And that was sweet as hell.
“I’m sorry too,” she told him, her voice filled with emotion. She knew he wouldn’t fully understand what for but as soon as she said it some of that weight lifted from her chest. She felt his arms loosen and worried for a moment that he would push her away. But he pulled her tight.
“Damn, how did I ever think I’d get over you?” he asked
“Um, I’m not sure if I’m meant to apologize or not for that?” she asked.
“No apologies, so long as you never got over me as well.”
“I didn’t,” she whispered. “Not in all those years, a day didn’t ever go by where I didn’t think of you. Wish I could talk to you.”
“You could have, you’d just picked up a phone,” he growled, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“But I—”
Instead of letting her talk, he pressed his mouth against hers.
“Don’t remember you ever being this sweet. But I like it. Like that it’s all mine. Mine.” He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck. “All fucking mine.”
His. She’d always been his. Even if he was an over-protective, bossy, blunt dragon.
“I really have to go,” he muttered. “Don’t want to.”
She didn’t want him to either.
“You got any questions for me?”
“Yeah, do I get to make rules for you?”
His lips twitched. “You gonna be able to enforce them?”
She blushed bright red. “I could figure out a way.”
“Most of those rules apply to me as well. It’s about respect, communication and honesty.”
“What about contacting me if you’re in trouble?”
“Baby, no offense, but I’m in trouble, you’re the last person I call.”
Hurt filled her and she fought it down.
“Daisy, listen to me. I didn’t say that to hurt you or because I don’t trust you. But any trouble I’m in is probably due to my job, which means it could be dangerous. I protect you; I don’t pull you into danger. Okay?”
“Yeah, okay.” She guessed she got it. But this felt kind of one-sided to her.
He lifted her off him then stood. “I got to go before I turn into a pumpkin.”
She giggled. “It was the carriage that turned into a pumpkin not Prince Charming.”
“Prince Charming, huh? Not sure I’ve ever been called that.” He leaned in and kissed her gently. “Been called a lot worse. Charlie and Ellie call me Rambo.”
She studied him and nodded. “I get it.” He was way more Rambo than Prince Charming. For sure.
He rolled his eyes. “Lock the door behind me then get to bed, understand?”
She saluted him.
“Smart ass.” He gave her ass a slap then slipped hi