“You think it’ll keep?” Emma asks, nibbling on a rib.

“Huh?” I blink and look over at her. It’s hard to concentrate, especially with Dakh all bronzed and shirtless across from me. Part of me wants to fling my plate aside and go crawl into his lap and rub myself all over his chest.

Do it, Dakh tells me, his thoughts full of amusement and lust.

Absolutely not, I tell him primly. I’m barely listening as Emma talks about how we can store all this cooked meat and how long it’ll last without a refrigerator of some kind. Then she looks over at me, waiting for an answer. “Whatever you think is best,” I say faintly, then nudge Dakh’s leg with my sandal under the table. Stop distracting me.

Dakh grabs my sandal, trapping my foot, and begins to rub my ankle. So soft.

Stop it! Eat your food.

It is not half as juicy as you are. I would rather bury my tongue somewhere else.

I shift in my seat. I can feel my pulse pounding between my thighs, can feel the heat growing there. I can already tell I’m wet between my thighs, my pussy slippery with arousal.

I can smell you even over her stink, Dakh agrees. You lust for me strongly.

“You okay?” Emma asks me, glancing at Dakh and then back at me. “Your face is all red.”

“Just got a spicy bit,” I lie, choking out the words. I grab my plastic cup of lemonade and chug it, all the while Dakh’s fingers trace patterns on the inside of my ankle.

“So what do you want to do?” Emma asks. She glances up at the sky. “Sun’s probably going down soon, so I should head off before it gets dark.”

“Will you be safe?” I ask, forgetting about Dakh for a moment.

“Oh, absolutely.” She pats her pocket. “I have pepper spray and my bat, and at some point I’m going to find another gun. There are still bullets in the store, but no guns, sadly.”

“If you’re sure. I don’t want you to feel like you have to run off,” I hedge.

If she stays, she can listen to you scream with pleasure as I push into you—

I cough, sputtering into my pink lemonade.

Emma reaches over, patting my back. “I’ll be fine. And you’re not running me off. My gas station is safe, and if you don’t mind me grabbing a few things, I’ll be on my way.” She gives another wistful look to the enormous amount of barbecue still roasting.

“Oh, my gosh, of course! Take everything you need. And take as much of the meat as you can carry.” I wiggle my foot out of Dakh’s lap and get to my feet. “Let’s get it wrapped up and get you taken care of, okay?”

I hurry back to the entrance of the store with her. Dakh is silent, and I can’t help but glance back at him to see what he’s thinking. There’s an amused half-smile on his face, but his eyes are glowing bright gold, so hot I can practically feel them scorching me where I stand.

Do not think you can run from me, little mate. Dragons love to chase. And when I catch you, I intend to hold you down and lick you until I’ve had my fill.

I shiver, my body covered with goosebumps at the mental image. Not only because it’s an erotic one, but because I know he’s going to be able to see it in my head and know what I’m thinking. That makes things twice as bad—and twice as titillating.

A short time later, Emma has a shopping cart full of essentials, plastic containers full of as much meat as she can possibly eat before it spoils, and some fresh clothes and blankets. The perfumes are carefully bundled up—she’s got several bottles of the smelliest kinds and left some of the others for an “emergency” supply back on the shelf.

I’m a little sad to see her go, but at the same time, I’m practically crawling out of my skin with anticipation of Dakh touching me. “You sure you’ll be okay?” I ask for what feels like the hundredth time. “I hate to send you off.”

“You’re not. I’m fine. I’m used to being on my own.” Her smile grows wider. “I really appreciate everything though. This was…nice. It made me realize it’s been a long time since I’ve had friends.”

“I lost mine recently, so it’s good to see another female face around. Please say you’ll come by again, all right? I’d love to hang out some more, even if it’s just for you to grab some more supplies. There’s plenty for both of us. And Dakh can hunt if you need meat. You just have to ask, all right?”

Emma nods. “I will. Thanks again, Sasha. I appreciate it. And tell Dakh thank you, too.” She nods at the dragon, who’s still seated at the table back by the food, watching us. “He’s kind of weird, but I can see that he cares for you.”

“He does,” I agree softly. “Thank you for understanding.”

“Oh, I’m not saying I understand,” she teases. “But he’s got a certain appeal to him.”

I laugh. “Well, like I said, feel free to come by anytime.”

“I might, but I’m probably going to leave a note to announce my visits a few hours ahead of time. Wouldn’t want to walk in on anything.” She winks at me and turns the cart onto the old, torn-up service road to the highway. “See you later, Sasha.”

I can feel myself blushing. “Bye, Emma. Talk to you soon.” I guess we were obvious.

Maybe she could smell your arousal like I can.

She cannot, I tell him firmly. Don’t even say such things.

It is a potent scent, Dakh tells me. I would bathe myself in it if I could.

And there’s a mental image I’m going to never be able to get out of my head. Thanks for that.

You make noises that you do not like my attentions, but I know you do. I am in your head, remember?

I never said I didn’t like them! You just startle me. I’m not used to someone picking through all of my thoughts. It’s a little unsettling. Makes me feel naked.

I enjoy when you are naked.

Somehow I knew that was coming. But I can’t help but laugh. Even if his jokes make me feel squirmy and make me blush, I like them. It’s fun to tease and to feel light and carefree once more. I didn’t realize how…beat down and old I felt back in Fort Dallas. Back then, I was just existing.

Now I feel alive.

29

SASHA

The moment Emma disappears down the road, Dakh’s thoughts flood through my mind, full of lust and promise. He’s been patient long enough.