Page 25 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

25

DAPHNE

T he wind whipped through Daphne's hair as she clung to Archer's scaled back, her heart still racing from their successful meeting. The moonlight glinted off his crimson scales as they soared over the darkened town. Her fingers traced the warm ridges of his back, marveling at how natural it felt to fly with him now.

When they landed in his sprawling backyard, Archer shifted back to his human form in a fluid motion. Daphne's feet had barely touched the ground when she spun to face him, her eyes bright with excitement.

"Did you see how many of them were nodding? At least half seemed ready to turn against Carmen!" The words tumbled out as she bounced on her toes.

Archer's eyes fixed on her with that fierce intensity. "You did well. Better than well." His deep voice carried across the night air between them. "The way you spoke about strength being more than just physical power - you made them question everything they've been taught."

Heat crept into Daphne's cheeks at his praise. "They wouldn't have listened to a word I said if you hadn't stepped in." She wrapped her arms around herself, still feeling the lingering chill from their flight. "When you told them I was stronger than any of them, just in a different way... that changed everything."

"I meant every word." Archer took a step closer, his presence commanding even in the darkness. "You have more strength in your convictions than most dragons have in their entire bodies."

The sincerity in his voice made her heart skip. Daphne looked up at him, noticing how the moonlight caught the auburn highlights in his hair. Her pulse quickened as she realized how close they were standing.

"Thank you for believing in me," she said softly. "For trusting me enough to let me try this my way."

Archer's expression softened almost imperceptibly. "You've proven yourself worth trusting." His hand brushed her arm, sending tingles through her skin. "Let's get inside before you freeze."

The warmth of Archer's mansion enveloped Daphne as they stepped inside, a welcome change from the cool night air.

"Hungry?" Archer asked. "I could cook something."

"You cook?" Daphne couldn't hide her surprise.

"I live alone. Had to learn." He led her into a stunning kitchen with gleaming granite countertops and professional-grade appliances. "Though I'll admit, having company makes it more appealing."

Daphne's heart fluttered at his words. She watched him move through the kitchen with surprising grace for such a powerful man, his muscles flexing as he reached for ingredients in the upper cabinets.

"Here, make yourself useful." He tossed her an onion with a playful smirk. "Unless you're afraid of getting your hands dirty?"

"Please." Daphne rolled her eyes, trying to ignore how attractive he looked with his sleeves rolled up. "I work with dirt for a living."

They fell into an easy rhythm cooking together. Daphne couldn't help stealing glances at him as he expertly wielded a knife, his strong hands moving with precise control. Every time their arms brushed reaching for something, electricity zinged through her body.

"You're staring," he said without looking up from the pan he was stirring.

Heat rushed to her cheeks. "I'm supervising. Making sure you don't burn anything."

His deep chuckle sent warmth pooling in her stomach. "Is that what you call it?"

"Someone has to keep you in line." The words came out more breathless than she intended.

Archer turned to face her fully, his dark eyes intense. "And you think you're up to that task?"

Daphne's breath caught in her throat at his proximity. "I-I've managed so far, haven't I?"

"That you have." His voice dropped lower, sending shivers down her spine.

The air between them crackled with tension as they ate, their conversation peppered with lingering looks and casual touches that felt anything but casual. Daphne's skin tingled every time Archer's fingers brushed hers reaching for the salt, every time his knee bumped hers under the table.

She knew she should pull back, maintain some professional distance. But the way he looked at her across the table, like she was something precious and dangerous all at once, made her want to throw caution to the wind. She was falling hard for this brooding, complex man, and she had no idea if he felt the same way.

The dishes clinked softly as Daphne helped Archer clear the table. Her stomach was pleasantly full, and a comfortable warmth had settled over her. When Archer gestured toward the living room, she followed. She admired how the firelight from the massive stone fireplace cast dancing shadows across the richly furnished space.

He settled onto the leather couch and patted the spot next to him. Daphne's heart skipped as she sat down, hyper-aware of his solid presence beside her. The fire crackled merrily and its warmth seeped into her bones.

"I need to say something," Archer said, his deep voice rumbling through her. His shoulders were tense.

