Page 28 of Blazing Reactions

“Wait, what?” She leaned forward eagerly. “There has to be more to that story.”

Hours later, they settled onto his obscenely comfortable couch to watchIntruders– her latest Netflix selection.

“I can’t believe you haven’t seen this,” she said, curling into his side. “It’s a classic example of subverting home invasion tropes.”

“Because watching people break into houses is relaxing after fighting my brother?” But his arm tightened around her protectively.

“Shh. Just watch.” She pressed play, then smiled as he immediately started analyzing the security measures.

“Their perimeter defense is terrible,” he muttered. “And who leaves their windows that vulnerable?”

As the tension in the movie built, Asher found herself more interested in Talon’s reactions than the actual film. Every time the protagonist outsmarted an intruder, his chest rumbled with approval.

“She’s strategic,” he noted during a particularly clever scene. “Adapting her environment for defense.”

“Like someone else I know?” She tilted her head to look at him. “Though you have slightly more dramatic methods.”

“Dragons are naturally dramatic.” But his eyes stayed fixed on the screen, clearly invested now. “Her tactical assessment is impressive.”

“Just wait.” She snuggled closer, enjoying how naturally they fit together. “The best part’s coming up.”

“Didn’t expect that,” he admitted.

“That’s why I love this movie. Nothing’s quite what it seems.” She traced the scales that had emerged along his jaw. “Kind of like a certain CEO who turns out to be a dragon.”

“The security cameras are positioned all wrong,” Talon noted as another tense scene unfolded. “Though her improvisation skills are admirable.”

“Of course, you’re focusing on security protocols.” She poked his chest playfully. “Can’t you just enjoy the suspense like a normal person?”

“I haven’t been normal in about eight centuries.” His hand slid up her spine, making her shiver. “Besides, you’re the one who spent our first meeting analyzing all the flaws in my building’s defense system.”

“Because they were terrible!” She twisted to face him. “Your wards hadn’t been updated since the Victorian era.”

“They worked well enough until you came along.” His eyes gleamed gold in the dim light. “Though watching you take apart my security was... intriguing.”

On screen, another dramatic sequence played out. Asher felt Talon tense slightly during the more violent scenes, his arm tightening around her instinctively.

TWENTY-SIX

“Protective dragon,” Asher murmured, pressing closer.

“Always.” He nuzzled her hair. “Though you’re considerably more capable than anyone in this film.”

“I don’t know. She’s pretty resourceful with that—” Asher broke off as his fingers found a sensitive spot on her neck. “That’s cheating.”

“Is it?” But his touch gentled as the movie reached its climax and ending.

“You actually like it,” she realized with delight. “The big bad dragon CEO enjoys psychological thrillers.”

“I enjoy watching clever people outsmart their opponents.” His voice rumbled through her. “It reminds me of someone else I know.”

As the movie credits rolled, neither moved to turn on the lights. The city glowed through the large windows, casting them in soft shadows.

“So,” Asher traced the scales along his arm that had emerged during the film’s tensest moments, “admit it. You liked it.”

“It was... engaging.” His eyes blazed gold at her touch. “Though I was rather distracted.”

“By terrible security protocols?”

---