Page 47 of Dragon Heir

I step aside so I can see Sinetar over Pax’s shoulder. He had a chance with me too. He always flirts, but when I offered to take it further, he’s the one who backed down. He’s a flirt, but he doesn’t really want me either.

“Just trying to figure out how to turn on the bath,” I say with an apologetic shrug, my throat aching. I can’t meet any of their gazes.

“I’ll show you,” Pax says, turning and ushering me into the spacious, immaculately clean washroom where every surface is white and sparkling.

Sinetar steps into the doorway and leans a hand on each side of the doorframe. “Do you actually know, kid, or are you just trying to block my view?”

I turn my back to him, acutely aware of the air brushing across the exposed skin where the dress hangs unlaced. Is he doing that?

“Everything you need is right here,” Pax says, a little too loudly, as he sweeps his fingers across a spot on the wall. Green scales shimmer into view on Pax’s forearm. Light begins to glow from a circle in the wall, some kind of hidden panel. “Just let your dragon awaken, and she can control everything in the palace.”

“Yeah, if I knew how to do that, that would be a good start.”

“A true queen controls all nine dragon elements,” Sinetar murmurs from the doorway.

I glance over my shoulder at him, “Is this really time for a lesson, professor?”

“Perfect time.”

Desire smolders in his deep purple eyes as they rake down my bare back. A shiver of erotic heat shimmers over my skin, and a hot coal of desire throbs in my core.

I tear my eyes away and step up next to Pax, who puts a hand possessively around my waist. My cheeks heat at the realization that he witnessed the charged moment I shared with Sinetar.

“Here, give me your hand.”

Pax takes my hand, guiding my fingers to the panel. Immediately, the light brightens, and the symbols clear. Concentric circles of runes light up under my fingertips. Pax quickly explains the symbols, showing me how to turn the water on and off, hot and cold, steam, fog, water pressure, jets, bubbles, even waves and different currents through the tub.

I focus on that, and not the buzz of desire washing through me when I’m in Pax’s arms. I don’t want him to leave, to take his protective arm from around me. If I close my eyes, I can pretend he’s not a dragon. That he’s still the small-town boy who stood up for me against other boys, who told them I was good enough to play with them even when other kids wanted me excluded for being a nerdy little bookworm without the athletic prowess the rest of them displayed. He always protected me, included me, kept me near.

I look away from my fingers, watching his lips curve as he reassures me that I’ll get the hang of it sooner than I expect. After a second, he feels the weight of my gaze, and his sea-green eyes rise to meet mine, so close I can feel the sweep of his hot breath against my cheek. I swallow, my eyes moving to his lips.

“I’d better go,” he whispers.

Before he can, icy water sprays down on us from the ceiling. With a shriek, I leap back, instinctively throwing my hands up against the onslaught. Pax stumbles back too, his legs meeting the edge of the tub. He windmills his arms, fighting to regain balance. I have no such luck. I tumble from the tub toward the unforgiving marble floor.

At the last second, strong arms slip around me, cradling my head and keeping it from smashing onto the marble.

True’s pale blue eyes are so close I can see the lines in them, like cracks in ice. “Are you injured, my queen?” he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.

I cling to his neck, my heart hammering in my chest. “Wow, quick reflexes,” I say with a shaky smile.

Sinetar chuckles. “Indeed. Very quick reflexes.”

When I turn to the professor, his smoldering gaze sweeps to my chest. That’s when I notice that my dress has fallen to my waist. My nipples stand in hard peaks, tingling at the fire in his eyes, which blazes even hotter. His nostrils flare, and he visible gulps.

If True notices, he’s too much of a gentleman to show it. Pax climbs from the tub, reaching down to help me up. Before he can, True stands, lifting me to my feet. His fingers find the edge of my top and draw it slowly up my body. His knuckles graze my skin, and a shiver runs through my chest, traveling down every inch of me. He should be taking off my clothes, not putting them on.

For once, his face is not blank. It’s flushed as he draws the dress up over my breasts, his eyes never leaving mine. The icy fabric makes my nipples harden even more, tightening painfully, and I gasp.

True’s jaw clenches as he sets me away from him like I’m something combustible.

Right now, I am.

Glancing sideways, I catch the open longing on Pax’s handsome face. The desperation in his eyes betrays a wild need that takes my breath.

It’s too much. The tension in the air, True holding up my dress, pressing the material to my sensitive nipples while the other two men watch.

“We’ll take our leave of you, Princess Vynessa,” True says, his voice stiff. He releases the bodice, probably thinking I’ll catch it, but I let the dress fall away again, this time bunching around my hips.