Page 47 of Primal Dragon

Quinn groaned and rocked into his hand.

“That’s what you did,” he said huskily.

Her cheeks pinkened. He was starting to love the color pink on her.

“In my dream, you talked a lot less,” she murmured with a playful smile and a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Henrik stroked her slowly, enjoying her heavy lidded, lustful eyes and parted lips. “I’ll try to keep the talking to a minimum.”

Quinn’s hand wrapped around his forearm. “That’s dangerous territory, in the light of day.”

“You want me to stop?”

“I want you to mean it,” she murmured.

“Mean it?”

“You’re looking for a mate. Us being attracted to each other…” she trailed off.

Henrik wanted to roar. It was so much more than attraction. His dragon was demanding to claim her. Yet, he couldn’t seem to make the push toward that. What was his excuse now? Not only did she know he was a dragon shifter, but she was also involved in the same scheme. She knew more about vampires than he did.

Why was he holding back? Why was he letting his lack of heartstone dictate his actions? He knew the heartstone was only a piece. It wasn’t even a required piece.

Henrik rolled away from her and off the bed. “Why don’t we start with breakfast, Doc?”

Henrik didn’t wait for her. He made himself at home in her kitchen and found ingredients enough to make some eggs and toast. It wasn’t gourmet. His mom might’ve been slightly disappointed, but he was pretty sure Quinn would be satisfied. In at least that one area.

By the time he set food down on the tiny table for two, she was sitting across from him.

“You’re more domestic than I would’ve guessed for a dragon shifter.”

Henrik smirked. “Did you expect me to be like a caveman a drop a dead rabbit or deer on your doorstep? I didn’t figure that would win you over, as you’re a vet.”

Quinn’s eyes widened at his description and then she shook her head. “Good call.” She watched him for a little bit. “My dad expected dinner to be on the table when he walked in the door and my mom passed along her gender roles to me and my brother. My brother didn’t have to do anything but take out the trash, while I had to cook, do dishes, laundry, and sweep, mop, and vacuum. I was very domestic. While I appreciate having the skills, it really made me bitter about gender roles. I stupidly refused to learn how to cook.”

“How did you end up becoming a vet and therefore the black sheep of your family?” he asked.

Quinn chewed thoughtfully before she answered. “When I was little, the only friend I had was our neighbor’s dog. Bud was a great dog. He was a mut. A Labrador and Great Dane mix. He was big and black. He would always trot along with me whenever I was outside, like he made it his job to watch over me. He protected me from a snake and getting hit by a car. Truly, he was the best dog in the world. My dad didn’t want to pay for childcare, even after my mom went to work, and Drake was always out with his friends, so I was home alone a lot. One day I was outside, and Bud was with me like always. I was especially mad at my parents, I don’t really remember what for, but I decided I wanted to run away from home. I told Bud he had to stay because he didn’t belong to me, but the dog didn’t listen. I don’t know how long I walked. I was young, so it felt like an eternity. I was sure I was in a different state. Bud stayed with me the whole time. Even when the police picked me up, he refused to leave my side. Every time I thought about being alone, I think about Bud. He lived another five years and then they had to put him down. Poor old man. The neighbors let me be with him. I cried. They bought me ice cream. The neighbors were always nice to me. I think they felt bad for me or something. But after that day, I decided that I wanted to protect the animals like Bud protected me.”

Henrik studied her. The emotions had played out on her face like she was reliving every moment. He hadn’t sensed the sadness or the loneliness in her until listening to that story. Her best friend was a vampire. Her family was practically non-existent.

“Why is your best friend a vampire? Why don’t you have a girlfriend or something you talk to?”

Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know. I’ve never lucked out with friends. I’m much better with the four-legged types of creatures.” Then her lips curved. “Maybe that’s why we get along.”

Henrik’s mouth slowly curved into a smile. “I feel the same way. Dragons don’t keep animals around. They can sense the beast in us, most of them don’t like it. The kitten I was brought in was the first cat that didn’t hiss and run away from me. I’ve always been on my own too. I’m the third son. My job is to mate and protect the kingdom. My oldest brother has always been groomed for the throne. My sister has been groomed to be one of the last princesses and last dragon females. The rest of us…needed to get a life but I’m not sure we ever did.”

Quinn managed a weak smile.

“Why does that make you sad?”

“I don’t know. I never thought about being lonely. Most of the time I don’t feel like I am. I keep busy. But when I look at my life, I guess it is a little empty. Maybe by choice. I get tired of being disappointed. I get tired of everyone having expectations of me but no one wanting me to have any expectations of my own.” She took in a deep breath. “I guess it’s nothing like growing up as royalty.”

“It’s not like your Prince Harry or William in London. We’re warriors and protectors. We rule to protect not to control. The people count on us. And frankly we failed them a year ago. The Opal Clan came and obliterated us. We’d had some battles, but nothing like what had happened. We were taken by surprise. I’m surprised the clan isn’t fighting Ash’s reign more than they are.” He reached out his hand and took hers. “Your life experience is important. Being royal doesn’t mean a damn thing. It’s all experience. While I hate that you had such a hard childhood, it’s made you who you are. Where many would allow such indifference and unkindness to change them for the bad, you’ve let it form you into a caring person, guarded perhaps, but loyal and caring. That’s not a bad thing.

“I know you want nothing more than to save James, but you have to promise me you’ll protect yourself first. If Stefano gets a hold of you and he realizes how important you are to me and to James, he’ll use you against us.”

She harumphed. “You don’t know that.”

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