"That sounds ominous." Daphne tried to keep her tone light despite the nervous flutter in her stomach.

He turned those intense dark eyes on her. "I was wrong about the meeting tonight. About trying to stop you from going."

"Oh." She hadn't expected that.

"The thing is..." He paused for a moment. "The thought of you being in danger makes me crazy. When Ned attacked you..." His jaw clenched. "I've never felt rage like that before."

Daphne's breath caught as he shifted closer, his thigh pressing against hers. Heat that had nothing to do with the fire coursed through her.

"You've become..." He paused again, searching for words. "Important to me. Special. And I'm not good at dealing with that."

Her heart hammered in her chest. She wanted to tell him how she felt too, how he'd worked his way past all her defenses with his gruff kindness and hidden vulnerability. But the words stuck in her throat as he continued.

"I'm protective by nature." His voice dropped lower, more intimate. "But with you, it's different. More intense. I want to keep you safe, but I also want to watch you shine." His fingers brushed her cheek. "Like you did tonight."

The tenderness in his touch contrasted with the raw power she could feel thrumming through him. Daphne leaned into his hand, her skin tingling where he touched her.

Daphne's heart raced as she gathered her courage. Archer's hand still rested warm against her cheek as his dark eyes fixed on her.

"Archer, I..." She placed her hand over his where it cupped her face. "These past weeks working with you, getting to know the real you beneath all those rumors - I've fallen in love with you."

His whole body went still, but his thumb stroked softly across her cheekbone. The gesture gave her strength to continue.

"I know tomorrow isn't guaranteed, with Carmen's attack coming. And I couldn't bear the thought of facing that without telling you how I feel." Her voice trembled but held firm. "You're so much more than what people say about you. You're passionate and protective, and underneath all that gruffness is such kindness."

Archer's other hand came up to frame her face, his palms gentle against her skin. "Daphne." Her name came out rough with emotion. "You crashed into my carefully ordered world with your optimism and determination. It made me feel things I thought I'd buried forever." His thumbs traced her cheekbones. "I've tried to fight it, tried to tell myself I don't deserve someone as pure-hearted as you. But I'm in love with you too."

Warmth bloomed in Daphne's chest at his words. She saw the vulnerability in his eyes, knew how much it cost this proud, solitary man to admit his feelings.

"You make me want to be better," he continued, his voice soft. "You see good in everyone, even me. And somehow you've made me believe in it too."

"You are good," Daphne whispered. She reached up to touch his face, tracing the strong line of his jaw. "You just needed someone to remind you."

His hands tightened slightly on her face as he leaned closer, his presence enveloping her. "You've become everything to me," he murmured. "And I never want to let you go."

Daphne's heart fluttered as his dark eyes locked on hers. When his lips touched hers, soft and questioning, warmth bloomed through her entire body. His hand slid to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading through her hair as he deepened the kiss. Electric tingles raced down her spine at the gentle pressure.

"You're trembling," he murmured against her lips.

"Good trembling," she whispered back, her hands coming up to rest on his broad chest. She could feel his heart thundering beneath her palms.

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his expression intense. "Tell me if you want me to stop."

Daphne shook her head, already missing the warmth of his lips. "Don't you dare."

A growl rumbled in his chest as he claimed her mouth again. This kiss was different - deeper, hungrier. His powerful arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer until she was practically in his lap. Heat surged through her veins as his tongue swept across her bottom lip, asking for entrance.

She melted against him, parting her lips with a soft sigh. Every brush of his tongue against hers sent sparks shooting through her body. His hand tangled in her hair, tilting her head to deepen the kiss further. The possessive gesture made her shiver with delight.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Daphne felt dizzy with sensation. Archer's eyes had darkened to midnight, pupils blown wide with desire. His thumb traced her lower lip, now slightly swollen from his kisses.

"I've wanted to do that for weeks," he admitted, his voice rough.

"Why didn't you?" She traced patterns on his chest, enjoying how his muscles jumped beneath her touch.

"Because once I started, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop." He captured her lips again in a searing kiss that made her toes curl.