Page 45 of Dragon Detective

I met his gaze. “They will if I don’t wear any underwear.”

Chapter 21

Reylor

My cock was on fire, and there was nothing I could do about it. While she got ready in her suite, I took a shower in mine and dressed in something easy to remove, placing the clothing I wanted to wear tonight in the small bag I usually remembered to take with me when I shifted.

What would Hannah think about my dragon form? I’d caught her peeking out the back door when I shifted, but being beside me when I did it . . . Me looming over her . . . She’d ride on me. What would she think about all that?

I’d never worried about something like this. She might be frightened, though I’d do my best to reassure her. Or disgusted. While rare, that did sometimes happen now that we were dating humans. Dragons sounded fun and exciting until a two-story beast towered above you, breathing fire.

I caught her hesitancy about Kraken’s Keep. I wanted to tell her I could afford to take her anywhere, that dragons hoarded things, especially jewels and precious metals. That almost all of us were incredibly wealthy.

I’d seen her wince at the price she’d spent for just a few sheets of plywood to cover her windows. Her insurance would reimburse her, but she’d felt the pinch just buying it.

I wanted to offer her whatever she needed financially to finish this project. I could see the excitement in her eyes while she talked about opening her B&B, of cooking for her guests. She’d be the best innkeeper, and her guests would come back year after year.

But everyone had their pride, and we were only sort of dating, fated mate stuff aside. Everything I had was hers; that was how things were between shifters and their mates, but as a human, she wouldn’t understand that.

Or maybe she would. I’d help in subtle ways while we got to know each other better. And when we were together—and we would be together one day—then I’d pamper her like I craved.

We met up in the foyer. Well, she stood in the foyer, and I froze on the landing above, my jaw dropping.

“Like?” she asked, twirling. It looked like she’d spray painted on the deep blue jumpsuit she wore, and I ached to leap down to her and run my hands all over her body. Those curves . . .They made me want to skip the exhibition and take her directly to my nest. We wouldn’t emerge for days. Weeks, even.

“How are you spinning while wearing fuck-me heels, let alone a skin-tight jumpsuit?” I made myself walk sedately down the last flight of stairs; my bag tossed over my shoulder. When I reached her level and took in her appearance again, the bag dropped with a thud by my feet along with my heart.

“The shoes are red bottoms,” she said with a sultry smile, flashing the bottom that gave the shoes their name. “And I had to practice walking in my room for a bit. You should’ve seen me prancing down the hall to the foyer.” She scrunched her face, and she was so cute, I wanted to sweep her up in my arms and hold her forever. Kiss her. Lay her on the floor and stripeverything off her but those damn heels that were going to drive me wild all evening.

“You stun me every single time I interact with you,” I said, my voice croaky and humble. “I’m nowhere near good enough for you.”

She stroked her fingertip along my jaw. “I was thinking the same thing. You seem to have everything together. You know what you want in life. You have a nest to offer a mate. And you’re gorgeous.”

“I thank my parents for how I look, but I had nothing to do with that. I thank them for raising me well and giving me the education I needed to pursue this career. The nest comes with my bloodline as well.” I splayed my hands wide, as open as my heart was to this woman alone. “I can’t take credit for my hoard or much of anything else. But look at you. You’re fixing this place up with your own hands, and that takes smarts, not just physical skill—”

“My dad owns a construction company. Like you, my family gave me a chance to learn those skills over the summers between high school and college. In between all that, I became a trained chef.”

“I’m not surprised. I bet you’re good at everything.”

A shadow flitted across her face. “If I was, my ex wouldn’t have cheated on me.”

“Fuck him.”

Her laugh snorted out. “Yeah, fuck him.”

“He doesn’t deserve you.” And I wasn’t sure I was worthy of her either, though I was going to do my darndest to be worthy of her.

She shrugged. “It’s taken me time to realize that, but I agree.” For the first time, while speaking of him, her smile didn’t hold that hint of sadness that ripped through my belly likejagged wire. It only contained pure joy. She took my hands and squeezed them. “I’m looking forward to flying. Really.”

“Really?” I gave her a crooked smile, the only one I could raise at the moment. Because she truly was stunning in so many ways, and I would be grateful every day of my life if she’d let me share hers.

“Really. I’m even going to try to open my eyes.”

“Then let’s do this. We’ll go to the beach where there’s plenty of room.”

“You’re going to shock my neighbors, aren’t you?” she teased.

“If it makes whoever’s trying to sabotage you run in the opposite direction, I’ll happily shoot fire into the air once I shift.”

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