Page 18 of Dragon Detective

“I will destroy anyone who so much as scratches your skin.”

Whoa. “I don’t believe something like that’s in our contract.” We hadn’t actually signed one yet. My assumption was the business would mail one to me or call and ask me to come in and fill out a bunch of forms.

“Fuck the contract.” He leaned forward, bracing his palms on his knees. The intensity of his gaze made my body overheat.

I was gushing down there, and I was not a woman who ever gushed, something my ex had complained about. Lube worked wonders; he just refused to use it. One more reason I should’ve ditched him before he could burn me.

“You can’t fuck the contract,” I said. “Which I still don’t have, by the way.”

His hand flicked out, dismissing my statement. “I will protect you with my life.”

Definitely not in the contract. “I can’t let you do anything like that.” I lowered my voice. “I appreciate your willingness to help me, to give your life for me.” Swoon. No guy had ever acted this protective of me before, and honestly, it made my pulse flutter. “I seriously doubt someone will try to hurt me.”

The lights went out, leaving us in darkness.

I sensed rather than heard Reylor rise and move through the room. He wasn’t a dragon shifter, he was a panther gliding through the forest, tracking down prey.

Shivering, I tucked my feet up on my chair and wrapped my arms around my legs. I shrunk into my seat, hiding.

Maybe Ishouldmove in with him until this was settled. There was no way I’d be able to sleep if I remained here alone.

The lights came back on, but Reylor had left the room. He returned a few minutes later.

“Someone shut your power off at the breaker,” he said.

“That’s in the basement.”

“There were no tracks in the dirt near the panel.”

“It could’ve been Justin.”

“A chilly breeze in a closed-up room? Maybe a ghost. But a ghost isn’t messing with your electrical panel.”

“You said you don’t believe in ghosts.”

“I don’t, but that pocket watch I left by your door? I found it sitting on my kitchen table when I got home.”

“Justin’s a prankster, but he hasn’t done anything to frighten me.” So far. “He might think making the lights flicker is funny.”

“What do I have to do to convince you that you’re not safe here alone?”

“I don’t want to be alone. That scares me too. But it makes more sense for you to move in with me. I’ve finished a few rooms, and you can have your pick of them.”

I didn’t expect him to take me up on my offer, though I meant it. I’d feel better if someone stayed here with me. Although, I couldn’t afford to hire round the clock security.

I held up my hand. “Forget that. I’ll find someone to move in with me.”

He stepped right up to me, close enough I caught the fresh scent wafting off his skin. “A man?”

“Or a woman.”

“Who?”

“I’ll ask around town.”

“Me, Hannah,” he rasped. “It’s going to be me.”

“You don’t get to decide.”

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