And definitely she couldn't allow her hormones to get the best of her, either.
Kiyana thought she'd gotten herself under control. At least until Alistair pulled her inside the house, shut the door, and caged her body with his arms. While they weren't touching, she could feel his heat surrounding her. Her heart rate kicked up as her body temperatures rose.
Crazy as it sounded, time slowed as they stared at one another, too.
When Alistair finally spoke, his breath danced across her lips, stoking the fire inside her even hotter. "Now, lass, I think it's time for you to be honest and straightforward with me."
"About what?"
His eyes dropped to her lips. "Were you really going to be my fake mate-to-be?"
She swallowed. Her lips tingled as she replied, "Yes. But as I mentioned, I've called it off. I won't force it."
Alistair met her gaze again, and his pupils flashed more rapidly than before. "What if I want it?"
"Pardon?"
He moved his face another inch closer. "I've tried my best to ignore you, Kiyana. Even though you're the most bloody beautiful woman I've ever seen, not to mention smart and with enough backbone to even stand up to the likes of my mother, I didn't want to ruin your career. That gave me the perfect excuse to throw up a wall between us. But now? Now that I know there's a way for you to be mine and keep your job? I'm not sure I can forget that, lass." His gaze dropped back to her lips. "And I very much want to kiss you."
If she had any ounce of reason left in her brain, she'd tell him to let her go.
However, with his body so close and his scent overwhelming her, not to mention the want in his eyes, there was no way Kiyana could say no. She may be a strong woman, but not that strong.
Especially when it was something she wanted more than she'd wanted anything in a long while.
So she tipped her lips up toward his and whispered, "Then do it."
Without missing a beat, Alistair closed the distance between them and kissed her.
~~~
Alistair's dragon may have been badgering him about kissing Kiyana, but he was honest enough to admit he wanted her. More than he'd originally thought, especially when the human had threatened to le
ave his mother's house without another word.
But now she stood in front of him, her body a few inches from his, inside his cottage.
The air was electric, and one touch would probably start a fire. One that would have long-term consequences.
Rational Alistair should realize that, step back, and create a plan.
However, his beast growled, No, don't you fucking walk away. She's here and she wants us. Kiss her. Now.
He should demand more answers. Hell, Alistair always asked for more information.
There was also something in the back of his mind, a reason he shouldn't kiss her. Something to do with no sex.
However, Kiyana's scent was a drug, one he wasn't sure he could fight against.
So when she tipped her luscious lips up and told him to kiss her, Alistair didn't fight it.
The instant his lips touched hers, an overwhelming want coursed through his body. One he'd never felt before, one he wasn't sure he could fight.
Kiyana opened her mouth and he explored every inch of her delicious heat with his tongue, needing to learn every bit of it, wanting her to remember his taste forever.
Pulling her up against him, he groaned at her breasts pressing against his chest. He snaked a hand to her lovely arse and rocked her lower body against his.
He hissed at the friction against his cock at the same time his dragon roared, More, more, I need more. Kiss her, fuck her, claim her over and over again.