Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“I’m sure Ginger and her friends will do a lot of good with your donation.”
Haru’s expression turned a little sly as he glanced over at Adrian. “Would you believe me if I told you I didn’t do it for Ginger or her daughter? That my goal was purely to impress you.”
Heat scorched Adrian’s cheeks, and he jerked his head down so that his eyes were locked on the sidewalk under his feet. But it did nothing to get rid of the burning feeling spreading to his throat and across his chest. Yeah, he could believe that Haru would do something just to impress him. It was how he thought.
Knowing that didn’t change the pride Adrian felt in being with Haru. The dragon didn’t hesitate to help people in need, and of course Adrian loved that about him.
But only as friends. There was nothing else.
Adrian cleared his throat a couple of times and narrowed his gaze as he stared straight ahead. “Guess we should look into getting some camping gear and a car.”
“I’ll get to use my wings, correct?” So much hope bounced in Haru’s words that a laugh jumped from Adrian’s throat.
“Yeah, I think you will.”
This job was going to require a dragon.
CHAPTER 5
Omari Haru
Haru grinned like a fool as he slowly dragged the tip of his finger along the length of Adrian’s nose. They’d settled into their campsite in the Birston Forest a few hours ago, and Adrian had stretched out in their tent to catch a bit of sleep. The only way to scout the broad swath of woods was from the air, and for Haru to take his dragon form safely, they would have to wait until well after the sun had set.
Haru had slept for an hour beside Adrian but couldn’t last a second longer. Too much restless energy filled him. The promise of stretching his wings and soaring through the clouds was at the tips of his talons. He was ready to fly.
While Adrian slept, he took the time to scout the immediate area, checking to make sure there weren’t any other people camping nearby or signs of surveillance equipment. If someone caught sight of him in dragon form, he’d never hear the end of it from Adrian or Nori.
Near midnight, Haru slipped into the tent and stretched out next to Adrian, who was snoring softly. There was a lantern lit low in the tent, casting a soft golden glow across Adrian’s face. The man really was the most handsome creature he’d ever seen, with his perfect nose, high cheekbones, and full lips. His thick eyelashes lay like luxurious fans on his cheeks. It was natural for Haru to want to keep him for all time.
He was a handsome man, though it was a harsh, sharp attractiveness. He’d seen some hardship, as proved by the scars that cut across his arms and throat. There was also the deep line that formed between Adrian’s eyebrows each time he glared at Haru. It made Haru ache to press his finger to it and rub it smooth again.
Regardless of his hard face, which was so unlike other dragons, Haru found him beautiful. He had a face that told a hundred stories, and Haru wanted to learn them all. But his favorite was watching that gruff exterior melt into an expression of joy and mischief. As much as Adrian was inclined to worry, he never hesitated to show when he was happy.
Lying on his side, Haru held his finger above Adrian’s face, waiting to see if Adrian would stir from that small touch. He was trying to wake the royal guard gently, and maybe he was having a bit of fun.
Adrian’s nose wrinkled, and he swiped a hand in front of his face as if batting aside a fly. Haru bit his bottom lip and held in his snickers as he touched a finger to the bridge of his nose and ran the tip along the hard line of Adrian’s face.
Just as he was lifting his finger from the tip of Adrian’s nose, a hand shot up and captured his wrist in a viselike grip. Adrian’s eyes flicked open and narrowed on him.
“Do it again, and I will break it,” Adrian growled.
Haru was undeterred by Adrian’s grumpiness. He’d been traveling with the man for weeks now. Adrian was always grumpy after he first woke up. Haru leaned in, nuzzling Adrian’s neck with the tip of his nose. “It’s almost midnight. I thought you’d like me to wake you.” Haru exhaled, sending curls of hot breath across Adrian’s neck.
The royal guard shot straight up in a flash. “I’m up. Awake. I mean, I’m awake.” Adrian hurried out of the tent without looking back while Haru’s chuckles chased after him. He could feel Adrian’s attraction. The fact that Adrian felt compelled to fight it only amused Haru.