Page 12 of The Baby Dragon Cafe (The Baby Dragon #1)

Chapter 12

D inner at the Sterlings was an entire event. At first, Saphira had felt a little out of place at the table, not knowing exactly how to act, what the correct etiquette was for the occasion, but then she would just look over at Aiden, and it was so easy to feel like she belonged. He was steady, solid beside her.

Saphira was a bit overwhelmed by his family, but still, they were all incredibly lovely. Genevieve was adorable, and Saphira already loved Emmeline. Aiden’s grandad was such fun, Ollie was hilarious, Aiden’s parents were so kind, and everyone else seemed great, too.

While Saphira could tell Aiden adored his family, she could also see that he was clearly ready to go home. So after dinner, when everyone else was settling in for more talking over green tea, she asked Aiden if he wouldn’t mind dropping her home now, since she had an early morning at the cafe.

“Of course.” He sighed with relief. She smiled, and he must have suspected she had made the request for his benefit, for his eyes crinkled. “Thank you, Saphira.”

A shiver ran down her spine. There was something so intimate about him saying her name, as if he savored the taste of it in his mouth. She wondered what else he might savor the taste of if given the chance …

Surely thoughts she should not be having whilst surrounded by his family! Saphira internally scolded herself.

They said their goodbyes, and he wrapped her shawl around her, his hands lingering on her shoulders. She felt the calluses on his hands through the fabric and longed to feel his hands on her bare skin.

Everyone had been acting as if she and Aiden were on a date, and even though she knew they weren’t, still she ached for what the ending of a date might entail.

They exited the grand house into the quiet night, and Aiden released a long breath. As she looked at his moonlit face, the shadows his jaw cast along his throat, she didn’t want to go home just yet. She wanted the night to last a little longer.

“I’ll ring for the caretakers to bring Sparky,” Aiden said.

“Actually, can you show me around the grounds?” Saphira asked. “I want to see the dragons.”

“Of course,” he said, offering her his elbow.

She took his arm, and he led the way, ushering her across the estate. Saphira was amazed by the mansion from the outside, how grand it was. The grounds were beautiful, meticulously groomed and crafted along the hill, but what she was really keen to see were the dragons.

When they reached the stables, her mouth fell open with wonder. Firstly, the stables were massive, double the size of what she’d expected. Secondly, she had never seen this many dragons in one place in her life. Some were resting within the stables, while others were playing in the field, and a few flew up above.

They were all basalta breeds, scales glimmering midnight black, eyes a gorgeous purple. And they were stunning.

The basalta breed was the most prestigious breed of dragon, even she knew that. Which meant that the Sterlings were amongst the most powerful and wealthy Drakkon families—if not the most powerful Drakkon family, for Aiden’s father was on the Dragon Council.

Suddenly, she felt way out of her depth, insecurity spreading through her. This was a whole different world than the one she was used to, and Aiden had been born and raised within it.

It was not even simply about the wealth the family enjoyed, it was this generational privilege and power and the dragons—things she couldn’t quantify, things she would never understand nor be a part of, no matter what she did.

Saphira looked at the stable hands, the caretakers tending to the dragons. Even though they worked with the dragons, they were the help. She was basically the help, as well, in her cafe.

Those baby dragons would never be hers. She was not on the same level as these Drakkon families, as Aiden, and she never could be.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a caretaker bringing forward a sleeping Sparky in his arms. She was glad to see him and thankful to the caretaker for bringing him back to her and Aiden.

“Shall we head home?” Aiden asked, offering her his hand.

Saphira recalled how, under the table, when she had reached for him, he had been reaching for her, as well. How he had held onto her and it had felt as though she was anchored. All the noise around her had dimmed, and it was just them.

Saphira took his hand and smiled. “Let’s.”

They went to Aiden’s car, where the caretaker deposited Sparky into the backseat. Aiden drove her home, meandering slowly through the hills. She looked out the window, basking in how lovely it all was, despite how overwhelming.

Everyone had been so kind. When she had first entered and seen how fancy his house was, she was scared they would disapprove of her—but the fear had been easily dispelled in the first few moments.

Slotting into his family had been so easy, so seamless. There were too many people at the table to keep track of, but she loved seeing Aiden with his family. Even if he was a little out of his depth, he was still comfortable around them.

He seemed to be equally comfortable with her now. Saphira was paying close attention to the little changes in his behavior, when he was more anxious, when he was more relaxed. She had watched him throughout the night, noticing when he looked overstimulated, when he looked calmer.

She enjoyed watching him. Even now as he drove, her eyes kept stealing over to him. He had chucked his jacket off, and his sleeves were rolled up, revealing the strong lines of his forearms.

