Page 73 of Never Flirt with a Dragon

“I’ll be a fucking caveman if I have to.”

“I didn’t say I was thinking about leaving you. I said I was thinking about where we were going to live, and how we were going to live. We’re stuck together, so that should be a decision we make together.”

His nostrils flared. “You knew we’d be staying here when we fucked.”

“I knew you wanted me to stay here, and that there was no way we were making it through heat without sealing the bond,” I corrected. “I never said I wanted to. There aren’t even any women here. My twin sister, who I’ve spent my entire life with, isn’t here and isn’t allowed here. Don’t you think asking me to leave her behind is a little unfair?”

Jasper closed his eyes.

His body shuddered.

“I’m sorry, but if you want to have a rational conversation, I have to shift.” His voice was strained. “It’s been far too long.”

My chest tightened.

I didn’t want to fly again.

Not yet.

“I’m hungry. I’ll make—” I started.

“I’ll handle it.”

Okay, then.

“I’m going to shower.”

He rolled out of bed, and I forced myself not to stare at his ass while he crossed the room and grabbed clothes.

Instead, I followed him off the mattress and headed to the bathroom.

It felt strange to be alone as I turned on the water and scrubbed the remnants of heat off my skin. Spending two entire weeks with Jasper had been sort of intimate.

Maybe not sort of intimate.

Maybe a lot intimate.

But only physically. Because we hadn’t talked about anything serious or important, looking back on the time just made me feel vulnerable.

And I didn’t like feeling vulnerable.

But I’d pretend I was fine until I actually started to believe it.

When I was clean, I still didn’t want to get out and face the music. So, I closed my eyes and tipped my head back, letting the water run down my skin. My thoughts continued to flow, and I didn’t try to stop them.

The future was overwhelming.

Jasper wanted me to give up everything for the mate bond.

My home. My sister. My family. My friends.

Not my job, but?—

“I don’t want that.” His voice rolled through my mind, and I literally jumped. It scared the shit out of me.

“Stay out of my head, Jas.”

“The bond sends me your strongest thoughts. It always will.”

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