Page 45 of Hot for the Dragon

To his surprise, instead of pulling away, Daphne placed her hand over his. Her fingers were warm and delicate against his skin. The simple gesture made his heart pound harder than any battle ever had.

"The windows face east," she said softly, "so the morning light would fill the whole space."

They were so close now he could count her eyelashes, see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. It would take nothing to close that final distance, to taste those lips that had been tempting him for weeks. His dragon demanded it.

But the memory of her fear earlier held him back.

Daphne's enthusiastic smile faded, her shoulders slumping. "Who am I kidding? My shop's gone. Insurance will barely cover the damage, let alone fund a new location. And Belladonna Boulevard..." She shook her head. "That dream's probably dead."

Without thinking again, Archer laced his fingers through hers where they rested on her lap. Her skin felt like silk against his palm, sending sparks of electricity up his arm. His dragon practically purred at the contact.

"You're one of the most stubborn people I've ever met," he said. "And I've known some hard-headed dragons. If anyone can make this happen, it's you."

The warmth of her hand in his consumed his thoughts. In all his life, he'd never experienced anything like this - this overwhelming need to protect, to comfort, to claim. His heart thundered so loud he was certain she must hear it.

Daphne squeezed his hand, her thumb brushing across his knuckles. "Thank you. For believing in me. And for saving my life tonight."

The moonlight caught the tears gathering in her eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds. Her lips parted slightly as she looked up at him, and every instinct in his body screamed at him to close the distance between them, to taste those perfect lips, to make her his.

His dragon clawed at his control, demanding he claim her here and now. But he couldn't. Even if holding her hand felt more right than anything had in his entire life.

So he stayed still, fighting every urge to pull her closer, memorizing the feel of her fingers intertwined with his. For now, this would have to be enough.

Daphne's delicate yawn broke the spell between them. Archer's dragon instincts immediately shifted from wanting to claim her to ensuring she got proper rest after her ordeal.

"You should sleep," he said, reluctantly releasing her hand. The loss of contact left his palm cold and empty.

"I suppose you're right." Daphne's voice held a note of disappointment that made his heart skip. "Thank you again, Archer. For everything."

He stood, forcing himself to step away before he did something foolish like pull her into his arms. "Get some rest. I'll be down the hall if you need anything."

Back in his own bedroom, Archer paced the length of the spacious room, his bare feet silent on the hardwood floors. The scent of roses and earth still clung to his clothes, driving his dragon half mad with wanting. He stripped off his shirt, hoping the cool night air would clear his head. It didn't help.

"Damn it," he muttered. There was no more denying it - he was completely, irrevocably in love with Daphne Throne. The realization should have terrified him. Instead, it felt like the most natural thing in the world, as inevitable as the sunrise.

His dragon prided itself at the admission, but reality crashed back quickly. Carmen's threat loomed over them like storm clouds. Getting involved now would only put Daphne in more danger. And even if they survived this mess...

Archer caught his reflection in the window - scarred, dangerous, marked by his violent past. What right did he have to pursue someone as pure hearted as Daphne? She deserved better than an ex-wing enforcer with blood on his hands.

"She's too good for you," he told his reflection. His dragon snarled in disagreement, but Archer knew it was true.

He'd protect her, keep her safe until this crisis passed. Then she'd go back to her flowers and sunshine, and he'd return to his solitude. It was better that way.

But as he lay in bed, all he could think about was the softness of her hand in his, and how perfectly she fit against him when she'd hugged him earlier. Sleep would elude him tonight.

21

DAPHNE

Daphne squinted against the morning sun as she planted her feet firmly in the damp grass of Archer's sprawling backyard. The crisp autumn air nipped at her cheeks as she watched him pace before her, all commanding presence and authority.

"You need to learn how to defend yourself better," Archer said, rolling up his sleeves. "And since I'm the only dragon around who won't actually kill you..."

"How reassuring." Daphne crossed her arms. "I'm not exactly built for combat."

"Neither is a rose, but it still has thorns." He smirked. "Show me what you've got."

Before she could respond, Archer stepped back and transformed. His massive, red-scaled form towered over her, his wings spread wide. Daphne's heart raced - even knowing this was Archer, the sight was still intimidating.

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