Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,23

Make no mistake, I’m scrutinizing…big time.

I realize on my next breath that he’s getting a hard-on. At least I think he is. I still don’t look away. I can’t! His cock is definitely bigger than it was. Wider and—

It takes Stephan wrapping a towel around his waist to snap me out of my haze. Only then do I gasp and take a step back. Only then do my eyes meet his. They’re crinkled in amusement.

Amusement!

Oh, god!

I’m mortified. I turn around and face the other way. It’s stupid of me to turn away now. Why now? It’s far too late by a mile, and yet that’s what I do. I briefly consider running away. Or locking myself in my room. What good would that do? We’re sharing the same house for the next few days. I can’t hide out forever. It would be better to face the music now. Besides, I’ve never been a coward. I pull in a deep breath. I say a silent prayer, and then I turn back around.

He’s still standing there, watching me die a thousand deaths. Wet from head to toe. Freaking gorgeous.

Don’t gape any more than you have already. Don’t do it!

He throws me a half-smile. It’s shy somehow. I can’t believe a guy like him would be so shy. Then again, I know why that is. I live with it myself. Still… he’s too delicious, too darned edible to be a shy guy.

I pull in another breath, hoping my heart will slow down. It’s beating like a mad thing in my chest. I open the door and go out, closing it carefully behind me. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper. “I have to ask, do you always swim naked?” Shut up, Raven!

He nods. “I do. My fault. Sorry you had to see that.”

I’m not sorry! I bite down on my lip to keep myself from saying that out loud. I’ve been known to blurt whatever I’m thinking when I’m nervous. “No…it’s my fault. Totally my fault. I saw you swimming, and I…saw you get out of the pool.” Like now! Why am I saying this? Now he knows I’m a pervert. “I should have…I…I guess I froze.”

“I’ve been known to have that effect on women.”

“Um…yes…I…I suppose you would be used to…that kind of reaction,” I finally spit out the words through a mouthful of teeth.

He laughs quietly and puts up a hand. “I’m teasing you.”

“Oh! Um…yes, of course you are.” I sound like a bumbling idiot.

“I’m sorry. I swim most nights, especially when I’m on a deadline.” He looks down at my mug. “How’s the tea?”

“I haven’t tried any yet,” I admit. “It was too hot.” And then you were too hot. I manage to keep the words inside. I take a sip. “Delicious. I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to make this.” I lift the mug.

His eyes widen. “Did I wake you, or even worse…did I keep you up?”

“I heard you working, but,” I shake my head, “you didn’t keep me up.”

“Are you sure?” He takes a step towards me and then stops. “Maddox was probably right about you taking the upstairs room.”

“No, he wasn’t. Not even close. He’s the light sleeper…not me! He’s worried that—” I stop there because I really shouldn’t say anything more. I’m not sure why I blurted that out. Oh yeah, I’m nervous. I’m scrambling to come up with something other than the truth, and failing.

His brows pull together. “What is he worried about?” Stephan runs a hand through his hair, giving it a shake. Droplets fly, more drip down his face and body. “You’re safe with me. You know that, right?”

“I know that. He’s a little unsure, but that’s not the main reason.” I need to get a handle on my wayward tongue. I still can’t think clearly. I decide to play the truth down. I roll my eyes. “He thinks we’re attracted to each other.” I laugh like it’s the craziest thing. “That we might end up in bed together if we’re sharing a floor. It seems like you’re sleeping down here instead of up there.”

He doesn’t laugh like I thought he would…or outright dismiss the idea. In fact, he gets this heated look, and his gaze drops to my thighs and then up to my boobs. It takes a long while for him to look me in the eyes. His look is still heated when he does.

Oh, boy!

He’s attracted to me. I knew he was, but…this is more than I thought. This is bad! I think