Page 47 of The Dragon Recruit
He dared a step and sighed inwardly with relief when Iris didn’t bolt. “I think it’s more than that.”
Her eyebrows drew together. “What are you blathering about now?”
“It’s not blather, my dear. And I understand—you’re afraid. But so am I. The last time I let anyone close, it ended in disaster.And yet, you’re brilliant and beautiful and you understand what I’ve done the past twenty years, of what I’ve had to sacrifice, more than most.” He took another step closer. “It’s because of how wonderful you are that I’m willing to take a chance, Iris.” He leaned his face a few inches closer, inhaling her sweet scent of jasmine and pure woman. “Are you willing to do the same?”
And so he waited to see how Iris responded. Even if she ran, he wasn’t going to give up that easily. For the first time in a long time, there was a future he wanted. And as long as he thought Iris wanted it too, he would go after it.
Chapter Fifteen
Iris stared into Antony’s brown eyes, wanting to believe the truth and desire and longing she saw there.
And yet, he’d spent the last two decades living in the shadows, pretending to be other people on demand. It could be an act. Plus, he was handsome enough to snag just about any female he wanted.
So why did he want her so badly?
Her dragon growled.Don’t do that. Don’t make excuses. You want him, too, but are scared.
Aye, I’m scared. Of being pushed off this assignment. Or, if not, then I’ll be sidelined to a safe job, far away from the danger.
Just because he’s stubborn and strong and commanding sometimes doesn’t mean he’s going to become an overprotective dragon-shifter, aye? Let alone feel hurt if you do better than him at something.
I believed that once before with a human. Why would it be any different this time?
He isn’t our ex. Antony is ten times that male.
“Iris.”
She jolted from her thoughts and focused back on Antony. He tilted his head, studying her, and part of her wanted to say fuck it, and run into his arms. To take a chance, and for once feel desired and treasured and yet still respected as an equal.
He said, “Since you aren’t wearing Dr. Turner’s dragon-thought voice contraption, you’re going to have to talk to me. What’s racing through your head? Or maybe I should guess?”
Wanting a wee bit of a distraction, she replied, “What’s your guess?”
He tapped his finger against his chin a second before saying, “Well, there’s what I hope you’re thinking about and what you’re probably actually thinking about. I want you and your dragon to come up with some more of those fantasies, featuring me and you naked. However, you’re probably thinking of reasons to run away and stay safe.”
Her dragon snorted.I like what he wants us to be thinking about better.
Of course you would.
Iris hesitated, which was out of character for her. And yet, she’d been hurt badly. Aye, it’d been over a decade ago, but some wounds still smarted.
Paul’s angry words at her last promotion still haunted her:People like you are the reason the British Army is going to shite. Publicity is better than promoting true merit. So fuck your breakup, Iris. I only ever went after you because my mates bet me to shag a dragon-shifter. The sex was good enough to pretend to date you. But now, I’m going to do everything I can to ruin your career.
Even though Paul had eventually been kicked out of the army for drunkenness and lewd behavior, Iris had spent so many years trying to prove that she deserved everything she got. She worked twice as hard as any of the males, just in case. Sacrificing friends and even time with her family in the process.
But maybe, just maybe, after a while, it’d become a shield. A comfortable, familiar one that now hindered her rather than helped her.
Her dragon’s voice was softer as she said,Antony isn’t a young male, trying to prove himself. He realizes that a strong female isn’t a threat, but an asset. Don’t shut him out completely.
Before she could think better of it, Iris blurted, “I can’t promise that I won’t back off, or get scared, or keep trying to push you away when things get intense. However…”
Antony took a step toward her, but Iris didn’t back away. “However what?”
“I-I like you, Antony. More than I should.”
He took another step. “Like as in fancy? Or like as in friend?”
“A bit of both?”
