Firefighter Dragon: BBW Dragon Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant Page B

mean anything. We were both high on adrenaline and stress hormones. It was just post-traumatic comfort-sex, that's all. 
    She stared down at the beach, scuffing the sea-worn pebbles with the toe of her boot.
    I bet it happens to him all the time. He must rescue a lot of women, from both fires and dragons. No doubt loads of them get overly attached to him. He's a good guy, he must always try to shake them off without hurting their feelings too much.
    Well, she wasn't going to cling to him like some stupid damsel in distress, weeping and begging him to love her. She had her pride. Virginia straightened her back, ruthlessly crushing down her disappointment.
    I'm about to announce the biggest find since the Sutton Hoo treasure hoard. I don't have time to moon after some firefighter-slash-dragon-hunter, no matter how hot he is. Or sweet, or brave, or kind, or...
    A rumble of thunder broke her rather unhelpful train of thought. The sky was darkening with ominous black clouds, rolling in from the sea so quickly that it looked like a cheap special effect.
    "Huh," said Virginia, interrupting Dai's monologue about coastal erosion. She shielded her eyes as the wind picked up. All along the beach, people were hurriedly folding deckchairs and packing up picnics. "That storm sure is coming in fast."
    "Ah," said Dai, looking up. "John." He seized her hand, and all of Virginia's determination not to let herself fall for him went up in smoke at the heat of his touch. "Run!"
    "Why—" Virginia started—and then the rain came.
    It was as if someone had scooped up half the sea in a bucket and tipped it out over the city. The raindrops came down so hard and fast they stung like hail. She staggered under the impact, pebbles shifting and rattling under her feet.
    Without even a grunt of effort, Dai scooped her up in his arms, hunching over her in a futile attempt to protect her from the downpour. Virginia clung to his neck as Dai sprinted up the beach toward the promenade. The steps up to the top were thronged with people trying to get off the beach; rather than try to force his way through, Dai found shelter at the base of the wall, under one of the high vaulted brick arches.
    "Best to wait for a moment for the rush to die down," he said, his breath warm in Virginia's ear. He lowered her to her feet, though his arms still kept her pressed against him, his broad back sheltering her from the worst of the storm. He let out a short, rueful laugh. "I should have brought an umbrella."
    "I'm not sure it would have helped." Virginia laughed too, giddy from their wild dash through the storm. "Bertram's goons certainly won't be able to work through this ."
    She was soaked to the skin. She nestled against Dai's muscular body, his closeness warming her to the core. Despite the heat radiating from him, he trembled a little as he held her, as if he himself felt chilled. His breathing was deep and even, but against her cheek she could feel his heart hammering in his broad chest.
    Virginia leaned back a little, tilting her head to meet his eyes, and found them wide and dark, the irises a thin green band around his dilated pupils. Emboldened by the suppressed fire in his gaze, Virginia reached up to brush his wet hair back from his forehead, her fingertips continuing down to trace the line of his cheekbone. His breath hitched. He caught her hand in his, pressing her palm to the side of his face, his eyes closing as if to better concentrate on the feel of her skin on his.
    "Virginia," he breathed.
    The rain made a silver curtain across the archway, enclosing them in their own private world. She captured his face between her hands, drawing him down for a long, deep kiss. Fire shot through her blood as his arms tightened around her, his tongue exploring her mouth with hungry desire.
    Virginia drew back a little, breaking the kiss, though she kept hold of his head. "Why were you pushing me away this afternoon?"
    Dai let out his breath in a long sigh. "Because I've