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Blaise beat me to it. “Ah, miniature strawberry shortcakes. Oh, and look, he brought us roast beef sandwiches on homemade sourdough bread.” He chuckled as he pulled a flag out of the sandwich and passed it tome.
“Eat me first,” I read. “I don’t remember falling down a rabbit hole, but it would explain so much.” I shrugged. “Fine. I’ll play the game. Gimme.” I held out grabby fingers and he shook his head as he passed it tome.
“And at first glance, you seemed so civilized.” Then he lifted his sandwich and took a hefty bite. His lids lowered. After he swallowed, he mumbled, “You wouldn’t think a guy that cranky could make such a goodmeal.”
“I don’t know that one has anything to do with the other.” I took a bite andshrugged.
“How’s that? What happened to cooking with love?” Blaise raised a fist to the sky and I actuallysnorted.
“Please, I cook so we can live, but I do it well.” The wine was already hitting me. No longer trusting my balance, I took a few steps, sat hard on the loveseat, and curled up in thecorner.
“You’re looking sleepy,” he noted minutes later as I finished devouring every bit of thefood.
My chin was propped up on my elbow. “Yup. Suream.”
“Perfect time for that massage.” He helped me up and walked me over to the bed. “Why don’t you lay on your stomach so I can work some of the knots out of yourback?”
The man had a point. I basically flopped face first onto the mattress. “Okay, work your magic,” I mumbled even as he began to knead myshoulders.
“Is this good?” He paused. “Not toohard?”
I snickered. “Sadly, toosoft.”
“And she insults my manhood.” Blaise sighed. “I must like you. No one else would get away with that.” He leaned low and kissed myneck.
“This is nice.” I giggled. “But there’s still no way I’m fallingasleep.”
7
Blaise
“What areyou going to do with her?” Fredo asked as he came in to pick up our dishes. At least that was the excuse he used to gain entry to my room yet again. I didn’t believe that nosy man for one minute. There was no doubt in my mind; he wanted to make sure I wasn’t fuckingMaggie.
“I’m not moving her, if that’s what you’re asking.” I’d been stretched out on the loveseat watching her sleep, my thoughts in a million places. Finally, I stood. “Do you want to stay with her, or at least check in onher?”
His eyes narrowed. “Where are yougoing?”
“Do I suddenly answer to you, Fredo?” Igrowled.
“No, sir.” His shoulders drooped. “It’s justthat…”
“Have I ever brought a woman here?” I glared athim.
“No, sir.” Fredo tilted his head. “You never have anyonehere.”
“Exactly. I can’t very well…be true to myself with guests.” I huffed and began pacing. The wind was calling to me. This was probably my last chance before the full moon. “I’m going. Please don’t leave her alone. I’ll wait to leave until youreturn.”
This time, he didn’t even respond. Fredo merely nodded, but his disappointment was obvious. I had no words to make him understand. While his family had been servants to ours for many years, the keepers of our secret, he could never understand the burden of being both dragon and human. He could never possibly comprehend the pull of the flying, but neither could I understand the pull I felt toward Maggie. Nothing my father had told me while growing up had prepared me for this. I squatted on the floor near her head and brushed her hair out of her face. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmured. Her eyelids fluttered open in response. “Rest,” I urged as I rubbed herback.
Maggie nodded almost imperceptibly before curling up on her side. I stood and pulled the bedding around her. This was the best I could do, even though I’d have preferred to wrap my body around her instead. With a sigh, I stood and moved to the balcony. The moist night air coated my skin. I’d waited long enough. Fredo would be back any minute. I stretched, then began to hastily undress. Since he was already upset with me, I took the extra time to fold my clothes and pile them neatly on the chair by the patio. I lined up my shoes and tucked them under the same chair. Satisfied, I stepped up onto the bistro stool, then up onto the railing. When I heard the sound of the door handle turning, I knew it was time. I spread my arms and stared up at the sky before allowing myself to fall head first down the cliff. I enjoyed the sensation for a split second before I shifted. Flexing my leathery wings, I began to pound the air harder and harder, raising higher and higher into the sky. I missed the days when I could spit fire into the air. For a dragon, this was as satisfying as burping, removing the growing and often painful gas bubble. Sadly, this close to so many major cities, I’d risk exposure. There was always someone watching. Hell, there were probably satellite images ofme.
I flew above the cloud cover, listening carefully for aircraft, enjoying the feeling of soaring through the night sky. Unfortunately, no matter what I tried, nothing shook the sorrow I carried deep within. Hundreds of years with no mate had taken their toll. I’d taken to telling myself I didn’t care. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it much lately, until Maggie. There was definitely a pull. Even now, I ached to go back to her. Would I even know if we were meant to be, if she was made for me? I released a puff of smoke, which was about as satisfying as masturbating and stopping just before I blew myload.
Making a sharp turn, I raced back to my home. As I tore through the sky, I had to admit I felt better the closer I came to the place. Finally, I dropped down onto the balcony, shifting as I landed. Fredo had exited the room the second he saw me. I stared at the bed, a smile playing on my lips until I realized Maggie was smiling back at me. I swallowed hard, trying to figure out how to play thisoff.
“You’re here,” sheslurred.
I grinned. And there it was: alcohol. I’d never loved wine so much in all my life. “Maggie, you should rest.” Then I remembered I was standing before her completely naked and ducked into the bathroom to retrieve myrobe.
