand through his locks. “Ordelia asked what was wrong when I ran into her. I lied because I didn’t want to tell her the truth, that I was…just sad.” He gave a small laugh.
The light from the fire played on Avery’s high cheekbones and freckles.
“I’ve never even been sick in my life. Dragons don’t get sick. Not really. I just panicked and said the first absurd idea that popped into my mind.” Avery wrapped his arms around his stomach.
“It’s fine, Avery. Don’t worry about it.”
Avery shook his head. “You came out in the snow to give me scones because you thought I was sick. You could have been hurt.” Avery knelt beside his chair. “Humans are so fragile.” He placed a hand on Jack’s knee. The heat penetrated the robe. He wished Avery touched his bare skin.
“It’s fine, Avery,” Jack said again. “Really.” He didn’t know what else to say. “I’ll just get dried up a bit, get warm, and be out of your hair.”
