Page 14 of Flame it Up

Gerri sent me out here. She practically drew me a map.

Pyrus approached slowly, his eyes making out a small tent with a lantern hung out front. As he got closer, he saw two fold-up chairs in front of it. One of them was empty.

In the other was his mate.

Pyrus paused in the darkness, knowing she wasn’t aware of him yet, and probably wouldn’t be able to see him if she looked up. He drank in her beauty, enjoying the chance to watch her while she was unaware.

Mazie was curled up in the chair, her legs folded up against her. She had a book resting on her knees, and it was clear by her focused attention that she was really into it. Her cool green eyes flew across the pages as she absorbed the words. Pyrus was too far away to see the title.

Her long, light brown hair was pulled into a messy knot at her neck, with pale strands drifting around her face. The light flickered as moths passed back and forth in front of the lantern, and made her shimmer like something ethereal, truly not of this world.

Mazie sported an oversized, long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and curl up with her. She looked so cozy. Pyrus was almost sorry he’d wanted to see her in formal dress.

He took a few steps closer, still sure that she couldn’t see him. Her eyes remained fixed on the book. Pyrus watched. Heat was rising in him again.

It was undeniable. His dragon recognized her. His body tensed as his muscles swelled and adrenaline poured through his veins. The urge to take her was so strong that it was a throbbing pain. Pyrus had never been so hard in his entire life.

She sat up slightly, and Pyrus stayed absolutely still. He was enjoying watching her so much that he was careful to contain himself unless he disturbed her.

Then she opened her mouth and lazily stuck her tongue out. Pyrus stifled a cry as the hot pulsing between his legs increased. He knew exactly where he wanted that tongue.

She lifted one hand from the edge of the book and put her fingertip in her mouth. Again, Pyrus had to hold himself still with a fierce act of will.

It only took a couple of seconds for Mazie to lick her finger so she could catch the corner of the book and flip the page, but to Pyrus, it felt like an eternity. Lust raged through him, taking his breath away and making his temples pound. He found himself taking small steps toward her, unable to resist the pull of her scent.

Automatically, part of his mind turned outward to assess for threats or see if anyone was nearby to disturb them. He was slightly shocked to find she was out here all by herself with absolutely no one around. His intense desire was dampened by a strong, sharp bolt of worry.

“Mazie,” he snapped, coming out of the shadows toward her. “What the hell are you doing out here by yourself?”

Mazie jumped in her chair so hard that she almost fell out of it. Her green eyes were wide and confused as she looked him up and down. Pyrus strode into the circle of light made by her lantern and stood in front of her with his arms folded while he waited for her to answer his question.

SIX

MAZIE

Mazie was so startled by the sudden voice that she almost dropped her book. For a few moments, her head swam, and blood pounded in her ears. She’d come out here purposefully to be alone, and she hadn’t expected to be disturbed.

She clung to the book, not letting it fall, as she sat up and quickly put her feet on the ground. After the incident earlier today, she was ready for just about anything.

When her eyes finally focused on the figure that stepped into the light, Mazie’s heart didn’t slow. It sped up tenfold.

It’s him. Pyrus.

His glinting, deep golden eyes were fixed on her with a kind of intense focus she only associated with big predators, not people. She could tell by the set of his shoulders and the bulging arm muscles that he was tense.

Did he ask me a question?

Mazie couldn’t remember if he had or not. She was still blinking up at him as if he had literally reached out and stolen her voice. She swallowed, but her mouth stayed brick dry.

Gerri said he was my mate.

The moment drew out between them. His eyes were so intense and predatory that Mazie felt like a helpless rabbit on a treeless plain.

Are you going to hunt me down … eat me, maybe?

“Mazie,” Pyrus snapped. “I asked you a question. What are you doing out here by yourself?”

Mazie heard the question, but it didn’t register. His words sparked her thoughts back to life and returned her power of speech.

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