Page 52 of Blazing Reactions

“Since when have you been such a wise woman?” He pressed his forehead to hers, their bond humming with shared emotion.

“Probably around the time I fell in love with an overprotective dragon CEO.” Her smile turned mischievous. “Though I should really run some controlled experiments to verify that hypothesis.”

He growled playfully, capturing her lips in a heated kiss. She responded immediately, electricity sparking where they touched. His dragon rumbled in satisfaction as she pressed closer, her clever fingers tracing patterns on his chest that made his scales threaten to emerge.

“This seems like questionable scientific methodology,” he murmured against her mouth.

“Repeated testing is very important,” she insisted, though her breathing had grown uneven. “For accuracy.”

A knock at the door interrupted what promised to be a thorough investigation of their chemistry. They broke apart reluctantly, though Talon kept her in his lap, his dragon refusing to let go completely.

“Come in,” he called, enjoying the flush on Asher’s cheeks as she tried to look professional while still sitting in his arms.

Levi entered, took one look at them, and grinned. “Should I come back after you’ve finished your... strategic planning?”

“We were discussing shield modifications,” Asher said primly, though sparks still danced in her hair.

“Uh, right.” Levi’s eyes danced with amusement. “Your ‘shield modifications’ left marks on Talon’s neck.”

Asher’s blush deepened even as she lifted her chin. “Experimental evidence should be thoroughly documented.”

FORTY-NINE

The evening strategy session had dragged into its third hour when Asher’s tablet fell from her lap. Talon caught it before it hit, his reflexes enhanced by constant awareness of her. She’d been pushing herself too hard, running on coffee and determination.

“That’s enough,” he said quietly, but with enough authority that the room fell silent. “We’ll reconvene tomorrow.”

For once, Asher didn’t argue. That worried him more than anything else. As the guards filed out, she leaned against him, allowing his strength to support her. He sensed her bone-deep exhaustion warring with her driving need to finish the preparations.

“You know what’s coming,” she murmured once they were alone. “We’re running out of time.”

His arms tightened around her. “I know.” The words were rough in his throat. His dragon paced restlessly, already agitated by what tomorrow would bring. “But you won’t help anyone if you collapse.”

“Says the dragon who worked through three centuries without a vacation.” She turned in his embrace, reaching up to trace his jaw. “Pot, kettle, extremely attractive black.”

He couldn’t help smiling, even as his heart ached. “Come on. You need food and rest.”

“Are you going to carry me if I refuse?”

“Do I need to?”

“No.” She stretched up to kiss him softly. “But it’s fun to make you think about it.”

They made their way to his private quarters, his arm mantling protectively around her as they walked. The space had become theirs over the past weeks - her research papers mixed with his ancient texts, her tablet charging beside his ceremonial weapons, her coffee cup collection slowly invading his kitchen.

“Shower first,” she decided, heading for the bathroom. “I smell like neural shield components and anxiety.”

“Anxiety has a smell?”

“According to your dragon nose? Absolutely.” She paused in the doorway, her expression turning thoughtful. “You know, I should really document the enhanced olfactory capabilities of dragon shifters. For science.”

“Later.” He guided her toward the shower. “After you’ve rested.”

“You could join me,” she suggested, eyes sparking with mischief. “Help me collect data on water conservation methods.”

His dragon rumbled appreciatively. “That’s a terrible excuse for shower sharing.”

“But is it working?”

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