Dallin nodded thoughtfully.
“Why don’t you come eat with me? Unless you sneaked off when I wasn’t looking, I haven’t seen you take a break all day.”
Dallin looked genuinely surprised by her invitation. “Dragons don’t need breaks.”
“Do they need to eat?”
“I’m here to protect you, not eat your food,” he said casually over his shoulder, acting reluctant.
“Well, you might as well join me, since there’s more than enough for one person here.”
He stood, looking torn. “I wouldn’t want to be a burden. But I have to admit the smell is enticing.”
“And the taste is even better, if I do say so myself,” Jo replied, wiggling her eyebrows at him.
Dallin’s stony expression cracked with a slight grin, and he strode into the kitchen, waiting by the table until she’d taken her seat before seating himself across from her.
The table was only a small, circular pine one she’d picked up at a thrift store years ago, barely big enough for four. But with Dallin there, it felt like two was all that could be managed.
Which lent an oddly romantic feel to the meal somehow.
“So how did you do today?” he asked.
“I won’t know until I look at all the stats, but it seems like we had more than double the viewers for a weeknight.” Whether or not the stream had been a total disaster was neither here nor there because, honestly, it had just been fun to have someone to do it with. Someone to interact with and play off of.
Even if that someone was devastatingly handsome.
Even if that someone was sitting right across from her now.
“Well then, seeing as there’s wine, I propose a toast,” Dallin exclaimed, grabbing the half-full bottle she’d set out earlier and pouring some into both their glasses.
“What are we toasting exactly?” she asked as she held the thin glass stem.
Dallin looked thoughtful for a moment. “I have no clue. What do humans normally toast at their meals?”
Jo was too curious not to ask him the same question. “What do dragons usually toast, if not the same things as humans?”
“Well, we already have unlimited lifespans. And our health is perfect as it is.” He scratched the side of his neck as he thought, and Jo tried not to stare at his bunched bicep. “I think luck is a ridiculous concept, and my fortune is already good, seeing as I’m here with you and not…” His eyes tensed as he looked off into the distance. “Somewhere else."
“Like where?” She couldn’t help asking.
“A dungeon or something,” he said frankly, though his expression said he didn’t want to talk more about it.
“To continued good fortune it is,” Jo said eagerly, raising her glass.
Dallin just stared for a moment, then extremely slowly tipped his glass toward hers with the lightest of clinks like it might explode if he went any faster.
With those muscles, maybe that wasn’t far from the truth.
She took a sip, noting that Dallin gulped his back in one quick swig, and let the aromatic bitterness of the liquid calm her nerves a bit after the long day.
As much as she hated to admit it, for once, it was nice to have had someone standing up for her, even if it was just against internet bullies trying to harass her.
In a world that expected her to do everything and then some by herself, having just one dependable person felt like it made a world of difference.
Plus, she’d always been the type to be almost too nice, even to really bad people. She just couldn’t seem to help it.
It surprised her that she could even keep standing up to Dallin. Perhaps it was just that, no matter how harsh or blunt he was, she felt safe around him. Trusted him.
But was that dangerous? He was only here for a job and a ridiculous one at that.
When that job was over, he would probably be gone.
Dallin lifted the lid off the food and took a long whiff, his handsome features relaxing, making her breath almost stop at his beauty as he closed his eyes and took in the scent, his long lashes fluttering against his cheek for a moment. “I haven’t had a lot of human food, but this smells amazing.”
Perhaps she’d found one way into this standoffish man’s heart.
“Try it and tell me what you think,” she said, smiling.
Dallin looked almost cautious at first, as if he actually expected some sort of trap, but he served them both a helping first before taking a bite.
To her surprise, a tiny thrill of nervousness went through Jo, like it actually mattered or not if he liked it. She loved cooking in front of her fans, but it was different right now, having someone here, tasting her food in front of her.
Someone who made something in her respond in ways she didn’t understand.
After one day, it was already hard to not care about the frustrating-but-caring man’s opinion.
He took a big bite and then let out a satisfied growl as he closed his eyes. "That is utterly divine. The fae certainly have a thing or two to learn from you, Johanna,” he exclaimed, waving his fork with one hand while he tapped the table with another.
Jo couldn’t help beaming for a moment at his pure enjoyment. It made her warm in ways she didn’t want to question.
Not when she’d only known this man for a day.
“You’re just flattering me,” she said, nibbling at her own dinner for a moment.
His face went deadly serious. “No. I find telling people the truth up front is much better than flattery. Hiding feelings was never one of my strong suits. Ian would back me up on that.” Dallin took another bite, enjoying it even more the second time.
“I suppose you’re right,” she said, thinking about how straightforward he’d been ever since he met her. “Who’s Ian?”
“A light fairy. He’s the one who sent you the information packet. He came up with the whole idea to present all the information up front for you.”
She frowned. “As opposed to what? Do beacons like me normally not get briefed on this?”
Dallin glanced to the side, pausing. “No. They usually either knew something was up beforehand or they tended to find out eventually when the supernatural found them first.”
