Chapter 14
Myrran
Ihaven’t slept.
Jewel left the restaurant last night without saying goodbye, and the fact that she paid for her meal felt like a slap in the face. She hadn’t been angry—at least not outwardly—but something was wrong. And I can’t stop obsessing over it.
How did I mess up?
She’s not answering my texts, either. So I park outside her building.
It’s not ideal. Human customs are so different from ours. I’m aware that stalking isn’t desirable or even acceptable in their eyes. But the alokoi bond is relentless, and I can’t relax until I see her, until I understand what happened and how I can fix it.
When the front door finally opens and Jewel steps outside, my breath catches. Bundled against the cold, scarf tucked under her chin, hat pulled down to frame her features…she’s stunning. It surprises me every time.
I dismount from my bike, feeling a mix of relief and nervous energy. “Jewel!”
She jerks her head toward me, startled, then smiles, although it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Need a ride to work?” I ask, holding out my extra helmet. “Way faster than the bus, and no waiting. We’ll even have time to grab breakfast on the way.”
She hesitates for a moment, and my guts tighten, sure she’s going to reject me. But she nods. “Sure.”
Yes. I still have a chance.
It feels incredible having her straddling the bike behind me, the body I worshipped pressed up against my back, her long legs framing mine.
I want to purr, roar, shift, break the speed limit.
But things are so delicate between us right now.
The last thing I want to do is scare her and shatter what connection we have left.
We can’t talk on the ride, but I stop off at an ogre-owned diner near the park.
Once we’re inside and order at the too-tall counter, I blurt out, “I’m sorry about last night.
I wanted to treat you and show you off to my friends, but I had to spend so much time on the grill.
I should have given you more attention.”
Her cheeks flush, and she waves a hand. “It’s fine, really. Now that I’ve had some time to think, I feel silly for leaving like that. It’s just…” She pauses, biting her lip.
“What?” I press, desperate to understand. “What did I do?”
“Nothing. Everything.” She sighs. “Seeing you at the restaurant, in your element, surrounded by your friends—it made me realize how isolated I am. The holidays make it worse, you know? Everyone I know is back home with family or their partners, and I’m…
well, not. And I let my loneliness get the better of me. ”
Her chin wobbles and her voice cracks a little at the end, and my heart aches that I didn’t see this coming. I wanted her to feel welcome and included at the restaurant. I wanted to spoil her and make her feel part of my world. Instead I showed her what she’s been missing.
“I can fix this,” I say immediately. “You’re coming to the hive for Christmas.”
She shakes her head. “Oh, no. I don’t want to impose on your family holiday.”
“Impose?” I snort. “We’ve got a massive tree, way too much food, and so many dragons that one more person won’t even make a dent.”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yes. Bring a suitcase and plan to stay over. I have a big bed with a spot in it reserved for you.”
That makes her laugh, and the sound washes over me like flame. If I get my Christmas wish, she’ll stay in my bed forever.
“I don’t know,” she says. “I have to take care of Mr. Whiskers.”
“Bring him with you. There’s room for him, too.”
She shakes her head. “He’s such a grump, and I don’t want him to be a problem.”
“Problem?” I scoff. “He’ll be spoiled rotten. There’s nothing dragons respect more than a creature with claws.”
She laughs again, softer this time. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think. Just come.” I can’t stop myself from grinning. Maybe I don’t understand everything about her yet, but I know one thing: I’m not letting her spend the holidays alone.