Page 32 of Visions of You

"If that's the case," Jaron shot back, "won't it happen whether we get together or not?"

He had a valid point there, but still… "I don't want to give up that easily."

"Butyou aregiving up." Jaron's tone sharpened with a hint of accusation. "You're so scared of something that hasn't even happened yet you won't give us a chance." His brown eyes narrowed.

Keegan's heart clenched. Why wouldn't Jaron understand? "You haven't seen what I've seen."

"I don't care what you've seen," Jaron said brusquely. "I care about what's happening right now, and that's you rejecting me because you're scared."

"It's you I'm scared for," Keegan defended himself.

If it was only his own death at stake, Keegan would have taken the risk. He would have chosen to enjoy whatever time he had with Jaron, living the life his good visions had promised him, a life full of love, laughter, and mutual affection. He wouldhave taken care of Jaron and cherished him for as long as he could.

He wanted that so badly his throat tightened when he thought of denying them both that simple happiness.

But he knew how things would end not only for him but also for Jaron.

The dragon shifter he saw in his vision…

He never wanted Jaron to turn into that man.

Keegan didn't care if he died in exchange for loving Jaron, but he couldn't let his death tear Jaron apart.

He'd seen his tears, the pain on his face. This gentle dragon would not survive killing his mate.

"What are you talking about?" Jaron asked. "Don't try to tell me that you're rejecting me for my sake. That's the lamest excuse ever." A defiant sort of anger sparked in his warm eyes, a fierce intensity that demanded all of Keegan's attention. "The future doesn't scare me," he declared, voice low and rough with emotion. "The only thing that scares me is losing you before I even have a chance to love you."

"Jaron…" Keegan whispered, his hand coming up to cup the shifter's face in spite of himself.

He wasn't prepared for so much insistence from Jaron.

He'd figured he'd tell Jaron that things would end tragically and Jaron would accept that they had no future together and that would be that.

Jaron, it seemed, had not gotten that memo.

"You're my mate," Jaron said, his own hand closing around Keegan's wrist. "I don't know how vampires feel about their mates, but as a dragon, I can't ignore that." He laughed. It was a short, almost breathless sound. "I'm not much of a dragon in any other way but this. For the first time in my life, I think my inner beast and I are in total agreement. We're going to keep you."

Keegan didn't know how to respond to that.

It seemed no matter what he said, nothing was going to change Jaron's mind. Nothing was going to dissuade him.

Maybe that was why Keegan's vision had always seemed so damn inevitable. There wasn't any timeline in which Keegan could fend off Jaron's advances.

Damn him for being a treasure-hoarding dragon.

Damn Keegan for being his treasure.

Jaron's thumb rubbed over the inside of Keegan's wrist, a slow caress that made Keegan's skin tingle. "What do I need to do," he said in a soft whisper that sent shivers through Keegan's body, "to convince you to give us a chance?"

Keegan's mind raced, his thoughts scattering in every direction.

He still didn't know how to respond, caught in Jaron's gaze, in his grip. He could have tried to wrench himself free. His strength was nothing compared to a dragon's, but he wasn't powerless.

He didn't have to let Jaron corner him like this.

But he was starting to understand that Jaron was going to stop at nothing to claim him.

His thumb continued to rub against Keegan's wrist, and Keegan wanted more than that. He knew all the reasons he shouldn't give in to his desires, and yet…