Killian managed to stand mostly upright, although his voice was still a bit gravelly as he said, "If not for that old woman trying to give me a head injury, you would've gladly taken it further. I heeded your request, took you someplace else, and you fucking attacked me."
She crossed her arms over her chest, hoping the action would dissuade Killian from touching her again.
Her dragon huffed. You are a coward.
Ignoring her beast, Brenna raised her chin. "Our agreement is to make requests. I never said to kiss and fondle me in front of the entire clan."
He nodded toward the armband. "I just put the word 'mine' on your bloody arm. A man would have to be a fool to do that and not kiss his wife properly in front of the entire assembly. You wanted this to appear real, and I was complying, darling."
"Real is one thing, but your hand was going under my dress. You might be an exhibitionist, but I'm certainly not."
He stood to his full height, and Brenna both loved and hated that she had to look up to meet his gaze. "Are you sure about that? My nose is sensitive, so I know you wanted me."
She willed her cheeks not to flush. "Talking about scents is what dragon-shifters do. Have you decided to accept you were one?"
He moved closer, but Brenna refused to retreat. "You're changing the subject, Brenna." He raised a hand and barely brushed her cheek. The whisper of skin against hers sent a rush of heat through her body.
Killian smiled smugly. "You want me, so why fight it?"
Her dragon spoke up. Yes, yes, give in. He will do nicely for some stress relief. All that self-hatred and frustration will translate into the best sex of our lives.
Given we've had sex with one male until now, that's not hard to do.
That's not the point. Kiss him. He'll need some time to recover from you kneeing him, but maybe he'll put his fingers and tongue to good use in the meantime.
One of her dreams from a few days ago, where Killian had kneeled before her and made her come with just his tongue, flashed into her head.
The male in question leaned down, his voice snapping her back to the present. "Tell me what you're thinking, darling. I'm curious what makes your breath hitch and cheeks flush."
Killian's masculine scent filled her nose, as his heat engulfed her body. It would be easy to tell him. Honesty had always garnered the best response from him.
Of course, that would mean sharing her body with another male. And if her past were any indication, it would end up derailing her focus and she'd crave more, to the point she'd start to lose herself.
Her dragon said, It will be different this time. He isn't trying to manipulate us so that he can take over our duties and position.
The memory of Cedric luring her with pretty words and eventually threatening her with naked pictures he'd snapped without her permission cooled any desire she had. Brenna pushed against Killian's chest with all her might and said, "No. Sex isn't part of the deal."
She expected Killian to growl and call her a coward again. However, he merely searched her eyes and said, "I don't know what your secret is, but I intend to find it out."
"Sharing secrets isn't part of the deal, either."
"No, but that doesn't mean I won't try."
As she tried to think of a way to extricate herself from the great hall without drawing suspicion, a loud pounding on the door behind her made her jump. Aaron's voice carried through the door. "Open up, or I will break down this fucking door."
Killian opened his mouth, but Brenna answered first, "In a minute." She glanced at Killian and whispered, "Move so I can open the door."
For a second, she thought he'd refuse her order to make a point. But Killian walked to the far end of the room and sat down in the plush chair in the corner. The image of the sexy, strong male sprawled out nonchalantly made her stomach flip.
"Brenna," Aaron growled.
Opening the door, she barked, "What?"
"Don't play that game with me, Brenna Rossi."
Killian interjected, "It should be Brenna O'Shea now, aye?"
"I never said I was changing my name." She focused back on Aaron. "And you can stop shouting. I'm standing right here."