“I rather thought giving a male the license to kiss me—in private, of course—with no strings attached would be a welcome suggestion.”
After a brief pause, Gregor replied, “Aye, then I’ll help.” He grinned. “Although I’ll have to dole them out slowly, so you can enjoy them.”
She didn’t miss how he used humor to change topics. “Slow is good. That means I can document the changes more easily.”
“You mean ‘we’ can document the changes. If you’re using my lips to run an experiment, then I’m your research partner, end of story.”
Sid was used to working alone. “I suppose it will be good practice for when the Welsh dragonman arrives.”
“What Welsh dragonman?” Gregor bit out.
“Don’t start acting like a caveman. Dr. Trahern Lewis is going to be Stonefire’s junior doctor. Given how our species tends to have more males than females, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a dragonman is coming and not a female.”
“Of course,” he answered flatly. “But enough about the doctor. I want to hear from your lips that we’ll be working on this together.”
“But our lips will be working together.”
The corner of Gregor’s mouth twitched. “I think you’re trying to be funny.”
“Just because I’m a doctor doesn’t mean I can’t poke fun.”
“Aye, but when was the last time you did it with someone besides me?”
She raised her brows. “Since that has nothing to do with my health, I’m not going to answer that.”
He ran a finger down her cheek and the noise increased inside her head. “Retreat behind that defens
e for now, but just know that I’m going to enjoy both kissing and teasing you, Cassidy Jackson. In fact, I’m going to give you a freebie right now.”
Before she could reply, Gregor pressed his lips to hers. At the contact, the humming returned to her mind. Unlike the stabs of pain with the roaring and pounding, a sense of tranquility coursed through her body. Almost as if kissing Gregor was just…natural.
Ignoring the feeling, she nipped his bottom lip before pulling away a few inches. “Now, since I allowed the kiss, I expect to hear the results of my brain scan the instant you have them.”
He grunted. “Bloody woman, do you ever think of something apart from work?”
“Of course I do. But since I’d like to remain sane, the results of my scans are important.”
Gregor’s voice turned steely. “I won’t let you go insane, Cassidy Jackson. So stop teasing about it.”
Concern and determination flashed in his eyes. Despite their short time together, he cared greatly about her wellbeing.
But of course he would. Gregor was as dedicated a doctor as she was.
Something clawed the inside of her brain, and she winced. Gregor’s eyes turned concerned. “What’s wrong?”
“It feels as if something is trying to claw its way out of my head.”
“Aye? Then let’s monitor it. It may support my theory.”
“It won’t be my bloody dragon. Stop bringing that up.”
Gregor picked up an electrode and lifted it to her temple. “Until you prove me wrong, I’m going to bring it up as often as I like. If anyone deserves to have their dragon, it’s you, Cassidy.”
Tired of fighting him, she allowed him to affix the electrodes to her temples. “Then you owe me some cheesecake.”
“Cheesecake?”
“Your hearing is perfectly fine. That’s my price.”