The Dragon's Bidder (Tahoe Dragon Mates 3)

And that was just when discussing work issues and dry-as-bone protocols. She'd probably combust if they were ever alone together somewhere private.

True, there were drawbacks to being around him, too. He provoked her more than any person she knew, and he often stoked her temper. But he was also funny and cared deeply for his clan.

Just as she cared deeply for all her charges under the protection of ADDA.

Which meant neither of them could ever do more than trade barbs for a few minutes here and there. At least, until she'd finally figured out a loophole—the charity auction.

The rules and fine print allowed ADDA employees to bid since the charity was registered independently from their organization. Also, ADDA wanted to help raise as much money as possible to help the orphaned dragon children and didn't want to turn away potential donors.

So Ashley had decided to seize her only chance to be alone with him and bid on Wes Dalton. Since all she did was work or read, she'd saved up a lot of money over the last ten years at her job. And she'd gladly spend it to help a great cause and pretend she was just a normal human woman out on the town with a dragonman.

No rules, no restrictions, no job title. She could be just a woman for once.

A free woman who'd finally ended the farce of an engagement six months ago. She may not be able to ever have Wes, but she'd always want him. No other man could ever compare.

Tonight would have to be enough.

When Wes finally walked out on stage, all sexy in his button-up shirt and blazer, her jaw nearly dropped open.

She knew he was like most dragon-shifters and had a muscled body from so much flying. But damn, he looked good in more formal wear. Add in his auburn-colored hair, brown eyes, and chiseled jaw, and any straight woman would probably start drooling after him, too.

When Wes finally met her eyes, even from her spot in the middle of the room, she noticed how his pupils flashed. They did that a lot with her—the change signaling that his inner dragon was speaking to his human half—and not for the first time she wondered what his dragon talked about. Was it her? Or, about how much he wanted her to go away so that Wes could focus on his clan and finding his own true mate?

As a teenager, Ashley had hoped she was a dragon's true mate. But the longer she worked inside ADDA, the more she grew wary of it becoming true in the present day. Because if she was one, she'd have to quit her job.

Then who the hell would she be? Work was her life, and no matter how much she loved books, reading wasn't exactly a career option.

However, as Wes continued to stare at her, never glancing away, she forgot about all that and shivered. Wes's eyes instantly flashed quicker.

Maybe he was focusing on her because she was familiar. Yes, that had to be it. Because in all their previous interactions, he'd never looked at her like this before—a mixture of heat and something she couldn't define.

To be honest, the lack of usual irritation in his gaze was a little unsettling.

The emcee's voice filled the room. After they finished introducing Wes, the bidding started.

Ashley raised her sign, but so did a number of other women. As the price went up, her competition went down.

And by the time the bid reached two thousand dollars, it was between her and one other woman.

Bring it, lady. Ashley had wanted the night with Wes before, but after his smoking-hot gaze and seeing his sexiness in that shirt and blazer, she would have him, no matter what it cost.

The bid reached five thousand and the other woman hesitated. After the last calls for more bids, the emcee slammed the small gavel and said, "We have a winner! Number 203, come to the side of the stage to give your donation and collect your prize for the night."

After Ashley scooped up her purse and light jacket, she forced her gaze from Wes's and headed to the small table positioned to the left side of the stage. With each step she took, her heart raced faster.

Wes Dalton was hers. At least, for one night he was.

Thankfully due to the rules, there were plenty of boundaries to keep her from doing something stupid. Because without them and the threat of losing her job, she would throw her no one-night stand rule to the wind and try to seduce Wes.

No. Can't do it, Ash. Not worth it. To many of her colleagues, working for ADDA was a job to pay the bills and nothing more. However, to Ashley, it was a calling. She wanted a better future for humans and dragon-shifters. And there were so many changes left to usher in, ones that would require years to accomplish.

Sleeping with one dragon-shifter wasn't worth the untold amount of damage she'd do to others in the future if she were fired.

No, tonight would be about teasing Wes and having a good time. If nothing else, it could strengthen their working relationship. Yes, that's what she needed to focus on.

Ashley reached the table and went through the motions, writing her check, and getting her receipts. Once done, the woman helping her motioned toward a door off to the side. "When you're ready, he's waiting for you in there."

As soon as Ashley turned from the