Page 63 of Dragon's Honor

Her hands dropped away. “That sounds like a challenge, Ash,” she teased.

He frowned. “I don’t want you to keep your hands off me.”

Her boisterous laughter made him smile. “Are you about ready to go?”

“I am.”

The restaurant, The Green Door, was directly on the beach. He offered his arm to her as they headed inside. The place was buzzing with people, clinking dishes, and silverware. The candlelight was accompanied with low lights overhead and light orchestral music floating featherlight through the air. Rich, well-seasoned scents of food filtered through the air, but mostly all her could smell was her.

Everything about her was intoxicating. The way she moved. The sight of her bare legs with the tight dress accenting her hips and breasts. He wanted nothing more than to see what she had under the dress and have her sprawled out over his bed.

He cleared his throat as they approached the hostess stand. They were shown to their seats, a quiet corner booth.

“Olivia talks about this place all the time,” Finley said.

“You ever been here?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Nah, Olivia’s dates bring her here when they’re trying to impress her.”

“Does it work?”

“Not for her usually. This isn’t her favorite place.”

“It was my sister’s suggestion to bring you here.”

“You asked your sister?”

He nodded. “She’s my best friend. Henrik is like my chief of staff, my best friend in many ways, but we also talk mostly business.”

Finley smiled. “That’s sweet. How old is she?”

“Nearly twenty, but she’s been pretty sheltered. She acts like a spoiled brat sometimes. She doesn’t like to be protected. She sneaks out a lot. Poor Kashton is watching over her right now. We all take turns.”

“When is your turn?”

“Once I find Tristian and put him down.”

Ash had a flash of guilt. He was sitting out on a date with his potential mate while his sister lay in hiding and the rest of the Tourmaline Clan sat in unrest and no justice. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Finley cleared her throat bringing his attention back up to her. “We don’t have to do this. I know your family and your clan are important to you. I can go back to my house.”

“No.” It was a kneejerk reaction, but his dragon was insisting on it. “No,” he said a bit calmer. “I don’t have a lead on Tristian right now. If something comes up…”

“I could help.”

“Help?”

“You’re doing this all alone. Don’t you want someone with you?”

“Henrik aids me when I need it. As do any of my brothers. I’m not alone.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her fancy place setting.

“Fuck,” he growled. His dragon was all but chiding him for being such an asshole. “Sawyer, I’m sorry. I’ve been enjoying our time together. I love getting to know you. I am conflicted though.”

“I understand. I am too. I wanted to know about all this supernatural stuff for a long time, but now that I’ve had more than a glimpse, I’m more than unsure of what I could possibly contribute. Why…how could I possibly be your mate? The heartstone has be short circuiting, right? How did I even get it? Why would my sister be able to buy it?”

He sighed. “When Tristian and the Opals attacked us, Syrena took the heartstones from me and my siblings and sent them out into the universe for our mates to find and hopefully protect. Tristian was destroying every piece of tourmaline he could find.”

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