Page 9

SIX

ASHER

A sher woke with the sunrise, an instinct as old as his dragon heritage.

His body hummed with leftover energy from last night's encounter.

The memory of Danica's fingers tracing his scales, the look of wonder in her eyes, and the softness of her lips against his sent a wave of heat through his veins all over again.

He stretched his muscular frame across the king-sized bed, the sheets tangled around his legs.

Restraint had never been more difficult than when he'd walked away from her last night.

His dragon had roared in protest, demanding he claim what was clearly his mate.

But Asher prided himself on his control, or at least until last night.

It's what made him an effective Alpha. Although with Danica around, he found that maintaining control was growing increasingly difficult.

Suddenly, an unfamiliar scent wafted through his open bedroom door. Bacon. Eggs. And was that... pancakes?

Asher's nostrils flared, inhaling deeply. His keen senses picked up another scent beneath the food – Danica's unique perfume mixed with something inherently her . His inner dragon stirred with possessive pleasure at the realization she was in his kitchen, making herself at home in his territory.

He sprang from bed, not bothering with a shirt as he pulled on a pair of black athletic shorts. The hardwood felt cool beneath his bare feet as he padded silently through the hallway, following the enticing aromas.

The sight that greeted him in the kitchen doorway stopped him cold.

Danica stood with her back to him, humming softly as she flipped pancakes with expert precision.

She'd changed into a light blue sundress that hugged every delicious curve of her body.

The morning light streamed through the windows, illuminating her long brown hair which fell in loose waves down her back.

Something primal and ancient shifted in Asher. This woman – this human who'd fearlessly touched his dragon form – was moving around his kitchen as if she belonged there. And damn if she didn't.

His eyes tracked her movements, mesmerized by the gentle sway of her hips as she moved between the stove and counter. The dress dipped low enough in front to reveal the tempting curve of her breasts when she leaned forward to adjust the heat.

Mine , his dragon growled within him. Ours .

Asher realized with startling clarity that he wanted to see this every morning – Danica in his space, filling it with warmth and life. The revelation should have terrified him, this sudden certainty after knowing her for barely a day. Instead, it settled something restless inside him.

She turned suddenly, a plate of pancakes in hand, and jumped when she spotted him.

"Jesus!" Her free hand flew to her chest. "How long have you been standing there like some creepy, incredibly fit statue?"

Asher's lips curled into a slow smile. "Long enough to appreciate the view."

A becoming flush spread across her cheeks, but she recovered quickly, gesturing to the feast laid out on his kitchen island.

"Well, unlike someone who shall remain nameless," she said with playful emphasis, "I can actually cook without setting fire to perfectly good food."

No one spoke to him with such casual disrespect – no one dared. Yet from her, it felt like sunshine breaking through clouds he hadn't realized were there.

"Is that so?" He crossed the kitchen in three long strides, closing the distance between them. His eyes locked onto hers, drinking in the flecks of gold in her brown irises.

"Evidence speaks for itself, Mr. Mayor." She waved toward the golden stack of pancakes, crisp bacon, and fluffy scrambled eggs. "Not a burn mark in sight."

The teasing lilt in her voice, the domesticity of the moment, and the sight of her standing in his kitchen as if she'd always been there – it shattered his carefully constructed control.

Asher's hand curved around the nape of her neck, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "Forget the festival," he growled, watching her pupils dilate at his touch.

"What happened to responsibilities first?" Danica's breath hitched, her body swaying toward his like a compass finding true north.

"Some things can't wait."

Asher claimed her mouth with a hunger that surprised even him. There was nothing gentle in this kiss – it was possession, pure and simple. His dragon surged forward, demanding he mark her and claim her, make her understand that she was his in every way that mattered.

Before he had a chance to stop himself, his hands gripped her waist, and he lifted her effortlessly onto the kitchen island.

Her legs instinctively wrapped around him.

The light blue sundress she wore bunched around her thighs, and her breath hitched as he crowded into her space, his eyes dark with hunger.

"Asher," she whispered, her hands sliding up his bare chest. "I thought we weren't doing this yet."

"I can't wait," he growled, his lips finding hers again in a searing kiss that left no room for argument.

His dragon roared inside him, demanding he take, claim, and mark .

But he tempered it with the flicker of humanity that still tethered him.

She wasn't just his mate, she was Danica, and she deserved more than his dragon's primal urges.

He broke the kiss only to trail his mouth down her neck, nipping at the delicate skin there before soothing it with his tongue. Her hands tangled in his dark hair, tugging slightly, and the sensation sent a jolt of pleasure straight to his groin.

"This has to go," he muttered against her skin, pulling at the thin straps of her dress. He needed to see her, all of her. The fabric slipped down to her waist, revealing her full breasts. Her nipples were already hard, begging for his attention.

Asher didn't hesitate. He captured one nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking until she gasped. Her hands gripped his shoulders, and her nails dug in slightly, the sting only fueling his need.

"Asher," she moaned, her voice breathless. "I've never—never done anything like this before. Spontaneous and reckless, on a kitchen island?—"

"Good," he said, moving to her other breast, his tongue swirling around the hardened nipple. "You can be reckless with me."

