Page 31 of Destined By Dragonblood
Their gazes stayed locked, the taste of sexual tension sweet on my tongue.
Vanni lifted a hand as though thinking to tuck wayward strands of dark hair behind her ear but hesitated.
“Go ahead,” she whispered, and he gently did as I’d expected.
Both exhaled heavily as his hand dropped to his side, fingers curling inward. “Thank you.”
Her smile radiant, Ashley peered up at him.
Nothing in me demanded I step between them, tear Vanni’s focus off my female’s face. Continued lust, still raging from the spanking he’d gifted her, kept me hard and throbbing. I was curious over how far he would go in his desire for her and how hot they would be writhing together while I watched. The scent of lust intensified in the air, stirring my skin toward pebbling, and my body flushed with heat. Charged moments passed in silence, and I swore I could hear all three of our rapid heartbeats.
“Are you sure you’re comfortable staying at the condo alone tonight?” Vanni asked, his voice low and ragged as though experiencing the same need as I did.
Ashley’s smile faded slightly. “I felt that second presence tonight after work but only until I got to the cafe, then it disappeared.”
Lips pursed, Vanni nodded.
Second presence? My brow furrowed. Someone else stalked her?
Hackles raising, I bit back a low, animalistic growl as tension rippled over my body.
“I’m only a call away,” Vanni assured her, lightly touching her elbow.
She leaned in a little closer. “As long as the cold one isn’t around, I’ll be fine.”
“And the good eyes? Have you felt them at all today?”
A flush crept up Ashley’s neck and face as she glanced toward the corner where I lurked. “I don’t mind his presence in the slightest. He’s…well, it’s why I asked for you to touch me tonight. Something has woken up inside me I haven’t experienced since—you know.” She returned her focus to Vanni’s face, searching his eyes. “You truly don’t believe I’m losing my mind, do you?”
“Not at all,” he assured her.
The elevator slowed, and a couple climbed aboard with us, ending the conversation I was desperate to hear more of.
My muscles quivered as anger simmered inside me, embers ready to flare into flames if needed over this second person following my mate.
Who was it, and what were his intentions toward her?
For a brief moment, I imagined the creature to be our beta, but he wouldn’t instill fear or unease in our female if they were fated to be together. If this second presence caused her minuscule amount of dragonblood instinct to raise a red flag, I ought to trust her judgment.
I stalked close to both of them as they made their way to his Mercedes, finding myself thankful she had a human man she could call on to keep her safe until she grew comfortable with my presence at her side. Without a second thought, I shredded my clothing and took to the dark sky, following overhead as Vanni’s car eventually crossed the bridge into Jersey.
Having become aware someone else had their eye on Ashley, I felt even more driven to reveal myself to her.
But tonight, I needed to be tied down onto Vanni’s bench to experience the same release as my female had. Besides, she said she would be fine once home.
I watched Ashley shut herself up for the night in her condo, listening from beside the stoop where I hid in plain sight as the locks engaged. Vanni hesitated in leaving, same as I did, but eventually, he returned to his car and pulled away, red tail lights fading from view.
I stayed put in Ashley’s flower bed, lest the cold presence she’d spoken of lingered nearby and dared approach.
A half hour of peaceful silence and a lack of movement on Walnut Street passed. Feeling confident in her safety, I shifted and shot into the sky. A slow, low fly over the surrounding area didn’t allow my enhanced dragon sight to pick up anyone hovering in the shadows. I flapped my leathery wings harder, intent on Manhattan and Vanni’s club.
Minutes later, in human form and still camouflaged, I snuck into the men’s locker room, pleased to find it empty. Willing myself into sight, I slipped into a blue robe identical to the one Ashley had worn. More people gathered in the lounge when I entered, my presence drawing a few sets of eyes as I had last week. Ignoring their hungry stares, I scanned the room, intent on one man.
Vanni sat broodingly in a chair in the far corner, a tumbler with clear liquid and lime wedge in his hand. He lifted his glass to drink but caught sight of me and paused.
Our gazes held, and he finally sipped, holding my eyes in place—and my body—the entire time. He swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing, hand lowering. Lifting his chin and widening his thighs, he narrowed his gaze. A come-hither look and demand to submit if I’d ever seen one.
Too desperate from the buildup over the last two hours, I strode toward him with sure steps, uncaring of other patrons’ eyes following me as I passed them by.
