“Don’t move,” he growled as parts of her still throbbed. Chandra ached with a satisfaction she’d never managed on her own. And forget her first husband. She’d known more than he did about how to pleasure herself.

Not so with Tomas. He didn’t need help. Tomas knew exactly where to touch her. Where to kiss her. How to make her body sing.

And make me forget every single moral I possess.

The blissful waves slowly subsided, and she waited for the shame to hit. Maybe a heaping of guilt? After all, she’d been raised to think of her body as a precious temple. Not just anyone could be allowed to worship. Yet, despite all her promises to herself, all the claims she made, she couldn’t resist when Tomas touched her. She didn’t want to resist.

This was the missing component she’d always heard about when it came to sex. This was passion.

“Where are you going?” Because, for some reason, despite the erection jutting, Tomas moved away from her. Were they done?

As if reading her mind, he replied, “That is just the beginning, doctor.”

“What do you mean?” Surely, he couldn’t do anything more to her? Or could he? Parts of her tingled, anticipation making her skin flush as she wondered what might happen next.

What happened was something rang. Loudly. Insistently. And he reacted as if someone had shot him.

He stood, naked and proud, with his hands on his hips. “Computer, who is calling?”

A melodious voice replied. “It is actually a text message from the Mauve Sept, advising you to watch the news.”

“Now?”

As Tomas grumbled about cock-blocking family members who screwed with him even from miles away, Chandra snuck off to the washroom to rinse herself off and regain her composure. The shame of what she’d done hadn’t hit, but incredulity did.

I let that man touch me. Touch me intimately.

More shocking, she wanted him to touch her again without any kind of promise or even a working relationship. They were pretty much captor and captive. She should be fighting him, not melting in his arms.

She heard him bellow, “Are they bloody mad?”

What had him so angry? She dried her face and hands before stepping out.

Tomas stomped back and forth in his living area, his sizable frame dwarfed by the enormous television screen that now projected images on the far wall.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

A glower pulled his brows together. “Parker and the Crimson Sept, those red, power-hungry bastards, have gone too far. There will be no hiding our presence now. No more coming up with brilliant excuses.”

“What’s happened?” She peeked around him, but the news on-screen was muted, and the speaking newscasters, while animated, gave nothing away.

“What’s happened is, according to CNN, the Reds have held a conference, one recorded by too many to refute, and left absolutely no doubt that dragons exist.”

“What’s wrong with that? I mean, I get you’d prefer they didn’t know, but unlike werewolves, most people like dragons. They’re cool.”

“Exactly. People love us. As trophies. Do you not read history at all, doctor?”

“Yes, but dragons aren’t a part of human history.”

He arched a brow. “Aren’t they? Don’t you know of any fables that tell of the killing of dragons? Usually as part of a quest. Or because someone needed an ingredient.”

“Are you talking about fairy tales where knights kill the rampaging dragon to save a princess?”

“There were never any princesses to save. We tend to avoid them because of their histrionics. And they’re tough to chew. We prefer soft and plump matrons. Bakers are quite tasty, too, especially when rolled in icing sugar.”

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “And with a conversation like that, one has to wonder how you’ve managed to stay hidden so long.”

“Because humans don’t want to believe.” He shrugged as he turned away. He pointed to the newscaster. “Even now. That woman on screen, despite the evidence being shoved in her face, is still convinced everything is a gimmick. A sham. And mostly, they’re right. It worked quite to our advantage. Until now. Damned Reds. What are they thinking?”

“So what does this mean for you?” Was he worried he would now be hunted?

He turned his gaze on her. “It means nothing. Just because the Reds have come out, along with the Blues, doesn’t mean I plan to. Humanity is too quick to grab a sword when it comes to my kind.”

“Ignoring reality. There’s a plan.”

“The Reds are the ones imposing this mess. Let them deal with the fallout. I am perfectly fine continuing my existence in the shadows.”

“Well, I’m not hiding away. Now that Parker has some dragons, surely we’re safe now.”

“I wouldn’t necessarily count on that.”

“And exactly what is that supposed to mean? What are you planning now?”

“Now…” His mood turned lightning quick. “Now, we finish what we began.”

Except what they’d begun couldn’t happen. As he stalked toward her, his eyes dark with intent, she held up a hand. “While I truly enjoyed what we did”—huge blush—“it can’t happen again.”

“Why ever not?”

“Because I’m not the type of girl who does this kind of thing.”

“But I am the type of man who does. So that counteracts your complaint.”

By the sweet goddess, the man was stubborn. She stood and confronted him. “You cannot keep bullying me into doing what you want.”

“Then I will kiss you into compliance. Again.”

She danced out of his reach and shook her head. “No, you won’t. I’m sorry, but I need you to take me home.”

“Your home is not safe.”

“I’ll take that chance.” Because staying here with him wasn’t safe either.

“You’re being stubborn.”

“So are you.”

His expression turned stony. “You won’t survive a moment out there without me.”

“I used to survive just fine before I met you. You’re not the first man in my life who thought I couldn’t live without him.”

His nostrils flared. “Very well. You wish to leave, then the only way out is through there.” He pointed upward. “Good luck growing some wings.”

“Don’t be a jerk. Obviously, you’ll have to help me get out of here.”

“What if I refuse?”

She crossed her arms. “I won’t be a prisoner.”

“I don’t see as you have much of a choice.”

“I hate you.”

“Medical science has proven that the pheromones related to hatred are almost identical to that of lust. So what you’re really saying is you’re lusting after me.”

His logic almost made her laugh, and knowing she softened meant she glared.

The unrepentant smirk didn’t move. It was like arguing with a rock. An immovable, sexy rock.

But still, a rock.

“You can’t bully me into sleeping with you.”

“But I can seduce.”

“I’d like to see you try.” Really, she would, and mostly because she feared he was right, and she would enjoy it too much.

Bells began to chime, and he rolled his eyes. “Now what? Why is it every time I try to have a conversation—”

“Argument”

“—with you, we are interrupted.”

“Is someone attacking?” She’d had quite enough of people trying to harm her, thank you very much.

“It’s worse.” Tomas eyed a screen and frowned. “My family has chosen to visit.”

“Why is that bad?”

“For one thing, it’s not done without invitation. And secondly…my grandmother isn’t crazy about humans.”

“What does that mean?”

“You might want to stick close to me.”

Not exactly the most reassuring advice. Chandra, though, refused to cower behind him. Instead, she lifted her chin and tucked the robe tighter.

The bells chimed again. More insistently.

“Aren’t you going to answer?”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. And try not to show any fear. She’ll use it against you.”

“Who will?”

“The matriarch of the Mauve Sept. My grandmother.”