Page 68

Bree

Well, that wasn’t something I ever thought I’d experience. Not just seeing a dragon turn solid—a thing I didn’t even know was possible—but also hearing his voice in my head. I actually talked to a dragon. Calvin was going to be so jealous.

Heat spread across my back, and I knew Dominic stood behind me. It was time to pay for my sins. I took a deep breath and turned to face him.

My heart thudded erratically against my ribs. Great goddess below. He was so gorgeous. There was no other way to describe him. Sweat glistened along his bronze neck, and I had the sudden urge to lick a trail down his body.

I gave myself a little shake. We weren’t here for that. I had an apology to give and hoped he would forgive me.

Then maybe there could be some licking.

Good gravy, Bree! Get it together.

I forced my gaze to meet his. Those deep amber eyes stared back at me with an intensity that sent a shiver straight down to my core, where it tingled and distracted me again. This was going to be tougher than I’d thought.

I cleared my throat. “Nic, I’m so sorry. I?—”

“So, this is why she left us high and dry,” Frankie’s gravelly voice cut my words off. “Did we miss the fight?”

The fae woman strolled casually toward us while Marissa expressed her feelings with actual stomps and a death glare. Good thing looks couldn’t actually kill.

Dominic stepped between us, his back to me. “Respectfully, get the fuck out.Now.”

Whatever they saw on his face stopped them up short. I expected to see fear or worry in their expressions, assuming he was about to lay into me for what I’d done. Instead, the two women shared a knowing grin and started backing away.

Frankie even winked at me. “We’ll make sure you two have some privacy.”

I stared after them as they retreated out the door and shut it behind them. I couldn’t be completely sure, but I thought I heard a lock click into place.

The Red Dragon faced me once again, his expression unreadable, and I gulped. No one was coming to rescue me. They’d left me alone with an actual dragon who was probably furious he didn’t get to rip Ichiro’s throat out and still thirsted for blood.

Super. I was dead.

At least Jou had disappeared. One angry dragon would be tough enough to fight off.

“How could you do that to me?” he asked as he stepped closer. So close I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

I wasn’t entirely sure what ‘that’ he referred to. My disappearance? Not letting him kill his grandfather? I decided he meant the former.

“I know. I’m sorry. I made a gross error in judgment. Hiding my identity has been second nature for the past ten years, but I should have been honest with you about the fight and what was happening at the very least, even if I couldn’t tell you everythingabout who I am. Regardless, I should have put more trust in you.”

Uncertainty flickered in my mind as he simply stared at me. I wasn’t sure what else he wanted me to say, or apologize for.

“We both kept things from each other,” I added.

His eyes narrowed a fraction, and I continued in a hurry, “But I mean, how well could I trust you, you know? We only knew each other for a few short weeks, and yes, I really liked you. I still do, as a matter of fact.” Heat flushed up my neck and cheeks. Goddess above, this was getting embarrassing. “I’m trying to say that I feel like you’re trustworthy, but I’m also worried that I’m being naïve or gullible. You’ve got quite the reputation as a ladies’ man, you know.”

He raised his eyebrows, effectively ending my rambling.

“Are you denying your reputation?” I asked.

“Not at all. I’m just surprised.”

“About what?”

“That’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak in one go,” he said.

Not only was he angry with me, but now he was making fun of me. This was not going how I’d planned. At all. Time to abort the mission.