Theo
Theo was totally taken aback when they walked into the mansion and saw Gemma standing there. She was incredibly beautiful, and it knocked the wind right out of him.
He wanted more than anything to take her into his arms and kiss her, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t even find the words that Germaine found so easy to say.
Theo was terrified if he let Gemma know exactly how beautiful she was, he wouldn’t be able to stop there. He wanted to tell her that she reminded him so much of Savannah that his thoughts were more consumed with Gemma, with his dead wife living comfortably in the back of his mind.
He wanted to tell her that making love to her had been one of the most special nights of his life and meant so much to him. But he couldn’t. Saying any of those things would betray Savannah’s memory.
Theo found himself becoming very irritated when Germaine gushed about how beautiful Gemma was. His friend really needed to keep his eyes to himself.
A tiny voice in the back of his head asked him how he would feel when this was all over, and she was free to be with other men.
He clenched his jaw tightly as he pictured another man holding Gemma in his arms, kissing her and making love to her.
Shaking his head to dislodge the unwelcome pictures, he interrupted Germaine’s praise and said, “It’s time to get going. We have to get down this mountain and then up another. It takes time when you’re driving instead of flying.”
He saw Germaine was going to open the front passenger seat for Gemma, but she slid into the back seat, instead, choosing to open her own door.
Part of him was disappointed. He would have liked to have her next to him, maybe even touching his leg as he drove.
Then, he told himself it was best that she sat in the backseat. They only had to act like mates in front of the other dragon shifters. Germaine knew the truth, so they didn’t have to show any such pretense around him.
Germaine turned and said, “It’s no wonder Theo has been hiding you away in his mansion. He has told me your situation and why you are pretending to be mates. You are exceedingly beautiful, and it would be hard for me to not flirt with you, knowing that there is no real connection between the two of you.”
Gemma blushed, and Theo thought that he could feel the heat from her face from where he was sitting.
“You’re very sweet and very flattering,” Gemma said. “This is just a lot of makeup. It’s the first time I’ve ever worn such. Trust me, I look like an entirely different person without it. It may take me an entire week to get all of it off.”
Germaine laughed. “Beautiful and a sense of humor.” He nodded, pursed his lips, and then said, “I love it.”
Theo really wished Germaine would just shut up. Germaine’s flirting was making him jealous, and Theo hated feeling jealous.
“And I hear you can fight too,” Germaine said.
“I can hold my own,” Gemma said.
They continued to talk all the way to the ceremony, which set Theo’s teeth on edge. He didn’t want Gemma, he told himself. Then, another voice said,but you don’t want Germaine to have her.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at the grand structure where the ceremony would be held.
Theo hopped out when the valet opened his door for him. Another opened the back door. He put in his hand to help Gemma out.
“Wow, you are beautiful,” the valet said.
Gemma smiled at him. “Thank you. You’re very sweet.”
Theo growled in the back of his throat. He knew the compliment was very innocent, but he still didn’t like it.
As she stepped out, Gemma blinked and watched in awe as the couples made their way into the building.
She stopped at the edge of the red carpet that led the way inside. Theo could see the nervousness in her eyes. Her body trembled a little, and this time, it had nothing to do with his touch.
Theo smiled at her, trying to comfort her. “You had all the lessons. You do look amazing. I know you’ll do fine. We just have to make everyone here believe you are my mate, and you’ll be safe,” he whispered quietly in her ear.
She nodded.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
