Page 30 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

Daphne stood in her greenhouse, surrounded by the vibrant colors and sweet fragrances of her prized flowers. The morning sunlight streamed through the glass panels. She closed her eyes and breathed in deeply, savoring the earthy scent of soil mixed with blooming roses and lilies.

"Those orchids aren't going to water themselves," Archer's deep voice came from behind her. "Though knowing you, you'd probably find a way to make them do just that."

She turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, a playful smirk on his face. Wood shavings dusted his shirt, evidence of his morning's work.

"I could," she teased, "but then what would I do with all my free time?"

"Come bother me in my workshop, no doubt." He crossed the greenhouse in three long strides and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Like you did yesterday. And the day before."

"I don't recall hearing any complaints." She reached up and brushed some sawdust from his hair. "Besides, your customers love it when I add flower accents to your pieces."

Through the greenhouse windows, Daphne spotted Mrs. Henderson walking past with her shopping bags. The elderly woman waved cheerfully at them - such a change from a year ago when she'd cross the street to avoid Archer.

"Remember when people used to think you were some kind of monster?" Daphne laughed. "Now they're commissioning custom jewelry boxes and bringing you treats."

"It's entirely your fault." He pressed a kiss to her temple. "You and your annoying ability to see the best in everyone."

The bell above the shop door chimed. Daphne caught the slight tensing in Archer's shoulders - old habits died hard - but he relaxed almost immediately.

"That'll be the Morrison wedding order," she said. "Go on back to your workshop. I know you still need to finish their arbor."

"Demanding woman." But his eyes sparkled with affection as he released her. "Dinner tonight?"

"Only if you promise to actually stop working at a reasonable time today."

"I make no such promises." He headed for the connecting door to his workshop, pausing to look back at her. "But for you, I'll try."

Daphne watched him go, her heart full. Their shared space was everything she'd dreamed of and more - her lush greenhouse flowing seamlessly into his woodworking sanctuary. Together they had created something beautiful in this shop on Belladonna Boulevard.

Daphne hummed as she arranged a bouquet of sunset-hued roses, her fingers dancing through the delicate petals. The afternoon sun streamed through the greenhouse windows, casting a warm glow across her workspace. She can't believe that one year had already passed since Archer had given her this dream shop, and every day still felt magical.

She caught his reflection in the glass as he carried a newly finished chest through the connecting door. His muscles flexed under his shirt, and sawdust dusted his auburn hair. Her heart skipped just like it had that first time he'd defended her against Carmen.

"You're staring again," he said without turning around, a smirk in his voice.

"Can you blame me?" Heat rose to her cheeks. "My boyfriend is quite the sight."

He set down the chest and crossed to her in two long strides, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Your boyfriend sounds like a lucky man."

"He'd better remember that." She leaned back against his chest.

"Every day." His lips brushed her ear. "Though I still can't quite figure out how a ray of sunshine like you fell for a grumpy dragon."

"You're not that grumpy anymore." She turned in his arms to face him. "Well, maybe in the mornings before coffee."

She stretched up on her tiptoes to kiss him properly. "Now go finish that commission before you distract me any more today."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before heading back to his workshop.

Last year, she never would have imagined this life - their shops seamlessly merged together, just like their lives. He'd given her the confidence to shine, to stand tall in who she was. And she'd shown him that letting people in didn't make him weak.

Together, they were stronger than either could be alone.

Daphne wiped down the last display case, her mind wandering to Archer's mysterious behavior all day. He'd been smirking to himself, shooting her knowing looks that made her stomach flutter with anticipation.

"Leave that," he commanded from behind her, his deep voice brooking no argument. "I've got plans for you tonight."

"Do you now?" She turned to find him freshly changed into a crisp black button-down that highlighted his broad shoulders. "You clean up nice."

"And you're still covered in pollen." His dark eyes gleamed as he pulled her close. "Go change into that green dress I like. I laid it out for you in the back."

"Bossy dragon." But she couldn't hide her smile as she headed to the back room to change.

