She blinked. “You had to fight another dragon,” she said. “And it sounds like they’re terrible.”
“Exceedingly terrible,” I agreed. “But let’s not talk about them.”
“No?” She stared up at me. “What should we talk about?”
“How you should thank me and profess your undying loyalty to me for saving your life.” I grinned.
That she was alive, standing, talking with me, listening to me flirting with her… It amazed me. She had come so very close to death. I had never realized just how fragile and frail a human life could be than in that moment when I had scooped her up into my claws. She had been so limp, and her chest had hardly risen. I feared I would lose her during the flight over, and yet, I feared that if I flew too fast I could cause her more pain, more issues, could even kill her myself if the wind resistance proved too much.
But all was well. She was fine. Better than fine. So very fine.
She laughed. “I could, I suppose. I do owe you my life after all.”
I scowled, thinking of Damon.
“What’s wrong?” She touched my arm.
So soft, so tender. Her eyes were so bright. I could not handle her.
Why? Why was I so drawn to her? She was not any different from the dozens of women I had already dated. More than the other two, I enjoyed a few relationships with females. I’d always assumed I would settle down with a nice dragon lady one day.
Now, I wasn’t so sure.
It was ridiculous. I hardly knew her.
She was staring at me, her concern growing, and I frowned all the more.
“Why aren’t you smiling?” I asked, cupping her chin.
She gave me a pathetic smile.
I rolled my eyes and sighed dramatically. “Come on now. Can’t you give me a real smile?”
“Maybe I’m not in the mood,” she said.
“Not in the mood? You should be! You are alive! It is a wonderful day!” I threw out my arms.
“Isn’t it night?” she asked dryly.
“Even better.” I threw her a wink.
She giggled.
“Ah, there! Now you can smile, yes?”
The woman beamed.
“Adorable!”
She sighed. “Adorable? That’s not what a woman wants to hear.”
“No? Forgive me. I am just blinded by your amazingness.”
Her hand went to her forehead. “You’re a bit over the top, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I became a tad bit more serious. “I just prefer to do everything with all I have.”
“Like rescuing me. You didn’t have to do that.” She hesitated and touched my arm. “Were you injured?”
“I am Francesco Marino. A stronger dragon there is not. I am perfectly fine, but if you wish to inspect every inch of me to be sure, I will not stop you. I will strip down right here and no if you like.” I grabbed my shirt.
She laughed and yanked my wrist down. “Don’t you dare!”
“In a bedroom then?” I wiggled my eyebrows.
She giggled some more.
Just then, Damon burst out of her room. Audrey glanced at him, and I bristled. I had never been jealous of the dragon before. We were co-leaders. Not one of us was above the other. I shouldn’t mind that Damon had given his blood to heal her, but I did. I wished that had been me. While it did not seem as if she had overly bonded with Damon, she still might.
And that was what made me so jealous. I was furious with Damon for the first time ever.
This was not good. Not good at all.
“I am Audrey,” she said, still gazing at Damon.
“Audrey! You look like an Audrey. Stunning. Breathtaking. I take it you are never invited to weddings because you would upstage any bride.”
A strange expression crossed her face. I could not understand it, but then it was meant for Damon and not for me. I glanced over to see Damon, not her. She shrugged and gave him a small smile before looking at me.
“Forgive me,” she murmured.
“There is nothing to forgive.”
I listened as Damon walked down the hall. He was heading for the study. Good. He wouldn’t be a distraction any longer.
“Is there anything you need? Anything I can give you?” I swept into a grand bow. “I am at your service, Miss…”
“Wright.” She laughed and pushed up on my shoulders so I would stand. “Don’t do that.”
“You don’t want me to bow to you? Why not?”
“Because I don’t deserve one.”
“It is not a matter of deserving one. It is a sign of respect.”
“But I… I should curtsey to you. You saved my life, not the other way around.”
My heart skipped a beat as she sank into a curtsey. It wasn’t the best of forms, but it was the thought behind it. What a sweet gesture.
I could not help myself. I enveloped her into my arms and began to dance. I had been told more than once that I was a romantic. I loved all women, and I knew how to sweep them off their feet.
With Audrey, though, it felt different. I could not explain how or why, and given that she might bond to Damon, I shouldn’t even try, but damn, did she feel right in my arms.
“You truly are not hurt then?” she asked suspiciously.
I guided us into her room, where we would have more space than in the hallway to continue our dance.
“Would I be able to do this if I were injured?” I leaned her back over my arm.
She giggled. “I haven’t danced like this in ages.”
“You have ballroom danced before?” I asked, surprised. Certainly, she danced well, but I had assumed she was a quick learner. I was an excellent dancer myself, and I could lead others well enough even if they had never danced themselves before.
“A few times. One of my friends is a dancer. She instructs at a school, and sometimes, she has me go in and help when she’s shorthanded.”
“Ah, that explains your gracefulness.”
“I am not graceful at all,” she protested.
“You have a dignity to you.”
