Dragon Heartstring(44)

“Me? Not a gentleman? When was this?”

“Oh, probably when you assaulted me with a sexy kiss in front of every parliamentary official in the foyer of the White Chamber. That was the first time he’d ever seen the man my aunt had hinted that I was dating.”

“You thought the kiss was sexy?”

She slapped me behind the head. “And then there was just now when you carried me off like a caveman. Rather beastly, don’t you think? And humans say we’re the animals.”

“When it comes to you, Shakara, I’m reduced to my most primal state.”

I showed her what I meant with a breath-stealing kiss. She was quiet afterward when the elevator dinged, her eyes dilated and sultry.

I carried her to the car and set her on her feet, more tenderly than before. “So where shall I take you, Ms. Icewing?”

“Home, please.”

“Of course.” I opened the passenger door. “The traffic may be heavy in the Warwick District this time of day.”

She turned and faced me. I held the door open, my other hand propped on the rim above her.

“Not to my apartment, Demetrius.” She placed a gentle hand over my left chest where the scar lay beneath my shirt. “To your place. Wherever you are is my home now.”

And so it was that the man who prided himself on walking alone, who could not see the value in a lover’s embrace, finally found what he was looking for all along—a home of his own in the guise of a bewitching Morgon beauty.

I kissed her tenderly, relishing the softness of her sweet lips. “Then I shall take you there.” I caressed her cheek with my thumb as I threaded my fingers through her silky hair. “Let’s go home.”





Chapter 16





“That’s the last crate,” said Max, checking over the shoulder of the inventory clerk.

Max had brought several officers from the Precinct to the Grayson warehouse to clear out all of the Hydra G-66. Fortunately, Aron Grayson was nowhere to be seen.

“Do you really believe that’s all the weapons he has?” I asked, but Lucius answered first.

“No.” My brother-in-law rolled his shoulders, his wings opening with the movement. “He’s likely to have hidden some stores. But Nightwing Security and officers of the Precinct are dismantling every piece of machinery used to manufacture this garbage.”

Grayson Weaponry and Manufacturing had other weaponry and arms. The company would certainly not go under, especially when my father was compensating them for the surplus we were now confiscating to melt down into raw steel. Still, something told me this wasn’t the end.

I put my hands in my pockets, my fingers landing on the new keys I’d had made this afternoon. Keys for Shakara to our new penthouse. It didn’t take me long after the hearing to convince her to let me buy out the rest of her lease and move into a new place I’d found overlooking the Feygreir Mountains. A view I knew she longed for, to catch a glimpse of her clan’s home whenever she wanted.

She said she had something to tell me. I had noted the tremble in her voice when she’d spoken of it. She was nervous about whatever it was. I’m waiting for the right time, she’d said. I was fairly sure I knew when that right time would be.

“What the hell are you grinning about?” asked Max, taking a drag of his cigarette.

“Nothing,” I replied. “I believe you two gentlemen have this in hand.” I turned toward the parking lot. “Call my father if you need anything.”

“Why? Where will you be?” asked Max.

“On vacation,” I called back over my shoulder, striding away.

“Vacation?” Then he yelled, “Demetrius Cade takes vacations?”

I tossed a wave in the air with a laugh. Lucius answered him, “He does now.”



*

I stood watching Demetrius absorb all I’d just told him, the moonlight casting half his face in shadow. We stood on our terrace, the salty breeze kissing our skin. The only sound was that of lapping waves on the beach below. A cloudless, starry sky reflected on the Sorrel Sea, glittering like shards of glass. But as beautiful as the scenery was, nothing could take my gaze from the man before me.

“Dragon heartstring?” he asked.

My stomach fluttering, I nodded and waited for his response.

“So how does it happen?” he asked.

I shifted in my bare feet, fiddling with the sash on my silk robe. “I don’t know exactly. Morgon males have soulfire, which seals the mates together. But the heartbond will only occur if both are of the same mind.”

“I see,” he said, sliding one hand from my waist to my hips and angling my body so my back was to the sea. “And are we of the same mind?”

“I don’t know. I’d hoped you’d tell me how you felt about…well, forever.” I laughed nervously, gripping his shoulder and trailing my other hand down his bare chest to the scar I’d given him shining like silver scales. He wore only loose linen pajama pants, revealing his muscular physique in moonlight and shadow. He was beautiful.

“Forever…hmm.” He untied my robe, the silk fabric falling open. He brushed his palms lightly up the sides of my ribcage, his thumbs grazing my breasts, then back down, curving at my waist and over my hips to my outer thighs.