I care little what she wears, as long as she’s not naked.
So does that mean you admit you find her attractive? Otherwise, nakedness shouldn’t matter.
Not going to answer that. Hush.
To distract himself, he glanced to Brenna Rossi at his side; she was in the same dark red color. “Given how much you love it here, I’m surprised you’re not in green.”
She glanced up at him. “Just because I respect Teagan and what she does, it doesn’t mean I don’t love my home. Even if I spend the rest of my days with Glenlough, I will always be a member of Stonefire at heart.”
As Brenna waved hello to her tenth male in the time they’d walked from her cottage to the great hall, Aaron shook his head. “Methinks you’ll be finding a mate soon enough.”
Her eyes shuttered. “I doubt it.”
Since Brenna was not only a distant cousin but also like a younger sister to him, Aaron wanted to press her further. However, a familiar female voice garnered his attention. “If you stand next to any of my clan members, people might start asking if we’re celebrating Christmas early.”
He looked in the direction of Teagan’s voice and stopped in his tracks.
Her long, dark hair was piled atop her head with a few tendrils of curls dancing around her shoulders. Pale flowers were also tucked here and there on her scalp, a stark contrast to her dark hair. Her dress was the same one-shoulder, floor-length plain dress as every other female, but the green was more of an emerald. The same shade as her eyes, to be exact.
And even though the dress was only snug to the waist, it was the clearest view he’d had of her small breasts and trim ribcage. Both suited her tall stature.
However, despite the display of her female attributes, the defined muscles of her arms reminded him she had strength, too.
As he ogled Glenlough’s leader, his dragon chuckled. Are you still going to deny she’s attractive?
He mentally cleared his throat. Of course she’s bloody attractive. It doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it.
When the corner of Teagan’s mouth ticked up, he focused back on the female and said, “Anyone who mentioned Christmas to a dragon-shifter would just show their ignorance since dragon-shifters in the UK and Ireland celebrate the Winter Solstice, not Christmas.”
“You were speechless for almost ten seconds, and that’s the comeback you came up with?” Teagan tsked. “You’re going to have to work on your wit if you’re to deal with me.”
His beast grunted. Forget the verbal sparring. Tell her she’s beautiful.
No.
But—
It’s not up for discussion.
Aaron put his arm out for Brenna. With a puzzled look on her face, she obliged and threaded her arm through his. Aaron looked back to Teagan. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we should take our seats.”
“I think you’re trying to change the subject. I’ll allow it for now. Come with me. You’re the guest of honor, which means sitting on
my right side, just like the kings and queens of old.”
“So now you’re a queen?” Aaron drawled.
“No, but there’s nothing wrong with a little tradition now and then, as long as we keep the present in mind when following them and aren’t afraid to adjust as needed.”
Her response was odd, but Aaron decided to brush off his curiosity. “Then lead on, my lady. Royalty always leads the way.”
Teagan held his gaze for another second before turning around and strutting toward the great hall’s stone entrance. Without her studying him, he allowed his eyes to wander to her swaying hips and bum.
Brenna whispered low enough that no one else should hear her. “If I mention you staring at her arse to Killian, he’ll punch you and toss you into a jail cell until you cool off. Or, come to think of it, he may lock you away for the rest of your natural life.”
He looked to Brenna and whispered back, “So now you’re tattling to Killian?” He put a hand over his heart. “And here I thought you were like a sister to me. It’s not good manners to wish your brother incarcerated.”
“Forget the silliness. Teagan was looking at you too. She’s unattached, you know. Maybe Glenlough is where you’re supposed to end up after all.”