The Dragon's Fate - Roxie Ray Page 0,23

kept glancing over at me, so I could only imagine what Bri was saying about me. I could’ve focused on the table to filter out the noise of the bar and hear her words, but I figured in that moment, it was none of my business. Besides, I wasn’t sure my ego could take it.

But when she got up, she always searched the room for me, and I made it a point to put myself in her viewpoint as often as possible. Her coy looks and the way she turned her head made me feel like a teenager flirting with the cheerleader. And my chest pulsed every time she moved or looked at me, or if I heard her voice. But the pulses weren’t pain this time. They were warmth.

As the night wore on, my tattoo started tingling. She glanced my way when she came out of the bathroom, so I winked at her—and my tattoo burned again. This pain was totally different from what I’d had in my chest. It was welcome, almost.

I hadn’t one hundred percent decided that pursuing this with Briana was the right thing, but walking away from her started feeling like the worst idea in the world.

The more we flirted from afar, the lighter I felt. She didn’t know that her emotions toward me affected the burning of my tattoo and the pull in my chest. But I welcomed the burn. I knew it meant her feelings for me were changing from disdain to something more pleasant. Fonder.

Our flirtation went on throughout the night until she got up to leave. She sent me a little finger wave, and I looked at my new bartender, Alfie. “I’ll be right back.”

He was a miracle find. He’d bartended all his life and just retired to Bluewater to live closer to the ocean. He needed a part-time job, and I needed a part-time bartender.

I followed Bri outside. Not only to say goodnight but after what she’d been through, I was paranoid about her ex this late at night. The dude had some major problems. My packmate at the police station informed me that Damon had bailed out again and his lawyer somehow got him out of being charged with violating his restraining order. Again. I wasn’t sure if Bri knew, but I wasn’t taking any chances. It was one of the reasons I went to Anthony and Skye this week and all but demanded something be done. Now, thanks to me, there were two betas on rotation watching Bri’s parents’ house while she stayed there. She’d have extra protection until it was no longer needed.

“Hey, gorgeous.”

Briana whirled around. “Hey,” she said uncertainly.

“What are you doing out here this late at night by yourself?” I said it kindly, without any harshness to my tone. I didn’t want her to think I was judging her like last time, but I was worried.

“I’ve got things under control.” She cocked her head and studied me under the streetlamp. “You shouldn’t worry, especially considering you give me shit after you step in to help me even though I’ve never asked you to.” She hesitated. “Though I do appreciate it. But what’s up with that, anyway? Why bother helping me if you’re just going to complain about it and be an asshole to me?”

I didn’t know what to tell her. I’d been trying to push her away, hoping it would break the bond with her quicker, but I couldn’t exactly tell her that. Not yet. “I’ve had some health issues. And I haven’t dealt with them well. I promise you, I’m not normally so hot and cold.” I didn’t want her to think I was anything like her asshole ex. “I mean, I can have a temper, but—”

“But you’re nothing like my ex?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I concluded lamely. “I wasn’t feeling one hundred percent on those days and stupidly took my frustrations out on you. I’m so sorry. Do you think you can forgive me?”

She hesitated and leaned against the car. “I think I can. But after what I’ve gone through with Damon, I’m not the type to give a lot of chances. You should know that.” She studied her shoe.

“I can understand that. I’m glad you don’t. I shouldn’t have treated you that way, and I really am sorry.”

“I guess I can find it in me to forgive you for being a dick.” She met my gaze again. “Seriously, though. Thank you for stepping in.”

I nodded. “Don’t mention it. I’m glad you’re safe.”

Bri opened