body against her and the shivers of awakening desire shooting down her spine, Alexia wondered if coming down here with him had been a wise decision.
She tried to step away, but he merely settled his arm more firmly around her. Had her move only been seen as a challenge to him?
Somehow challenging a dragon didnât make a lot of sense. She rolled her eyes at the thoughts running unchecked through her mind.
He was a man. Not a mythical beast, just a man. He stroked the soft spot beneath her ear. And she swallowed a groan as heat pooled low in her belly. Oh, yeah, he was just a man all right. One who knew every inch of her body almost better than she did.
More than anyone else alive, Braeden Drake, the Dragon of Mirabilus, possessed the power to melt her resolve to be impersonal with nothing more than a simple touch. A gentle stroke, a mind-numbing kiss, a lingering caress, and if she wasnât careful, sheâd fall to her knees with hungry wanting.
And he knew it.
âWas there a reason you asked us down here?â Braeden said to Sean. His breath rushing hot across her ear fed the hunger she fought to control.
âYou mean other than to explain whatâs on your womanâs car?â
Alexia froze at Seanâs remark. She hadnât been Braedenâs woman in years. The implication would only force her husband to behave even more possessively.
Instead, he lowered his arm. For less time than it took her to gasp, she missed his touch.
As if nothing were amiss, Sean headed for the car. âYouâre going to like this.â
Braeden placed his hand at the small of her back, urging her along, and they fell into step behind Sean. âConsidering your obvious sarcasm, Iâm sure itâll be something interesting.â
As they approached her Thunderbird, she noticed an older man standing off to the side. Braeden waved him over. âHarold, this is my wife, Alexia.â
Danielle sighed loudly, but said nothing. The valet frowned, but extended his hand. âGood to meet youâ¦Mrs. Drake.â
The unfamiliar greeting felt strange. Haroldâs hesitation made it obvious he didnât know Braeden was married. âNice to meet you, too, Harold. Thank you for taking care of my car.â
âNo problem, maâam.â
Danielle motioned to the roof of the car. She waited until the three of them stood alongside the vehicle before explaining, âThis wax pattern is from an ancient ritual.â
Braeden said nothing, but Sean barely concealed a choked cough. Heâd always found Danielleâs fascination with spells and rituals a waste of time.
So had Alexiaâuntil sheâd started translating ancient texts. Now she wasnât so certain.
Blunt as usual, Danielle asked, âWhy did you come here?â
After ensuring her mental wall was firmly back in place, Alexia asked, âWhat business is that of yours?â She couldnât help herself. When it came to Braedenâs aunt, it was easier to be rude.
âYour reasons might assist me in determining which ritual was being performed.â
âShe brought me some pages from the manual.â Braeden looked at Alexia. âDid you ever meet the man who wanted to hire you?â
Meet him? âNot in person, no.â
âHired her for what?â Danielleâs voice climbed half an octave.
âTo translate the pages.â
âI suppose you gave him what he asked for just to spite us even more.â The womanâs loathing was palpableâthat hadnât changed. Sheâd gone out of her way to prove that more times than Alexia could count.
Braeden intervened. âNo, she didnât.â
Alexia put her hand on the car for support. Otherwise, she would have fainted at his defense of her.
Braeden directed Danielleâs focus back to the car. âSo, whatâs this?â
After glaring at Alexia one more time, Danielle said, âA ceremony to track her. The
Aj Harmon, Christopher Harmon