Her breath hitched, and she let out a soft laugh. Though it quickly turned into a moan as his hands slid up her thighs, pushing the dress higher. His fingers hooked into the edge of her panties, and he paused, looking up at her, his eyes blazing.

"Tell me to stop," he said, his voice filled with desire. "If you want me to stop, say it now."

Danica's eyes locked with his, her brown irises dark with desire. She shook her head, her lips curving into a wicked smile. "Don't you dare stop."

That was all the permission he needed. He slid her panties aside, his fingers finding her already slick folds. She gasped, her hips rocking against his hand as he explored her, finding the spots that made her writhe against him.

"You're so wet," he murmured, his voice low and possessive. "All for me."

"God, Asher," she breathed, her hands gripping the edge of the island as he dropped to his knees in front of her. His hands spread her thighs wider, and he leaned in, his breath hot on her skin before his tongue flicked out, tasting her.

Her head fell back, a moan escaping her lips as he licked and sucked at her sensitive flesh.

Her hands found their way back to his hair, tugging as he worked her over with his mouth.

The sounds she made—little gasps and moans—were music to his ears, driving him to push her further, faster, and harder.

He slid two fingers inside her, curling them just right, and she cried out, her hips bucking against his face. "Yes, yes, don't stop," she begged, her voice trembling.

Asher didn't stop. He couldn't. The taste of her, the way she moved against him, and the way she surrendered completely to the pleasure he gave her—it was intoxicating.

His dragon preened, proud and possessive, but it was the man in him who wanted to make her feel good, who wanted to see her come undone because of him.

"You're close, aren't you?" he breathed, his voice muffled against her sensitive skin. "Let go, Danica. Come for me."

She didn't need to be told twice. Her body tensed and her back arched as her orgasm ripped through her. She cried out loudly, her thighs clamping around his head as he continued to lap at her, drawing out every last wave of her pleasure.

When she finally collapsed back onto the island, breathing hard, Asher rose to his feet, his hands resting on either side of her hips. He leaned down, capturing her soft lips in a slow, deep kiss, letting her taste herself on his tongue.

"You," she breathed against his lips, her hands sliding down his chest, "are dangerous."

"Only for you," he replied, his voice thick with satisfaction.

Asher's hands gripped Danica's hips, her back pressed against the kitchen island, her sundress hiked up around her thighs.

Her breath came in short, uneven gasps as he kissed her, his lips claiming hers with a primal hunger.

His body burned with need, every nerve alight with the feel of her beneath him, her warmth, her softness, and her scent.

His dragon roared inside him, demanding he take her.

He broke the kiss just long enough to yank his athletic shorts down, his large cock springing free, hard and aching. Danica's eyes widened, her lips parting as she took him in, her hands sliding up to grip his shoulders.

"Asher," she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of desire and anticipation.

"Mine," he growled possessively. He positioned himself between her thighs, the tip of his cock brushing against her slick entrance. She gasped, her nails digging deep into his skin as she arched toward him, her body begging for him to fill her.

But just as he was about to sink into her, the sharp chime of the doorbell shattered the moment.

Asher froze, his body tensing with frustration. A low growl rumbled in his chest, and for a split second, he considered ignoring it. But the rational part of his brain—the part that wasn't consumed by the need to claim his mate—knew better.

Danica's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing as she quickly pushed against his chest. "The door," she whispered, her voice breathless.

"Damn it," Asher muttered, reluctantly pulling away.

He yanked his shorts back up, his cock still throbbing with unfulfilled need.

Danica slid off the island, her hands fumbling to adjust the straps of her sundress and smooth the fabric down over her hips.

Her hair was tousled, her lips swollen from his kisses, and she looked so deliciously disheveled that it took every ounce of his willpower not to drag her back into his arms.

"It's probably the festival volunteers," he said, his voice rough with frustration. "They must've gotten the email we sent last night and want to go over some things."

Danica nodded, her hands still smoothing her dress as if that would erase the evidence of what they'd just been about to do. "I'll let them in," she offered, her voice steadier now, though her cheeks were still flushed.

Asher shook his head. "I'm not exactly dressed for company." He gestured to his bare chest and shorts. "I'll run upstairs and throw something on. Be right back."

He started toward the doorway but paused, turning back to her. In two quick strides, he was in front of her again. His hands cupped her face as he kissed her hard and fast, pouring all his frustration and desire into that one searing kiss.

Danica's breath hitched as he pulled away. He gave her one last lingering look before turning and striding toward his bedroom, his bare feet silent on the hardwood. His mind raced as he took the steps two at a time, his body still thrumming with the need to finish what they'd started.

Mine , his dragon growled again, the word echoing in his mind. She's mine.

Asher shoved the thought aside. He needed to get dressed, deal with whoever was at the door, and then figure out how to get Danica alone again. Preferably somewhere with fewer interruptions.

He reached his bedroom and yanked open the closet door, grabbing the first shirt he saw—a simple black button-down—and pulling it on.

He didn’t bother with the buttons, leaving it open to reveal the muscles of his chest. He then put on his black dress pants that he'd left discarded on his bedroom floor last night.

As he turned to head back downstairs, he couldn’t help but smile. Danica was in his home, and soon, she’d be in his bed. The thought sent a surge of possessive satisfaction through him.