Treasured by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons #10) - Jessie Donovan Page 0,15

owe the doctor anything, but he respected her. So he replied, "I know it's a big deal. It's just that she flinched the first time she saw my flashing eyes a couple hours before the kiss happened. So I wasn't exactly sure what to think."

Sid grunted. "Well, she stood up to Bram so give her some credit. Just talk with her and see what happens. But don't string her along too much, Blake. She has her daughter to think of."

He raised his brows. "When did you start giving relationship advice?"

Sid shrugged. "I only reserve it for stubborn dragon-shifters who make up excuses as to why they shouldn't have a mate."

He opened his mouth but promptly closed it. The bloody doctor was too good.

Sid tilted her head. "So? Will you see her?"

Maybe before the kiss he could've pretended Dawn and her daughter were too much work. Or he could rationalize away about how they would take too much time away from his research.

Or come up with a million other excuses, really.

However, his dragon was now involved. And the last thing he wanted to do was to cause his inner beast unnecessary pain. Because that was exactly what would happen if Dawn fled and he didn't go through the frenzy—years of pain and struggle for them both.

Since she'd made the effort to see him, he at least needed to give Dawn a chance.

Blake said, "Show her in."

"I will. But Nikki will be just outside the door, listening for trouble. So be careful. You know what could happen if you touch her."

It might wake his inner dragon. And Nikki was one of Stonefire's Protectors in charge of clan security. More than that, she was the second-in-command and someone a person didn't want to piss off if they could help it.

In a way, he was glad for Nikki to be nearby. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Dawn, whether unintentionally or not.

Before he could say he wouldn't distress any female on purpose, Sid left and shut the door behind her.

And even though it was probably only a matter of seconds, it felt as if years passed before there was a tentative knock on the door.

He shouted, "Come in."

The door swung inward, revealing Dawn dressed in clothes that were too big for her small frame.

Not that he cared. His eyes were glued to her face, her bright eyes and full lips just as perfect as before.

She had to be the most bloody beautiful female he'd ever seen. How in the hell he'd managed to find her as his true mate, he had no idea.

"Hello," she said as she walked into the room and shut the door behind her.

Even though he knew they needed to keep a distance between them, he wished she would come closer. "Hello, Dawn."

Silence fell for a few beats, a painful contrast to the last time they'd met.

Of course now she had to be aware of what a mate-claim frenzy entailed and was probably afraid his dragon would wake up and try to claim her.

As he tried to think of how to calm her fears at least a little, she finally spoke again. "It's almost strange not to see your flashing pupils. I know it startled me at first, but I've seen so many pairs over the last twelve or so hours that it's almost normal."

Her comment was yet another reminder that his dragon—and best friend—was silent. However, he didn't think she was intentionally trying to cause him pain. Instead, he focused on the rest of her words. "What have you been doing for the last twelve hours?"

She laughed, the sound a balm to his very center. Was it always this way with true mates, that they seemed to be too perfect for words? Yet another instance of how Blake's self-imposed isolation had kept him in the dark.

Dawn replied, "Let's just say that getting a dragon child to bed can be a bit tougher with both personalities fighting it. And before you ask, I'm staying with Sasha Atherton right now."

He smiled. "Well, Freddie and his brother are a bit more energetic than most. Good luck with that." He paused and decided small talk could wait. It was time to be blunt. "Why are you still here, Dawn? I thought you would've run."

She took a step closer and tilted her head. "Did you want me to run?"

He blurted, "No."

"Good. I know this is all a bit awkward, but I just wanted to talk with you again. I only have a few