Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 7)
Brenna turned on him. “I thought we established that neither one of us would be giving orders to the other. We only make requests.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Then would you sit down, my lady? Before you wear a fucking hole in my carpet.”
Her dragon growled. Are you sure we can’t wrestle him to the ground and teach him a lesson? He might’ve been stronger before, but he doesn’t have his beast. We will win.
No.
She closed the distance between them. “You should be nicer to me. After all, I’m the reason you aren’t wearing restraints and are out of that jail cell.”
“It may be a bit bigger, but this cottage is still a prison.”
Just as she opened her mouth, someone knocked on the front door. She raised her chin and said, “We’ll discuss this later, unless you’re backing out?”
“No bloody way. You’re probably my best chance at freedom.”
She wanted to ask what the fuck he was talking about, but the knock grew more insistent, so she raced to the door. Opening it, Teagan stood there. Brenna stepped aside. “Come in.”
Brenna half expected Killian to disappear and leave delivering the news to her, but when she and Teagan entered the front room, he sat sprawled in a chair. He gave a mock salute. “Clan leader.”
Brenna watched Teagan’s face closely. Having her brother play the arsehole couldn’t be easy for her.
And yet, Teagan’s expression never changed from neutral. She moved her gaze to Brenna. “What did you need to talk to me about? Should we go somewhere private?”
Brenna’s heart rate kicked up as she moved to stand next to Killian’s chair. She quickly glanced down, and he gave an almost imperceptible nod.
She had to be dreaming. There was no way that the amnesiac, moody version of Killian would encourage her.
Her beast huffed. Forget about him for now. We need Teagan’s permission.
Clearing her throat, Brenna met Teagan’s eyes again. “As you know, the Irish DDA has said all foreigners must leave the clan for the foreseeable future.”
Teagan frowned. “I would reverse it if I could, Brenna, but you know I can’t.”
Her heart beat faster. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. “I’m aware. But I found a way to stay.” She motioned toward Killian. “Killian has agreed to mate me.”
Teagan blinked. “What?”
“It’s true, great leader,” Killian drawled. “Brenna is the only reason I haven’t tried to escape yet. If you want me to stay in one place, you’ll let us do the deed.”
Teagan put out a hand. “Wait, did I miss something?”
Brenna answered, “You’ve had a lot on your plate or I would’ve told you sooner. But think about it—I could stay to help you fill in the gaps with the Protectors. And once the Irish DDA eases its restrictions, Killian and I can dissolve the mating. All we have to do is pretend it’s real in the beginning and Killian’s agreed to do that.”
Yes, yes, her dragon said. I still say sex will make it authentic.
Hush for now. This is important.
Teagan looked at Brenna, then Killian, and back. “Let’s say I agree. With a few exceptions, the clan must think it’s a true mating and not a farce. Otherwise, the DDA may sniff around. That could end up getting all of us into trouble. Are you two really going to be able to keep up the ruse? While I trust you, Brenna, I don’t know who Killian is anymore.”
Killian placed a hand on Brenna’s lower back. The heat of his palm raced through her body and ended between her thighs.
Her dragon growled. It’s just a touch. Calm down.
Rubbing slow circles on her back, Killian said, “We can both play our pa
rts.” He looked up at her. “Can’t we, darling?”
She cleared her throat and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Of course we can, love.” She looked back to Teagan. “So? Will you allow it?”