Burned by Darkness - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,54

said I belong with your hoard,” she muttered.

Baine grimaced with regret. Being an all-powerful dragon didn’t keep him from acting like an idiot on occasion.

“Because you pissed me off,” he admitted.

She shivered as his fingers lightly traced the neckline of her sweater.

“I didn’t mean to.”

He leaned down, capturing her guarded gaze. “Yes, you did. You were frightened by the intensity of your response to me. So you panicked and tried to put barriers between us.”

She lowered her lashes, as if she could pretend he hadn’t guessed exactly why she’d been so anxious to push him away.

“Arrogant,” she muttered.

“I am,” he readily agreed. “Which is why I allowed you to manipulate me into putting space between us.” He moved close enough to feel the soft cashmere rubbing against his bare chest. “Something that will never happen again.” His thumb pressed against the pulse that hammered at the base of her throat. “Especially now that I know about your little trick.”

She licked her lips, her eyes darkening. But it wasn’t fear. No. He could smell the heady scent of her arousal beginning to waft through the air.

“I promise I won’t take off again,” she said, her voice husky. “Not until I’m released from your debt.”

His brows snapped together, his fingers dipping beneath the neckline of her sweater to tug out the delicate golden chain he’d placed there what seemed like an eternity ago.

“There is no debt.” With one small burst of power he destroyed the dragon marque.

She glanced down in shock, her hand lifting as if she actually missed the narrow chain.

“What are you saying?”

“I absolve you of any obligation,” he told her. There would be no more excuses for her to hide behind when he held her in his arms. “You are free.”

She slowly tilted back her head to meet his brooding gaze. “I can leave?”

He clenched his teeth. Every instinct rebelled against giving her a choice. He was a dragon, dammit. He hoarded his treasures with a fierce, possessive jealousy.

But Tayla was more than just a precious bauble.

She was his mate.

And she had to choose her place at his side.

“If that’s what you desire.” He forced the words past his stiff lips, his hands unconsciously smoothing up and down her back while he allowed his heat to cloak around her. “But I hope very much you’ll want to stay.”

She instinctively arched toward him, a hint of vulnerability shimmering in her beautiful eyes.

“For how long?”

His answer came without hesitation. “Forever.”

###

“Forever?” she breathed as she reached up to rest her hands on his broad chest. “That’s a very long time.”

Beneath her fingers she could feel the heat of his beast. Her smile widened. Was it possible she’d truly captured the heart of this magnificent creature?

“Not nearly long enough, when I’ve waited five centuries to at last discover you,” he murmured. “Only to have you promptly disappear for another twenty-five years.”

Her lips twitched at his disgruntled tone. He truly was disturbed by the fact that she’d managed to hide from him for so long.

“And what about your harem?” she demanded, stroking her fingers over his rigid muscles.

She thoroughly approved of his preference for going shirtless.

There were no barriers to stand between them. Nothing to halt her from exploring the silky warm skin and the fascinating tattoos that swirled over his body.

Approval rumbled deep in his chest as he reached to grab the hem of her sweater, smoothly tugging it over her head.

“What about it?” he asked in an absent voice, his jaw tightening and nose flaring as his gaze swept down to her bare breasts.

“I want it shut down.”

His head lowered until she could feel his breath against her temple.

“Are you sure?”

Tiny sparks flowed through her blood as she used her nails to lightly scrape down his back.

“Do you intend to have other females?” she demanded.

He chuckled, a shudder shaking his body as her finger traced the waistband of his loose pants.

“Of course not, but it might be fun to play master and slave,” he suggested in husky tones.

“I suppose you get to be the master?” she teased.

“Well, it was my suggestion,” he said, a groan wrenched from his throat as she tugged the drawstring, allowing the pants to slide down his legs.

Instantly her fingers were wrapping around the hard length of his cock.

Although she’d already had more than one up-close and extremely personal encounter with Baine, she still felt a thrill of shock as she was reminded of the size of his cock.

And how hot it was to the touch.

Fascinated, she traced