Touch of Flame

Malachi sat on a rock in the river and watched Ravina enjoy the pour of water on her skin. He knew she would like it. It was always freeing to stand under the waterfall and let it wash away all the tension and worry. He always came out happier.

Now she extended her arms. He could tell she was liking it more and more. She stepped out with a gasp. “Oh, this feels good.” She chuckled.

He remembered how she rarely smiled when she first arrived and now she chuckled and laughed. Her eyes were still cold but there was more warmth to her face.

Her stallion seemed to like the water as well after testing it. He got inside, pawing the water and being playful. Ravina looked at him, happy that he was relaxed and enjoying himself.

She got back under the waterfall allowing herself to get soaked again. He went from smiling to having his dragon instinct awakened. He could still feel her lips on his cheek, remember the way she removed the hair from his face, the soft brush of her fingers followed by her lips. It shouldn’t have such an effect on him. What would happen when he kissed her lips then?

He had been so close to kissing her right there but stopped himself. She was more comfortable with him but that didn’t mean she was less guilty. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel bad about their kiss. To deny it. To want to undo it.

God! He truly didn’t want that to happen. He even imagined building their house, their home. She ignited that fire back in him but it burned hotter. To have her live in a place he constructed, sleep in a bed he made, and sit on a chair he build. It made him feel something. Something similar yet stronger than possessiveness.

Water splashed on his face, awakening him from his thoughts. Ravina chuckled. “Are you deaf now?” She asked him, splashing water on him again.

He wiped the water from his face, opening his mouth to speak when Darcy kicked water onto his face causing Ravina to laugh out loud.

“Good boy,” she called.

Indeed. He wiped the water away from his face again.

“Oh, he really doesn’t like you.” She said.

He turned to her, finding her all wet and enticing in her lavender gown. He was grateful that his senses were still diminished. Or were they?

“It is your turn,” she said striding toward him.

He warned her in his mind but she kept coming closer. She reached for him, pulling him up from his seat. He allowed her to drag him to the waterfall and then gave him a slight push to step under.

The cool water poured over him. Just what he needed to calm the beast in him that had been holding back from mating. She had truly tamed him. When was he ever hesitant with a woman? Or careful?

He stepped out, realizing he had only cooled down for a moment. Only until his eyes fell on her. She was sitting near the river, basking in the sun.

***

Ravina watched Malachi step out of the water, after spending a good time down there. She could understand. It just felt so good. She planned to do it one last time before leaving.

But he didn’t look so relaxed as he stepped out. His face was tense, his dark eyes finding hers. She could feel their intensity from across the space. She pulled her legs closer to her chest. She had noticed how he had looked at her in her wet clothes and had to admit despite all those hot gazes that told her clearly what he thought, he hadn’t done anything to her. He had kept his word.

Now she felt like she shouldn’t tease him anymore. It couldn’t be fun for him, knowing what the instinct did. Even without it, he was a man after all and she realized she had been reckless with her behavior. He strode toward her, his gaze fixed on her and she felt her heartbeat increase. It was as if he planned to push her down on the ground and have his way. Yet she couldn’t move. She remained frozen, her eyes glued on him as he stepped out of the river, water dripping down his body.

His expression was grim and his eyes dark. He paused for a moment and then continued stalking toward her until he was towering over her. She looked up, swallowing whatever crept up her throat.

He held his hand out and she looked at it confused, before hesitantly taking it. He grasped her firmly and pulled her up, making her almost collide with his chest.

“What did you think I would do right now?” His dark eyes bored into hers.

“Nothing.”

“Then why… is your heart beating like that?”

“My-my heart?” How could he… she only now remembered dragons had heightened senses. “I-I…” She couldn’t explain. “You looked at me like that!” She blurted.

“Like what?” He demanded to know.

Her face burned and her gaze wavered, traveling down to his lips, neck, and finally staring at his chest. “Like… like you want me,” she whispered.

He grabbed her chin and tilted her head back, making her look at him. “Did you have any doubt before?” He asked. “I have wanted you since the day I saw you watching me from your window. I was in pain but no lash struck me stronger than your scent did. I was left breathless.”

Ravina felt the air leave her lungs.

“And I hated you back then. Now I don’t. Do you understand what you do to me now?” He asked.

What…? Could it be worse than being left breathless because she was going to faint soon from not getting enough air?

His thumb brushed along her jaw and she shuddered as his hand went into her hair and he pulled her closer. “You have tamed this dragon princess, but not as much as you have made the fire in him burn wild.” He told her and then took her lips with his.