Page 29 of Dragon Kissed
He looked at her bare legs, the thin shirt, the swollen curve of her mouth. “Wear something warm.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Are you taking me outside?”
“For part of it.”
“Should I expect more unidentified flying creatures?”
“No.” The lie tasted bitter, and she noticed — of course she noticed — but she let it pass. “For breakfast,” she said.
“For breakfast.”
“Not a date.”
“It is a date.”
“I didn’t agree to a date.”
“You kissed me.”
“That was a separate bad decision.”
“Then you may make another at nine.”
She folded her arms. “You are very arrogant.”
“Yes.”
“Most men would deny that.”
“I am not most men.”
“No,” she said softly. “You really aren’t.”
Demetri moved toward the balcony, and Nica frowned. “The door is that way.”
“I know.”
“You’re leaving through the balcony?”
“I entered this way.”
“Demetri,” she said, as he opened the door and cold fog rolled toward him. “When you say you’re courting me, what exactly do you want?”
Everything. Her body beneath mine. Her laughter in every room of this house. Her hand in mine when centuries pass. Her silver mark carrying my fire. A life I stopped believing existed.
He looked back at her. “I want the opportunity to make you happy.”
Her expression went still. Demetri stepped onto the balcony before he said more than she could bear. “Good night, Nica.”
“Good night.”
He climbed over the outer wall, and she lunged forward. “Demetri!” He dropped. The dragon laughed as Nica reached the railing; Demetri caught the ledge one floor below, swung onto the terrace, and landed on his feet. Above him, Nica leaned over the wall, her hair spilling around her face.
“What is wrong with you?”
“Many things.”
“That was not funny.”
