Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

She blinked. "You can ride?"

Information about motorcycles flooded his brain. "Yes, and fix them up, too. Although I don't think I've done it in a while."

"What else?"

"I'd like to dance with you again, and hopefully not end up unconscious."

She smiled. "I thought you hated dancing."

"It seemed ridiculous until I had you in my arms, and then it felt as if I'd done it hundreds of times before."

She counted off each thing on her fingers. "Swimming, motorcycles, dancing, and kissing. They're all things you enjoy."

It took everything he had to keep his distance from Brenna. "Yes, and more so when I'm with you."

She bit her bottom lip before saying, "Killian, you can't say things like that."

"Why not?"

"Well, for one thing, you're right—I work too much. And if you regain your memories after kissing Georgiana, then you'll probably morph back into your old workaholic state. The two of us working together wouldn’t end well and we’d probably end up killing ourselves within twenty years or less."

He should keep quiet, but he asked, "And what if the kiss changes nothing?"

"Then there's still the two weeks you promised to give the Stonefire doctors."

Not wanting to be so far away from Brenna, he leaned closer and she took a step back. They continued the dance until she was up against a wall and he finally whispered, "And after that? What happens if I'm still this way?"

"I-I don't know."

He smiled slowly. "Then let me clarify—I will ask you out on a proper date and convince you to give me a chance."

As they stared into one another's eyes, a sense of rightness settled in his stomach. Keeping away from Brenna forever was simply not a viable option. At least, until she honestly told him she didn't want him. Then he knew himself well enough to know he'd honor her request.

However, just as he raised a hand to brush her cheek, Adrian's voice echoed in the room. "It's time to discuss the details of what's about to happen with Georgiana."

With a mental curse, Killian forced himself to turn away from Brenna. More than ever, he just wanted to get the blasted kiss over with so he could learn more about the female who intrigued him. After their conversation, Brenna knew more about him than

he did about her. He'd still never found out who had most likely hurt her in the past.

Sitting down across from Adrian, he listened to the male's rules and directions. Never once did he look at Brenna. Because if he did, he might lose his nerve and piss off the Northcastle dragons with his rejection of Georgiana.

~~~

Caitlin wiggled her fingers from pinky to forefinger and back again as she followed Adrian Conroy down one corridor and then up a flight of stairs. She should be grateful that she was seeing Lorcan in private for their first meeting, but a part of her longed to have her son and Brenna in the room for support.

Her dragon spoke up. You have me.

I know, love, but it's not quite the same.

I'm not sure why you're nervous. If he tries anything, I will take control and protect us.

Her beast's words helped to ease her tension a fraction. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

I'll give him a chance, but just one. How we interact with him now will set the tone for our future.

As her dragon's words set in, Adrian stopped in front of a door and knocked. Sending a request for her dragon to be quiet for a little while, Caitlin took a deep breath as Adrian opened the door and she followed inside.

It took everything she had to keep her gaze from looking downward to avoid eye contact. Not that finding Lorcan was difficult. He stood at the far end of the room, near a window, the light highlighting his form.