Free Not His Dragon by Annie Nicholas

closing in. “Alone.”
    “You’re no fun, Angie.” His words didn’t sound malicious. He only teased.
    A smile tugged at the corners of her lips and she fought the urge in vain. “I’m a lot of fun, but not tonight.”
    He entangled their fingers. “Then tomorrow, after our appointment. I’ll make you dinner.”
    Like a crash of ice-cold water dumped on her head, the sudden grip of desire had her gasping and she jerked from his touch. She wanted to very much, but she didn’t know Eoin. Hell, he was a dragon . What was wrong with her? “Uh, that’s very kind of you.”
    His eyebrows rose. “Are you refusing?”
    “Look, I just broke up with Ryota.”
    Eoin grimaced and crossed his arms. “I’m nothing like the alpha.”
    “Doesn’t matter. I don’t want a relationship.”
    He smirked. “Obviously, since you don’t even want me to call you my caregiver. It’s just dinner.”
    Her heart thumped. It wasn’t that simple. Her gut told her this was much more than just dinner because the idea of Eoin cooking her food didn’t nauseate her like it should. “I’m only dating my own kind from now on.”
    “We’re partially the same kind.”
    She rolled her eyes and walked away from him. “This again. I’m human, no matter what you smell.” She spun to meet his hot glare. “I’m human.”
    “On the surface.”
    “What the fuck does that mean? So what if I carry some piece of dragon DNA in my system?” She held up her nails. “This is it.”
    “I think there’s more.”
    She blinked. “How would you know?”
    He shrugged. “Instinct.”
    “Save me from shifter instinct. It’s time for me to go home.” She pulled out her cell phone to call Ken. The last thing she needed was for Eoin to raise any hope of her being more. It had taken her years to accept her humanity. She didn’t need a dragon knocking down her confidence. She could manage that all her own if she wanted.
    “Dragon genes are very rare. Not to mention skipping so many generations to occur in you. I might be able to help you find answers you are looking for.”
    Returning her unused phone to her pocket, she squashed the hope blooming within her chest. “So what if I have dragon blood. I’ll always be human in everyone’s eyes as long as I can’t shift. It’s not like your people will claim me.” When she had first realized that she wasn’t like other children, she’d done everything to hide her differences. It only grew worse and she couldn’t keep it from her parents anymore. Their worried looks and late night whispers she wasn’t supposed to hear isolated her even further. Her parents feared the shifters would take her away. She wished she could have told them their fears were unnecessary, but they died soon after.
    She was caught between two worlds. Not really accepted in either. The last thing she needed was to recall her parents’ disapproval or their passing. She knew how alone in the world she was. Eoin’s claim only made it worse. “I don’t have any questions that need answering.”
    “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He extended his arms toward her but she stepped out of his reach.
    “But you did.”
    “I’ll take you home then.” He disrobed and shimmered to his dragon form. “Have you ever flown before?”

Chapter Ten
     
     
    “I’ve flown in a plane.” Angie eyed the dark dragon filling the ballroom. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Was it possible? Her heart skipped a beat.
    He moved toward the far side of the room and climbed a set of wide stone stairs. “Follow me.” The tip of his tail nudged her hand until she took hold.
    This was how horror movies started. The bad guy would lure the idiot girl to his home using his charm and then show her his collection of torture tools. She chuckled. She was the one who had used those tools on Eoin though. Not the other way around.
    She took a hesitant step but the tug of his tail in her hand propelled her faster. If she were