Dragon's Second Chance Romance - Riley Storm Page 0,17

he said, giving her the out she knew she was sorely looking for. “I hope the rest of your night goes a little better.”

“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him. “I appreciate that, along with everything else you’ve done.”

Before he could say anything, she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Pietro’s arms automatically wrapped around her waist in return.

His dragon went berserk.

The roar inside his head escaped his lips in a low, throaty growl as he lifted her from the ground and pushed her into the side of the house, his mouth descending hungrily toward hers.

Claire gasped slightly and her head tilted back in reflex, opening her up to his advance. That noise spurred him on. Out of the corners of his vision he saw her eyes close, giving herself in to the moment.

She wants this too.

His dragon renewed its efforts, knowing that if they only but kissed, it was all over. That the tension that had been lurking beneath the surface between them would spill over and take care of things on its own accords.

No!

His lips a hairs width from Claire’s full, pouty lips, he brought himself to a stop with a monumental effort of willpower. A gasp of air escaped his nose, a mixture of dismay, sadness, and apology.

Claire’s eyes snapped open.

“I’m so sorry,” he said, backing away from the wall, letting her slide out of his arms. “I didn’t mean… It’s just, you said you weren’t interested. And then I—I should have respected you.”

Both of them were flush and breathing heavier, the intensity of the moment catching both by surprise.

Claire was still leaning against the wall, her head craned back in almost the same position it had been when he’d gone to kiss her. He could see her chest rising and falling visibly, the motion threatening to distract him.

“I think you should go inside now,” he said, swallowing tightly, his dragon still fighting.

She’s just leaning there, against the wall. Waiting for you to finish what you started.

“Maybe,” Claire said, pulling herself away from the wall, heading for the house.

She didn’t say another word as she went inside. Pietro heard the deadbolt click closed behind her, and as soon as it did, he slumped down into a crouch.

There was no denying that she looked pissed.

“What the hell have I done?” he asked himself, stunned at his own lack of control.

Chapter Ten

Claire

She got inside, stunned that the thunderous roar in her chest and mind hadn’t wakened her parents and sent them rushing downstairs to find out what all the racket was about. Claire could barely hear a thing as she made her way down the stairs to the guest house and basement apartment that had been turned over to her for her extended stay.

“Where did that come from?” she asked nobody in particular, unzipping the sides of her shoes and stepping out.

Resting a hand on her breastbone, she listened and felt her pulse as it raced. She’d never expected Pietro to make a move like that, but even more, she hadn’t realized she would respond positively to it. There hadn’t been any hesitation either. He’d picked her up, and she’d been ready for him to kiss her.

Had sworn he was going to as well. She’d felt his breath rush over her as he closed. His face had been less than an inch away. The heat of it had reached out to caress her skin.

So why had he stopped?

Because he’s a good guy, just like you said. A bad boy would have gone in all the way. Would have pushed it as far as you were willing to go. He would have taken the sign that you kissed him back as proof that you wanted to go all the way.

Not Pietro. In the end, his willpower had won out, and he’d remembered her saying she wasn’t ready for anything just then. And so he’d respected that. Yes, it had been a close call, but she doubted she could have stopped herself had things got any more heated.

“And I wanted him to kiss me.”

That realization was still working its way through her.

But why?

She pondered that question while reaching up under her shirt to undo her bra, sighing with relief as it came free. The shirt came off next as she headed into the bedroom, and she stripped off her jeans as well, freeing herself with another sigh.

It’s his arms, she realized as she pulled on a comfy pajama shirt and shorts, flopping back