The Jade Dragon by Rowena May O'Sullivan Page B

It was extremely rare, the purest piece she’d come across in her career and she seriously doubted Aden would find another good enough to replace it, even with the backing of Marylebone behind him.
    But she had other things to worry about. The main one was prowling about her studio like a caged panther, always keeping her in his line of sight, as if she were his next meal and he was about to pounce at any second.
    â€œWitches’ Warts! Sit down. You’re making me nervous. If you’re going to stay here, I’m moving in with Beth.”
    He paused, his eyes focused on her and she fought the urge to squirm. “If you move in with Beth, I’ll move in there, too.”
    Alanna blinked. “What? Why?”
    â€œI need to be near you.”
    Alanna hoped her heart slamming in her chest wasn’t so loud he could hear it. “You wanted to escape only hours ago. What’s changed since then?”
    â€œYou.”
    â€œMe? I haven’t changed. It’s you who’s morphed into a hulking great warlock. Go somewhere else and glower. I’ve work to do and it doesn’t include you breathing fire down my neck.”
    Gregori was so close she could feel his breath on her forehead. His piercing gaze softened just a tad. His dark, fierce compelling eyes locked onto hers and her insides melted to warm sticky goo. Oh my, she was in deep, deep doo-doo. Her eyes widened and she took a step backward, but he only closed the gap with another step himself.
    His arm snaked out and he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, his head quirked on an angle as if considering her like a specimen.
    â€œYou’re not going to eat me, are you?” she managed. “I’m really not that tasty.”
    Gregori chuckled. “You’re funny. I like humor in a woman.”
    â€œI’m sarcastic. Not funny.”
    His gaze turned serious. “Do you know who I am?”
    Oh Sweet Goddess
. “I’m on surprise overload. Don’t tell me anything. All I want is some peace and quiet and for you to disappear to hunt whatever it is you’re looking for.”
    â€œThere’s one thing I learned while hunting this morning.” Gregori ignored her. “What I’m searching for isn’t outside Raven’s Creek. It’s here. Near you.”
    Alanna fought the urge to flee. She was beginning to comprehend why Rosa had chosen to bury her head in the sand when she’d first met Aden. Usually, it was she, Alanna, who did the chasing when she found someone attractive, and dear Sweet Goddess, Gregori was a Witches’ Dream and more. Moisture pooled in her nether regions just by looking at him and that wasn’t good.
    This man was dangerous. He was going to flame out by all accounts if he didn’t mate with his destined love. Unfortunately, he believed it was her. But he was chasing something to prove his innocence for who knew what and he only had two weeks to do it. Two weeks to bind with her when she had no magic to speak of. How the hell would that work?
    Alanna wanted to speak, but her wit had deserted her. She rubbed a palm over her forehead and a dull ache threatened to build to a full-on migraine. She looked away, unable to hold his gaze any longer.
    â€œI don’t understand,” she said.
    His voice softened. “I know. But,” and his index finger caught her chin and tilted it back forcing her once more to meet his eyes, “I have good reason to be here. The timing isn’t the best but we will deal with what has been handed to us.”
    â€œAnd what would that be?”
    â€œI think you know.”
    Alanna’s mouth opened and closed. He was leaning in. He was going to kiss her.
Oh Sweet Goddess, yes. Oh no. No. Don’t.
She whipped her chin away and his lips landed on her cheek. She knew without a doubt that if he kissed her lips she would be sucked up into his aura and be lost completely.
    She refused to succumb to the