Page 28 of Alien Dragon's Bride

“What’s the most amazing thing you’ve seen from above? Is it really true that it doesn’t feel like you’re falling when skydiving even though you are? How is that possible?” She picked up her fork and cut off another piece of cake. “I mean, I know I was falling and going to crash into the ground if not for the parachute.”

He lifted a shoulder. “You get used to it. As far as the coolest thing I’ve seen on Earth…the volcanoes with lava spewing out.”

“That’s amazing.” She took a bite of the cake with a smile. “Was it Hawaii?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, I’ve always wanted to go there. Have you been to other islands or Japan?” She bounced in her seat. “Or Guam, though I’m sure you’ve been to Europe tons of times.”

“Sorry, I’ve been to so many places, it’s hard to keep track.” Like the fact the volcanoes he’d seen had been on another planet.

“Are you going to have any more cake?” She gestured to the dessert tray. “I don’t want to eat all this or the scale will hate me tomorrow.”

“Sorry, I’m full.” He wanted to know more about her. What made her laugh. “Have you been to Hawaii?”

She choked for a moment then sipped her wine. “Gosh, no. Never been out of the state except once when I was kid. My dad took me and my mom to the beach. We stayed so long that we all came back as red as lobsters. Even my feet got sunburned.” She set her fork down, looking out one of the restaurant’s windows.

When he touched her hand, the desire to draw her into his embrace and hug her curled around him. More than anything he wanted her happy and safe. To erase her sorrow and see her smile. “Sounds like a good memory despite the burn.”

“Yeah, it was.” She blinked several times, then eased her hand away from his and finished her wine in a long gulp. “Thanks for dinner but I really need to go home.”

“Of course, thank you for joining me.” What had he done to upset her. “Let me know if you need some recommendations for the contract.”

She nodded but didn’t say anything.

With his heart in his throat, he left cash for the waitress to cover their bill and her tip, then led Megan out to his car. The ride home was quiet and tense.

“Listen. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he said pulling onto her street.

“No, it’s fine…I’m okay.” She frowned. “H-How did you know where I lived?”

“You told me or rather your bank when I called in the money transfer.” Not going to admit he had looked up everything he could on her. Stalking wasn’t ever a good thing. Even back on his planet.

“Oh.” Her voice shook.

“Listen, are you going to be—”

“I’ve never asked anyone this before,” she said as he pulled up to her apartment building.

The brick walls were covered with dirt and graffiti. A broken window on the third floor was held together with yellowed tape. As soon as she signed the contract, he was getting her out of this stink hole.

He waited for her to continue, her hand on the door, her eyes straight ahead as though she was gathering her courage. Was she going to tell him to forget their agreement? That he’d freaked her out somehow? Come on too strong or that she knew he’d checked her out because he knew where she lived. Why hadn’t he asked her for directions while they were driving?

“Care to come up for a nightcap,” she let out a small chuckle. “God, that sounds so odd.”

The desire to pull her into his lap and kiss her until she sighed in pleasure sunk into every pore of his being. “I’d loved to.” He turned off the car, telling himself this was a social visit only. She was just being polite having gone to dinner with him. He’d have one drink a bit of conversation, then leave. It was too dangerous to get any closer to her than that. What if he transformed if they got to hot and heavy? That thought went straight to his dick that tented his pants.

Before he could get out and open the door for her, she dashed out and raced up the fire escape. He raised his eyebrows.

“Just…ah…give me a minute.”

He couldn’t stop his smile at hearing her pounding inside her apartment like she was a whirlwind cleaning everything in sight.

Unable to resist, he glanced up and down the street before leaping the distance up to her floor. She let out a gasp with an empty pizza box in her hand.

“I told you to give me some time.”

“Figured you could use the help cleaning up.” He winked and picked up a lacy bra.

---