I look up at Cameron, waiting for the punch line to his joke, but he looks serious. He’s not joking. He’s not messing around.
“Why did you say that?”
“Because it’s true.”
He seems surprised that I would even question his words. Is this because he’s a dragon? I suppose I never really considered that if a dragon and human were lovers, they might have cultural differences they have to work through. To me, I’ve always thought that love could conquer anything. If you found it, anyway. I guess I didn’t really think about the fact that there would be little things you had to get used to.
You aren’t lovers.
We aren’t.
Cameron and I are not lovers.
We don’t have any cultural differences to work through because we are not a couple. We are not a pair. We are nothing.
So why is it that I push myself out from the table?
Why is it that I stand up and walk over to him?
Why is it that when he turns to me, I cup his face, and I bring my lips to his?
Why is it that kissing Cameron feels like my heart is filled with silver and gold?
Why is it that I feel like I’m on fire?
He lets me lead the kiss: sweet and passionate, but slow and tender. My hands are on his cheeks, and I feel the little bit of scruff that’s starting to come through. It’s rough against my skin, but I don’t care because I’m kissing Cameron.
I’m kissing the dragon.
“What are we doing, Peggy?” He asks gently, pulling away. “Are you kissing me because I said you’re pretty?” He places his hands on my sides and pulls me a little closer. I look down at him, to his position in the chair.
“No, it’s not that.”
“Because you’re very beautiful, Peggy, but I don’t expect anything in return for that observation. You don’t owe me anything. You don’t owe anyone anything.”
“I feel a connection to you,” I blurt out. Then I bite my bottom lip and look away because I can’t meet his eyes right now.
“Look at me,” he commands, and slowly, hesitantly, I turn back to him. His eyes search mine for a long time. “Tell me what you feel.”
“Like I’ve known you forever,” I say simply. “That’s the only way I can describe it. Cameron, we just met. I know this is insanity. It’s crazy for me to tell you that I feel this deep connection to you. Isn’t that the kind of thing that usually scares guys away?” I look away for a second, take a deep breath, and then turn back. “I don’t want you to think I’m clingy.”
“I’m not a human, Peggy.”
“I know.”
“You know in your head,” he taps my forehead. “But not in your heart.” He presses his hand to my chest. “I’m not human, and I don’t have the same expectations that human men do.”
“But…”
“No,” he shakes his head. “No ‘buts,’ honey. Come here.” He pushes his chair back and stands up. Then, before I can protest, he lifts me easily into his arms.
“What are you doing, Cameron?”
He doesn’t answer me. Instead, he carries me through the house and to the back porch. He walks down the steps and to the yard, and then he turns and points to the moon.
“What do you see?”
“The moon.”