Page 24 of The Dragon's Surprise
He ruffled the boy’s hair. “I will.”
Ethan nodded, hugged Kyle one last time, and dashed toward his friends. Once he was out of earshot, Lexi asked, “Are you sure? Because it won’t just be fun times if you take him in. There will be tantrums and tempers and outright stubbornness. He’s a sweet boy, but he’s still just a kid, and they all have their moments.”
“I know that. But I know what it’s like to be a little apart from everyone, and I don’t want that for him. I’m not sure when I’ll tell him that he’s my son by birth too, but for now, I want to give him a home.” He smiled wryly. “He’ll probably end up helping me more than the other way around.”
They stared at one another for a few beats, and before she could stop herself, she blurted, “I’m glad you came today.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You sure about that? Because I was a complete asshole to you earlier.”
“You won’t get any argument from me about that.”
“Iamsorry, Lexi.” He sighed. “You were right, of course. And coming here today, being with Daniel, Ethan, and everyone, itfelt…nice. More than nice. Almost like I’d been sleepwalking for years and am just starting to wake up again. Although there’s one thing left I need to make up for, one thing I need to fix.”
As he moved closer, her heart thudded louder. “Oh? And what’s that?”
He traced her cheek, his finger leaving heat in its wake as he whispered, “I want a chance with you.”
Ignoring the thrill that shot through her, she whispered, “Why? Because I’m your true mate?”
“That’s not the only reason, although that’s part of it. There’s something about you, Lexi. Something that feeds my soul and makes me wish for more. I know there are a lot of reasons why it might not work, but won’t you give me a chance? For at least as long as you’re here? I’ll do my best not to shut you out, I promise.”
His pupils flashed rapidly, reminding her he was a dragon-shifter and if she said yes, her life would change drastically.
Part of her knew there must be a way she could still help the orphans if she stayed here, and part of her wanted to ensure it first.
The need for stability won out, and she finally replied, “Yes, but with a few rules.”
His hand brushed against hers, and she nearly sucked in a breath. “Which are?”
“No kissing on the mouth.”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t do that to you. If you stay, I want it to be because it’s your choice and not because I’ve trapped you.”
“I didn’t think you would. And yet, given my job, I needed to hear it. There are dragonmen who have used that tactic, never telling the humans what would happen, and then later abandon the pregnant women. Many of them give up their childreninstead of moving to a dragon clan, and I have to deal with the devastated or confused children.”
Anger flashed in his eyes. “If anyone from MirrorPeak has done that, you’d better tell me.”
“I don’t think so, at least not from my cases—so many dragon-shifters visit the big cities for anonymity and come from a lot of clans. However, if I hear about someone from here, I’ll let you know. ADDA might not be able to do anything, but maybe if a clan leader makes an example, it’ll stop others from doing it, too.”
He reached as if to take her hand, but withdrew. “Is there another dating rule that says we have to keep being together a secret?”
“Yes and no.” His face fell, and she rushed to add, “I don’t want to give Ethan any ideas, is all. I was that kid once, the one left behind and given false hope, and it’s even worse when you’re disappointed the next time.”
He nodded and then grunted. “I understand, and I wish I could take that pain away from you. But I don’t like hiding something so important.”
She smiled. “It’s frustrating for me, too, if that’s any consolation. Maybe it’s being around dragon-shifters so much over the years, but I want to take your hand and make sure everyone else knows to stay away.”
His finger discreetly stroked the back of her hand, and a bolt of electricity shot through her. If a brush against her skin did this, what would happen if they were finally naked?
Kyle’s voice prevented her from daydreaming. “Meet with me tonight, then. Ethan already made plans to stay with Jackson and a few other boys. Come to my house, and I’ll make you dinner.”
“You can cook?”
“What do you think I’ve done with my free time? Read, of course, but I like cooking, too. It’s relaxing.”
She scrunched her nose up. “Glad you think so. I eat the same five things because it’s easy.”
“Well, tell me your favorite, and I’ll try making it if you say yes.”
