"I'd be disappointed if I were the last. Part of the fun of knowing you is hearing the wild stories that circulate. I think my favorite one to date is your fist fight with a high dragon," he teased.

He laughed easily. "Is it any better if I say it's not on purpose?" Of course, he had to ruin that claim almost immediately afterwards, jutting his chin to rub it against hers lightly. It was quite possible that under all the armor and the polish a brat lurked.

Almost within the same breath, he closed his lips over hers, tongue sweeping a tracery of the upper curve. His jaw worked as he opened his mouth a little more, taking it deeper. Both hands slid up from her waist across her back to draw her in close against him. He silently marveled at the contrast between softness in the press and the sinuous strength he could feel beneath his hands.