Page 34 of So I Dared a Dragon

She brightened. “I missed you, Aarix. Everyone else just thinks I’m mouthy and reckless.”

“Good thing I’m keeping you this time.” The conversation had taken a heavy turn. My mate had planned a fun date, and I wanted to make sure she didn’t run again. I loved that she wasreckless. I turned my attention to the painting. “What do you think it needs?”

“Totally your call. I want to see what you come up with.”

“And I want to make you happy,” I added.

“Okay,” she drew out the world playfully. “I’d be really happy if you rolled up your sleeves. I miss your scales.”

“I have a better idea.” I moved the paints closer to me and opened another vial of glitter.

I tapped her fingers, encouraging her to offer her hand to me, which she did willingly. This coy little wolf didn’t blink in the face of danger, but I didn’t take her trust for granted. I pushed up her sleeve, revealing the velvety soft skin of her forearm.

I dipped my talon into the water and then scraped it into a circle of paint. Goosebumps broke out on her skin when I made contact, but it wouldn’t deter me.

“You’re giving me scales.” The words were little more than a breath.

“So many nights I dreamed about what you’d look with them,” I said softly. I worked with the fiery red of her hair and used the terracotta of the mountains and the stars in the sky as my inspiration. I covered her forearm with the design.

“I love that you frown while you work.” She was doing anything but. “Every true artist has a face they make when they’re in the zone. It’s kind of like a sex face.”

“I’d never frown while I was fucking you, sunshine.”

She gasped, and it did things to my dick that were dangerous. I wasn’t used to holding back with Calista. When she came to visit me in the caverns, it was understood she’d consented to let me use her body as a playground. If we were alone right now, the only thing she’d be wearing were these scales and the light of the moon.

“You’re not happy with your creation.” She picked up her arm and considered it. “Do you want some guidance?”

“Please.”

“It needs dimension,” she offered. “Possibly some texture. If you put a little black, or mix some black into the red on the edges of each scale, it will give them more depth too.”

“You should teach,” I suggested as I studied my work, deciding how to implement her advice. I wanted to wow her. Not be a clumsy, uninspired dragon who hadn’t found the place he belonged on this side of the mountain.

“It’s something I’d like to try.” She watched me work with great interest. “One more piece of advice. Art has no right answers. It’s all about feeling.”

I closed my eyes for a long blink, recalling that image of her, painted with my scales. We weren’t the same color, but we complemented each other. Somehow, I brought those images from my imagination into being.

“Oh, when Calista suggested a paint night, I never thought you’d use each other as a canvas!” Bibi proclaimed. I’d been so immersed in my work I didn’t notice her approach. “That’s quite impressive.”

“It’s amazing.” Calista said. Her smile made the blood sing in my veins. “I wish I could wear it forever.”

“You inspired me.” I pressed a kiss against her forehead. “And I had the best teacher.”

Bibi put her hand on her heart. “That’s so sweet.”

“That’s not something I hear often,” I chuckled and met Bibi’s gaze. “I remember you said the production team would know when it was time to leave Calista and me alone.”

“Aarix!” Calista exclaimed. But the blush that rose in her cheeks told me she didn’t think it was a bad idea. “I know it’s not technically our first date but—"

Bibi’s expression soured. “Tonight wouldn’t be a good night for that.”

I furrowed my brow. “Is it not the custom? Have I disrespected Calista?”

The two friends shared a look that made that song in my veins stop. Calista turned to me.

“When I got to my trailer tonight, there were roses and a box of candy. At first, we thought you sent me a gift.” She swallowed hard. “But when I opened the card, I found another note.”

thirteen

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