As the song wound down, Aaron slowed his steps. When they stepped apart to face each other and bow at the final notes, Teagan resisted the urge to take his hand and perform another dance so that their bodies would touch again.
Her dragon huffed. Invite him to the hallway and we can sneak away.
As much as I’d love to act like a teenager with her first beau, the clan will have questions about my announcement. I need to make my rounds.
The clan is enjoying dinner and music. They can survive an hour without you.
An hour is being generous. Most males barely last five minutes.
Her dragon grunted. I have plans. It’s fun to tease and prolong the event. There’s much we could do before sleeping with him.
Aware that the music had stopped, Teagan put out her arm and Aaron threaded it through hers again. She quickly said to her beast, Not tonight.
Then you didn’t say never.
Aaron’s husky whispered filled her ear. “Is your dragon impressed with my dancing?”
“Wouldn’t you li
ke to know? If you win tomorrow, I’ll tell you.”
“That just gave me extra incentive. But if I get a boon, then you should have one, too. That will make the competition far more interesting.”
You know what we want, her dragon answered.
Teagan knew she was on dangerous ground. Aaron was her link to Stonefire. She should keep her distance and merely use him as a tool to better help Glenlough.
However, before she could stop herself, she blurted, “You come to my cottage and make dinner for me.”
He raised his brows a fraction. “How do you even know I can cook?”
“I did my research. I know you can.”
He snorted. “That’s not much of an ask.”
“Ah, but I didn’t finish. I want you to make dinners for as long as you’re here. I hate cooking, and it’ll free up so much time to do other things. Think of it as Stonefire assisting Glenlough. That’s quite the important task.”
Shaking his head, he replied, “Putting aside your ridiculous excuses, if I’m to agree, then I should get more than your dragon’s answer about my dancing. You have to tell me what your dragon is thinking anytime I ask, provided it won’t violate security protocols or risk someone’s safety.”
Her dragon’s amused voice filled her head. That could be fun.
Teagan could make up excuses and bow out. She outranked Aaron. Soldier that he was, he’d have to accept that if he wished to complete his assignment on Glenlough.
Of course, that would put distance between them. And no matter how much she shouldn’t want it, she already craved the ease of being herself in Aaron’s presence.
For the first time in a long time, she didn’t have to be a leader with someone. She could just be Teagan O’Shea. True, it was in small increments, but it was more than she’d had in years.
She stood a little taller. “Okay, but I’m not worried. I look forward to having a cook for a few weeks.”
Aaron leaned over to her ear and murmured, “Since I understand how dragons think, I look forward to hearing what yours has to say. I’m sure your cheeks will go pink several times an hour.”
Her dragon cackled, but Teagan ignored her. Since Teagan would win, she didn’t worry about her dragon teaming up with Aaron to make her blush.
Her beast chimed in. You’ve just issued a challenge to me as well. Maybe I should try to sabotage you and make you lose.
They approached the table where her mother and grandmother sat. Behave, or Gran will interrogate us to find out what’s going on. Wine can only explain already flushed cheeks and not a sudden burst of pink.
Fine, I’ll save it for later. But just know that I’m not done thinking about him naked. And I really am going to have a think if it’ll be more fun to help Aaron win or help you win.