Page 68 of The Mating Claim

“And now that you realize the book does more harm thangood?”

Lacey shrugged. “I wish I’d never see her again. Sometimes I wish she’d find another kid, the wrong kid whose real parents cared and would exact revenge for her sick kind of mothering. Anyway, forget her. I’m onvacation!”

Drust joined her at the railing. “It is not a vacation. I was here not long ago, aiding another shifter when Tristan was busy. It’s a good place for mortals torelax.”

Lacey gave him a sideways glances. “I should think for immortals as well. You do too much thinking. Relaxing, yeah, you need to do more of that. You’re a little uptight,wizard.”

Not liking the path of this conversation, he fought against his first instinct to scowl. “I have many responsibilities, Lacey. I am the Coldfire Wizard and rule over all dragons. Do you know how many recalcitrant dragons there are in theworld?”

“No, but I’m probably one of them.” She grinned, the first real smile he’d seen since finding her on the roadside. “Everyone needs a break once in a while. Evenyou.”

The weight of all his responsibilities seemed crushing at times, and yet here was a mortal who urged him to take… avacation?

“You spent all that time in the afterworld, unable to live, and now you’re immortal and corporeal again. Enjoy yourself! Stop taking life soseriously.”

Frowning, he tilted his head. “Others have told me I am far too serious. And yet I have duties toperform.”

“Everyone has a job. But everyone can find time to enjoy themselves. Shoot, if I were you and got a second chance after spending hundreds of dreary years alone in the Shadow Lands, I wouldn’t waste amoment.”

“Oh?” His temper flared a little. “And what would you do after you found yourself an immortal wizard after spending centuries in theafterlife?”

“Dance.” She spread out her arms and began to twirl. “Sing. Live. Enjoy life. You have to grab onto it with both hands and shake it, and never let go. Cherish every moment ‘cause you never know what tomorrowbrings.”

Lacey stopped and pointed to the beach. “And that looks like a perfect start. Let’s go! I packed my swimsuit.”

“I have work,” he said absently, trying not to stare at her like a hormonal teenaged boy struck by sheer lust. The image of Lacey in a form-fitting swim suit hugging that rounded ass he longed tosqueeze…

“Work is a four letter word. How many times have I dealt with it before, and how many times did I wish I could take a break from it. But wishes are dreams. They never cometrue.”

Such cynicism in one so young. Hard as his heart was, her statement broke off a piece of his cold stone heart. Drust leaned on the railing and studiedher.

“Wishes aren’t dreams. They can come true. I’ll grant you one simple wish right now. The conditions are your wish must not deliver harm to anyone else, or affect your destiny. And it must be done now, andtemporary.”

Drust caught the glint of mischief in her green gaze as Lacey looked him over from top to bottom. “Truly?”

Henodded.

“How does it work? Do I say italoud?”

“Form an image in yourmind.”

He waved a hand to make her wish cometrue.

Suddenly cool air swept over his bare chest… bare chest? Drust looked down. He was wearing a green and blue kilt. Nothingelse.

“Wow. Looks great. Thanks for making my wish come true. Always loved a guy in a kilt.” Lacey’s smile widened. “And I always wondered what men wear underthem.”

With a whoosh, the front of the kilt lifted and he felt air surround his privates. Lacey’s eyeswidened.

Drust smirked. “As youwish.”

Her green gaze grew wide as it swept over his lower half. Unashamed, and fascinated by the carnation pink tinting her cheeks, he watched her reaction. So lovely… He felt a natural reaction and turnedhard.

Lacey noticed. She swallowed hard and pinked evenmore.

Drust sighed. “I am a male. Surely you have seen this is a natural reaction of males in the presence of an attractivewoman.”

She kept staring. “No, I’ve never seen onebefore.”