Her laugh was shocked. “You don’t know me at all!”
“Or perhaps you don’t know yourself.” I pulled her close as we stopped dancing.
She did not struggle out of my arms. Our faces were so close. Her eyes were bright, and she seemed to be searching for something in mine.
“I know who I am,” she said slowly, “but I don’t know if I can accept everything that has happened. Dragons being real, two clans moving here, fighting, a war… almost being killed…”
I held her tightly to my chest. Her heart raced, as did mine.
“I will not allow anything to happen to you,” I said. “I saved you once. I vow that I will save you again and again, as many times as is necessary if that needs to be the case.”
“Thank you, but I would rather that not be necessary.”
“Will you stay here then?” I asked eagerly.
“I…” Audrey shook her head, and only now did she wiggle free from my embrace. “I can’t. I have to return to my life. I’ve been gone for so long. Too long. I can’t stay.”
“There’s nothing I can do to convince you to stay?” I asked, pouting.
“Don’t be so upset.”
“Why not? You save a girl’s life, and she runs off the first chance she gets.”
“It’s not like that,” she protested.
“No?” I crossed my arms, flexing them slightly. “Prove it.”
She sighed. “I can’t stay. If you were me… You’d need some time away.”
“Away from me?”
“Not you. Just… dragons in general? I’m sorry. It’s so much to handle. You can understand that, right?”
“I can, but that doesn’t mean you don’t wound me.” I clasped my hands to my chest.
“So overdramatic.”
“For you, I can be anything.”
“So you won’t stop me if I’ll leave?”
I cupped her cheek. “Al
low me to drive you home.”
She hesitated, and I could tell she was thinking hard. Why? Did she not like to accept help from strangers? And I wasn’t even a strange man. I was a strange dragon shifter.
Of course she was scared and frightened. Why wouldn’t she want to be with dragons who could protect her?
Audrey was lovely, yes, but she had a strength to her. She was smart. She’d see reason and stay.
She still hadn’t responded, so I opted for a different tactic. “How about we spend the night together?”
“In your bed?” she asked dryly, eyebrow quirked. “I don’t think so.”
I laughed. “Oh, no, ma cher. I meant up on the rooftop. The stars are especially lovely viewed from above. We can have some wine and some fruit and—”
“Does all of the wine you dragons drink help with your fire?”
I roared another laugh. “Perhaps it does.”
“You are that insistent that I stay. Do you think I need your protection? Is that it?”
“I don’t want my saving you to be for naught,” I said quietly. “I want nothing to happen to you. Is that so wrong of me?”
“No,” she said slowly. “But I need some space.”
“Space? You can have space later, once the war is over.”
“Has the war even started yet?”
“Not exactly,” I admitted. “But—”
Are you certain it would be a short war?”
“I… I can’t say for certain,” I admitted, unwilling to lie to her.
“Well, then. I can’t just put my life on hold. I have a job. I have responsibilities. I’m still trying to find my dog. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to worry about me, but I have to return to my life.”
“Allow me to drive you,” I all but begged.
Audrey held out her hand. I clasped it and squeezed.
“Very well,” she allowed, “but you’ll drop me off a block from my house.”
“I will do no such thing,” I admonished.
“A girl needs protection,” she murmured.
“Not from me.” I squeezed her hand again.
Her other hand tapped her heart. “I think differently.”
Chapter 10
Audrey Wright
The look Francesco gave me when I let him know that I was worried about my heart left me breathless. He looked shocked, amazed, and happy.
I shouldn’t have said that. I shouldn’t have implied that.
But it was the truth.
All of the dragons seemed to have a keen, vested interest in me, and honestly, I returned it. I was inquisitive by nature. All reporters had to be, but this was different. This wasn’t just about my job and wanting answers and justice for the victims and the truth for the people. This was me being selfish and desiring three men.
Three dragons.
No way. No how. I couldn’t want them all. It was so wrong of me.
But I did. That was another reason why I had to get away. I needed space so I could return to reality. So I could be myself again. So I could ground myself in the real world.
Only the world was realer now than ever before because I knew a truth that no other living human knew.
Dragons existed. There were men and most likely women who could change and shift into dragons. With wings. And claws. And a tail. And fangs.
Majestic. Terrifying. Horrible. Monstrous. Terrible.
Francesco wrapped my arm through his and nearly strolled along, leading me through the huge house. Once we reached the lower level, he paused.
“Would you like anything to nibble on for the ride?”
I patted my stomach. “I’m fine. You all try to fatten me up.”
“That’s because we want to eat you.” His gaze wandered down my body, and I flushed with embarrassment and desire.
“Not now.”
“Maybe later?”
Were we still talking about food or something else?
Francesco chuckled. He brought me to two massive doors. He undid several locks before pushing one open. A loud creaking sound echoed.
“If you please,” he said.
He walked me outside and over to an attached three-car garage. He opened the one to the left, and revealed a hot Italian sports car, a bright red one that matched his personality perfectly. I couldn’t help laughing.
