“Why Ella Snow, if I didn’t know better, I’d say you cared.” Sure, he was fishing for a compliment, but he needed to know what she really felt about him. Ella seemed to be quite the expert at hiding her emotions, and he wanted to change that.
“I do care.”
“Good to know. Just for you, I will try not to sleep in the office.”
She held up her drink. “To getting good rest.” They tapped their glasses together once more. “Now tell me about the stars.”
For the next half hour, they discussed the constellations. Tanner was impressed how knowledgeable Ella was. As midnight drew near though, the room turned a lot chillier, even with the heater. “How about we sit inside, and I light a fire?”
“Sounds divine. I was tired after the party, but now being outside and looking at the stars has rejuvenated me. I love nature.”
He honestly expected her to balk at spending more time with him, but he was thrilled that she wanted to. To him, nothing was more romantic than sitting by a cozy fire and snuggling. And kissing. And doing other things.
Tanner escorted her inside. While she finished her drink, he lit the fire, and put on some music. Was that tacky and a bit forward? Maybe.
When he finished, he sat next to Ella. “I think we should talk.”
She chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard a man say those words.”
Shit. He was messing this up. “One of us has to address the elephant in the room, though why we use that Earth expression when we don’t have any elephants on Tarradon I don’t know.”
“Have you been to Earth?” she asked with longing in her voice.
“Once. It’s a lot like here, only they don’t know shifters exist. From what I’ve been told, there are no dragons there either, unless they are from Tarradon.”
“Interesting. It would be fun to visit.”
“I agree.” He wouldn’t let her derail the conversation though. “Back to the topic at hand. We told the town that we are mates.” He held his breath, awaiting her response.
“I know. How do you want to handle this?”
That was a dangerous question. “For starters, I think you staying in a hotel is a red flag to anyone who suspects us.”
“You mean Sasha?”
“Yes. If we’ve said we are together, then we need to be together.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
He inhaled. “Either you need to look for an apartment or stay with me.” Tanner immediately held up his hand. “In separate bedrooms. I don’t want to assume anything.”
“Stay here?”
“Why not? I have five bedrooms. Plus, you can make sure I get up every morning.”
“Can I think about it?” she asked.
“Of course, but I’d like to convince you to say yes.”
Before she could answer, he twisted toward her, pulled her close, and kissed her. If he had any doubts before that they were totally meant to be together, that kiss erased them. The fire in his gut and the lust swarming his heart confirmed the reality. When her hands cupped his face, his cock turned so rigid, it became painful.
The kiss intensified, and it took all of Tanner’s willpower not to toss her back onto the sofa so that every inch of their bodies would be touching. Ella’s eyes changed from a startling blue to an emerald green, and it mesmerized him.
He might have pulled back had Ella not begged for entrance. Her one little action jacked up his libido something fierce, and when their tongues touched, it was as if everything he’d ever done finally had meaning. As much as Tanner wanted her, he needed to let her set the pace.
She slid her hands down his shoulders and then around his back. When she pressed her breasts against his chest, all rational thought flew out the window. He was so turned on that he refused to think about the consequences of being with his employee. None of that mattered right now—in fact nothing mattered but making love to her.
Before he tore off her clothes, he broke the kiss. “Tell me you want this too.”
“I can’t believe you have to ask. From your turquoise eyes and flashing scales, you’re at least as partially excited as I am.”
She had to be kidding. “Let me show you just how excited,” Tanner said.
Chapter Eight
Ella had never been this spontaneous in her life. The times she’d been with a man, it had been out of rebellion—not because she couldn’t live without him. Ever since she could remember, her parents had pointed out that she was to be mated to Moran Blackwood. Even as a child, she could see there was something different about him—something unethical. Why her parents couldn’t see it, she never understood. They never encouraged her to date either, saying it was because she needed to save herself for Moran. Clearly, they didn’t understand the woman she’d become. There was no way she would ever let that happen.
Tanner was the first man who made her feel like a real woman. Wanting to show how much she desired to be with him, she unbuttoned her shirt and tossed it on the coffee table. The way gold and orange shot through his mainly turquoise irises told her he thought she was special.
Should she remind him that since he was her boss, this wasn’t a good idea? Probably, but no one ever accused her of making the smartest choices in her life. This felt too good to stop.
“Let me,” Tanner said, as he unhooked her bra and then lowered the straps.
Even with the fire roaring, one of her breasts chilled as the bra fell to her lap. She unthreaded her arms and tossed it to the side. “Fair is fair,” she said.
“I’m not wearing a bra.”
That broke the ice and made her laugh. “To be sure, I should check out what’s underneath your shirt.”
“By all means.”
Ella made quick work of the buttons. The first glance at his chest had her pulse soaring. Speechless at his toned body,
