Page 96 of Dragon Tempted

To hell with not touching her—he rested his hands on her arms and turned her to him. “How can you say that? You figured out how to release the sentries. Right now they don’t appear to have powers, but I can’t imagine they'll stay that way forever. This is a sign, Sienna.”

She looked up at him with shiny eyes. “Since when did you become the optimist?”

“The more time I spend with you. Before you came outside, I was thinking about how strong you are. How you’ve faced each obstacle thrown at you.”

A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. “I don’t feel very strong right now.”

He pulled her into his arms and rested his chin on the top of her head. “You’re frustrated and I get that. We’re close. This will all be over soon.” The bittersweet words soured his stomach. Yes, they were close to breaking the curse, but that meant his life would be over. He squeezed her a little tighter, inhaling her citrus scent to memorize it.

He loosened his grip, and she stepped back, blinking up at him with her big brown eyes. Eyes that took him in. He hoped she couldn’t read anything in his expression.

“I know we said that we would talk about whatever this is between us after the curse is gone, but is it okay to want another kiss to tide me over?” she whispered before biting her bottom lip.

Her words sliced him open, and he closed his eyes for a moment to gather every emotion and lock it away. John opened his eyes before leaning down and taking her lips. Small sips and then a couple deeper kisses that traveled through him like a shock wave before he rested his forehead on hers. They stood like that for a few moments before she finally stepped back and smiled at him. “Thank you.”

He nodded since the words he wanted to say were trapped in his throat, burning his chest. He couldn’t lose his way. The goal was finally in his reach. And once done, knowing that Sienna and her family and clan were okay would console him at the end.

Chapter 33

Sienna walked back into the office with John on her heels. His confidence in her abilities meant more than he could ever know. She scooped up her phone from the desk, opened the chat group, typed quickly, and then set the phone down.

“What are you up to, Si?” Ryan sat back in his chair. “You have your throat-punch face back in play.”

She glanced at John before answering Ryan. “I sent Mia another message. Hopefully it will get her attention.”

“What did you send?” John asked.

“Two words: it worked.”

“What do you want her to think worked?” Ryan stood.

“Anything she wants. Maybe it’ll put a fire under her to reach out again.”

“Her imagination is greater than anything we could tell her,” John said.

“Exactly.” Her phone dinged. “And there we go. Mia wants to meet again.” She waited for the details. “Today at one. Same room as before at Vanderbilt.”

Ryan headed toward the door. “I’m going to get Marcus. That doesn’t give us much time to get everything ready. At least we’re familiar with the location.”

The door shut and Sienna turned to John, who crossed his arms and seemed ready for battle.

“What’s with the crabby look and crossed arms? You’re not going to try and talk me out of meeting with Mia, are you?”

“No. I’m coming with you.”

Sienna’s alarm bells jangled. “You said that before. Do you think it’s a good idea?”

“I think that I need to be with you now that we’re close to breaking the curse. As you already pointed out a while ago, Mia has to have figured out by now that I’m here. If Templars attacked my cabin, they saw you drive up and shot at both of us. They have to know your clan is hiding me or knows where I am. Hell, that’s probably why they sent the damn drone.”

She wasn’t going to argue with him, especially when the door opened and Ryan, Marcus, and her brothers came into the room and started talking through the security plan.

A few short hours later Ryan held open the door and Sienna entered the classroom with a sense of déjà vu. Except this time John was beside her. Even though this was serious business, she couldn’t help but smile at the way John was dressed. Tessa had taken it upon herself to make him look professor chic. She had raided Adam’s and Eric’s closets. John was dressed in nice jeans with an oxford shirt and a jacket. Knowing Tessa, if she would have had enough time, she would have sewn patches on the elbows and forced him to carry a pipe. They’d compromised with a pair of glasses. Add all that with his scruff and it was a heady combo. Tessa had declared he’d have co-eds lining up to take his classes regardless of the subject.

They walked farther into the classroom and stopped midway down when the door at the front of the classroom opened and Mia entered. She gave John a once-over before turning to Sienna.

“Let’s not waste time. You said it worked. What worked? How to stop the curse?”

“Not yet. Megan said you’re brilliant, so listen close. Are you ready?”