Dragon's Lair by Denise Lynn Read Free Book Online

say something to her, instead of at her. When the mural parted in the center, she realized it was an elevator.
    Since they were heading to the garage and her car, she followed him inside and stood at the far corner. What was she going to do now? She sure as hell couldn’t go home—she no longer had a home. How could she go anywhere? It would take at least a day or so before the credit-card company sent a replacement card…and that wouldn’t happen until after she called them.
    She squeezed her eyes closed. Don’t cry. Don’t you dare start crying. The more she repeated her silent order, the harder it was to obey.
    â€œWhere will you run to this time?”
    The emotionless tone of his question stole her breath. It sounded as if he didn’t care at all. The lump forming in her throat would soon make it impossible to speak. So she answered quickly, “What does it matter to you?”
    â€œDamn it, Alexia.” The elevator bounced to a stop, but before the doors could open, Braeden hit the close button on the panel, sealing the two of them inside.
    He moved in front of her, so near she could feel thewarmth of his body and hear the unsteadiness of his breathing. When she pressed her back against the wall of the elevator, he inched closer.
    â€œWhat do you want me to say?” he asked. “ You left me, remember? No explanation, just a note telling me to leave you alone.”
    â€œYou know why I left.”
    Braeden placed his hands on the wall behind her, effectively trapping her between his arms and chest. “You left because it was easier to run away than face what had happened.”
    â€œNo.” She paused, hoping to steady her voice. “I left because there was nothing else for me to do.”
    He leaned even closer. His breath hot on her face only conjured up the image of a dragon in her mind once again. “There was a lot you could have done or said. But instead, you chose to punish me for the loss of our child.”
    â€œI never—”
    He stopped her denial with his lips. It was an effective tactic he’d used more than once during their marriage. Yet Alexia gasped at the contact. Shock, fear, anger, unbidden desire…all warred within her. Before she could act on any of the emotions setting her heart to race and knees to tremble, he broke their kiss.
    â€œAnd now you’ve returned.” He spoke as if his kiss had never happened. But the lingering tingle on her lips let her know that she hadn’t imagined the searing caress.
    She pushed against his chest. “I said I’d be on my way.”
    â€œNo.” He didn’t move a muscle, except to narrow his eyes. “You came to me for protection. You’ll stay until I know you’re safe.”
    Alexia didn’t need more than a heartbeat to realize he wasn’t kidding. Braeden didn’t tease about anything.
    â€œYou can’t force me to stay.”
    â€œDon’t bet on that, Lexi.”
    His use of the nickname he’d given her gave her pause. Maybe she’d been alone too long. Or maybe she’d thought she hated him for too many years.
    No. Something…a strange flash warned her to be careful, not to let lingering feelings and memories cloud her better judgment. He was too close to the Dragonierre’s Manual not to be part of recent events. A sudden fear sent ice through her veins.
    She took a deep breath to steady her nerves, then looked up at him. “Why? Why would you force me to stay?”
    He silently returned her scrutiny for a minute before saying, “Because I want you close, right where I can see you.” He moved away, then smacked the open button on the panel, adding, “And you might prove useful.”
    His admission sent her thoughts into a whirl of confusion. Had her flash of warning been correct? Did she have more to fear from this dragon than the evil she’d encountered at the museum?
    I might prove