One hand was on the wheel while the other rested lightly on the stick shift; he had long, elegant fingers, like a pianist, or a surgeon. The signet ring on his left hand glinted in the moonlight, the same light which illuminated his face in shifting glimmers as they drove by trees.

More and more, Saphira was understanding that Aiden wasn’t a grump or a bore, he was just shy and nervous. A recluse. He didn’t like being around too many people—but he did like her.

Or at least, she thought he did. But maybe that was her being optimistic.

They arrived at her place, and he parked in front.

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Aiden said, unbuckling his belt.

“Thank you.”

They stepped out, Sparky still asleep in the back, and Aiden locked the car, even though there was no danger at the moment. Main Street was empty, all the shops closed, everyone home for the night. The scene looked to her like a postcard, or an image from a snow globe.

They walked to the side door, stopping in front.

“Thanks for letting me tag along,” Saphira said, turning to Aiden. In her heels, she didn’t have to look up so much, and she enjoyed being this close to his face, being able to peer into his dark eyes.

“Thanks for coming,” he replied. “I’m sure you probably have a headache.”

“No, I loved it!” Tears pricked her eyes. “It was so nice. I don’t have anything like that now, so it was … It was really nice.”

“Hey,” Aiden said, frowning. “You’ve got Sparky and …” He hesitated, and her heart stopped. “And me,” he said. “We’re doing this together, right?”

Her heart glowed. She smiled, stepping forward to kiss his cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. Desire hummed through her at the point of contact, and she pulled away before she got carried away.

But Aiden lingered, not yet leaving.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked, not wanting him to go, either. “Maybe have some tea?” His eyes crinkled, as if she’d stolen the thought from his head.

“Yes,” he replied. “Let me just get Sparky.”

He went to retrieve the sleeping baby dragon, and Saphira let them into the quiet cafe, turning on a small section of lights by the lounge chairs and fireplace. It felt right, just the three of them, even with Sparky asleep. Like they were a little family.

But that was a dangerous thought, one she could not entertain.

On the topic of family, Saphira wondered what it would be like to grow up with a family like the Sterlings.

“You’re right, I do kind of have a headache,” Saphira said with a smile, setting about preparing some green tea for them. “I don’t mind, though.”

After the tea was ready and Sparky was in a little bed, she and Aiden sat on the lounge chairs. Since the cafe was empty, and it had rained that day, it was a little chilly, so Aiden quickly lit the fire. She watched the muscles in his shoulders move as he set the logs down, the nimble fingers of his hands as he struck a match. The low glow of flickering flames warmed the space between them.

“My family is a lot, but it was perfect for someone like Danny, who was always goofing off or playing around,” Aiden said, sitting down on the lounge chair. She handed him his tea. “He had this whole host of cousins to play with, and aunts and uncles to perform for. He was always surrounded by a crowd; he hated being alone.” Aiden laughed lightly. “Whereas I was the opposite. I was always hiding away, trying to find moments of peace and quiet.”

“That is so different from my upbringing,” Saphira told him, teacup warming her palms. “I only ever had Nani-Ma; it was always just the two of us.” She thought about it for a second. “I was an accident, I think,” Saphira said quietly. “I don’t think I was supposed to be born.”

Aiden looked affronted by that. He was silent for a moment, his eyebrows wrinkled as he thought. “You’re no accident, Saphira,” he said, voice low. “You’re a dream come true.”

Her cheeks felt warm at that. She smiled at him, hoping he knew just how much she appreciated the words. They continued talking, until Saphira finished her tea. She set the cup down, feeling so relaxed, even though the day had been long.

She yawned, and Aiden put his cup down as well, standing. “You should get some rest,” he said, picking Sparky up with one arm.

“That’s probably a good idea,” she said, even though she loved being around him. Saphira walked Aiden to the door, where he paused.

“You can come to family dinner whenever you want,” he said, being a little awkward about it. “I’m not sure if you’d want to, but if you ever did, it’s an open invitation.”

“I’d love that,” she said, smiling wide. “Thanks again.”

“Goodnight, Saphira,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. His lips brushed against her skin, sending a tingle down her spine.

She felt the scrape of his stubble against her face and lingered there for a moment, cherishing the contact. Saphira closed her eyes, listening to the sound of his shuddering breath. Her heart was hammering against her chest, blood roaring in her ears.

Her knees went weak, and she swayed. His free hand came onto her waist, steadying her. Tension reverberated through her. Saphira’s dress was a thin silk, and she felt the imprint of his fingers against the curve of her waist. Her body pulsed.

She stepped closer—but Sparky was between them, in Aiden’s other arm. The baby dragon hissed, eyes opening into slits. He was irritated to be woken, glaring at the both of them.

The moment broke.

Saphira smiled, stepping back. “Goodnight,” she whispered.

He swallowed, his eyes dark.

“Goodnight,” he replied, voice rough.