Page 27 of Primal Dragon

Interesting. He was telling the same story. He was telling the truth.

“I’m sorry about your parents,” she murmured.

“Thank you.” He studied her for a long moment. “Your turn.”

“I’m afraid I don’t have anything as interesting. I’m the black sheep of the family.”

Henrik’s brow furrowed. “How is that possible?”

“My dad abused my mom, me, and my brother. I was the only one who tried to stop it. When he didn’t stop and no one would lift a finger to help me stop him, I left. My parents barely talk to me and my brother doesn’t much either.”

One of her cats jumped up on the counter. The black cat rubbed up against Henrik’s forearm.

“Cats seem to like you,” she said. “That’s Phoebe.”

He scooped her up and held her to his chest. She curled into him and purred loudly. “I like animals. They’re far less complicated than people.” He gently pet Phoebe as his eyes zeroed back in on her. “Why don’t you have a ma-husband?”

Quinn shrugged. “I’ve been a disappointment my whole life. I got tired of disappointing men. I’ve heard it all. My ass was too big. I’d be pretty if I lost weight. Why do I work so hard, they’re just animals? I can go out and not work at the hospital overnight. Men don’t like that I have a mind of my own and that I don’t fawn all over them every second of the day. I’ve learned to rely on myself.”

Henrik’s expression was furious. “An independent woman who can take care of herself is hot. I’m not from your culture, but I don’t understand your men if that’s not what they’re looking for in a woman.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of guys who like independent women. Just haven’t met one. It hasn’t really been a priority either. Or maybe I’m just tired of being disappointed.”

The electric kettle made a popping noise announcing it was done. She turned around and poured the steamy water into her mug and stirred the chocolatey goodness. She inhaled deeply as she took in the familiar, comforting smell of the drink.

Quinn turned around and nearly doused the front of Henrik’s shirt with the steamy drink, he was so close behind her. He set Phoebe down on the ground.

“Henrik, why are you here?”

He shook his head. “I know I shouldn’t be. Trying to track down the killer of my parents and getting involved in stuff that’s less than ideal…I don’t want to put you in danger, but I just don’t know if I can stay away unless you tell me to.”

Quinn ached for him to reach out and touch her, but she wasn’t sure, beyond feeling his touch, what she was ready for. She knew she got to know him a lot tonight. Her world exploded. She wasn’t ready for this intensity that was brewing between them.

“I don’t want you to stay away, but I can’t jump in right now. I’ve got a lot of stuff on my plate too.”

He nodded slowly. “May I just hold you tonight? Keep calling you, seeing you, talking to you? We’ll figure it out as we go.”

“I think I can handle that.”

They sat together while she drank her hot chocolate. She noticed the way his jaw tightened when she moaned over her delicious, creamy drink.

Once she was done, Henrik reached for her, taking her mug out of her hands, and setting it down. She opened her arms and accepted him as he gathered her up. He hoisted her into his arms.

“Are you crazy? Put me down. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Do I look breakable to you?” Henrik chuckled. “Don’t worry, Quinn. I won’t drop you. You’re not heavy.”

He moved through the house like he’d been there a hundred times. As he went into her bedroom, she couldn’t help the feeling of vulnerability that came over her. He was in her private space. He set her down gently and then tugged at the tie of her robe.

She let out a shaky breath but didn’t stop him.

She wasn’t naked under her robe, but she was wearing a little nightie because she wanted to feel like a woman with him in her space. She wanted to feel feminine and sexy. Since he’d spent the evening with her as a man, she wanted to be a woman with him now.

The robe fell open and Henrik let out a low growl from deep in his chest. He moved around her, tugging off the terry cloth and tossing it in the chair in the corner of her room. He ran his hands down her bare arms.

His touch ignited a storm of heat inside her.

He pulled back the covers of her made bed. Quinn hopped in and pulled the covers around her bare legs.

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