Page 34 of Dark Horizon Eclipse of the Heart

She probably had, but he hadn't heard it because he'd been dreaming about dragons, and their roars had filled his dream.

Grabbing the towel he'd dropped on the floor after showering, Negal wrapped it around his hips and padded to the living room to open the door.

"Took you long enough." As Gertrude's eyes shifted to his bare chest, her indignant expression turned lustful, and the scent of her arousal overpowered the combined smells of her irritation and perfume.

Normally, the scent of a female's arousal would have elicited a corresponding response from him, but now it left him indifferent, which was a testament to how far he had fallen down the crater his mind had created.

"I'm so sorry," he said. "I overslept."

"Obviously." Her eyes roamed over his body, and then a smile lifted one corner of her red-colored lips. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

She didn't wait for his answer and put a hand on his chest to push him inside.

He could have resisted, but to what end? He owed her a drink and an apology, or maybe the other way around.

"Let me get you a drink." He padded to the kitchenette that also served as the bar. "You can sit down on the couch and relax with a glass of good whiskey while I get dressed."

Instead of sitting on the sofa, Gertrude followed him and sat down on a stool, or rather leaned her bottom against it. "Don't rush to get dressed. I like the view."

Smiling tightly, Negal stifled the urge to adjust the towel around his hips to make sure it stayed in place. He didn't like the hungry look in Gertrude's eyes, and for a moment, she reminded him of the dragon creatures he had just dreamt about.

That was such a nasty thought that he shook his head to dispel it. Gertrude was kind and beautiful, and the only reason she reminded him of the dragon was her assertiveness, which he normally liked in a female.

If not for Margo, he would have been thrilled to spend the night with Gertrude.

Negal pulled out a bottle of whiskey. "Do you like it straight or in a cocktail?"

"Straight if it's good whiskey, and this one is." She wasn't looking at the bottle.

She was looking at him.

"Coming up." He put the bottle on the counter and pulled out two whiskey glasses. "I should get dressed." He poured the golden liquid into them. "We can still make it to the bar if you are in the mood."

"I don't mind skipping that." Gertrude leaned over the counter, the neckline of her dress dipping low and her ample breasts nearly spilling out. "In fact, we can skip the wedding altogether and celebrate right here." She smiled suggestively. "No one is going to miss us."

He returned a forced smile. "With Dagor staying in the clinic with Frankie, Aru won't like it if I don't show up as well. I must attend the wedding."

Frowning, Gertrude leaned back. "Why do I have a feeling that you are suddenly uncomfortable with me?"

Because it was true, but he didn't know how to say that without hurting her feelings.

"It's not that. I really must attend the wedding." He lifted the glass of whiskey, intending to take a sip, but ended up emptying it down his throat. "I'm going to get dressed."

"Stop." Gertrude lifted a hand. "If you are no longer interested in being with me, just say so instead of putting us both through this awkwardness. It's not fair to me, and it seems painful to you."

She was so perceptive.

Negal closed his eyes. "I promised to show you a good time, and I'm not the kind of guy who breaks his promises."

She laughed, but it sounded bitter. "I'm not an obligation, Negal. I'm a prize." She took the whiskey glass, drank it in one go, and pushed away from the stool. "I'll see you around." She walked toward the door.

"I'm sorry," he said after her. "You're an amazing female, and you deserve better. I didn't mean for it to happen like this."

She turned to look at him over her shoulder. "Don't sweat it, Negal. When it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. I'll get over it." She opened the door and walked out.

He expected her to slam it, but she closed it gently behind her.

"I'm sorry," he murmured again.

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