On the Accidental Wings of Dragons (Dragons of Eternity Book 1) by Julie Wetzel

don’t see a need for that,” Carissa soothed him. “You’re system is probably just overproducing due to stress. Give it a few days, and it should settle out.”
    “I don’t have a few days,” Michael pointed out. “The longer I take to come forwards, the harder it’s going to be to prove my innocence.”
    “Then we had best get started.” Carissa changed the subject. “How do you plan on proving your innocence?”
    Now this was a topic Michael felt he could handle. He sat up straighter in his chair as he spoke. “Something about the information I’d been collecting didn’t sit well with me, so I mailed out a copy to go over with a friend later. I figured a fresh set of eyes on the problem might solve it easier.” Michael was now glad he had thought of that.
    “So, all we have to do is get out of here, find this file, and take it to Daniel.” Carissa nodded as she thought about the plan.
    “There is no ‘we’ here,” Michael pointed out. “I need to get the file and take it to Daniel. There’s no reason for you to get more involved.” He finally agreed with that reptilian part of his brain. He was not going to put her in possible danger again.
    “Let me remind you of your situation.” Carissa pinned him with a stern look, crossing her arms just under her chest. “You’re a full-grown dragon who doesn’t know the first thing about being a dragon, in the middle of a brooding.”
    She might have a point there.
    “Think wild mood swings, uncontrollable urges, and top it off with not knowing how to switch between forms.”
    Okay, that one hit it on the head.
    “You need help.”
    Michael stared at her, wanting to deny this fact. He had worked hard to earn his place in Eternity, and it hurt his pride to admit that he needed help—especially from someone with such perfect breasts. Did she have to push them up like that? It made it hard for him to think. “All right,” Michael caved. “You have a valid point.” He had also learned to admit to his limits before they got him killed. “Any ideas?”
    Carissa grinned at him. “Maybe.”
    Oh, crap. What had he just started?

 
    11
     
    “This isn’t working.”
    Carissa pinched the bridge of her nose as Michael sat up from the bed, complaining. He had been trying for ten minutes to shift back to dragon form. “It will.” She sat on the edge of the bed and pressed him to lie back down. “Just close your eyes and relax.” She stroked her fingers over the taut muscles of his chest.
    Letting out an exasperated sigh, Michael closed his eyes and tried again. “I can’t.” He gritted his teeth a few moments later. “No matter how hard I try, I just can’t do it.”
    His muscles had tensed even further under Carissa’s fingers.
    “I just don’t understand how you can stand it. It hurts too damn much.”
    Aha! There lies the problem.
    “Sit up,” Carissa urged as she scooted closer to him, tucking her feet under her.
    Michael gave her a considering look before sitting up.
    Carissa held out her arms. “Come here.”
    Michael stared at her, unmoving.
    “Just trust me.”
    Letting out the breath he was holding, Michael leaned in so she could pull him into her arms.
    Carissa sighed as he wrapped his arms around her. Man, he felt good. “Relax.” She tucked his head in so it rested on her shoulder with his face buried in the side of her neck. Rubbing circles into his back, she tried to soothe his rigid posture. Slowly, he drew in a deep breath and started to relax into her arms. Finally!
    “Shifting only hurts if you force it.” Carissa rocked slightly as she spoke. She leaned her head over on top of his. “Just relax and let it happen.” She held him for a moment, trying to think of something else she could do to help him understand how to let go. Of course! She nearly laughed as it hit her. “Just ask your peanut gallery.”
    Michael tensed for a moment before nodding and relaxing against her again.
    Magic tingled against Carissa’s