Page 11 of Wild for the Wyvern

I turn and sure enough, here they come, with Lori leading the way in a full power walk.

Panic rises inside me and I face Drayce again. “I’m so sorry.”

Running his thumb along my collarbone, he adjusts my spaghetti strap. “Don’t worry. I like that they want to protect you, Kori.”

It takes an hour to get away from my best friends, but in the end, they all adore Drayce. He charms them with ease and doesn’t balk at a single question, not even when Meg demands to know the name of the restaurant where he’s taking me. Then Lori tells him that if he doesn’t bring me back by midnight, she’ll have every cop in the county after him.

When we’re walking away, as a final cherry on top of my mortification, Dean calls after us, “I’m expecting a full report on all your orgasms, Kori.”

“Oh. My. God.” I cover my face and wait at the curb. I figure after that, Drayce will get in his car and drive away, leaving me behind. A knot forms in the center of my chest.

His laughter eases the pressure. He kisses my cheek, just behind my hand. “You tell them everything, I guess.”

I peek through my fingers as he opens the passenger door of a large black SUV. “Too much, it would seem.”

Standing in the door, his body hovering warm and hard over me, his eyes simmer with promise. “I hope your next report won’t disappoint them.” His lips cover mine and he makes love to my mouth right there at the front of the resort, with guests, valets, bellhops, and of course, my friends, all watching.

Magically, I don’t care that everyone can see. Within seconds, those people are not important. The only thing that matters is Drayce. I thread my fingers through his soft, dark hair and press my tongue against his.

A low growl emanates from his chest and rumbles in his throat. He breaks the kiss. Meeting my hazy gaze, he studies me.“If I don’t stop, I’ll need to rent us a room at the Greentree for the rest of the night.”

“I’m not sure I would mind that.” My voice is rough as I catch my breath, taking in the warm pine and wood scent of him.

He kisses my forehead as if I’m some cherished person in his life. “I want all of you. Don’t mistake my desire to take you on a real date for not wanting to worship your perfect body. It’s only that I want more.”

Before I can ask what he means, he steps back and closes the door before rounding the SUV to the driver’s side.

Dean, Meg, and Lori gape at me from outside the sliding doors.

“Ready?” Drayce asks.

Gathering what’s left of my wits, I pull the seatbelt and clip it in. “Ready.”

Five

Drayce

Ishouldn’t be nervous. I’m twice Kori’s age and will likely live a few hundred years. There’s nothing to worry about. Except that our connection is deeper than two people accidentally meeting. I knew from the first scent of her that she was meant for me. That’s the beast in me talking. The man knows she could reject me. Once she knows the truth, that’s the most likely outcome.

It’s after ten when we walk out of Rialto and I take her hand in mine. “I know it’s late, but I wonder if you would let me take you back to my house.”

She blushes so beautifully. “If you want.”

“I have something I need to tell you.” There’s a hesitation in my voice that reveals my anxious state.

“Oh god. You’re married.” She pulls her hand from mine and walks down the street away from me.

I jog a few steps to catch her and take her arm gently. “No. I’m not married nor have I ever been.”

Her shoulders relax and the strain in her eyes eases. “What is it then?”

“I can’t tell you here. It’s something you won’t believe unless you see proof, and I’m not able to give you that here.” I sound like some kind of creep. It would have been smarter to just take her home, make love to her, then show her what I am.

She stares for a long moment.

My wyvern pushes forward, wanting to be seen, but I hold him inside.

Pressing the palm of her hand to my chest, she cocks her head. “Okay. I trust you.”

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