Page 19 of Fire Dragon
He was getting tired of hearing the brother’s name so often on Emma’s lips. “You really don’t mind my being here? I mean after what happened?”
Her brows rose. “Of course not. Besides, if we’re going to be working together like Santos said, we’ll need to make peace and find some common ground. Although, I think battling the Magi should do it for us.”
“As to that, I’ll be talking to our boss. He’s never insisted on partnering before. Ever. He’s always thought it a bad idea. He wants the teams to remain loose and fresh.”
“You won’t get an argument from me. I was looking forward to being of service to all of you.”
Maybe it was her choice of words, or maybe that she looked so beautiful in the waning light of day, but there it was again, a shard of resentment that she kept talking about other men.
He picked up his second beer and before long saw the bottom of the bottle.
“More?”
“No.” It came out like a bark. He squeezed his eyes shut, then opened them. “I mean, no, thank you. I didn’t intend to be so abrupt.”
She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I’m starting to feel it now, the post-battle let-down. I admit I was on a high.”
“Right. This was your first.”
“It was. And I hate to admit it, but it was glorious especially during the very last part with that big dragon. I’d never seen their eyes up close before. It was like black tiger stripes on a yellow iris. By the way, what did you do that allowed me to access your energy like I did? I mean I was able to stand upright while you were flapping and rolling.”
“Excuse me? Flapping and rolling?” But he laughed. “You make me sound like a clown in a circus.”
She grinned which showed faint dimples. “Believe me, when a rider is being tossed around like that, yup, flapping and rolling.”
He held her gaze. “As for the energy, I have no idea. I don’t recall doing anything out of the ordinary. I believe whatever happened back there was about you. Santos said you had something special. Today proves it. What do you think? What did you do?”
Her amusement faded. “I don’t know. I suddenly knew that I could access your energy but I honestly thought it was something you did. Got any ideas?”
“Not really. I’ve never had a rider attach to my energy before. Can you recall what it felt like at the time?”
Her brow grew furrowed as she set her wineglass on the table. “Like stepping into the river of your energy then being covered by it. The sensation was tangible, and I knew I could stand up and I wouldn’t fall or be knocked down without tremendous force.”
“Even when I was flapping and rolling, you mean?”
She laughed. “Yes, even when you were moving like that.” She then yawned. “Oh, I’m so sorry. Why do my muscles feel leaden all of sudden?”
“A battle, a good meal and some wine.”
“All I want to do is sleep.”
He couldn’t say the same, not exactly. He liked being here, even being with Emma in what felt like a friendly manner. But right now, that ‘fourth option’ came into his head and he thought about heading out to a bar for some action.
She rose to her feet and took her plate and glass in hand. “You know where the guest room is, but I wouldn’t be offended if you wanted to take off. So, please yourself. You’re more than welcome to stay.”
He rose as well and gathered up his own dishes. “I’ll be staying.” He’d said the words before he even thought about the alternative. The truth was, without understanding all the meanings, he wanted to be here, in Emma’s home, for the night.
Yet to stay suddenly felt like a big mistake.
~ ~ ~
Later, as Emma lay in bed, she was more alert than she’d expected to be.
She kept plucking at the sheets, her gaze fixed to the rock ceiling. She’d had rivulets of sparkling red crystals laid into the uneven surface and she often tracked the small streams as she was falling asleep. She wanted to have more put in just for the pleasure of it.
Right now, however, she had two troubling thoughts. The entire time she’d been enjoying her meal, she’d hoped Liam would suggest they share her bed for the night.
A shiver went through her. She would have said yes, yes, and another yes.