Jo shuddered a bit, not sure which was better—reading about how different her world was, then seeing it in real life or just seeing something that didn’t make sense and having it explained after the fact.
Given her situation, she’d choose the former, though she hadn’t really had a choice in the matter.
“I’d ask for the recipe, but I wouldn’t want to share it with anyone for fear they’d do this culinary perfection an injustice,” he said, eyes narrowing.
“It’s just chicken and a few other things. Nothing fancy.”
“No,” he said, shaking his head with a grave expression. “I’ve tasted ambrosia from the light kingdom and other delicacies beyond the Blur, but this is… magic.”
“Not magic, just practice,” she said, flushing and taking another sip of wine as Dallin just shook his head and went back to eating.
As she sat back and let herself relax with her wine, she felt herself get bolder about asking him a few questions, even if it still made her suppress a hysterical giggle at any of this being real. “So what is it like being a dragon? The packet says I might be part fairy. Do dragons and fairies get along?”
Dallin’s expression went dark for a split second, the teal blue becoming like a stormy ocean. Then he relaxed with a small sigh. “Here on Earth, dragons are protectors who watch out for the world around them. They’re revered and even honored.” He folded his arms, leaning back in his chair. “In the fae world where I come from, they’re pets and slaves and lab rats used for experiments.” His brow lowered at that, and his eyes went dark again.
“That’s horrible,” Jo said, unable to even imagine what he meant by that. God, how horrible would something have to be to be able to hurt or imprison Dallin? “Why would they do that?”
“B
ecause fae see themselves as being above shifters, even dragons. There’s a power differential that led to the inequality.”
“But you beat up those fae in the alley.”
He raised his eyes. “I’m not a normal dragon.”
“Ah,” she said. “What makes you different?”
He shook his head. “Enough about me for now. Tell me where you learned to cook like this.”
Jo could tell the subject of his world made him uneasy. And in spite of her curiosity, she wanted to respect that boundary. “I guess I was always just the one who was comfortable in the kitchen.”
“What about your parents?”
“My dad wasn’t around much when we were younger, so my mom worked two jobs to support us. After a while, he just stopped showing up, and that was that. A few years ago, though, my mom remarried, moved back east. I keep in touch with her.”
Dallin nodded thoughtfully. “I’m sorry. That sounds like it was difficult.”
She wasn’t sure how that compared to being a dragon in the world of fae, but she was grateful for the understanding regardless.
“After I finished culinary school, I started a cupcake shop. It did well for a few years until the rent and taxes in the area where I’d opened made the store unsustainable.”
“So how did you get into this?”
“I have a friend who does podcasts and works with other content creators. He helped me start my channel a few years ago. And even though I can’t exactly say I’ve gone viral or anything, I’m just satisfied I get to keep doing what I love.”
“The world is lucky to have you and your skills, that’s for sure.” His earnest gaze, focused right on her, made a shiver go up her spine from the attention.
She gave Dallin another helping, and they both ate in relative silence until dinner was finished. To her surprise, Dallin went about washing the dishes without being asked, saying, “You prepared dinner. It’s only fair I help clean up.”
In spite of his intense and sometimes rude demeanor, Dallin was oddly polite about other things.
“So where do you plan on staying tonight?” she asked as he rinsed off their plates.
Dallin was silent for a moment. “I… was scouting out a spot in the bushes across the street earlier.”
Jo covered her mouth to suppress her shocked laugh. “What?”
“Our mission is to protect the beacon at all costs. It didn’t exactly come with accommodations in mind. Don’t worry, though, I won’t bother you. You’ll hardly know I’m there.”
She prodded his arm, then instantly regretted it because the touch was electric, making her instantly warm. “Nonsense. I have a spare room if you don’t mind sleeping with Puggles, since it’s technically his.”
“Would Puggles have a problem with it?” He looked over to see Puggles snoring loudly, lying on his back in the corner of the living room.
“I don’t think Puggles will care at all.”
“Then I accept,” he said, flushing slightly. “It’s better to be close where I can protect you.”
She felt herself flushing in response. She was so not used to having men like him around.
“Plus, much more comfortable than the bushes,” he said, glancing sideways as he suppressed a grin.
“I certainly hope so,” she said, giggling as she took a dish from him and put it away.
Dallin wiped his hands on a towel, looking oddly at home with his rolled-up sleeves. “What do you want to do with those?” he asked, pointing to the tray of cupcakes that had been sitting out after her video was done.
“Oh, there’s always leftovers here because I’m always making something. Help yourself to them, please.”
Dallin looked warily at them, and Jo wondered at how hesitant he could be about certain things like accepting kindness or gifts.
With other things, like protecting her, apparently, he didn’t have any compunctions against throwing his weight around as he pleased.
“Here.” She picked up the peach-filled cupcake and handed it to him, placing it in the palm of his big hand. It looked utterly tiny there, though the sound of delight he made when munching it practically whole in one bite made her spirit soar a little.
Damn, if she wasn’t careful, she could really fall for this man who was so big and cute and surly and so sweet just below the surface.
