Page 19 of Real Scale Blazer
She forced herself to focus on her irritation rather than how his accent caressed her name, or how his presence seemed to fill all the available space around her, making the air feel thick and charged.
“I don’t need a dragon bodyguard,” she snapped, trying to ignore how his scent - something wild and spicy, like cinnamon and storm clouds - made her head spin. “I’m perfectly capable of handling myself.”
“Indeed?” One pale gold eyebrow arched as his gaze swept over her. “Is that why you nearly fell into a crevasse yesterday while ‘examining an interesting rock formation’?”
“That was one time! And I had it under control.”
“You were hanging by your sample collection belt.”
“It was a calculated risk in the name of science.”
Quinn slammed her notebook shut, taking a confrontational step toward him. Her heart raced with anger - just anger, she told herself firmly. “I can handle this terrain without the royal entourage. I don’t need your permission to do my job.”
They stood toe to toe, the tension crackling between them. When she jabbed her finger into his chest, she couldn’t help but notice how solid he felt beneath the leather armor. Heat radiated from him like a furnace, and this close, she could see flecks of gold in his blue eyes, like stars in an alien sky...
“This isn’t Earth,” Kai countered, his intense gaze locking with hers. “And you’re not alone here. As long as you’re in my kingdom, your safety is my responsibility.”
Quinn refused to back down, even as she found herself noticing things she shouldn’t - like how his jaw clenched with barely contained emotion, or how those striking blue eyes seemed to glow as they bore into hers. His dragon nature simmered just beneath the surface, and something primal in her responded to that barely contained power.
“If you two are done with the angry flirting,” Lydia called out, “these seismic readings are getting pretty interesting. Though that might just be the local temperature spike from all this tension.”
FIFTEEN
“We’re not flirting!” Quinn’s cheeks burned as she realized how close she was standing to Kai. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, see the rapid rise and fall of his chest. Was it her imagination, or did his nostrils flare slightly as he caught her scent?
“I can handle myself,” she insisted, forcing herself to step back. “I’ve been doing field research since before you were-” She paused, remembering he was centuries old. “Well, for a long time.”
“And I’ve been protecting this kingdom for centuries,” Kai replied, his voice dropping to a low rumble that seemed to resonate in her bones. “I won’t risk your safety because of stubborn pride.”
“My safety isn’t your concern,” she shot back, though something warm unfurled in her chest at his obvious protectiveness. “I’m here to do a job, not to be coddled.”
“Everything in my kingdom is my concern.” His eyes flashed gold for a moment, dragon fire burning in their depths. “Including brilliant, stubborn scientists who insist on taking unnecessary risks.”
Quinn’s breath caught at the compliment hidden in his reprimand. She told herself the flutter in her stomach was irritation, not attraction. Definitely not attraction...
“Oh my god, you two,” Lydia drawled from the sidelines. “Should I start a betting pool on who’s gonna blink first in this intense staring contest? Or maybe measure the local temperature increase? Because things are getting pretty hot over here.”
“Don’t you have samples to catalog?” Quinn snapped, mortified to realize they’d been locked in another heated stare.
“And miss this quality entertainment? Not a chance.” Lydia grinned. “Besides, someone needs to document these fascinating interactions for scientific purposes.”
Quinn busied herself with reorganizing her sample containers, trying to ignore how her hands trembled slightly. She could still feel Kai’s presence behind her, massive and magnetic. Even the crystals seemed to pulse more intensely when he was near, their glow synchronizing with what she imagined was his heartbeat.
“If you’re so determined,” he said after a moment, his tone gentler but still firm, “then I’ll respect your work. But at least allow the guards to stay at a distance. I won’t risk your safety.”
She watched him from the corner of her eye, noting how his massive frame seemed to radiate tension. His concern appeared genuine, even if his methods were infuriating. She gave a sharp nod, knowing this was the best compromise she’d get.
“Fine. But they stay back far enough that I can actually work.” She gestured to her equipment. “And no hovering. These readings are sensitive enough without dragon energy interfering with the results.”
Relief flickered across Kai’s features before his expression smoothed back to regal neutrality. He inclined his head inacknowledgment before turning to leave, his ceremonial cape sweeping dramatically in the icy wind.
“You know,” Lydia mused as they watched him go, “for someone who claims to be focused purely on science, you sure spend a lot of time watching his... royal progress.”
“I do not,” Quinn protested, though she couldn’t quite tear her eyes away from the powerful grace of his movements. The way the leather armor emphasized his broad shoulders and narrow waist really was criminally unfair...
“Right,” Lydia snorted. “Just like you weren’t mentally cataloging his assets earlier. Come on, Quinn. I know that look. You’re attracted to him.”
“I’m attracted to the geological mysteries of this planet,” Quinn corrected primly, turning back to her work. “Nothing else.”