Page 88 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

Vicek snorted. “And I wouldn’t get to sleep with her for a month.”

“I still don’t see a downside for me,” I teased as the couple exchanged eyerolls at one another.

“You will,” Vicek promised. “It just might take a bit.”

“Why? What would you do?” I challenged.

“Me?” He put his palms up. “Nothing. But she would tell Samantha.”

“That’s cold,” I said, laughing.

When a twig snapped in the darkness, I whirled, staring down the path that led back to the house. A path I’d cleared with painstaking precision, except for one place, where I’d placed a bundle of brittle twigs.

For exactly that reason.

“She’s coming,” I hissed, darting forward.

Flames sprang from my hand as I lit the rest of the torches planted on either side of the pathway. Moving backward, I flicked my fingers at the candles, tiny sparks shooting out to catch the wicks and start them burning.

“It’s as good as it’s going to get,” Vicek said, stepping back to admire his work on the archway that stood right near the edge of the swimming hole.

“Thank you,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. Best of luck,” he said as we grasped arms. Then he moved away to a safe distance to spread his wings.

“It’s going to be great,” Laura said, coming up and giving me a hug. “She’s going to be so happy.”

“I hope so,” I said, admiring the setup.

“She will,” the human said.

“Thank you for your help. I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“Nonsense, you’re a natural romantic,” she said with a smile. “You just needed a human touch to make sure it hit right. Now, go get her.”

“I will,” I said as she hurried over to Vicek, who swept her up into his arms and leaped into the sky, leaving me alone in the clearing, torchlight flickering against the undersides of the trees.

“Cade?”

Well, maybe not entirely alone.

I turned with a grin, watching as Sam picked her way down the pathway toward me. She was wearing a soft cream glani, the traditional garment of a dragon woman. The dual layered material fell in folds down the front and rear of her body. Two thick, elastic-banded loops of the same material, one around her hips and one around her breasts, kept it tight to her body.

“You look amazing,” I heard myself whisper, not quite believing the moment had truly arrived.

“Do you think so?” she asked, looking down at herself with a slight twist of her hips in either direction, sending the lightweight material swishing back and forth.

“Yes,” I managed to get out past my dragon’s howling. “I do.”

She giggled nervously, resuming her approach. “I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure. I’ve never worn one of these before.”

“I know,” I said. “I was waiting until this day to give one to you.”

Sam fixed her eyes on me. “This day?” Leaning to the side, she peered past me. “And what is this day?”

“You’ll see,” I said, reaching out to take her hand.

She gave it to me, and I pulled her close, easily lifting her off her feet and swirling her around, staring into her eyes the entire time.

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