She raised her brows. “You are. Do you remember my family? If any of us tried to grunt and keep to the edges of the room, warning bells would go off.”
“Your family isn’t exactly normal.”
She narrowed her eyes. She knew he was teasing, but the comment stung. “Don’t make fun of my family. Are you trying to piss me off? Because if so, you’re doing a pretty good job. Maybe I should retract my earlier statement.”
“‘Retract my earlier statement,’ aye? That’s a fancy
way of telling me to fuck off.”
She gave him the double finger salute. “Just so we’re clear.”
Grant laughed. “I love when your temper flares.”
She blinked. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
He gently took her chin between his fingers and her anger eased a fraction. “I wanted to show you that even with your temper flaring and you cursing me, I still love you, Faye MacKenzie.”
She searched his eyes. Could it be true that Grant felt the same about her?
Her dragon sighed. Stop double-guessing him or yourself. It’s strange.
Rather than respond to her beast, Faye asked Grant, “Are you jesting with me again?”
“No, lass.” He moved his head closer to hers. She reveled in the familiarity of his heat as he kissed her jaw. “I love you, Faye. No one else could be my equal and yet my source of ease at the same time. On top of that, few people can make me laugh. You not only do it, but without driving me too crazy beforehand.”
Her heart rate kicked up, but she tried not to show it. “I’m trying to decide if that’s a compliment.”
“Yes, it’s a compliment. If I have to survive a hundred dinners with your family to prove to you what I feel, I will. That’s how much I love you.”
“A hundred, aye? I’m not sure that’s enough.”
He threaded his other hand through her hair and lightly tugged. “Can’t you just accept my words for once, woman? Saying such things isn’t easy for me.”
She looped her arms round his neck and leaned her chest against his. “Me not giving you a hard time would be odd. Be prepared for a lifetime of it, Grant. Because once you kiss me properly, I have no intention of letting go.”
Grant’s pupils changed to slits and remained that way for a few seconds. When they finally were round again, Grant released Faye and put distance between them. His voice was strained as he said, “Don’t take my distance as a change in heart. I plan to fight for you for the rest of our lives. However, my dragon is getting close to the edge. We’ll never be able to protect the clan if I give in too early.”
Faye wished she could ease Grant’s pain, but life as a Protector was never easy. “Few males would have the strength to resist. And let me assure you that your honesty is another thing I love about you, Grant. Don’t ever change that.”
“Even if it means I call you a chubby dragon when you’re five months pregnant?”
She flipped him off. “Cheeky bastard. Maybe I should make a list for you of which things are okay to tell little white lies.”
Some of the strain eased from Grant’s face and he grinned. “I like the idea of knowing how to stay out of trouble. That means I can spend more time in our bed.”
“Our bed, huh? We haven’t even made it into my bed.”
Her dragon chimed in. We’ll see if he earns the privilege long term.
Still? What else do you want? Him to get on his knees and kiss our feet? You’re being bloody ridiculous, dragon.
No, I’m protecting us. I approve of the human half, but his dragon half is having trouble controlling himself. Maybe he’s weaker than me. That won’t do.
For the first time, Faye started to understand her beast’s reluctance. I have faith that his dragon is just as alpha as you, if not more.
We shall see.
Grant’s voice filled the room. “We’ll have to discuss bed and all that it entails in detail, lass. How about we finish our duties so we can hopefully have the frenzy for my dragon’s sake.”