Page 4 of Vex (Dragon Brides #12)

He was touching his partner.

Too much.

Vex pulled Luisa closer and tried not to notice her scent.

The warm fragrance of vanilla and something a little woodsy cut through the casino's blend of expensive cologne and recycled air.

The scent hit him like a caress, heat coiling low in his gut with an intensity that made his jaw clench.

His dragon instincts stirred, something feral and possessive that had no place in a professional partnership.

This was … inconvenient.

Already, he felt out of sorts. Not out of control. Never that. But something about Luisa … unnerved him. She was lush curves, soft hair, and that scent that went straight to his cock.

Of course, Vex the vapid lord would have her on his arm and in his bed.

The actual Lord Vex had to remember that she was his partner, not his … woman.

And that idea went through him like a live wire.

The casino stretched before them in refined excess: marble floors veined with gold, crystal chandeliers casting delicate light across gaming tables.

Everything gleamed with understated luxury that whispered its price tag.

Dark wood panels inlaid with precious metals lined the walls, and the gaming tables were crafted from mahogany.

It was wealth displayed with taste, designed to make the rich feel comfortable while reminding them of their status.

A server appeared at his elbow, offering a crystal tumbler filled with smoky smelling whiskey.

Vex accepted the drink and tossed it back in one smooth motion, letting the burn slide down his throat.

The gesture was pure performance, a casual disregard for expensive liquor that marked someone with more money than sense.

The concierge motioned for another drink without comment.

"Oh, babe, this place is great!" Luisa leaned into him, soft and yielding and exactly like the mistress of a dissolute lord.

He wished it didn't feel so good.

But the concierge was buying it. And they were being watched by others who would whisper. By morning, there wouldn't be a soul who hadn't heard about the dragon arriving with the woman on his back.

Good.

Making an entrance that splashy made people think he wanted to be seen. They'd watch him and pay little attention to Luisa while she broke into their systems and found the blackmailer.

Vex didn't love being the distraction, but he'd done far more disreputable things for his king than escort a beautiful woman through a paradise of wealth.

Her hand slid up his arm in a gesture that looked casual but sent fire racing along his nerve endings.

The touch was almost absent-minded but felt so natural that, for a moment, he forgot they were acting.

His entire focus narrowed to the warmth of her palm through his sleeve, the way her fingers traced muscle beneath expensive fabric.

Something felt fundamentally right about having her beside him, something that made his dragon purr with satisfaction.

Dangerous thinking.

The memory of her weight on his back during their flight hit him with unexpected force.

He hadn't planned to transform, hadn't intended to show off like some preening youngling trying to impress a potential partner.

But the moment he'd seen her standing in that wasteland, something uncivilized had taken over.

He'd wanted to show her his strength, his grace, wanted to feel her grip tighten with excitement rather than fear. The sensation of her thighs pressed against his sides, her hands fisted in his scales, had been better than anything he'd experienced in years.

He pulled away, just a little. He couldn't get distracted by the pretty human. Vex was there to do a job. He'd help recover the data, apprehend the party responsible, and then return home and find an appropriate bride. Possibly with the help of the Royal Matchmaker.

After all, she would owe him a favor.

Though the thought of some chosen bride didn't sit well with him.

It didn't matter. Rook had managed to find a mate. That meant it was time for Vex to consider it. He couldn't stay single forever.

The elevator to the penthouse was a work of art, its walls inlaid with gold leaf in intricate patterns that caught the soft lighting.

The ride was silent except for perfectly calibrated machinery, so smooth Vex barely felt the motion.

When the doors opened, they revealed a space designed with dragons in mind.

The ceilings soared thirty feet high, and the main room was easily large enough for him to transform without damaging the furnishings.

Kaur gestured expansively as they entered.

"The Mountain Gate has been a refuge for discerning guests for over two centuries," he said, leading them past floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the peaks.

"Our spa facilities include mineral baths sourced from natural hot springs, and our fitness center features equipment designed for beings of all physiologies.

The resort prides itself on catering to the unique needs of our distinguished clientele.

And, of course, your attendant is here to see to your every need. "

The attendant in question wore a simple black uniform and nearly blended in with the wall.

He was … nondescript. For a moment, Vex thought he was an android, but, no, that was a human.

The man was aggressively average, medium height, brown hair, unremarkable features.

His face would disappear from memory the moment you looked away, and his posture suggested years of practice at being invisible.

"Does he have a name?" Vex asked haughtily.

The concierge gave him a strange look then glanced at the attendant. "I'm sure he'll answer to whatever you call him."

Lovely.

Luisa detached herself from his arm and sauntered into the room. "It's nice, baby. But didn't you say there'd be wine up here?"

The attendant silently slipped out of the main room.

"If there's anything you need, please tell me. Or your attendant. We will see to … all of your needs." Kaur smiled and backed out of the room, leaving them alone.

Luisa made a face as soon as the door closed, and Vex almost laughed.

That was when the attendant slipped back in with a glass of white wine that he silently handed over.

Luisa took it with a bright smile. "Oh, you're a doll!" She took a sip. "Yum! You really do know how to please a girl."

"Of course, madam," the attendant said before melting back against the wall.

And not leaving them alone.

Vex could command him to leave. No doubt he would. And no doubt he'd stand just out of sight and listen to every word they said, ready to anticipate their needs … and report back anything that might be of use to the concierge.

Vex stalked up to Luisa and wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you doing?" It was hard to whisper through clenched teeth and that tight of a smile, but she managed.

He leaned in and nuzzled her neck, speaking close to her skin. "No privacy."

She nuzzled him right back. "No shit."

He pulled back and ran his hand down her side. She sucked in a breath he didn't think was an act.

"I'm going to win some money. Be ready for me when I get back."

He almost kissed her.

The desire bordering on need was there. If she really was his mistress, he'd kiss her. He'd back her up against the wall and drive himself into her until she was panting and breathless and making needy sounds he just knew she'd make when she was being properly fucked.

The thought sent sharp heat through his veins that had nothing to do with his dragon fire.

His hands twitched to tilt her face up and taste those lips that had been driving him to distraction since they'd met.

The space between them crackled with tension, and for a heartbeat, he thought he saw answering heat in her eyes.

But there were lines you didn't cross.

Professional. Keep it professional.

Vex backed up and left her to her work.

The elevator ride down felt longer than the trip up, giving him too much time to think about the woman he'd left behind. The way she'd fit against his side, the catch in her breath when he'd touched her, the scent of her skin that seemed to linger in his memory.

He was a dragon lord of Vemion, trained from birth in control and discipline. He did not get distracted by pretty humans, no matter how perfectly they seemed to fit in his arms.

But as he stepped onto the casino floor, Vex had the uncomfortable suspicion that this job was going to test every bit of that legendary control.