Page 39 of Destined By Dragonblood
But the gentleness of her spirit…
Yes, I sensed that of her when we touched, spurring a deep desire to connect far beyond the physical in both parts of us. I wished to know my mate’s emotions and desires. Take her under my wing.
Protect her at all costs.
Shower her with the love she deserved for belonging to us as Elijah’s female had shown in the vision that had drastically changed my existence.
“Elijah is a good man,” I stated the truth even as my beast acted petulant over Elijah having known her first.
“He is.” Ashley sat quiet for a few seconds, watching as I sipped my too-sweet drink. She did the same. “You’ve been following me.”
I wasn’t ashamed for trailing after her or camouflaging myself from her human eyes that weren’t yet ready for the truth. “I have.”
“Why couldn’t I see you?”
“I’m good at hiding in shadows.”
She pursed her lips for a moment. “And the sense of eyes on me while I was in my car?”
My inner dragon chuckled his approval over her wily attempt to corner me with questions.
“Did you notice the vehicle following you?” I asked, skirting the truth.
Ashley’s eyes narrowed as she glanced over me. “You aren’t a ghost.”
I tapped my chest to prove her right even though most humans would believe my other half dwelled inside me as a separate presence, invisible unless I allowed him partial freedom.
“I don’t believe in spirits anyway,” she muttered and bit into her donut, tongue flicking out over her top lip at a smear of chocolate.
My groin tightened, and I tore my focus off her mouth to find her still studying my face.
Intuition, while appreciated in a mate, promised a chat to become familiar with one other would not be easy.
“Why didn’t you walk right up to me and introduce yourself like any other normal guy would?”
Lie.
A grimace marred my mouth over my beast’s fear she grew too disbelieving and would soon leave us. “You’re…intimidating.”
“Yeah, okay.” She huffed a sarcastic laugh. “Try again.”
I stared at her face, drinking in the sight of her flawless beauty. “There are no words to describe your perfection.” My dragon side hummed his agreement although he’d waxed poetic about her looks before.
Ashley’s smile dissolved, and the hand lifting her donut up for another bite settled back onto the table.
I ran my gaze over her face and neck, soaking in the sight of her. “Beautiful pale skin. A glorious shade of eyes I’ve never seen the likes of. An imperfect nose that only adds to the draw of your heart-shaped face. Your full lips. Dainty chin. The spackling of freckles over your nose. I love how petite you are, the height difference between us. Makes me feel…strong. Protective. My instinct is to wrap you up in my arms and carry you through life.”
She straightened in her chair. “I don’t need a man in order to survive in this world.”
“I didn’t say that you did.” I’d seen Ashley take more pain than a lot of women could possibly tolerate. “You’re tougher than most would assume. You have an inner fire—a beast, if I had to guess—inside you, gifting you not just strength but grace. You, Ashley, are a queen, and I would love nothing more than to be your king.”
My inner half held his breath, cursing me for going too far.
Wetness welled in Ashley’s eyes, but she forced a laugh, tearing what remained of her donut in two. “I don’t like to be touched, so making a pass like that won’t get you into my panties.”
Fingers aching to dip into her arousal I could scent in the air, I swallowed hard. “I have an aversion to physical contact as well.”
She jerked her focus up, her dark brows furrowing. “You do? Why?”
