I imagined what she saw at the moment. A huge beast with yellow ghoulish eyes, and a face only a mother could love? None of it seemed to bother her. She reached forward carefully, touching the beast's face, and he stopped.

It was a rare occurrence for him to be still, but he did.

Her touch settled him, set him on fire, and seared his heart. She took a deep breath and tangled her fingers into his hair. "All bark and no bite, huh?" she whispered.

He seemed to like it, and I knew she could say whatever she needed to him because he was at her mercy. The mate bond was strong. Even as a beast, my wolf was putty in her hands.

The curls of ebony hair on top of his head fell onto his wide forehead, and his heavy brow was pulled inward, as if he was concentrating. His bright green eyes were vibrant, and raking me of my innocence. Everything about him screamed male. His broad shoulders, the way his brows slanted so harshly, and his full mouth were hard, yet lush.

I stepped back from him. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I shouldn’t be here. I will never come back.”

He took the step with me, his arm reached out toward me, but all I could think about was my stepmother and the punishment I would get for sneaking out.

His coiled forearm tightened, and his muscles flexed in his broad chest. Everything about him was driving me into a lust-filled frenzy. With all the courage I could muster, I turned and ran from him.

I didn’t look back to see if he followed.

Why would the Dragon Prince follow a human girl who wore out-of-date clothing and broke his family's law of not using the bridge?

Only to find she lived in her stepmother's attic and was bossed around like a little Cinder Girl.

But the better question was why he didn't turn me in, and why his green eyes looked so ... interested?

You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to, Swayze,” Mont said, stepping further inside the bathroom with her. “But I want you to know that I want to know. I’d love to know more about you—get to know you. Though none of this is a surprise to you. I haven’t hid my feelings since the first time I laid my eyes on you.” He leaned in a bit. “I’m not here to steal your covers, darlin’. Or your heart. I don’t have to meet your mother—but I’d love to take some of your time. Get to know you.”

Swayze pressed her back against the bathroom wall, refusing eye contact, which made Mont want to lift her chin, force her to look at him, but he didn’t. He stopped in front of her, not close enough for their feet to touch, but close enough to really look at her.

How could someone so beautiful be so guarded and closed off?

“If you need me—holler.”