Page 30 of Desired By the Dragon

Ur welcome. Out w Taz. Stop by later?

See you then.

Well, she definitely sounded like Kiernan. She texted like she was stuck in the early two-thousands and using a brick phone, but I knew she had a smartphone. Either way, she was fine. Just… wanted to see me? Could that be right?

I floated through the rest of the day with a smile on my face.

* * *

On Thursday, I had a rare free day from teaching as most of the students were busy revising for their end of term exams.

Kiernan had told me she was busy, so I opted to head to the farmer’s market by myself. It was sunny, if a little blustery, so I wrapped my scarf around my neck twice to help keep it in place.

Last night had brought a lot of rain and usually I might have gone out to fly in it, enjoying the water on my scales, but Kiernan had come over and we’d been… occupied.

The grass was slippery underfoot, squelching lightly, but the smell was fresh and I inhaled deeply, caught up in thoughts of Kiernan and the time we’d spent under the covers in my bed while the rain poured down outside. Flying with her in a thunderstorm would probably be incredible.

I stopped at a stall and smiled at the vaguely familiar woman behind the table as I bought a warm, cinnamon cider. I took a sip and hummed appreciatively, it was good — the perfect ratio of spice to beer, and warm enough to make me feel cozy rather than overheated. Kiernan would probably enjoy it, I’d have to check if they sold bottles.

Lost in my own head, I didn’t see the figure careening into me until it was too late.

Cider flew as I caught her before she could hit the ground and I smiled when a colorful curse flew out of her mouth. Her armful of purchases hit the grass along with the bulk of my drink, though I was mostly grateful that only a small amount landed on us.

Had I somehow summoned her by thinking about her?

“Max?” Kiernan’s brow furrowed before a bright smile transformed her face, vanishing the frown she’d been leveling at her dropped things. I stared. I couldn’t help it, she was lit from within, the sun catching in her hair and making it shine like a river of liquid copper, the breeze tickling the baby hairs around her temples. I wanted to kiss them flat. “Max?” she repeated, quieter, as she cupped my face in one palm. “Are you alright? I’m sorry about your drink.”

I snapped myself out of my reverie and smiled back at her as I waved off her apology. “It’s okay. You just surprised me — thought I was dreaming for a second.” She rolled her eyes and I didn’t have the heart to tell her I meant the words. “Got anything good?” I crouched and began reassembling her pile of goods before the spilled drink could run onto them. There was an eclectic mix of things that didn’t really seem like her, like an overly floral candle with crystals embedded in the wax, a soft woolen hat, and a few other bits.

“Oh, it’s not for me. I’m doing some early holiday shopping.”

Ah. That made more sense. “You didn’t see anything you wanted for yourself?”

Her chuckle made me smile as I pulled a cotton tote from my coat pocket and dropped her things inside before slinging it over my shoulder. “Pastries, mainly. There are these two bakers over there, you’ve got to try the cinnamon cayenne scones. They might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Seriously,” she reiterated when I looked doubtful.

I already knew I’d tasted the best thing I ever would when I’d devoured her for the first time — but I was trying to keep things cool, casual. So I kept that tidbit to myself.

“Cayenne?”

She nodded eagerly, eyes lit up and glowing. Flame take me, but I would eat anything that had her eyes shining like that. “Don’t knock it til you try it. Seriously, the spicy-sweet combo is to die for.” I adjusted the bag on my shoulder and she frowned.

“Oh, hey, you don’t have to carry that —”

I raised a brow as she slipped her hand under the straps of the tote. “Do you want me to leave?” She hesitated and then shook her head. “Then I’m carrying the bag. Now, let’s go see those pastries.”

A small smile curved her lips as she took my hand in hers and led me over to the bakery stall, the scent of wood and spices reluctantly piquing my interest. We stepped beneath the canvas canopy, waiting in line beside the chalkboard that advertised the Windward Whisk, and the glow of the string lights made Kiernan look almost angelic. My heart pounded ferociously and I wanted to laugh at my body’s reaction to her simply holding my hand, but I couldn’t. Not when I didn’t want her to ever let go.

I was absolutely screwed.

After the pastries, we’d walked around the market chatting and browsing until the weather turned. She’d come back home with me in the afternoon and was still here the following morning. That made it twice that we’d broken the no-sleepovers rule. Last time she’d snuck out before I was even awake, so today was already an improvement.

Internally, I was worried about pushing her too far and putting us back into the place we’d been in last week where just the mention of anything non-sex related between us sent her into a crash out. But then the past few days… Something had changed, I just wasn’t sure what or why.

I was fast becoming worryingly addicted to waking up with her in my bed, her scent clinging to my sheets. The heat would be ending in a little over a week and I was going to have to take a chance soon and hope that she’d be open to more with me. Because if I walked away without at least trying to keep her, I was pretty sure I’d regret it for the rest of my long life.

“So, since I did you a favor by meeting your parents, does that mean I can ask you for a favor now too?” I started out casually, flippant even, trying not to betray how hard my heart was beating or the slight sweat that had broken out on my palms.

She raised a brow. “Depends on what it is.”