Page 14 of Tempt the Dragon
Moments of silence stretched on for what seemed like an eternity until she finally spoke again.
“Take the exit up ahead. About seven miles off thehighway, behind an old gas station is a house.”
Aiken pulled the truck over into the far-right lane so he’d be ready when the exit came. “Who lives in that house?”
“Riya Merriwell, the human that led me straight to Duncan last night.”
Which he figured rounded out her stance that humans had a right to know about preternatural beings living around them. A few minutes later he pulledup in front of the house—or rather, shack—which consisted of four dilapidated sections of wood, barely holding it together in a square shape. They got out of the truck at the same time, boots crunching over the few inches of snow which had frozen overnight to make a slippery shiny white surface.
Her hand on his arm stopped him just before he could take the first step and Aiken immediatelylooked down, expecting to see the step had actually rotted out and he’d have to jump up onto the porch that didn’t look all that stable.
“When we go in, don’t stare.”
Was that a warning or a statement? “Don’t stare?”
“At Riya’s face. Don’t stare. She doesn’t like it and you won’t like how she reacts if you do.”
The front door was opening before he could reply and Aiken looked forwardto see a woman with copper-hued skin, long braided hair and a brilliant smile staring back at him.
“It’s a little rude to show up at someone’s house unannounced and at dinnertime, but since you’ve brought this lovely specimen with you, I guess I’ll let you slide.” Her words were directed to Mel, but her gaze never wavered from him. That made it kind of hard not to stare back at her and theseven-inch scar that stretched from the corner of her right eye down to wrap under her chin.
“Sorry, but I need your help again.” Mel’s voice seemed strained. “This is Aiken French. He works for Legion Security. Aiken, this is Riya.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” The words were barely out before Riya stepped forward and reached for his hand. Her touch was warm, her gaze still locked with his.
“Nice to meet you too. Can we come in?” That question had a familiar look appearing in her eyes and he almost sighed. Another day, maybe. “It’s urgent and important.”
“He’s right.” There was definitely a bite to Mel’s words now and Aiken looked over to see her frowning. “If we can come in out of the cold and talk to you for just a few minutes. I promise not to disturb your dinner too much.”
“Oh, no worries. Pleasant distractions are always welcome.” With that, Riya kept hold of Aiken’s hand and walked him into her house.
Mel followed, her look of annoyance growing.
Riya’s house was much nicer on the inside, with real wood floors, sturdy furniture which appeared to be handcrafted, and the smell of something delicious wafting through the air.
“Come into my dining areaand have a seat. I’ll get cups of hot chocolate for you two. Temps are expected to drop below freezing with nightfall.” She released Aiken’s hand only after he pulled out a chair and sat on the plump red cushion attached to the seat.
Mel took the seat next to him, rolling her eyes when she turned to him. “Can you at least dial it back while I’m here,” she whispered when Riya walked througha doorway covered by a piece of green, white and blue plaid material.
“Dial what back?”
“The flirting. If you want to sleep with her, that’s fine, but after this job is done.”
Earlier today when he’d walked into the game room to see Reese touching her, a sharp stab of jealousy had pierced his chest, his beast reacting with rage Aiken had been hard-pressed to temper. Now, watching asshe struggled with that same emotion was interesting. If it were possible his beast would’ve purred with delight.
“If you don’t like other women flirting with me, do something about it.” It was a flippant remark and considering her stance on their breakup, maybe a little insensitive, but in the short time they’d been back together his emotions had been shaken and were now completely out ofwhack.
Her pulse quickened and her eyes grew just a bit darker as she stared back at him. She was too stubborn to look away and too aroused to speak. He wanted to kiss her right then and there.
“I’m sure you don’t need this to warm up, darlin’, you’ve got your own body heat for that.” Riya was back, setting a mug with steam still coming from the top in front of him. She placed a matchingmug in front of Mel with no remark.
“Thank you.” He didn’t need the drink to stay warm but had accepted to be polite. She knew he was a dragon.
Mel didn’t wait to begin. “I had Duncan last night but he disappeared.”
That caught Riya’s attention as she pulled out a chair and sat across the table from them. “From the house where I told you he’d be?”
“Yes. The townhouse by the liftstation. He showed up to meet with a dozen or so others but then—”
