Page 21 of Never Flirt with a Dragon

I couldn’t seal the bond, of course. I’d have to deal with the weeks of intense pain. It would suck, but I’d make it work. And they said Jasper would never demand more than I was willing to give him, so I’d be fine on that front.

A few weeks of pain in exchange for a lifetime of freedom for both our sakes wasn’t too much to ask. Jasper wasn’t sane enough to pursue the independence he really wanted, so I would have to do it for both of us.

I’d figure that out too, though.

There wasn’t another option.

Tipping my head back, I closed my eyes and rested it against the edge of the tub. The hot water I was in felt uncomfortable given the way my body kept heating up, but I was alright.

My mind continued to move, and I let my thoughts do their thing.

Technically, there was no reason I couldn’t live in Mate Mountain forever. Assuming worst came to worst, and we had to seal the bond, I would be fine.

I worked creating art for a company that made hundreds of special edition books every year. I’d signed a contract with them. There weren’t many jobs like mine—and I absolutely loved what I did.

But I could do that from Mate Mountain, assuming they had Wi-Fi. Considering my phone had service, it seemed like a safe assumption.

I would miss Viola like crazy if we lived apart, but if I was mated to Jasper, he could fly me back to Scale Ridge whenever I wanted to see her. It was a few hours away, but that wouldn’t be a big deal. August and Elodie were there too, so he’d probably want to visit from time to time anyway. And he had a sister there too—her name was Brynn. I’d met her twice, and she seemed really sweet. Elodie loved her.

So even if I couldn’t survive heat without sealing the bond, I would be okay. It would suck to live with a guy who didn’t want me for the rest of my life, but I could pick up my vibrator on one of our trips back to Scale Ridge. Maybe I could get my own room, too. We could be mates even if we didn’t fall in love, if we had to be.

That knowledge made breathing a little easier. It relaxed my shoulders, too.

The tension in my chest finally started to fade, and I found my eyelids getting heavier.

My muscles were starting to get sore, as well. And my body was more flushed by the minute.

Maybe it was time to make my way back to Jasper.

I made myself wait two more minutes before I finally got out of the tub, drying off and slipping into the t-shirt Jasper had loaned me. I didn’t like the feel of it on my skin when I wanted to be naked, but I’d get over it.

Hopefully.

I couldn’t stand to put the wet panties back on, so I didn’t bother with underwear.

The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, I paused just outside the doorway.

Jasper was sprawled out on his back, shirtless, and still wearing the jeans he’d put on earlier. His erection strained against the zipper of them, but his expression was calm.

Peaceful.

What was he like when he wasn’t insane?

What would he be like if we were actually mates?

Was he the quiet, thoughtful type?

Or the brash, take-no-prisoners kind of guy?

Would we even be compatible?

I didn’t know.

And I doubted I’d ever find out, considering neither of us wanted the bond we shared.

Shaking my head at the silliness of letting my thoughts get ahead of me, I went back to the bed and tucked myself under the blankets.

Sheesh, his shirt was way too big.

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