Page 35 of Cruel Daddy Dragon

“So… that’s why I care,” I answer, “Not because I like the police more than the average person—in fact, I waspissed offwith them after what they did to Peyton and her family—I just knew that the only way a lot of people around here would feel safe would be if someone they trusted were taking that role seriously, and I wanted to help. I don’t want to see everyone shuffling around scared anymore. That’s why I care.”

Rufus leans forward and puts his hand on mine. His smile sends the smallest shiver through me.

“You’re a better officer than any of them,” he says firmly.

I smile a coy grin.

“You know what, yeah, I am, and I’m not scared to say it,” I reply, “I worked my ass off to become sheriff so quickly, and I kicked them all in the balls here to get them moving. No more lazy cops, or they’d be kicked to the curb.”

Rufus chuckles.

“You little hero,” he says again.

Again, I blush a little before I answer.

“I don’t know. It was what Greyson Ridge needed. It worked, too; this was a very nice little town where people felt really safe. Well—” I scowl at him playfully, “—it was until you dragons turned up and brought all the magic and bullshit with you.”

Rufus chuckles lightly.

“Sorry about that,” he murmurs.

“It’s fine,” I answer, “If you’re all going to stay and protect Greyson Ridge properly from the threats the police can’t, you’ll make up for it.”

He chuckles.

“I’m sure we can get Cyrus to agree to that,” Rufus says.

I give him a crooked smirk.

“Don’t you do anything without his permission?”

Rufus chuckles lightly. He puts his empty cup aside and slides closer to me on the couch. I feel his leg press against mine, separated by the blanket I’m still cuddled under. I drag the blanket out from around me and spread it over him. Now, his bare thigh, his hot skin rests against mine. Despite being exhausted from freezing to death, I’d love to rub my hand over his thigh, crawling further inwards and seeing where that leads us...

“Well,” Rufus purrs, “I married you. We had that amazing night in the car. I’m pretty sure he didn’t intend for me to spend the night here, either. I’ve never broken command before, but apparently, for you, I will.”

I feel a warm glow. I don’t know the details of dragons and their Alpha, but if it’s anything like wolves, the idea that he’d break command specifically for me… I can’t help but feel special. I nestle my head into his collarbone, and his arm slinks around mine in return, warming me faster than the fire ever could.

“Well, I’m glad about that,” I murmur, “If you hadn’t, I might have frozen to death by now. Or the dragon would have taken me god knows where and done god knows what to me.”

A little growl rumbles in his chest—something more draconic than his regular tones.

“Yes…” He says, “I don’t like that we don’t know why they did that yet…”

I nod. I snuggle further into him, breathing in his gentle, spicy scent.

“We’ll figure it out,” I reply.

Rufus gives a light grunt. He turns his head into my hair—I feel him plant a kiss on my head. We just embrace each other in silence for a moment. Then, he murmurs:

“I suppose it’s my turn now, isn’t it?”

“To do what?” I say, head against his chest

“Tell you why I care,” he answers.

I sit up a little.

“Yeah?”

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