Page 84 of Dragon Tempted

He placed his finger over her lips, stopping her. “Don’t apologize. You’re right.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and he couldn’t take it. She was not allowed to waste her tears on him. He brushed his finger over her soft lips, and she sucked in a quick breath, blinking. And damn if a tear didn’t roll down her cheek.

He leaned forward and caught it with his lips, kissing her lightly on the cheek. “Don’t cry.” He kissed away the next tear and the one after that before leaning back and looking into her surprised face. Before he could retreat, she grabbed onto his shirt and pulled him forward, her lips landing on his, and he was gone. His brain came to a stop. Instead of backing away, he let Sienna take over, seeking entrance with her tongue, which slicked against his, and his brain came back online like it had been jump-started.

John grasped her hips and tilted his head to slot them closer together. His chest expanded, and if he hadn’t lost his wings over a century ago, he would swear they had unfurled and he was soaring above the earth with Sienna in his arms. But all too soon reality infiltrated their bubble and he stepped back.

He cupped her cheek with his hand, not being able to completely let her go. “That was amazing.”

She blinked up at him, and he tried to keep his emotions in check. “But?”

“But.” He plowed on before she could argue since he was only so strong. “We’re close, Sienna, to breaking the curse. I can feel it in my bones.”

She studied his expression “And you want to wait until after we break the curse to see what this is between us.”

He almost choked on the lie. “Yes.”

She patted his chest. “We can table this for now. But we will be having a serious conversation about this the moment the curse is gone.”

He cleared his throat and took another step back, missing her warmth. “In the meantime, from now on, where you go, I go.”

He wasn’t surprised to see her eyebrows rise in challenge. “Really? Did we not just discuss the host of overprotective males in my life?”

“This isn’t about protection.” Lie number two. But he knew better than to tell her the truth. He wasn’t just feeling protective—he was half feral at the idea of her being away from him when the threats around them were so real. “It’s about what Mia said to you. If you’re going to be at the center of breaking the curse, then it makes sense that I’m close by. We all know that I’ll play a part in it as well. It just makes common sense.”

She shook her head, and he held up his hand to stop her protest. “You have nothing to prove, Sienna. You’re a great clan leader. And being a good leader means not taking everything on your own shoulders. Your brothers and clan are supporting you. We know you’re strong and fine on your own.”

He did know that. It gave him strength for what was to come. If he could change what was going to happen for anyone, it would be for her. But there was no changing his fate. He had willingly lied to her because there would be no after the curse for him. Or them.

Which was why he needed to stop this now before they were both in too deep. His brain understood this even when his rickety heart screamed that it was too late.

Chapter 29

Sienna and John sittin’ in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!

Veronica’s singing filled Sienna’s head, and then V giggled like a schoolgirl. Sienna had kissed him. The memory had her heart rat-a-tatting in her chest. There was something between them. She felt it. Knew he felt it as well, and finally. It. Had. Happened. Their lips fit together as if they were old friends with serious, amazing, wondrous benefits. And having him kiss her tears away? That had shattered the rest of her defenses when it came to John Baker.

Especially after what she had said to him. Even though it had been the truth, it didn’t make her feel better for saying it. Truth can be cruel if wielded like a blunt instrument, and she had used a hacksaw instead of a scalpel.

You were mean, Veronica sniped.

And since V had no filter or fear about saying anything, her scolding meant Sienna had definitely gone too far. She had tried to apologize to John, she reminded Veronica, but he wouldn’t let her, instead agreeing with her.

Why had she lashed out at John? Because she was overwhelmed? Because she had listened to every man in her life question what she was doing, and having John do it as well tipped her over the edge? Or maybe John was right and she needed to stop trying to prove herself by doing everything on her own. Did she have the right to chastise John for being an island when she was doing the same? Had she not almost gotten Ryan possibly hurt or worse by insisting they didn’t need backup when they went to the vault facility?

Everything bad and scary was piling up around her. And now it was her job to bring an end to centuries of hatred and curses. Her. The youngest child who lost her mother too early and never really had her father to begin with. A man who didn’t love or respect her. Although to be fair, he didn’t love and respect her older brothers either. Being in the same neglected boat didn’t make her feel better. But John was confident she could lead the clan. Yet another thing to talk to John about when this curse business was behind them. Because even though she had let him postpone the conversation, she would be having it with him.

“Earth to Sienna.”

She blinked and looked across the desk at Ryan. “Sorry?”

“I’ve been trying to get your attention for a while now. You okay?”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Have a lot on my mind.”

“I get it.”

She hesitated for a moment and then with V’s urging asked the question she had been wondering about. “Why did you tell John about the first time we met and I informed you we were going to be best friends?”