Persuading the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 9)

Daisy jumped. "Yes! Okay, I'll go get him and let him know." Daisy looked up at Zain. "Make sure she comes to the storage room where we're doing sets and things. If you scowl at anyone who tries to talk with Miss Passmore on the way, then it'll scare the other students off. So make sure to scowl a lot."

With that, the curly-haired human rushed off.

Ivy spoke softly, her voice full of humor. "I rather like Daisy."

"I'm glad someone does," he muttered half-heartedly. He was secretly fond of his nephew's friend and didn't mind her calling him uncle, but someone would have to rip off his fingernails before he'd admit it. "Should I clear us visiting the other room for a bit with the doctor then?"

She blinked up at him. "You're going to take me?"

"I am your mate. Besides, I've kept Nikki away from her daughter long enough. And I can't let Daisy down, either."

Ivy glanced over her shoulder, and Zain did his best not to notice her long, graceful neck. Or how twisting her body exposed a little of her cleavage in the neckline of her dress.

No. He wasn't going to notice. Especially since they'd be spending a lot of time alone together in the future. And if he kept noticing her body, his cock may take over his brain and make him do something stupid.

His dragon mumbled something incoherently and settled down to the back of their mind. For once, his dragon wasn't going to berate or argue.

While there was most definitely some ulterior motive behind it, Zain pushed aside the niggle of curiosity. Without another word, he strode over to Nikki, Jane, and Emily, who all stood together. Nikki tilted her head and smiled. "Come to finally claim your mate?"

"Not claim, but accompany. I'll take over her guard duty for now."

The human doctor spoke up. "She can't stay out much longer, Zain. She needs to be back at the surgery within the next half hour, or she could possibly relapse."

He grunted. "I promise she'll be back by then. With me standing over her, I'll be able to get her in and out of the set room rather quickly."

Jane snorted. "Unless Daisy wants her to stay."

"I can handle a little human girl."

Jane replied, "We'll see. She has that talent of being able to wrap males around her little finger."

Not wanting to waste any more time, Zain turned and headed back to Ivy. She said farewell to one last student before looking up at him. "Where's Emily? Shouldn't she come with us, too?"

"You're in my care for the next thirty minutes. That's how much time we have between now and you being helped back into your bed. I'll start the time now."

Ivy snorted. "Someone sounds a bit cocky. If I had a stopwatch, I'd time you."

He blinked. Was the human teasing him? "Well, you don't. But I'm rather good with keeping time. So let's go, and I'll let you know when it's time to head back to your room."

He pushed the wheelchair slowly, the kids moving out of the way. And if they didn't, he merely growled and lifted his brows, and they scurried away.

Sometimes it was good to have a reputation as a scary Protector.

His dragon yawned. Not scary. Maybe a little intimidating, but nothing else.

I thought you were taking a nap?

I am. Maybe if you spend time alone with Ivy, without me nagging you, then you'll see more of what I see.

Which is?

Figure it out yourself.

His beast curled up, tucked his head under his tail, and closed his eyes. Even if he were faking it, his dragon wouldn't say anything until he was ready.

Once they were out of the auditorium and in an empty hallway, Ivy stated, "I enjoyed today. Maybe if I stayed here, I could be a teacher or teacher's assistant eventually."

Before he could think otherwise, he spat, "If the parents could forgive you for your past."