Aaron shouldn’t encourage his beast, but he couldn’t help but reply, I think you mean she’s a dragon.
That, too.
His gaze moved to the curve of her neck to where it met her shoulder. Some females were ticklish at that spot, and he wondered if running his bearded jaw against her skin would make her moan or giggle.
If only she weren’t clan leader, Aaron would tumble her and leave the next morning without any regrets.
But Teagan was clan leader, and he wasn’t about to fuck up his assignment to please his cock or his dragon.
His beast huffed. I’ll think of a way we can have it all.
Not dignifying his dragon with a reply, Aaron watched her a little longer. When she finally leaned to stand and a tendril brushed her chest, he wished he could be the one not only touching but also cupping her soft breast.
Teagan met his gaze, and he refused to back down as she made her way back to him. Once she sat next to him again, she murmured, “Enjoying the view? You’re supposed to win over the clan, not stare at me.”
He turned a little toward her. “And exactly how am I supposed to win them over? You gave your rah-rah speech, but then quickly left.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Did someone miss me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he answered. “Without you here, people were able to stare at me freely. You should be proud that I didn’t start waving to everyone who caught my eye.”
“Am I supposed to give you a cookie for not flipping them off instead?”
“Teagan,” he growled.
She snorted. “You’re so easy to provoke.” She waved toward the floor below. “You can wander around the hall freely. Although, I wa
rn you, a few of the younger clan members may accost you. If so, you’re on your own.”
“So you have rules about where guests need to sit, but you ignore the old tradition of clan leaders leading visitors out to greet the clan?”
She leaned toward him and Aaron resisted the wild, earthy smell that was Teagan to focus on her whispered words. “If you want me to lead you out, you must be asking me to dance.”
His beast hummed. Yes, then we can touch her skin and see how soft it is.
He cleared his throat. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m merely trying to be polite.”
“Oh, I think not.” She stood again and offered her arm. “Come, Caruso. You can’t refuse the invitation of a clan leader, now, can you?”
“I could, but who says I want to.” Aaron stood and threaded his arm through hers. At the contact of her warm skin against his, his heart skipped a beat. He had no idea why the blasted female kept affecting him so, especially knowing she wasn’t his true mate.
Pushing aside those thoughts, he was careful to keep his voice even as he added, “Whatever plan you have, I will one-up you on it. You’ve been warned.”
Teagan blinked but quickly regained her composure. “We shall see. I look forward to you failing. It’ll be a preview of what’s going to happen tomorrow morning.”
She moved, and Aaron had no choice but to follow. As he matched her strides, he noticed the people of Glenlough pointing and talking.
The whispers didn’t faze Teagan. She kept her head high and her shoulders back as she made a beeline to a table at one side of the large room, where a variety of audio equipment sat. A male stood behind the table with a smile. Once they reached him, he asked, “You’re that anxious for my skills, are you, Teagan?”
She laughed. “I just want to show our guest what he’s missing. Start with my favorite. But first, I need the microphone.”
As the unknown male picked one up, Aaron wondered what was Teagan’s favorite.
Her voice blasted into the room. “I know some of you just started eating, but our guest from Stonefire is impatient to dance. So, he and I will kick things off, and then others can join when they’re ready.”
She handed the microphone back to the male and tugged Aaron toward the cleared area in the center. He frowned. “We’re the only ones dancing to this song?”
Amusement danced in her eyes. “Is that a problem? I thought it was difficult to embarrass you.”