Page 32 of Shifting the Flame
Asher laughed. "And I'm already hungry again."
He bent to kiss her, intending a quick peck, but her lips parted beneath his and he was lost. His hands slid down to her hips, pulling her flush against his chest.
"We're going to be late," she murmured against his mouth, even as her fingers tightened on his lapels.
"I'm the Alpha," he breathed against her sweet lips.
"That's exactly why we can't be late." She pulled back, straightening his tie. "Come on, your town is waiting for you."
Asher steered his Porsche through the streets of Ectorius, the powerful engine humming as they approached the transformed town square. He couldn't stop himself from stealing glances at Danica beside him, her profile lit by morning sunlight and a small smile on her lips as she surveyed their handiwork through the windshield.
"It looks pretty incredible," he admitted, pulling into his reserved parking spot. The town square had metamorphosed from a half-planned disaster two days ago into something truly magical. Jewel-toned tents mingled with traditional white ones, LED fairy lights were strung between trees and inside the tents ready to glow at dusk, and there was a perfect balance of modern flair and dragon heritage displays and booths. The food trucks were stationed at one end of the square near the side stage, and the main stage was on the other end draped with the beautiful color-changing cloth alternating between red and gold.
Danica hopped out, already scanning the area with a critical eye. "There are still a few things that need adjustment before the official opening. The lighting configuration near the main stage needs tweaking, and that banner over the east entrance is slightly crooked."
"Let me help," Asher offered, falling into step beside her. "I'm the one responsible for this last-minute rush. If I hadn't procrastinated until Gerri had to rescue me..."
"You mean rescue us both," Danica laughed, her clipboard already in hand. "I never would have met you otherwise."
That comment sent a surge of possessiveness through Asher. The idea of never finding her, his fated mate, made his dragon stir uncomfortably.
"Split up to cover more ground?" she suggested, already mentally dividing tasks. "I'll take the east side and generator setup, you handle the west entrance and food vendors?"
"Perfect." He nodded, but hesitated before letting her go. "You've created something amazing here, Danica. In two days, you've pulled off what I couldn't manage in months."
She flashed him that confident smile that made his blood heat. "That's why they call me the best. Meet back here in an hour?"
They parted and Asher moved efficiently through his tasks, his authority evident as vendors and volunteers snapped to attention when he approached. But even as he directed, approved, and solved minor crises, his eyes constantly found their way back to Danica across the square.
She moved with purpose, clipboard in one hand, gesturing with the other, her yellow sundress making her easy to spot among the crowd. Even from this distance, he could see her laughing as she charmed volunteers into following her vision. The sight of her taking command, being so completely in her element, stirred something primal in him.
Before long, he noticed her beside the large portable generator, trying to help three male volunteers lift it onto a wooden platform. His chest tightened. The men looked uncomfortable, clearly hesitant to let her help with the heavy equipment, but Danica was being her stubborn self, gesturing emphatically and positioning herself to lift.
"Dammit," he muttered, immediately changing direction. The generator had to weigh at least 300 pounds—nothing for a dragon shifter, but far too much for her human strength.
Asher quickened his pace as he saw the precarious angle of the generator. The wooden platform beneath it wasn't braced properly, and one corner started to dip as they attempted to position the heavy machinery.
Time slowed. The generator tilted, its weight shifting directly toward Danica.
His dragon instinct exploded through him. In three rapid strides, he closed the distance, his enhanced speed a blur to human eyes. He grabbed Danica by the waist, yanking her backward just as the generator slid. Without breaking momentum, he pivoted and braced his shoulder against the heavy metal equipment, stopping its fall with raw strength.
"Brace that corner! Now!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the panicked shouts. The volunteers scrambled to comply, wedging supports under the tilted side while Asher held the full weight steady.
Once the danger passed, he turned to Danica, his hands moving over her arms and shoulders, checking for injuries. Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in short gasps.
"Are you hurt?" His voice was rough with barely contained emotion.
She gave him a shaky smile. "I guess I should've left the heavy lifting to the dragons."
Relief and frustration warred within him. The image of what could have happened—her crushed beneath hundreds of pounds of metal—made his dragon roar with protective fury. Just like with the wooden arch two days ago, she'd been seconds from serious injury.
"You were just trying to help," he said, forcing his voice to remain even despite the turmoil inside him. "Next time, don't be so damn stubborn and overdo it."
His hands were still on her shoulders, and he couldn't make himself let go. The thought of losing her—this woman he'd only known for two days but who had already become essential to him—was overwhelming. His fated mate. His Danica.
"I had it under control," she insisted, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.
"No, you didn't," he growled, pulling her slightly closer. The fabric of his light gray suit stretched across his shoulders as his grip on her tightened. "You could have been seriously hurt."
