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When he took her hand in his, she completely forgot about everything but the man in front of her. Time seemed to stand still.
She couldn't remember the last time a man's touch had turned her brain to mush and filled her with warmth and anticipation.
Not that anything would happen. Did she want to see Blake again? Yes. But Dawn had to be careful because of Daisy. Her daughter became attached rather easily, and Dawn didn't want to dangle anything in front of Daisy before Dawn knew something could be serious.
Why am I even thinking about stuff like that? I just met the man.
He released her hand and said, "I think most of the students were extra careful so as to not irk Tristan. He's good with the children for many reasons, but they instinctively know not to piss him off."
She smiled, remembering the usually growly dragonman when he'd talked with his mate briefly during the intermission. He'd been cooing to his small daughter the entire time. "I think it's more than that, though. He hides a good heart, although I'm not sure why."
"Image, maybe? Most dragon-shifter males—and quite a few females—like to project an alpha persona."
She raised an eyebrow. "What, and you're different?"
His gaze shuttered a second, but it vanished before she could blink. "In many ways, yes."
She searched his eyes but decided now wasn't the time to push for the reason behind the change in his expression. Daisy would be looking for her any minute now, and Dawn sensed the conversation behind Blake's demeanor required more than a few rushed seconds.
So she decided to let it drop and changed the subject. "Well, regardless, you did a good job, Blake. Oh, and give your dragon a pat on the back for me."
He raised his brows. "My dragon?"
"I assume he helped you, right? And I can't really talk to him right now, so I have to use you as the messenger."
Blake's eyes flashed as he snorted. "My dragon doesn't care much for science-y stuff, as he calls it."
Interesting. Maybe she had just enough time to learn a little more about how inner dragons worked. For Daisy, of course. Not because Dawn was getting more and more interested in Blake Whitby by the second. "So you and your dragon like different things?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes, and other times it's the same. We both like swimming, for example."
She smiled. "Does that mean you float on your back in the lake, shifting into your dragon form for a short while, and then switch back to your human one?"
He chuckled. "Can't say I've tried it that way, but it might be worth a go. I'll just have to make sure there aren't any humans around since I have to be naked to do that."
She laughed. "That would be quite the show, for sure. And since almost every mobile phone can record video, it might become the next viral video. Naked dragonman on vacation, or something."
As they smiled at each other, Dawn craved more of this—easy conversation and teasing with a man. And not just some random man, but one who already knew her daughter and all that could entail if things went well.
However, before she could brush those thoughts from her mind, someone pushed her from behind, and she crashed into Blake, her lips touching his.
Despite the unexpected kiss, the brief touch sent heat rushing through her body, more than she'd ever felt before.
But in the next beat, Blake pushed her away, took a few steps back, and clutched his head in his hands. His eyes were shut and his jaw also looked clenched.
If she didn't know any better, she'd say he looked in pain. Dawn reached for him. "Blake, are you okay?"
He shoved her hand away. "No, get away from me, Dawn. Run. Now."
As he hunched over and hissed, Dawn didn't know what to do. Something was clearly wrong with Blake. Maybe it had to do with his inner dragon?
Just as she contemplated getting help, Freddie whispered, "It's the mate-claim frenzy, right?"
She barely noted Freddie and Daisy were also in the room. What was a mate-claim frenzy? Dawn had no idea.
Before she could ask, Blake's eyes shot to the boy's. "Yes, now get them out of here and find Bram, Kai, someone." The dragonman crouched down into a ball on the floor. "Hurry."
As he moaned in pain, Dawn decided enough was enough. Inner dragon or not, she couldn't let him suffer. She moved to crouch down, but Freddie rushed to stand between them. The little boy stated, "Don't touch him. It'll make it worse."
