Page 62 of Feathers and Scales

The book fell onto the table.

Her hands circled his neck, and the rough, tactile sensation from his unshaven face left her breathless. Timidly brushing her tongue against his incited ecstatic pulses in her body. She repeated the action. His growl vibrated through her chest. He slid his large hands under her thighs and hauled her onto his lap. The strength of the movement fluttered in her stomach. Straddling him, she pressed herself against the hard masculine flesh beneath her. Her core danced, muscles tightening.

His touch traveled up from thighs to hips. Her skin tingled under the caress of his calloused hands, and their warmth slipped farther under her shirt to the top of her loose-fitting pants. Her nipples, sensitive and needy, shifted against his chest.

I need more.

As if obeying her unspoken request, his rough hands moved up to her bra. He pushed the cotton against her breasts. She didn’t know what she craved, and her lack of experience with sexual urges made the experience terrifying, yet thrilling. Daxton must have understood, forhe shoved the bra up. His flesh against her bare breast felt euphoric, and his finger brushing against the tip sent a streak of desire straight to the bundle of nerves between her thighs.

Izzy relinquished the kiss to moan. Daxton pressed open-mouthed kisses to her neck. Her body shifted against him, rubbing her pelvis against the bulge straining beneath the confines of his jeans. Stroking against him sent pure flames through her. His warm gasp tickled her ear.

He grabbed her neck to draw her head down for a kiss that was all tongue. His other hand on her lower back pushed lightly to guide her against him. With each grind, more pressure built inside her. She clung to him, seeking an anchor in the storm.

His nails raked into her skin, and his dragon claws dug into her spirit.

Spirit energy surged from inside her, connected to his, and licked over her breasts, spreading heated arousal all over her body. She gasped and cried out. The link between them heated and blended, stronger and so comforting that she gave herself to the sensation. The friction between her clit and jeans tightened her lower muscles, and she spasmed in release.

Bliss poured in. Her head fell back as she came in droves against him.

He groaned against her ear while they shared wild abandon.

They stilled, searching for sanity.

The orgasm left her raw and naked. As she recovered, a nagging thought sent warning bells through her.What have I done?Her heart threatened to seize.

“The link is stronger now,”Fotios said in her mind.

Daxton’s dragon aura surrounded hers, warmer than before. Something spiritual flowed between them, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. With shaky hands, she shoved herself off him.

He stared at his empty palms. He seemed lost in thought. His dragon felt calm. A languid consciousness streamed along the link, as if his emotions moved like molasses.

“We…you…” She willed herself to tell him they needed to keep their distance, but her throat closed on the words. She had no regrets. She’d liked it more than she wished to admit. But it was too dangerous. To hide her shaking hands, she ran them through her messy hair.

His gaze pierced straight through her. Her face felt on fire, and her breathing labored.

Daxton swallowed. His voice came out hoarsely. “I apologize if that went too far.”

She fought off every instinct to hide within the sanctuary of the bookshelves.Don’t be a coward.“I won’t let you take all the blame, Daxton. It takes two to…well, fool around. The connection between us is stronger than I thought.”

Daxton’s jaw tightened. “Izzy, there’s an attraction here that’s far more than the link. Spending time with you has proven that.” He stood toe-to-toe with her. “This connection doesn’t will me to believe you’re gorgeous and have a brain just as attractive. Your tenacity to learn a new language and continue researching blows my mind. I don’t have the patience you do.”

Her heart thundered with every compliment and the stunning truth that he too had traits she admired. He lived an immortal life and yet cared so much for his people that he created a business to support them. His plate was already full, but he took the time to bring her to safety and hunt the Archfiends. The man exuded warmth and acceptance in ways she never felt she could.

She shook her head. “I can’t do this.”

“What are you afraid of?”

Falling for you.

“Emotions are the hurdle to reaching strength,”Fotios whispered.

I know, but it’s always been hard for me to shut myself off.

“Yes, and because of that, when I died, what happened?”

Her grief over losing him caused her brain to crack.

Gentle fingers grasped and lifted her chin. Daxton’s narrowed gaze stared back at her.