Slaying the Dragon (Deception Duet #2) Read Online Free Page A

tried to find peace in my work, in my new mission, but that day continued to repeat in my mind like a horrible movie.

    An excruciating lump formed in my throat as I watched a flash of dark hair scramble from the elevator of my brother’s building and bolt through the revolving doors, exiting onto the busy Boston street. I was foolish to think I could keep the truth from her. She was bound to find out, but I didn’t want it to be like this. I wasn’t cut out for betraying people, no matter the reason. Months ago, I thought this was the perfect assignment for me. I hadn’t cared about a woman since Melanie, but Mackenzie had spoken to my heart and I fell for her hard and fast.
      I darted after her, knowing it was now or never. I needed to make my move. I needed to prove to her that it wasn’t an act, that it was so fucking real for me, that she truly was my lightning strike. Catching up to her with ease, I reached for her arm and spun her around. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth agape. Her chin quivered and I saw the hurt on her face, but I felt that spark and I knew she did, too.
    Pinning her against the brick wall, I covered her mouth with mine. She pushed against me at first, her fists slamming into my chest.
    “Go ahead!” I bellowed. “Fight me. I want you to!”
    I earned everything she could do to me, but even when I was covered with bruises and scars, it still wouldn’t compare to the scar I had caused her heart. Mine would heal. I doubted hers would.
    “I want you to hurt me. I deserve it! Cut me. Kill me. My heart won’t beat without you!”
    Tears running down our faces, I pressed my lips against hers. After a brief struggle, she finally relented and melted into me. She combed her fingers through my hair, tugging at me, drawing me closer. Fire smoldered within as she moaned. A heat came off her body and I knew she couldn’t deny the attraction. Love like this didn’t happen twice. This was as real as anything I had ever experienced in my life.
    I pulled back and rested my forehead against hers. A sigh escaped her lips and I grew hopeful we would make it through this, that our love for each other was stronger than the mountain of lies on which it was built. Her gaze softened and she cupped my cheek in her hand. All I ever needed was to feel her skin on mine. It was perfect. It was exhilarating. It was my home. She was my home.
    Instantly, her back grew rigid and she pushed against my chest. Stumbling back, I flung my eyes open, watching in bewilderment as she ran down the street.
    “You stay away from me, Tyler!” she howled, signaling for a cab. “I can’t… I’m not going to let you hurt me again!”
    “I won’t!” I yelled, chasing after her. My chest tightened as I tried to make sense of the drastic turn. It was almost as if her brain was battling with her heart, which I knew was true. She had been doing that since we started our whirlwind relationship.
    “There’s no possible way you won’t!” she exclaimed, wiping at the tears pouring down her face. “Every time I look at you, at your eyes, I’ll always wonder whether it’s real.”
    A cab pulled up to the corner and she opened the door, about to get in.
    “Please, Mackenzie…” My mouth was dry, a pained stare on my face as I pleaded with her.
    “I should never have trusted my heart,” she said quietly. “The heart is impulsive and can’t be reasoned with.”
    “Tell me what you want from me!”
    “You really want to know?” she quivered, narrowing her eyes at me.
    “Yes! Just tell me.” I swallowed hard. “Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
    She paused, studying me, and my heart raced in anticipation.
    “If you really care about me, if you really want to prove to me that it was real for you…” She stared long and hard into my eyes, the pain I caused covering her face, her eyes, her entire being. “You’ll let me go.”
    I remained mute as I absorbed her words, a weight crushing my chest.
    “Do you understand what