Dragon Heartstring(36)

“Wow,” I said, stepping closer to the view of the city lights.

He strode into the kitchen, stripped off his jacket, and tossed it on a sleek, black marble countertop. He removed his tie and button-up shirt, leaving him in his white undershirt. He tossed the rest aside and ran his hand under the faucet. The hand he used to pummel my attacker. I yearned to heal any wound he might have, but something told me he didn’t want tending to in that way. Men felt guilt when they couldn’t protect their loved ones. He showed all the signs of that sort of manly regret. He needed to feel the pain of the wound.

I gazed out at the city again. “Such a breathtaking view. But I can’t see the mountains from here.”

“No. We’re facing south,” he said quietly, coming up behind me. “Are you hungry?”

“No. I’m not hungry.” I wanted to remove that forlorn look from his face, but I didn’t know how.

He walked to a shelf and picked up a remote. To the right of a cream velvet sofa was a modern fireplace encased in glass. The fireplace lit up the room with one click of his hand, the flames dancing on the shiny wood floors.

He moved to the sofa, sat, and held out a hand. “Come and rest, Shakara.”

I wanted nothing more. I sank onto the sofa and stretched out across his chest. Softly moving my wing out of the way, he wrapped an arm around my waist. I laid my hand over his heart and smiled to hear the steady beat was slower, calmer.

“Kraven should’ve been there,” he said, still angry.

“Who’s Kraven?”

“The Silverback from Nightwing Security. Your guard.”

“Demetrius, he couldn’t have known that man was in the clinic.”

“He should’ve known something was suspicious. Silverbacks are known for their strength and speed. If he’d been there, that fucker wouldn’t have gotten his hands on you.”

I crossed my arms on his chest, resting my chin on my hands. “How do you know about Silverbacks?”

Pulling his gaze from the fire to me, he shrugged. “I’ve been doing some research.”

“Have you now?”

“I want to know everything I can about Morgons,” he said sincerely. “I want to know everything I can about you.” He paused and brushed my hair away from my cheek. “Maybe I should take some time off from work until the hearing is over.”

“And what? Follow me around twenty-four hours a day?”

“Yes. Precisely.”

“Demetrius Cade finally takes a holiday to follow his girlfriend around.”

He switched gears quickly. “Please tell me you’re all right. When I remember him—”

I pushed up quickly and wrapped my arms around his neck, my body pressed to his. “Shhh.” I kissed him softly. “He didn’t hurt me.” Another kiss. “He didn’t have time.” Another. “Because my man saved me and nearly beat him to death.”

Banding his arms around me underneath my wings, he hugged me close. “I’m afraid I would’ve killed him if you hadn’t stopped me.”

“I know.”

He nudged my lips apart with his own then swept in with his tongue, stroking gently, nipping at my bottom lip as he pulled away. “Stay with me.”

“For tonight?”

The firelight danced over his features, his brown eyes the hue of melted honey. “Forever. If you like.”

My Aunt Asheera’s words came back to me, urging me to tell him about dragon heartstring. But I wasn’t sure he was ready for what “forever” meant for a Morgon. Once heartbound, he would live a longer life, hundreds of years longer. That is, if I lived the same. For once we were bound, neither could live without the other. If he died, so would I. If I died, so would he. We’d already had too much heaviness for one night. I couldn’t tell him. Not yet.

“Demetrius. Take me to your bed. And show me how you feel about me.”

Without another word, he lifted me in his arms and did as I asked.

Demetrius showed me his passion, his desire, his adoration and then, when we finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning, he showed me how precious I was to him, keeping me within the shelter of his arms all night long.





Chapter 13





“Don’t be afraid.” Demetrius squeezed my hand and pressed the back of it to his lips.

“I’m not afraid.” The crowds squeezed onto the courthouse steps, including a few picketers of KORC. “I’m terrified.”

“Hey.” A finger under my chin, he gently tilted my face toward him. Caught in those dark eyes, my attention was riveted on him and the fierce strength he exuded. “I won’t be far. I’ll be in the audience. If you need reassurance, just look my way. Okay?”

With a shaky nod, I said, “Okay.”

His fingers threaded into my unbound hair as he edged closer and brushed his lips over mine. “It’ll all be over soon.” He firmed his mouth against mine, sliding his tongue inside for a brain-scattering kiss. He pulled back. “Better?”

“No. Now I just want to go home and pull you into bed with me.”

He grinned. “After.”

“Right.” Staring out the window, I sat up and exhaled a deep breath. “After.”