Smoke and Fire: Part 3 Read Free Page B

what had hooked her. None of that had changed in the last three years. If anything, Ryder appeared as if he were the only one who was keeping Dreagan going with the computers, software designs, and hacks. At least one of the other Kings should know how to do everything Ryder was.
    But every King had their own job. Since they lived forever, she supposed there wasn’t a need to have someone else know computers.
    Kinsey always thought of herself as very good at what she did, but Ryder ran rings around her without even trying. He had four or five programs going at once while doing multiple searches. The two dozen screens weren’t nearly enough.
    She wasn’t sure why he performed searches on certain people, but once he had the information, the screen vanished and he moved on. Kinsey wanted to know what he did with the data as well as why he looked into those people.
    More and more, she found herself thinking about him. And not just about him being a dragon. Several times she actually caught herself thinking about living at Dreagan and being his.
    Lexi did it without a problem. And there were other women there as well. They didn’t have an issue with the men being dragons.
    Kinsey could finally admit to herself that it wasn’t so much that Ryder was a Dragon King—although, seeing him shift had terrified her.
    She’d held onto that fear for months, because it was easy. Being with him, talking to him again made her realize he was still the same man she knew. He was just an immortal dragon.
    Then she could concede that it wasn’t him shifting that made her so angry. It was the fact that he hadn’t shared his secret with her.
    Three years ago, their relationship had progressed to the point of them talking about spending their lives together. Then to have him up and leave without an explanation only to discover his secrets now?
    It broke her heart all over again.
    The reasons behind him not sharing didn’t matter. The other Dragon Kings managed to do it without an issue. But not Ryder.
    Because she wasn’t meant to be his mate.
    Her pieced-together heart shattered all over again.
    Kinsey’s vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. She hastily blinked, but a tear managed to escape. How unfair life was to give her something that meant everything, only to take it away.
    On top of that was an even crueler situation as Ryder was brought back into her life—but only as a reminder of what she’d never have.
    She discreetly wiped away the tear and sniffed. Her gaze jerked back to her screens when Ryder looked her way.
    “It’s late.”
    Kinsey nodded, unable to speak.
    His chair squeaked when he shifted. “You didna touch much of your food, Kins. Did you no’ like it? Tell me what you’d like next time, and I’ll make sure it’s here.”
    “It was fine,” she mumbled.
    Ryder blew out a breath. “Let’s call it a night. My eyes are crossing.”
    She knew that was a lie. Ryder could look at these screens for months without it bothering him. He was giving her an excuse to go to her room.
    And she took it.
    “I’ll see you in the morning then.” Kinsey got to her feet and walked from the room without looking his way.
    She met Dmitri on the stairs and gave him a small wave. It wasn’t until she was in the room that she leaned back against the door and closed her eyes.
    After a moment, she flipped on the lights and began to take off her clothes. Everything was piled in the chair. Mostly because she wasn’t obsessed with folding every piece of clothing. But also because she didn’t have the time or inclination.
    Kinsey removed her bra and grabbed the olive green tank top and put it on. Then she washed her face and brushed her teeth before climbing into bed.
    Except, unlike the last two nights, she didn’t fall right to sleep. She was wide awake, staring at the ceiling.
    And thinking about Ryder.
    Foremost in her mind was their kiss. Her lips still tingled from it. His taste … chills raced along her skin. She could