Page 130 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Galadon moved to the fireplace, whichwas already full of dry wood. He cocked his head and blew a light stream of yellow-orange flames until the tender caught. Since she’d spent plenty of time around shifters, she knew that if they concentrated hard enough, they could create a fire that would continue to burn after they stopped blowing. From what she understood, it could only be accomplished on a small scale like he’d done.
Once he finished, he came toward her with the ointment jar. “Give me your leg.”
“I can put it on, you know,” she said.
He lifted his brows. “Do I frighten you too much to let me do it?”
“You know very well I’m not scared of you.” Not entirely, anyway.
Galadon held out his hand. “Then prove it to me, brave slayer.”
“Is this some kind of test?”
He said nothing and merely stared at her. Damn him—she was no coward. Rayna lifted her leg, allowing him to take it with his warm hand. He carefully unlaced and slid off her boot, which thankfully had not been damaged, and then pulled off her sock.
“It’s still quite red,” he said, knitting his brows as he examined her skin.
She nodded, having forgotten where her voice went. His touch made her forget everything. Galadon could not possibly understand how much he affected her right now while he behaved gently and kindly. It broke down her barriers against him.
He set her foot on his knee and then grabbed the jar, opening it. A pungent aroma came from within. Galadon wrinkled his nose at the same time she did, though it was likely stronger for him with his shifter senses.
Rayna finally found her ability to speak. “I can do it, so you don’t have to…”
“I’ll do it,” he interrupted. The flames in his eyes were the most vivid she’d ever seen. “You need to relax.”
“It’s hard to do that with you,” she admitted.
His lips quirked, though he didn’t meet her gaze. Galadon began slowly rubbing the ointment into her skin, taking such care that it barely hurt when it should have made her want to leap out of her body. The pain had intensified every time she brushed her leg against the tall grasses outside.
He kept his gaze on her calf. “I could say the same of you.”
“Then why bring me here?”
He didn’t reply until he finished with her leg and set it down. His eyes blazed when he lifted his head, and the emotions reflecting in them shocked her. For the first time, Galadon wasn’t hiding the intense emotions he felt. She saw frustration, tenderness, and lust all tangled together.
“What was the reason you gave for why I’m always so uptight?” he asked.
She cleared her throat. “I can’t remember at the moment.”
“Liar.”
She really was, but he was so close to her now that she could feel his heated breath. “I said you needed to get laid.”
His voice dropped seductive and low. “Didn’t you imply you’d be happy to help me with that problem?”
“I didn’t think you’d ever take me up on that offer,” she said, licking her lips. Where was he heading with this?
He stared at her mouth. “I’ve had some time to think on the matter, and perhaps you’re right.”
“Oh?”
Galadon lifted a hand and ran his fingertips down her neck. Her skin tingled at the sensation. God help her, she tipped her head back to make it easier for him. “My touch doesn’t repulse you at all, does it?”
Rayna swallowed and met his gaze. “Not even a little.”
“What would you do if I kissed you?”
She’d never been more attracted to a man, and it frightened her. “Kiss you back.”
