Page 24 of Taken By the Dragon Prince (Dragon Lords 4)

Khalstorm’s throat went dry as she accepted another berry from him, her full glossy lips brushing the tips of his fingers.

Feeding her like this spurred a different kind of hunger in him, white-hot and erotic. He was bombarded by images of tasting the sweetness of her mouth with his. Would those juicy lips feel as soft as he remembered? His thoughts suddenly tumbled to the past.

He knew Celeste had just entered the library, though he couldn’t see her from where he lounged on a second-floor sofa, pretending to be interested in the book in his lap and acting like he hadn’t come here nearly every day hoping to run into her.

He knew she’d arrived because her scent was his personal siren’s call. He knew because whenever she was near, his skin prickled with tingling awareness. He knew because his body tensed, all his nerves commanding him to sit up and pay attention.

And he did.

He peeked over the ledge, watching her stride confidently across the room, her hips swaying sinuously. Her sex appeal seemed innate and unconscious, but if asked, she’d likely call herself plain. She had no idea how alluring she was.

She wore a simple deep-blue dress with laces down the front of the bodice. He imagined undoing those laces with his teeth.

Control yourself.

In her hand, she carried a book with a red cover . . . the one he regretted recommending. What would she make of it?

When she began ascending the stairs, he fought to control his body’s reaction to her, adjusting the bulge in his pants and trying to appear casual.

Once on the landing, she spotted him. Her eyes lit up and she sent him the most glorious smile. In this moment, he could swear she was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen.

“Oh, hi,” she said, and then slipped her book back into its rightful place.

He greeted her warmly in return, rising to his feet, “How did you like the book?”

Her nose twitched and crinkled slightly. “It was good.”

He’d learned what that micro expression meant. She was telling a fib. He grinned slyly. “Be honest. You donna have to spare my feelings.”

She shot him a sideways smirk. “What makes you think I’m not being honest?”

He moved closer and then ran the back of his knuckle down the bridge of her nose. She stilled, surprised by the unexpected touch. “I can just tell when you’re lying. Tell me, what did you really think of the book?”

Sardonic brow raised, she sighed. “Well, I just wish the main character had been a little more compassionate toward the witch.”

“Is that so? She did capture him and lock him up, you know. Planning to use him to bolster her dark magic.”

“I know, but she had her reasons . . . not that I agree with her methods, mind you,” she hastily added at his look. “She just had such a tragic backstory, losing her brothers and sisters to a war none of them wanted. She only wished to bring her family back from the past—such magic doesn’t exist, by the way. If he’d just talked to her, made an effort to connect, he might have swayed her to set him free. They could have helped each other. Maybe even become friends in the end.”

Khalstorm laughed. “Why not lovers?” He’d meant it as a joke, but she blinked up at him and then blushed, quickly glancing away. “Wouldn’t that have been a nice ending?”

Did she have to be so cute all the goddamn bloody time?

Her gaze snapped back to him, narrowing slightly. “What do you mean you can tell when I’m lying?”

His lips curled up into a sly grin. “I just can.”

“You cannot. You just guessed.”

“Nope. Try me. Tell me a lie.”

“Like what?”

“Did you like dancing with me at the ball?”

Her expression lit up, and he felt his chest expand. Then she remembered herself and forced a frown. “No.” Her nose twitched.

“Lie.”

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