Page 53 of Blazing Reactions

Of course, it was. She knew exactly how to blend scientific terminology with seduction in a way that drove him crazy. Ten minutes later, as steam filled the bathroom and Asher’s clever hands traced his chest, Talon decided water conservation was a vitally important environmental concern that deserved thorough investigation.

“Your scales are showing,” she murmured against his throat, fascinated as always by his partial shift response to her touch.

“Your fault.” He lifted her easily, pressing her against the shower wall. “You and your scientific method.”

“Mmm.” She wrapped her legs around his waist, electricity crackling between them. “I love when you talk methodology to me.”

Later,tucked in a warm bed, Talon kissed her then, pouring everything he couldn’t say into the contact. His fear of losing her, his pride in her strength, his absolute faith in her abilities, and above all, his endless love for this brilliant, fearless woman who had changed his world.

Their bond sang between them, emotions flowing freely. His dragon stretched toward her essence, memorizing every detail - the way her heartbeat quickened when he touched her, the soft sounds she made when he kissed that spot behind her ear, the perfect way she fit in his arms as if designed specifically for him.

“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. “My overprotective, absolutely ridiculous dragon.”

“I love you.” He held her closer. “My mate.”

They stayed like that for a long time, trading soft kisses and gentle touches. Tomorrow could bring danger and separation, but tonight was theirs. Tonight they could just be Talon and Asher, two hearts beating in perfect synchronization, their bond humming with love and trust and unshakeable faith in each other.

When exhaustion finally claimed her, he tucked her against his chest. She murmured something about “gathering nocturnal data” that made him smile even as his heart ached. His dragon kept vigilant watch, treasuring every peaceful breath, every small movement as she cuddled closer in her sleep.

In the quiet darkness of their room, Talon allowed himself to simply hold her, love her, and thank whatever twist of fate had brought this remarkable woman into his life.

FIFTY

After eating a hearty breakfast, Asher adjusted the quantum frequency on her neural shield, electricity crackling along her fingers as she fine-tuned the calibration. The prototype hummed against her chest, its energy signature perfectly masked. Or it would be, once she got the phase variance stabilized.

“Stop fidgeting with it.” Talon’s arms slid around her waist from behind, his warmth steady and grounding.

“I’m not fidgeting. I’m optimizing.” She leaned back against his chest, still typing calculations into her tablet. “There’s a difference. One is nervous energy, the other is science.”

“Ah yes, my mistake.” His lips brushed her neck, making her powers spark. “Clearly this is extremely professional behavior.”

“I’ll have you know my methodology is impeccable.” But she tilted her head to give him better access, electricity dancing between them. “Even if the timing of certain variables is...” She gasped as he found that sensitive spot behind her ear. “...slightly inappropriate.”

“How inappropriate?” His dragon rumbled through the words, scales shimming briefly along his jaw.

Before she could formulate an appropriately scientific response, pain lanced through her shoulder. The dark veins from the cold iron had started spreading another fraction, making her powers sputter like a failing circuit. Talon’s arms tightened instantly.

“I’m fine,” she said automatically, though she leaned into his strength. “Just a slight fluctuation in the experimental parameters.”

“Asher.” Just her name, but filled with everything he couldn’t say.

She turned in his arms, touching his face. “Hey. We knew this was coming. The cold iron damage is progressing exactly as predicted.” She managed a small smile. “I have charts and everything.”

“Your charts don’t make it easier to watch.”

“No, but they do make it quantifiable. Which is oddly comforting.”

“That’s very odd to say, Mr. Draker.”

“DoctorDraker,” he reminded her, golden eyes bright with love despite his worry.

“Oh, we’re playing the title game now? Because I have several, and I’m not afraid to use them.”

The banter died as Levi burst through the door, his usual easy smile nowhere in sight. “We have a problem.”

Asher’s scientist brain kicked into analysis mode, cataloging details. Levi’s normally immaculate appearance was disheveled. His hands shook slightly. Most telling - his eyes held a desperate edge she recognized from her own reflection whenever Talon was in danger.

“Lori,” she said, heart dropping. “What happened?”

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