Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,48

I know Stephan noticed. It made me feel good to know that he did. Warm and fuzzy inside. I caught him looking a few times before breakfast. After that…crickets.

I look down at myself now. I’m wearing a denim skirt and a T-shirt. It’s one of the snugger ones. It shows off my boobs. Most men love my fuller chest. Aside from my eyes, my breasts are probably my best feature. I’m trying too hard here. I shouldn’t be trying so hard. We’re supposed to be trying to keep things on a friendship level. Both of us realize there’s more there, without a doubt but we can’t act on it so…that’s it.

I’m starting to consider knocking on Stephan’s door when he appears. My heart instantly beats faster. I try not to smile too broadly as I watch him approach.

Play it cool, Raven!

Play it cool.

The smile I receive back is stilted and tense. What? Why? Did I say something? Do something? He’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt. His hair is mussed, like he’s been pulling on it or running his hands through it. He’s beautiful. This man is…he’s exquisite. I realize I’m using feminine terms for a guy like Stephan. I don’t care. That’s just it…I’m not just talking about his exterior. I’m talking about all of him.

Beautiful.

Inside and out. He pushes his hands into his pockets, looking all shy. So darned cute! Most guys with his looks would be cocky and arrogant. This is like a breath of fresh air. I stand. I notice his feet are bare. I frown.

“Aren’t we going flying?”

He looks down and then back up at me. “I don’t know that we should.”

“Why not?” My frown deepens. Disappointment hits me hard.

He pushes out a breath through his nose. “Because I like you, Raven. I like you a little too much. I know you can say the same about me. I can see it. It’s just a matter of time before we…before I…” He pushes a hand through his hair again and squeezes the back of his neck.

“We’re friends,” I offer, but I stop there, the rest of what I had planned on saying dying on my lips. We’re not friends. We never will be!

“If we put all the other stuff aside, you’re going to be leaving in a couple of days.” He shrugs.

“What other stuff? I mean, aside from the vision, and…” I want to say West, but I don’t want to bring him into this.

When I don’t say anything more, Stephan says, “For starters, friends don’t look at friends the way I look at you.” Seems like we’re on the same page. “We’ll never be friends. Even if we had all the time in the world…and we don’t.”

“How do you look at me?” I know I shouldn’t ask, but I can’t help myself. I bite down on my lower lip.

Stephan smiles… Oh, that smile. It says so much. It does so much to me. More than it should.

“I look at you like a starving man. Like I’m fucking dying to touch you…because I am. Like I’m taking in every detail to recall later, in minute detail.”

“Recall later?” I lift a brow in question. I didn’t expect this conversation. As great as it’s making me feel, it isn’t leading anywhere good. I like hearing him say these things, though. I like it too much.

Stephan chuckles. He shakes his head. “Trust me, you don’t want to know.”

“And if I do?” I know I’m flirting. I can’t help myself. I shouldn’t, and yet…I want to.

“I’m sure you can guess. Let’s just say that I’ve been taking long-ass showers lately. I recall how your legs looked in those shorts the other night. In my fantasies, there’s ripping of material…lace… There’s lifting of a certain dress over your hips… Fuck, Raven.” He paces away from me. Stands there for a few seconds and then walks back. “We can’t do this. It would cause too much shit.”

“I know,” I say. “But maybe I don’t care,” I blurt the words before I can stop them. I’m not sorry, though.

“I care. I care about you. You had that vision. What if you see more? What if…?” He shakes his head.

What if my vision comes about, and I can’t help him stop it?

What if I see more and it’s worse?

What if…?

I’m glad he didn’t bring up West. I feel everything in me tense. I nod. “You’re right. We’re adults. We’re in control of ourselves. Besides, I leave in a couple of days. We’re attracted to