Page 8 of Dragon Thief of New York
“Get up. Stop being so dramatic,” Kat snaps. “You have no idea what might have happened. Maybe I would have said yes to being your mate and becoming a dragon.”
Still on my knees, I lift one eyebrow. She scoffs.
“Fine. You’re right. I wouldn’t have accepted a dinner invitation from you.”
Oof, that stings. I glance at Damian, but he won’t meet my eyes. All of his attention is fixed on Kat. I can’t blame him. Her hair is wind-swept from the ride, but still dripping gold and silver from the pools. Her eyes are bright, the light dusting of freckles over her face tempt me to trace them with my tongue. The blanket wrapped around her covers her skin, but not her lush curves. It hits just below her ass, leaving her thick thighs on display. Goddess, she’s beautiful.
I set my hands on her waist, a touch that feels entirely natural despite the distance still between us. “You don’t have to forgive me yet. Just get to know me. Give us a chance. Please.”
She looks at Damian, expression searching, though I’m not sure why. It’s almost like she’s silently asking his permission. I hold my breath. He keeps his face completely neutral, not saying a word.
“Ugh. Fine. I’ll go on one date with you,” she finally says. “Tomorrow.” She turns away from us, her dismissal obvious as she takes a step toward the stairwell.
“Actually,” Damian blocks her retreat, “we need to stay with you. Our Ra commanded it, and it wouldn’t be safe to leave you, especially with an unstable, incomplete mate bond.”
She looks like she’s about to fight him, but he holds up his hand, barely touching his fingers to her lips. “You could transform unintentionally and hurt someone. If you’re away from your mate, you could be even more unable to control your shifts.”
Her eyes widen as she glances down, the fight going out of her for the first time. With one consenting nod, she resumes her march to the door.
I hurry after her, feeling grateful that Midas gave that decree. If she can’t get away from me, she’s bound to fall in love with me. We’re mates. The draw toward each other is supposed to be nearly irresistible. Although she seems to prefer Damian to me at the moment. But that’s just because of what I did. I’ll make it up to her, and then we’ll be fine.
“Can I order us something for dinner?” I ask, bounding to her side. “Or I can cook something. What do you like?”
“What you can do is put some clothes on.”
“Um…” I forgot I was naked. It’s not uncommon for shifters. And this request might be harder to fulfill. I wasn’t planning on needing clothes tonight.
Damian tosses me a pair of gym shorts, which is when I realize he’s got a bag over his shoulder. I was so distracted before thatI didn’t notice it. I wonder if he packed extra clothes because he planned to stay over with me after the dance tonight. My chest pinches at what could have been. I’m not upset about being mated to Kat—she’s incredible, and I can already tell she’s perfect for me—but losing Damian still aches.
What Damian and I had was new, but real. We’d only been together intimately for about a week, but we’d had a year of flirting and getting to know each other. It really could have been something. And I wish it didn’t end this way.
Our eyes meet, and I can see the pain I feel mirrored on his handsome face as I slip on the shorts.
“Better?” I ask Kat.
She spins away without answering, stomping toward the stairs.
“How about I draw you a bath while Damian and I get dinner?” I have to run to catch up with her. Damian stays just a few steps behind me.
“I can’t just lounge around in the bath while you hang out with my kid.”
I stop walking. I completely forgot she said she’s got a son. Shit. What if she’s married? Did she say she’s single? I can’t remember. Everything at the temple happened so fast. It’s all kind of a blur. My stomach turns, a bitter taste filling my mouth. “Please tell me you’re single.”
She gives me her sassiest smirk. “I’d really like to mess with you right now, but you look like you’re about to hurl.” For the first time, she initiates contact with me by patting my shoulder. “I’m not with anyone.” Then she slaps me upside the head. “That’s for not thinking about this beforehand.”
A relieved sigh shudders through my whole body. I don’t even mind the sting at the back of my head. I deserved it and much more. She can punish me however she wants for as long as she wants, if she just lets me stay with her. I’ll pay penance for centuries if it wins her over eventually.
“I’m a single mom,” Kat says, “which is all the more reason I need to get downstairs to my son.”
And all the more reason to pamper the hell out of her. That’s my plan. Spoil her rotten and hope she eventually forgives me. I can be patient.
Feeling lighter now that I know I didn’t just force a married woman into a bond, I skip ahead and open the stairwell door, letting her go first, then Damian.
After two flights of stairs, Kat stops in front of an apartment door with a welcome mat that says, 'Sup. I’m a mat.'
“Lincoln thought it was funny,” she says when she catches me looking at it. “Um… You should know something.” She fidgets with her keys. “I’ve never brought a man home before. Not even male friends. I haven’t had time for friendships. Work and Lincoln take up all my energy. Plus, I haven’t wanted tointroduce him to someone if they might only be in our lives temporarily. I just… I’m not sure how he’s going to react to… all of this.”
“I’m not temporary, beauty.” I hold her gaze and try to put as much reassurance into it as I can. “We’re mates. I’m here for good. For you and your son.”
