Page 59 of Sweet Dominion

“Sure did. Unfortunately.”

Moni’s smile left her face. “Unfortunately?”

“A human cannot outrun a dragon. In mere seconds, he soared over her, but she continued racing away and then began screaming for help. It was in that moment he realized that their tale would not be a love story. She was too terrified of him and well. . .”

“What?”

“It broke his heart.”

“So then what did he do?”

“What else could Jiaolong do?” I shrugged. “He swooped down and ate her.”

Moni frowned. “Lei, what kind of story is that?”

I laughed.

“He ate her?” She leaned her head to the side. “For real?”

“Jiaolong had to have her and so he decided that at least if he couldconsumeher, their souls would still merge together.”

“That’s fucking crazy.”

“It is.” I chuckled. “But. . .the tale is about the depths of emotion and the lengths that passion can drive a person.”

Her eyes met mine with a mix of amusement and warning in their depth. “That's all well and good, Lei, but just make sure you're not planning on devouring me.”

I couldn't resist the temptation to let my gaze wander down her body, lingering on the curve of her hips and the swell of her breasts before settling on the place between her legs that already held too much damn power over me.

You have no idea how much I want you. . .need you. . .

So many times, my father had told me that tale and I had thought nothing of it.

But now for the first time ever in my life, I couldn't help but see myself as Jiaolong—the dragon from my father's tale.

And wasn’t Moni—with her innocent charm and captivating beauty—the woman picking flowers by the beach?

Just as Jiaolong had been taken aback by the fisherman's daughter, I was utterly spellbound with her, so much so that Istillwasn’t sure I would not kill Marcelo over her.

Yes.

I understood the dragon's yearning all too well, that frantic need to possess something so breathtaking.

The desire to have her.

To merge our souls.

It was a constant, burning ache within me.

Moni put her view back on the fountain, drinking the dragon in and I just lovingly watched her every movement, the way she parted her lips in awe, the soft curve of her neck as she tilted her head.

Mmmm.

My hunger for her grew with each passing second. It was a hunger that gnawed at me, clawing from within, demanding to be satiated.

Like that damn dragon, I wanted to consume her, to make her a part of me so completely that we would become one.

She’s lucky I can’t fucking devour her because. . .damn. . .I want to.