Page 40 of Destined By Dragonblood
Partial truth.
“Like you, it’s personal, but let’s just say that I tend toward feeling more than mere warmth or smoothness when I touch another person’s skin.”
“So, you’re like an empath?”
Inner beast silent, I considered Ashley’s comparison. Since there really was no other way to describe a supernatural bonding of mates, I nodded. “I guess you could call me that. What about you?”
“I’m not done with my interrogation.”
I chuckled along with my beast and bit into my own donut, the burst of sweetness not nearly as delicious as Ashley would be on my tongue. “Then ask away, beautiful.”
She did—and I answered the questions that I could and brushed off those I couldn’t.
Like how she swore she felt me watching her throughout the week even when I wasn’t within sight.
I had been close enough to touch, but she wasn’t yet ready for that revelation.
“Perhaps you enjoyed my longing stare from those moments I was physically present that you imagined them when I wasn’t,” I suggested.
Ashley narrowed her eyes again and popped the last bite of her snack between her lips. “Something is…not right with you Dolyn Kemmerly.”
Stomach turning to rock, my smile faded. The beast within me curled in on himself deep inside me. “What do you mean?”
She worked her lips side to side as though nibbling on the tender flesh inside. “You aren’t being completely honest with me.”
“Would you be open and vulnerable if I asked you personal questions?” I shot back, not unkindly but hoping to make her see my reasoning for silence on certain topics.
“You have a point.” She crumpled up her napkin and pushed it inside her empty cup.
I filled my lungs as my inner beast’s tension eased slightly. “Perhaps we could meet again and get to know each other better,” I offered. “In time, you will come to realize that my intentions toward you are pure. I will never manipulate, coerce, or force you against your will.”
Her eyes grew misty, and my instincts growled deep inside. Who had hurt her? When, why, and how? They would know the sharpness of our claws, the power of our jaw, and our ability to rip a human limb from limb without effort.
Yessss.
“I would like to see you again,” Ashley finally said, “but don’t get your hopes up.”
Regardless of her warning, my heartbeat stuttered. “Everyone could use another friend.”
“That is true.” A soft smile, one without a trace of unease, curved her mouth, causing renewed warmth in my groin.
“Can I have your number?”
She hesitated. “Give me yours, and I’ll contact you. Maybe we can meet for lunch next Saturday?”
A huff of dissatisfaction sounded inside me, but I refused to push Ashley until she was ready for the full truth between us.
“I would love nothing more.” I recited my digits once she had her cell in hand.
“Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you better,” I said as she put her phone back into her purse. “And for not running away while I worked up the nerve to finally talk to you.”
“Thank you for the drink and donut,” she replied. “But honesty from here on out, okay?”
I nodded and stood to help her with her coat, careful to keep from crossing the line she’d set between us about physical touch.
Someday, I would be gifted the opportunity to feast on every inch of her. But until then, I would practice patience no matter how desperate my instincts were to claim and breed the precious one who belonged to me.
Chapter 12
