Page 3 of Bound to the Dragon
“I was expecting you an hour ago.”
A tall, attractive brunet pushes his way through the front of the group, his amber-green eyes flashing with irritation. He’s exactly as I remember him from the full moon party, maybe even more handsome up close now that I’m looking at him with different eyes.
I check out his broad shoulders and rippling muscles as he scowls at us, heat rising up the back of my neck. Inadvertently, I fixate on his full lips, trying to imagine what it might be like to kiss them, and I’m instantly embarrassed at the randomness of the thought, especially when Blaze is acting like such a jerk.
“Were you?” Jessup lowers his head in contrition. “I’m sorry, Alpha. I didn’t realize you were waiting on us. Granger didn’t mention a specific time.”
Blaze’s face darkens more. “Where is your Alpha?”
He barely looks at me, as if I’m one of the pieces of luggage sitting next to the car.
“He had other matters to attend to in the territory, but he sends his regards and assures you that he’ll be here for the ceremony on Friday.”
“He damn well better be.” Blaze’s frown creases his face so severely that I can see every line on his angular features.
Was he always this good-looking? I remember him being so forgettable the last time we met. Now he seems almost alluring. Or maybe I’m so anxious for his approval that I’m seeing him differently.
For the first time, he peers at me, his hazel irises raking over me with so much intensity, I feel like he’s reading into my soul. My pulse quickens under his intense stare. Why is he looking at me like a bug under a microscope? It’s not like he doesn’t know what I look like. We’ve met before. Maybe he doesn’t remember?
That would be disappointing.
What if he rejects me?That’s a thought that never crossed my mind, and blood drains out of my face. Granger would be furious if I returned to the territory, rebuked and rejected.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” I blurt out before I can stop myself. “Don’t you remember me?”
Beside me, Jessup inhales sharply.
Blaze’s eyes widen at my blunt question, and I wish I could take it back. Me and my big mouth. Hadn’t I just spent the entire car ride willing myself to behave? To be demure and likable?
“What?” His hazel eyes narrow.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You haven’t said a word.” He cocks his head. “I was wondering if you were mute.”
I’m growing more offended by the second. “You know I’m not mute. We’ve met before.”
A spark of interest ignites in the back of his eyes, but instead of responding to me, he turns to his enforcers. “Get her bags and put them in her suite.”
He hesitates. “And search her for any weapons.”
Insulted, I gawk at Jessup, who gives me a warning look, forcing me to keep my mouth closed. But it takes every fiber of my being to do that.
Glancing back at me, Blaze avoids my eyes. “Dinner is at six sharp. Don’t be late.”
Without waiting for a response, he stalks back toward the house, leaving me alone on the lawn with Jessup.
“Dinner is at six,” I mimic in Blaze’s voice. “What is this? A boarding school?”
“Just try and follow the rules, will you?”
“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”
“Maddi—”
I throw up my hands. “That’s it then?”
“Behave yourself.”
