Page 7 of Chase Me

She stayed put for another moment and then hurried to catch up with him. “Kidnapping me isn’t exactly what I’d call a grown-up decision.”

He shrugged, because it was either that or dip her over his arm and kiss his way across her chest. “You left me no choice.”

“You could have believed me when I said I didn’t have your thingamabob.”

Why was she feigning this lack of knowledge about the relic? He could scent it on her. She must be a master at her craft, because he could also scent she wasn’t lying, but he knew she was. “It’s an ancient relic and you could have simply told me where it was, or even better given it back.”

“But I don’t have it.”

Her truth, or her ignorance, or her spell smelled of a field after a fresh rain. “I can scent it on you.”

“You’ve been smelling me?” She frowned. “That’s weird.”

“Dragons can scent treasure, emotions, desire.” She smelled of all three. She wasn’t scared, but she was interested. The underlying sweet musk of her arousal toward him was going to turn his brain to mush.

“Like a dog?”

“No. Quit stalling and come inside.” He motioned toward the door holding out his arm hoping this time she would comply.

She straightened her spine, wrinkled up one side of her nose, and marched past him. Thank God.

He couldn’t blame her for being cautious. In fact, he admired her courage. He had kidnapped her after all. She was being remarkably calm about the whole thing. Why was that?

They entered through his study and he led her through the grand room, intent on taking her to the antechamber of his trove. He’d be able to gauge her reaction, be able to watch for signs that she was nervous being there again. Maybe even get a tell on how she’d gotten in undetected.

But at the last moment, he veered toward the kitchen. “Are you hungry? It’s midday, and I’m sure the cook has something delicious in the refrigerator or pantry.” He kept his tone light and inviting. Maybe if she felt welcome and relaxed instead of kidnapped and persecuted she would simply give him the relic back.

“Umm. I’m good. Thanks though.”

“Perhaps some wine then. Our local Moravian vintages are quite nice.”

“Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?”

Busted.

“I told you, we can settle this like adults. We’ll eat, drink, and you’ll tell me where you’ve hidden the relic.”

“But I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She must have cast a spell that cloaked her lies. He should be able to scent them. No one could lie to a dragon, however, she clearly was.

“Fine. We’ll do it your way.” Enough was enough. Jakob grabbed the witch by the wrist and dragged her back into the great room and then up the stairs.

“Where are we going? Stop. Let go. You’re hurting me.”

He slammed open the door to the guest room, with its four-poster bed where he could tie her up and torture her until she came…uh, told him what she’d done with the relic.

“No, no, no.” The witch tried to stop and pull away from him, fighting to get out of his grasp.

She was no match for him. He continued into the room and threw her on the bed.

“Get away from me. I will scream. Surely someone will stop you from hurting me.” She scrambled off and held out her hands, glaring at him.

So fierce. So fucking gorgeous.

“I have never and would never brutalize a woman. But I am not above intense interrogation. Tell me where the relic is and we can avoid all of this.”

“I don’t have your god-damned relic, you dickwad,” she yelled, and a white wind blew her hair.

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