Ruby Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 3) by Terry Bolryder

polo, looking businesslike, despite her not knowing exactly what he did for work. He said he was currently taking a sabbatical and that was fine with her. She’d learned not to judge someone by their profession.
    But she got the feeling he got himself ready to come over and see her. That he tried to present himself well. Though that was a little like trying to embellish on a perfect work of art.
    Her heart was beating hard, her throat felt dry, but want was surging in her like a relentless ache. She scooted closer to him and rested a hand on his thigh. So warm. So hard. Steel covered in velvet.
    He looked over at her, raising a dark eyebrow. “Faye?”
    She swallowed. It was all or nothing. Now or never. “I want you,” she choked out.
    He studied her. Once again, where other men would have jumped at the opportunity, he took his time, feeling it out. “Are you sure?”
    She snorted. “Look, I appreciate you being thoughtful and patient. But at some point, this delaying is just not sexy.” She folded her arms. “So this is the last time I’m asking.” She could feel frustration welling in her at not getting what she wanted. She knew she was half insane for being like this, but he’d made her that way. All those nights together. All the nice things he did. All the trust.
    “Okay, okay,” he said, grinning and flashing white teeth. His green eyes looked slightly predatory as he came closer on the couch, crowding her in. “What do you want?”
    She sucked her bottom lip. She hadn’t gotten that far. “What do you mean?”
    “There are a million things we could do together,” he said, putting a hand on her shoulder, lightly moving it down over her arm. His hand came up to tilt up her chin, and he gazed down at her lips. “Whatever you want.” He came down and took her mouth in a kiss, and warmth exploded through her as it had before, melting her down to her bones.
    He held the kiss, working their lips together gently, caressing her lips with his tongue ever so slowly whenever they pulled apart. Grazing her tongue with his when they were together.
    When they finally pulled back, panting, she couldn’t believe how wet she was. “Wow,” she said. “Red, you are something.”
    He grinned. “To the bedroom?”
    She looked that direction and nervousness flooded her. Even though she’d changed everything about the room since Braden had moved out, it still held haunted memories for her. Yet she wanted to reclaim it. She looked at Red with nervous eyes. “I want to be with you. Like that. I want to live again, in a sexual way. But I’m scared. I haven’t… since, you know.”
    His eyes shuttered, a darker green, as he considered it. He was clearly pushing aside his anger so he could figure out what she needed, and she appreciated it. It was good to know he was angry for her, but that was for another time.
    Right now, she just wanted to feel good with him.
    His eyes lit up as his mouth curled in a smile. “I have an idea,” he said. “I don’t know if you’ll like it, though.”
    “What is it?” she asked.
    “Follow me.” He took her hand and walked with her down the hall. “Is this your room?” he asked, standing in front of a door.
    She nodded. He opened the door, and her bedroom greeted them. She’d painted the walls a turquoise blue, her favorite color, and put little ocean paintings around. The curtains were white and striped with navy blue. It was supposed to be a fun, playful room. Her queen-size bed had matching covers. “Not the sexiest, is it?” she asked.
    “Are you kidding?” he asked, folding his arms as he surveyed it. “It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Because you’re in it.”
    She flushed, feeling herself go flame red to her roots. Was this really happening to her? Was it perhaps the universe’s way of making it up to her for all the losers she’d had?
    And what was his idea for making her feel safer?
    “Do you have any ribbons? Stockings maybe?” he asked,