He picked up his pace. “Definitely not. After my time in Italy, I’m more certain than ever before that Stonefire is where I belong. She can look all she wants, but she won’t get these muscles to herself.”
Brenna opened her mouth to reply, but they reached the throng of people filing inside the building and she promptly closed it. The female Protector still had sense. Of course, she’d probably bring it up again later.
His dragon stretched his wings out before folding them against his back again. I’m not the only one who notices her interest. Make sure you ask Teagan to dance tonight.
I’m not bloody dancing in front of a crowd of strangers. For all we know, they could do the traditional Irish dancing with all the fancy legwork and Teagan will ‘accidentally’ kick me in the balls.
His beast snorted. It’s amusing to see you so uncomfortable and cautious. I bet Bram would like this version of you. You would’ve caused a lot less trouble as a teen.
I’m being bloody cautious because we’re representing Stonefire. Remember, the clan is counting on us.
His dragon grunted but didn’t respond. Thinking of the clan was one of the few ways to shut up his beast.
Aaron only hoped his dragon’s silence lasted the entire evening. Because if his beast harped on about Teagan’s appearance, especially if she issued a blasted dare, then he might do something foolish.
No. Aaron had let his guard down too quickly with Nerina in Italy, and his mother had been forced to return to England because of his irresponsible behavior. He wasn’t going to let down anyone else because of his bloody dragon’s demands or because he wanted to see a certain female naked and under him.
His dragon sat smugly at the back of his mind at that comment.
Behave, he mentally whispered to his beast. Approaching the stairs to the raised dais, he freed his face of any emotion. It was showtime.
~~~
Teagan was both glad and sad to have her back to Aaron. Glad because it gave her time to get over the shock of the deep red material against his olive-toned skin and his trim waist; sad because she couldn’t stare at him for a few more seconds and drink in the male she would never be able to have.
Life had been simpler before becoming clan leader. Five years ago, if she saw a male she fancied, she could’ve slept with him and thought nothing of it. In the present, any attention she displayed would be scrutinized by the clan. Even if the male in question didn’t run away screaming, he might eventually grow tired of being second to a female in public.
It was simpler to just ignore males in general.
Her dragon huffed. Let’s see how the evening goes. You responded to the idea of kissing him earlier.
That was a fancy, nothing more. There are more important things to worry about this evening.
Her beast paused a second. Fine, but you might want to acknowledge Aaron’s role in the plan to host a challenge with the other leaders. It will go a long way towards having a stronger alliance.
I’m not a novice. Of course I’m going to acknowledge him, albeit not quite so directly.
I wasn’t sure since it meant he could lord it over you in private.
She nearly told her beast that Teagan rather enjoyed teasing the male, but resisted as she reached the long table on the raised dais. Turning, she motioned to specific seats. “Aaron will sit next to me, and Brenna will sit next to Killian.”
Brenna stiffened a second, but then smiled. “I’m sure my cousin will be honored.”
Teagan looked between the pair. Apart from the same dark hair and olive skin tone, there were no other similarities. “You’re cousins?”
Aaron nodded. “Aye, but distant ones.”
When he said nothing else, Teagan cleared her throat. “We should take our seats. I’ll be officially starting the event soon.”
After Brenna and Aaron shared a glance, they parted. As Aaron walked toward her, his gaze never wavered.
Something about the determination and strength in his dark brown eyes nearly made her shiver.
Her beast snorted. This will be fun to watch.
Once Aaron sat next to her, she leaned over to murmur, “Before I say anything to the clan, I wanted to tell you that I’m going with your plan.”
He leaned closer and it took everything Teagan had to focus on his words instead of the spicy male scent that filled her nose. “As you should. It’s the only way forward, really.”