When she managed to squirm out of his grasp and took a step back, he took one forward. Her scent enveloped him, making his whole body ache with so much need he couldn’t think straight. “I know what you heard, what you saw, and what you undoubtedly assumed. I’m telling you it isn’t so.”
“Fine, so you didn’t spend the night with her. Whatever. You don’t belong to her, so what?” She threw her hands up in the air. “Why, then, do you run from me? You knew I was searching, yet you hid and ran every time I got anywhere close. Am I so unbearable of a mate that you would rather be alone than with me?”
A heavy ball settled in the pit of his stomach at the sadness in her voice. He hated that she thought, even for a moment, that his reasons for not coming to her had anything to do with her. “I have obligations I cannot neglect.”
“More important than a she-dragon trapped in her dragon form because her mate is too busy to claim her?” She shoved at his chest, the fiery spirit she’d shown earlier rearing up again. “You selfish bastard. Maybe I’m getting off lucky. I can find someone who will want to be with me, and only me.”
He caught her hands and pulled her closer. “I thought I’d have more time. And you’re right, I am selfish. Too selfish to allow you to find someone else, that’s for damned sure. I didn’t know you were close to the change. How could I?”
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe you could have stopped running and spoken with me?” She spat the question at him.
“Damn, you are close, aren’t you?”
She blew out a breath and nodded. “I ache all over. My skin feels like it’s shrunk and no longer fits my body, and I can’t keep my temperature steady.”
“Come on. I can help.”
Her pupils dilated, and she took a quick breath. “Where are we going?”
“My place.”
Chapter 3
Her killer stilettos were a perfect match for her blood red dress, but any more than a short walk would destroy her feet. “Is your place very far?”
He followed her gaze down to her feet. “I could always carry you. I don’t mind,” he said as he reached for her.
“You wouldn’t dare.” She took a step back, tugging at her hand, but his firm grip kept her where she was.
“Oh, I dare.” With a quick flick of his wrist, he pulled her close before sweeping her off her feet, only this time to rest against his chest instead of over his shoulder.
“Umm... I’m Stella, by the way,” she said as she closed her eyes and breathed him in.
His arms tightened around her, and he picked up his pace. “Brycen.” The huskiness in his voice had her eyes popping open again.
“I can walk.” She shifted to try to get down, but if she were honest, she liked being held close enough that she could hear his heart beating beneath her ear.
“If you walk, you’ll take the shoes off when we get there. I want them on.”
Had he shown any sign of strain, she might have argued, but he was practically jogging, and his breathing had yet to quicken. When he started a light stroke against the side of her breast with his thumb, it was all she could do to keep from twisting into the caress.
The dark stubble on his jaw begged to be touched, and why shouldn’t she? He was hers, at least for now, and she could touch if she wanted to. The prickly hair tickled at her fingertips, a soft moan slipping past her lips at the thought of it tormenting other, more sensitive flesh popped into her mind.
“Shit, we’re almost there. Hang on.” He rounded one more corner, taking the first path on the right straight to a small bungalow. He didn’t let her down until he reached the front door, and then, only long enough to fish his keys from his pocket to open it, and then slamming it closed with his foot.
He didn’t break stride until he reached his bedroom. Lowering her legs, he slid her down his front, while keeping her close. As soon as her feet touched the floor, his free hand cupped her ass, pulling her tight against his hard length.
“Shouldn’t we t-talk or something?” She couldn’t pull her gaze from his lips. They were made for kissing, and she wanted another taste.
He ground himself against her. “We can talk if you want, but we both know that’s not what you need. You’re too close to the change.” He bent his head to her neck, taking a sniff before licking from her collarbone to her ear. “I can smell the lust rolling off you.”
She shuddered against him. “So what are you going to do about it?” There was no point in denying it. She did have needs, and right then, she would do anything to lessen the ache even just a little. She could get to know him later.