Twenty minutes later, they walked arm in arm down the cobblestone streets. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of pink and gold, and the evening air carried the sweet scent of blooming moonflowers. Daphne's heart skipped when she recognized their destination - Bella Notte, the same Italian restaurant where they'd had their first unofficial date a year ago.

"You remembered," she whispered, squeezing his arm.

"Of course I did." He guided her inside with a possessive hand on her lower back. "It was the first time I realized I was in trouble with you."

The hostess led them to a secluded corner booth - the same one they'd sat in before. Back then, they'd been discussing strategy against Carmen. Now, Archer pulled her close against his side instead of sitting across from her.

"What made you realize you were in trouble?" Daphne asked, genuinely curious.

"You seemed to genuinely care about me." His fingers traced patterns on her shoulder. "No one had ever done that before. Then you smiled at me like I wasn't some monster to be feared but someone that could be trusted."

"You were never a monster." She leaned into him. "Just a grouchy dragon who needed someone to remind him how to laugh."

The waiter appeared with a bottle of wine - the same vintage they'd shared that first night. Daphne's heart swelled at how much thought Archer had put into recreating that evening, but making it uniquely theirs this time.

Daphne savored the last bite of her tiramisu, the rich coffee flavor melting on her tongue. The candlelight caught the amber flecks in Archer's dark eyes as he watched her with that intensity that made her skin tingle.

"You've got a little..." He reached across the table and brushed his thumb across the corner of her mouth, the gesture possessive yet tender.

"If you wanted to steal a taste, you could have just asked," she teased, though her heart fluttered at his touch.

"I've never been good at asking for things." His voice dropped lower, sending shivers through her. "But I'm learning."

He suddenly stood up, his movements fluid and precise. Rather than coming to her side as she expected to help her get up, he dropped to one knee beside their table. Daphne's breath caught as understanding dawned.

"A year ago, you stormed into my life and refused to let me push you away." He pulled a small wooden box from his pocket - one he must have carved himself. "You knocked down all the walls I’d built around my heart. You make me want to be better, just to deserve that beautiful smile of yours."

Daphne's eyes filled with tears as he opened the box, revealing a ring with an emerald the exact shade of her magic when she worked with her plants.

"I’m occasionally grumpy and arrogant, and that probably will never change." His lips quirked into that crooked smile she loved so much. "But I'm yours, if you'll have me. Will you marry me, witch?"

"Yes," she whispered, then laughed through her tears. "Yes, you impossible dragon."

His hands were steady as he slipped the ring onto her finger, but Daphne could feel the slight tremor in them that betrayed his emotion. Around them, the restaurant had gone quiet, but Daphne barely noticed, lost in the intensity of Archer's gaze.

He stayed kneeling, his thumb stroking over her knuckles. "I love you, Daphne Throne."

"I love you too, Archer Hawke." She squeezed his hands, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.

Archer slid back into the booth beside Daphne. His eyes blazed with possessive heat as he cupped her face in his hands and claimed her lips. The kiss tasted of tiramisu and promises, making Daphne's heart soar. She melted into him, her fingers curling into his shirt as warmth spread through her chest.

When they finally broke the kiss, Daphne couldn't stop smiling. The emerald ring caught the candlelight, sending green sparkles dancing across the tablecloth. A year ago, she had only dreamed of owning the bigger flower shop on Belladonna Boulevard. Now, she had that and so much more - a thriving business, a greenhouse full of treasured plants, and most importantly, a former grumpy dragon who'd become her everything.

"What are you thinking about?" Archer's thumb traced her bottom lip.

"How you've ruined all my careful life plans." She laughed at his raised eyebrow. "I was supposed to be a simple florist, remember? Instead, I'm engaged to the most feared dragon shifter in town."

"Former most feared." His lips quirked. "Thanks to you, I'm practically domesticated now."

"Oh please." She poked his chest.

Archer captured her hand, pressing a kiss on her palm. "Besides, you like that I'm still a little dangerous."

"I like everything about you." Daphne leaned into him, breathing in his familiar scent of cedar and smoke.

This was better than any dream she could have imagined for herself - this fierce, protective love that made her feel both cherished and free to be exactly who she was.