The Dragon's Bidder (Tahoe Dragon Mates 3)

At least think about it. Punishments only happen to those who get caught.

And damn his beast, they both knew there were dragons and humans alike who found ways to sneak off and never be found out.

Not that a clan leader should ever chance it.

Ignoring his beast, he picked up his pace. On the way toward the dart-playing area, he finally spotted the dragon-shifter he'd scented. The male was unfamiliar to him. But even if he hadn’t been wearing his designated dragon pin on his shirt—which he was—the tall, muscled build and flashing eyes gave him away.

Wes nodded, and the male returned the gesture before turning his gaze back toward the bar area.

Filing away the man's description for later—Wes wanted to know who worked here since some of his clan members came to this bar—he closed the small distance to where Ashley stood next to a round, high table not far from the dart-playing area. While he noticed the humans scurrying away from the section, he ignored them. Only the female across from him mattered. "So who goes first, and from what point count are we playing?"

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect you to play darts, let alone know the rules."

"Why? Because I'm clan leader?" He leaned over, resting an elbow on the table, and moved his head closer to Ashley's. "Here's a secret—I wasn't always clan leader. And like most males, once I hit twenty-one, I couldn't wait to visit my first human bar."

She leaned a fraction closer, and it took every bit of strength he had not to stare at her cleavage. "And how did that go?"

He smiled. "Not as awesome as I thought it would. I had my ass handed to me at pool, I downed the remainder of my drink in frustration, and they promptly tossed my butt onto the sidewalk."

Ashley laughed, the sound making the female even more irresistible to both man and beast. "It's hard to imagine anyone tossing you into the street."

"Let's just say it never happened again. Although sometimes I swear you try to do an equivalent level of ass-handing with useless ADDA paperwork."

She tsked, and his gaze zeroed in on her

full lips. He couldn't tear his eyes away as she said, "No work stuff, remember?"

He stared some more, and Ashely bit her bottom lip. Damn, he'd fantasized about doing the same with his own teeth.

His dragon spoke up. If you were strong enough to talk with her and tell her she's our true mate, it could be a reality.

No, it can't.

As if burned, Wes moved back to standing and faced the dart-playing area. "Point count?"

Ashley sighed. "Sometimes your topic changes give me whiplash."

Since he couldn't exactly say "Hey, I want to kiss you and then fuck you senseless, over and over again, a tag team between my dragon and me, until you're pregnant and carry my scent. Are you cool with that?" Wes instead cleared his throat. "I'm excited to beat you, is all. You tend to have the upper hand with ADDA regulations, but I can win this."

"Oh, ho, so the dick swinging has started." He couldn't help but glance at Ashley and saw her roll her shoulders back. "Bring it, dragonman. Because I can win that contest, too."

Wes couldn't help but smile. "Then hurry up with the rules, missy, so we can settle this."

"Missy, huh? All right, boyo, let's play from 301 the first time as a warm-up. I'll even let you go first."

Normally, he'd insist on Ashley throwing first. But if she was going to throw down about her abilities, then he'd test her truly, no holds barred. Picking up his darts from the cup on the table, he moved to the standing area on the floor and lined up his first shot.

Even though he could throw it straight away, he lingered a few extra seconds, more than aware of Ashley's gaze on his back.

As blood rushed south, Wes decided to win as quickly as possible so he could get her somewhere private. No, he couldn't kiss her or risk thrusting his cock inside her, but there were other things he could try with the female to ease his curiosity.

Because tonight was all he'd ever have with his true mate. And for a few hours, Wes was going to be just a male and not a clan leader.

Ignoring his dragon's roar of approval, he tossed the dart and grinned as it hit dead center. He looked over his shoulder and said with a grin, "Now I'm at 251."

Ashley glared and he laughed.

If not for the reward of being alone with the female, he'd tease her endlessly and do a little trash talking.