Page 90 of The Mating Claim

Minutes later, the stinging in her hand subsided and her skin was no longer red. She dressed in the blue one-piece suit, grabbed a towel and returned to the beach, this time wearing blue flip-flops.

When she returned to the beach, Drust wore his blue swim trunks, showcasing his long, athletic legs roped with hard muscle. Another shiver coursed through her. He was so handsome, and lastnight…

The intensity of his gaze left her trembling. She snapped her towel at him and shouted, “Last one in the water is a rottendragon.”

Fast as she could, she raced into the surf. He was already floating there, and gave her a smuggrin.

“Cheat. Not far you can dematerialize into the Gulf.” She splashedhim.

“I could not risk being a rotten dragon,” he drawled, arms behind his head as hefloated.

“Well if you’re using your powers, conjure me a raft and I’ll float withyou.”

Next thing she knew, she lay on her back on a wide raft, drifting with the tide. “Nice. Care to conjure me an icy cold rum punch aswell?”

Immediately one was in her hands, even with the little umbrella. She sipped, sighing with delight, and then set it in the drink holder on theraft.

“You know, you’re pretty handy to have around,wizard.”

“Ofcourse.”

“Did you get the recipe from theinternet?”

“No, I consulted with a bartender in Key West prior to my arrival here. I knew you enjoyed tropical drinks,Lacey.”

For a few moments, they drifted, the sun beaming overhead, the waves gentle and the sky a brilliant blue. Lacey felt any tension melt off her body like snow in the Floridasun.

“We have the entire beach to ourselves. It is nice being alone here with you. But it feelsodd.”

“You miss the company of otherdragons.”

Lacey nodded, their rafts drifting with the lapping waves. “Not even dragons as much. Just… people. Not necessarily Skins. ButOthers.”

For a moment he said nothing as she sipped her drink. Then he frowned. “Why?”

“Because if I am to die, I’d like to feel normal. Oh, don’t get me wrong. It’s lovely being alone with you. But being on the beach without anyone else, without the laughter of children splashing in the surf or digging sand castles, feels like there is a hurricane approaching and we’re the last toleave.”

Drust seemed to ponder her words. “Would a mariachi band and a hundred screaming childrensuffice?”

Lacey laughed and splashed him as he gave her a wicked grin. “No,silly.

“Perhaps a hundred screaming mariachi bands?” His wicked grin widened. “If we remain alone, we can sunbathenude.”

“Drust!” She felt herself redden, but the idea sounded appealing. “I’ll getsunburnt.”

“No, you will not. But because you wishit…”

He waved ahand.

After a few minutes, several people arrived. Delighted, Lacey watched them set up beach chairs some distance away, as their children scrambled to the sands and began digging or playing in the water. It was rather nice seeing peopleagain.

“Others,” he murmured. “Not people. Far enough away so they cannot seeus.”

Good. She slipped off the raft and then slid out of her suit, placing it on the raft. “I’d rather swimnaked.”

He straightened, treading water, his blue eyes darkening with pure lust. Drust snapped his fingers and she found herself naked. He drew her into hisarms.

“I’ve heard making love in the water can be quite…relaxing.”