Page 37 of Dragon Detective

With a sly smile, I strode toward her. “Would something like that work?”

She backed up until her ass reached the counter. “I’m not daring you or anything.”

“That sounded like a challenge to me, and I’m the best dragon shifter to meet it.”

“You’re the only dragon shifter in town, so being the best doesn’t mean much.”

I spanned her waist with my hands, stroking her t-shirt up so my fingertips could meet her skin. There was no way I’d ever be able to resist this woman even if we didn’t wear matching symbols to prove we belonged together.

Her jaw dropped as she looked up at me.

“Did you think I wouldn’t take you up on your offer?” I asked, lifting her up onto the counter and nudging her thighs apart so I could step between them.

“It wasn’t an offer.” Her chin lifted and a flinty look settled in her eyes.

“Are you saying youdon’twant me to kiss you?”

“What would your kiss mean?”

Everything. “What do you want it to mean?”

“I told you I was burned, that I’m on a hiatus.”

“You agreed to go out with me tomorrow night.”

“We’re friends. Why not?”

“Do friends do this?” I leaned in close and for an instant, I took in her heady scent, a mix of something sweet, a touch of spice, and pure woman.

Mywoman.

I kissed from the lobe of her ear to her chin before lifting my head. Her eyes had slid shut, and her lips had parted.

“Or this?” I claimed her mouth, taking at first before giving way to the warmth flooding my soul and softening my touch.

I wanted so much from this woman, but I would never force this. I was walking a fine line between making demands, something I knew could drive her away, and begging.

She was the only one I’d ever need. If I hadn’t realized that already, this kiss would do it for me.

I held her in place with my hands on the counter on either side of her hips before using them to nudge her closer, to the edge of the counter. Now I could stand between her legs and feel her heat and the passion she couldn’t deny.

The realization that she’d soon mean everything to me made me hesitate a moment. The deeper I got into her, the harder it would be to drag myself away. I’d never want to leave, but I’d have to if she said she’d never want more. I had to respect that she was hurt, and she might not be ready to fall in love again.

But oh, how amazing it felt to kiss her.

With a moan, she grabbed onto the front of my shirt, dragging me fully against her.

I wanted to tumble her to the floor and take everything she seemed to be offering.

I slid my tongue across hers and she groaned, pressing her breasts against me. Her hands fluttered between us before she slid them around to my lower back, diving beneath my shirt to find my overheated body. She ran her nails across my skin, making it prickle with heat and a growl rip up my throat.

It was all I could do to remain in control. I wanted . . . so much. Much more than she was prepared to give.

She kissed me back, her tongue sliding into my mouth to duel with mine. Shewasissuing a challenge, and I was taking her up on it and issuing my own in return.

I deepened our kiss, claiming everything I could from this woman with all the recklessness of the dragon slumbering deep inside me. A mate was a sacred thing, yet she was also someone to adore and treasure. If I could get her to my nest, I could show her, prove to her that what we were building could last for a lifetime.

I would never hurt her like her ex had. I couldn’t, not while this woman held the very key to my soul.

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