Chapter Six #2
He never once mentioned anything about his dragon, which I found weird.
Every wyvern I knew always mentioned their other half in conversation.
Especially when meeting someone new. A dragon’s first impression seemed to be more important than what our human side thought.
If I’d listened to mine, I never would have gotten with my ex.
But Ladon never mentioned his at all. Had I made a mistake in assuming he was a dragon shifter like me, or was there something I was missing?
I did notice him glancing down at his phone more often once we’d finished our sandwiches. Not to ignore me but as if he was waiting for something.
“Do you have somewhere to be?” I hadn’t asked how long he had the babysitter for, and I didn’t want to make assumptions that he would be out with me all day.
“Sorry.” He turned his phone face down. “I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just…this is my first time away from Kirin. Ever. I’m worried because he’s been starting to…you know.”
Not having any experience with kids, I had no clue what Ladon was referring to. Kirin wasn’t that old, so I assumed it had nothing to do with puberty.
Ladon must have seen the confusion on my face. He leaned closer. “He chuffs.”
“Oh.” I have no idea what age I started chuffing at, but I do remember my parents telling me that I would sometimes sneeze and chuff at the same time, resulting in a burst of flames. They had to quickly teach me how to control it so I didn’t set anything on fire. “And he doesn’t know how to—”
“Suppress that ability? No.” He ran his hands over his cheeks. “I’ve tried to teach him, but he’s too young to understand why he has to keep that part of himself hidden.”
Hidden? What in this world could have convinced Ladon that he had to keep his dragon hidden? Is that why he’d never mentioned his?
I wiped my face with my napkin then stood, holding out my hand for Ladon. “Why don’t I take you home, then? If you only live a few blocks away, we can walk there and talk some more. If you want, you can even phone now and check in.”
He stood but shook his head. “I don’t think I need to phone. They should be okay for a little bit longer. I haven’t heard any fire trucks go by yet.”
I caught the smirk across his lips and had the sudden urge to kiss them. Instead, I held out my hand, hoping he would take it with his own. “I guess we’d better go check, just in case.”
The simple touch of his palm to mine made my dragon sigh with happiness.
We left the eatery then turned right at the end of the block to head to Ladon’s place.
We didn’t talk much, but he never once tried to let go of my hand.
And when we reached his apartment, he turned in front of me and took my other one in his as well.
“This is where I live.” He glanced behind him toward the upper levels. “I guess I didn’t have anything to worry about. Sorry for cutting our date short.”
I lightly squeezed his hands. “It’s okay. I could tell you were worried. And I kind of understand why. Maybe if…” I shrugged. “Maybe another time, I could show him how I control my urge to chuff. If you would be okay with that.”
He smiled with a quick nod. “Yes, I think we would both like that.”
I could tell the end of our date was coming, but I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye. “Can I… Would you mind if I kissed you?”
His smile grew wider, and pink spread across his cheeks. “I would like that.”
As I drew closer, his eyes fluttered shut. Turning my head slightly, I met his soft lips, touching and tasting.
Squeezing my hands, he rose to the tips of his toes and leaned closer to me.
I resisted the temptation to pull him closer, instead gently tugging and prodding his lips until he stepped back with a glassy-eyed grin.
“I…” He sighed. “I had a good time. I would like to see you again if you weren’t too offended by our shortened date.”
“Not bothered at all.” I ran my hand down his arm, finding it hard not to touch him. “Maybe next time, Kirin can come along too, so you won’t have to worry or hire a babysitter.”
His eyes widened. “You would be okay with that?”
I nodded. “I like you, and I know Kirin is a part of you.”
He chewed his bottom lip. “You’re really not like any alpha I’ve ever met.”
Probably because he’d never met a dragon alpha except maybe his father or the one who knocked him up. We hadn’t talked about his family.
I shrugged, ignoring all the whisperings about Fate from my own dragon. “I’m glad we met when we did.”
“Me, too.” He cupped my elbow. “Well, I should go. Text me when you want to go out again. Weekends are best for both of us.”
“I will.” I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. “And I look forward to it.”
Stepping up the walkway to his apartment, he waved before he headed inside.
Once I was sure he’d gotten past the controlled entrance, I walked back to where I’d parked my truck. Lunch with Ladon wasn’t what I was expecting, but I did learn more about him and had a promise of another date. Plus, the taste of our kiss still lingered on my lips.