“Now you have one,” he said, licking a bit of frosting off of his thumb in a way that was surprisingly sensual as his eyes met hers. “After all, you deserve to taste the fruit of your labors.”
“Nah, I’m good,” she said with a wave. After all, tasting everything she made had kind of gotten her into this position in the first place.
She was aware she was a chubby, soft sort of person, and though she liked herself as she was, years of bullying as a child had made her feel self-conscious about eating in front of others.
Especially when it came to treats.
But it appeared Dallin wasn’t going to give up, and there was a sparkle in his teal gaze as he locked eyes with her. “Nonsense,” he insisted. “I shouldn’t be the only one eating your delicious cooking.”
“I… I’m trying to watch my figure, and those things add up,” Jo said, feeling embarrassed to even be talking about this.
Dallin frowned as if offended by the mere idea of it. “I’ve been watching your figure all day. You’re perfect.” He shrugged. “Then again, dragons are known to prefer curves.”
Jo didn’t know if she wanted to curl up into a ball of embarrassment or laugh hysterically at such an audacious remark.
If she could blush any harder, she’d be a prize-winning tomato.
“Here, at least try it,” Dallin said, his voice gently coaxing as he grabbed a cupcake and raised it to her mouth.
She considered retorting that she’d already tried them, but Dallin’s stern glare gave her the impression he wasn’t taking no for an answer.
And she did want the cupcake…
She opened her mouth, taking a bite and letting the soft, fruity center mix with the cake and the frosting. Delicious.
But far more overwhelming than the sugar rush was Dallin. His intense gaze, watching her every motion, surrounding her as he leaned one hand on the counter next to her, had the odd effect of making her legs want to buckle beneath her.
Jo moaned lightly in her throat as she swallowed the first bite, which truly was delicious, and Dallin’s interest seemed to perk even more intensely.
He put the cupcake down, caging her against the counter like he had before her alarm had interrupted them earlier. Only this time, it wasn’t just curiosity she felt from Dallin.
More like carnal, unstoppable want. An urge to scratch an itch that gets stronger and stronger by the moment.
Jo was feeling the exact same thing as well, though perhaps some was the wine. The rest, however, was all dragon.
“There’s some frosting on your lower lip,” Dallin said, amused, his beautiful face only inches from hers.
She ran her tongue over her lip, feeling herself get aroused by the sight of Dallin’s gaze raking over her, showing as much need as she felt.
And she couldn’t stop staring at his mouth.
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound she could feel in her chest as he leaned forward, reaching a hand up to cup the back of her neck. His fingertips, slightly rough, were electric on the delicate skin there, making her instinctively raise her mouth to his.
“You missed a spot,” he said, glancing down to her lips.
Whether or not there was still frosting there, Jo couldn’t care as his tongue flicked against the corner of her mouth, teasing her for the barest of moments before his lips crashed onto hers in a powerful, dominant kiss.
Want and emotion swirled like thunderclouds in Jo’s chest, and she parted her mouth, needing so much more than just a kiss.
And oh, did Dallin give her more, tongue thrusting in to meet hers, tasting of sugar as fire and heat made her senses come alive in a way they never had before in her
entire life.
She let out a muffled sound, too swept up in the moment to notice his hand on her hip, pulling her into his hard, masculine body as he deepened the kiss.
When Dallin kissed, it was like he put his entire being into it, protecting her and sweeping her away and pleasuring her in the same moment. It was so much to handle yet not enough all at the same time.
And damn, she was already aching.
His tongue entwined with hers, and he probed every sensitive spot in her mouth until she could barely breathe, let alone keep herself up.
When he finally pulled back, Jo fell back against the counter. But Dallin kept her caged there, watching with his heated teal gaze as if deciding whether to take another taste or not.
For once, Jo didn’t have any misgivings about wanting seconds.
“I’ll be very up-front in saying you do something to me, Johanna. Make me feel like I never have before.” His look was as imperious as it was intrigued, like even he hadn’t expected this sort of attraction.
She stared up at him, trembling, uncertain where to go from there. Still stunned by what had happened. By how much she had liked it.
“For now, I’ll let you think on it. But just because I’m here to protect you, it doesn’t mean we can’t explore this… whatever this is between us.” He motioned between them, the distance from her body to his almost painfully close without actually touching him more.
She was still too stunned to respond.
What exactly was this between them? Just pure lust induced by stress and animal attraction? Or something destined, something beyond even her comprehension?
Perhaps it had just been a stressful day, but she didn’t think so.
“Good night, Jo. Thank you for the most delicious evening,” he said, placing a kiss on her cheek before turning and heading for the hallway.
“Good night, Dallin,” she finally responded, confused from arousal and shocked by her own roiling questions.
“Until tomorrow,” he said over his shoulder, then disappeared, leaving Jo panting, frustrated, and alone in her kitchen.
If this was what the first day of being with her newly assigned “dragon protector” was like, Jo didn’t know how she was going to make it to the end of the week without throwing herself at him.
Dragon Released (Reclaimed Dragons Book 1) Page 5