“I approve,” I said.
“You know your cars?”
“I can appreciate them. Please tell me it’s stick.”
He glowered at me. “Who do you take me as? Of course it’s stick. You can drive stick?”
“I can, but this is your baby. I wouldn’t dream of asking.”
“Maybe I’d offer one day.”
“After you eat me?” I whisper.
Francesco brought me close to him, flush against his body. His lips hovered inches above mine.
“Whatever you want,” he promised, but then he drew back. He glanced toward the middle car, glowering.
The dragon was upset with the other dragons. Envious? Jealous? I couldn’t tell if he was angry or not, but he then turned to me with a winning smile. No anger for me at least. Good. Because if he wanted me to pick between him and the others, I couldn’t do it. Miguel had been rather sweet. Damon and I had butted heads some, but that had only made me appreciate him all the more. I hated a guy who would beat around the bush or try to placate me. Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Words were as important as actions. I knew that better than most, being a reporter.
Francesco walked me around to my side of the car and opened the door for me. “Your chariot.”
“Thank you,” I murmured as I folded my legs into the small car. It didn’t feel cramped.
Although Francesco was not a small guy by any stretch of the imagination, he seemed to have more than enough room for himself. He seemed so comfortable in his own skin. His demeanor wasn’t an act like it would’ve been with other guys. He wasn’t putting on airs. He truly was this fun, outrageous, romantic guy, and I couldn’t help it. I adored him already.
He raced the car out of there, and I squealed with delight, rushing to put on my seat belt. He already had, so that should’ve been my first clue to follow suit.
I gave him my street name, and he began to drive as if he knew exactly where my house was. Good because I wasn’t certain where we were. I paid attention to the street names, so I could return if I needed to.
If I wanted to.
I already wanted to.
Before the mansion had disappeared from view, I glanced back at it. All in stone, so beautiful, a fitting home for dragons.
And for me.
I shook my head. What a thought! How could I dare be so bold? Especially when I couldn’t even bring myself to pick one of the three.
Francesco’s little car sped along like a demon. Seriously. He was speeding. I was surprised that no cops were around to see him, but when I caught him sniffing for a third time, I grew suspicious.
“Can you smell cops?” I accused.
His laugh echoed in the car. “Maybe.”
“You can!”
“Yes. None are nearby, and trust me, I can drive as well as I can fly.”
Despite his insane speed, I didn’t feel worried at all. The car handled the speed perfectly, and we were never in any danger. The mansion had been outside of Philly, and once we reached a more residential area, he did slow down. I assumed to ensure no one would get hurt, but there wasn’t much traffic at this time of night. The bars would be hopping but not this area of the city.
In far less time than it should’ve taken, we were on my street.
“What house number?” Francesco asked innocently.
“Hmm. I thought I said I didn’t want you to know my house number.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“To not break into my house and sneak into my bed? Exactly right. I don’t trust you to not do that,” I retorted.
“Do you honestly think I would do that?”
“Yes!”
“Not uninvited,” he insisted.
“Maybe not into my bed uninvited but into my house, yes, you would!”
“You know me so well.”
“I do.”
He drove up the street a few more blocks. Once we hit the thirteenth block, I held up a hand.
“You can pull over here, and then drive away like a good little chauffeur,” I teased.
“Is that all I’m good for?” he asked, feigning hurt feelings. He did pull over and park.
“No.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
At the last second, he turned slightly, and instead of my lips brushing his clean-shaven skin, they met his warm ones.
A shock went straight through me right to my core. I jerked back. Not because I didn’t trust him. Because I didn’t trust me.
I wanted him.
But it felt like it was a betrayal to Damon. And to Miguel too.
So wrong but I couldn’t separate them in my mind. They were a package deal.
Francesco touched his forehead to mind. “Do not worry. We will avenge the attack on you.”
“Oh, I don’t… Just worry about the war. I’m not at the center of it.”
He just stared at me. “We will avenge you throughout the war,” he said, sounding calmer and more like a leader than ever before.
My heart skipped a beat. Seeing him like this was so intense.
“Damon, Miguel, and I, we are the leaders of the Three-Tailed Clan. We will crush the Fanged Serpents. Their reign of tyranny will come to an end. Have no fear.”
Of course they were all three the leaders of the clan. No wonder I couldn’t separate them.
I swallowed hard. “I do have fear,” I murmured.
“Then stay with us,” he pleaded.
“No, silly.” I patted his cheek. “I’m worried about you three. If I stayed with you, you’d all be too focused on me.” I winced. “Man, does that sound narcissistic or what?”
“It’s not narcissistic if it’s true, and you’re probably right,” he admitted. “Audrey, please, let me drive you to your house. I want to see you walk in safe and sound.”
“You have a cell?” I asked, grabbing mine. “Give me your number. I’ll text you once I’ve locked myself inside. How does that sound?”
“Like you’re going to win this round,” he grumbled.
Flames & Fervor (Clashing Claws Book 1) Page 5