Page 47 of Shifting the Flame
"Then I'm the luckiest woman alive." Danica stepped closer, her body responding instinctively to his nearness. "I'm proud of you—of who you are and what you are." Her voice lowered, intimate despite the crowd around them. "I'm happy to be your mate, Asher."
Something primal flashed across his features. In one fluid motion, his arms encircled her waist, and he pulled her flush against his body. "Say that again," he commanded softly, his breath warm against her lips.
A delicious shiver ran through her. "I'm your mate," she whispered, the words feeling right in ways she couldn't have imagined three days ago. "And you're mine."
Asher's growl of approval vibrated through her before his mouth claimed hers in a searing kiss. His lips were dominating yet tender, possessive in a way that made her melt rather than resist. When he finally pulled back, she grabbed his lapels to steady herself.
"Do that again and we won't make it through the end of the festival," she breathed, feeling the heat in her cheeks.
Asher's low chuckle rumbled between them. "Maybe that's exactly my plan."
The Firebreathers soon launched into their signature ballad on the main stage, the lead singer's raspy voice weaving through the night air, and Asher pulled Danica onto the makeshift dance floor. Danica leaned into Asher's solid chest, his arms wrapping possessively around her waist.
"I'd say we pulled off a miracle," she murmured, watching the crowd around them with satisfaction. "Three days ago this was a disaster binder on your desk."
Asher's lips brushed against her ear, sending tingles through her body. "We're great together." His voice dropped lower, just for her. "In more ways than one."
Before she could reply with something equally suggestive, Caleb, Asher's clutch enforcer, approached with a grim expression that cut through their moment of triumph.
"Sorry to interrupt," Caleb said with a meaningful look at Asher. "Need you for five minutes. Clutch business about last night's... incident."
Asher's jaw tightened. "The wolves?"
Caleb nodded.
"Go," Danica said, giving Asher's hand a squeeze. "I'll mingle with the locals, win over a few more hearts and minds."
Asher's eyes darkened with reluctance. "Five minutes," he promised, pressing a swift kiss to her temple before following Caleb toward a quieter corner of the festival grounds.
Danica watched him go, still marveling at how quickly everything had changed in her life. Three days ago, she was just an up-and-coming event planner from New Orleans. Now she was the mate of a dragon Alpha, subject of town gossip, and apparently, target of enemy shifters.
"You two are absolutely adorable together."
Danica turned to find Joni approaching, looking absolutely stunning in an emerald dress that complemented her red hair. There was something in her smile tonight that didn't quite reach her green eyes, but Danica pushed her unease aside. Joni had been nothing but supportive the past few days.
"Thanks. Though I'm still getting used to all of this," Danica admitted.
Joni glanced over at the VIP area where several older council members were seated. "Hey, I know you're kind of off-duty now, but the VIP table ran out of cold drinks and some of the council members are complaining. The food trucks are slammed and won't get to it fast enough. Think you could help me restock the table really quick? You know how to make things look nice and get things done fast."
"Of course," Danica replied, jumping at the chance to be useful. "Lead the way."
They navigated through the crowd toward the storage area behind the main tent. Joni handed her a tray of wine glasses while retrieving bottles from the portable cooler.
"Red or white for the council members?" Danica asked, arranging the glasses in a pleasing pattern.
"Red for Garron—he won't touch anything else," Joni said, carefully pouring. "The others prefer white."
As they finished preparing the drinks, something acrid tickled Danica's nose. She wrinkled her face, looking around for the source.
"Did you smell that? Like something burned or maybe spoiled?"
"Probably just the smoke from the grills," Joni replied smoothly. "Here, for all your hard work." She handed Danica a glass of red wine.
"Thanks, but I'll wait until we're done." Danica set the glass on the tray among the others, focused on finishing the task.
They carried the refreshments to the VIP section, Danica smiling as she approached Garron first—the oldest council member, his silver hair gleaming in the festival lights.
"Fresh drinks for everyone," she announced, distributing glasses from her tray.
