Faye looked to Cat and her friend said, “I’ll be fine here. I promise not to wander off or dare anyone to kiss each other.”
Grant didn’t get the reference, but Faye grinned. “You’d better not. I want to be there when you do.” Lachlan cleared his throat and Faye moved to Grant’s side. “Fine, we’ll leave. Just make sure one of your staff shows us the security plans for the event.”
As soon as Lachlan nodded, Grant and Faye exited the room. A human female stood waiting and guided them to their rooms upstairs. Once she handed over the keys, Grant opened his door. “Come in for a moment. I have a few things to discuss with you.”
“I’m not sure why you’re so formal about it, but okay.” Faye shut the door behind her and crossed her arms over her chest. “So, what’s so urgent? You already know I’m going to scout out escape routes, unless you were just making eyes at me earlier for no reason.”
He ignored her prodding. “I need you to keep a close eye on that human, Max. If Cat does dine with him, you need to force him to be more inconspicuous.”
She shrugged. “I’ll try, but I kind of like him. He wasn’t intimidated by you, and that’s a rare thing.”
Taking a step toward Faye, he put every bit of dominance in his voice he could muster. “That’s not a thing to be admired. You need to watch him. If he gets Cat killed, it’ll be your fault.”
Fire flashed in her eyes. “Of course I’ll protect Cat. But if you think I have mind control abilities and can make him do my bidding, then maybe you need to take a holiday and have your brain checked.”
He took another step. “Maybe you should just follow orders and control your temper.”
Faye uncrossed her arms and closed the distance between them. “I would control my temper if you stopped treating me like a newly minted Protector. Unless you have something useful to say, I’m going to check out our surroundings from my room, as any seasoned warrior would do.”
His beast spoke up. Yes, provoke her some more. I like it when her cheeks turn pink.
Stop it, dragon.
Why? We want the same thing. You just waste time by putting it off until later.
Faye’s hot breath caressed his chin, and his eyes darted to her pink cheeks. He wondered if the color was solely because of her temper. Maybe his nearness affected her as much as hers did him. It was hard not to reach out and pull her close.
His dragon hummed. I wonder where else she’s turned pink.
“Grant? Are you going to answer me?”
He met her gaze again. Between her scent filling his nose and her standing close enough he could feel her heat, Grant wanted to kiss Faye and strip her naked. Surely if he kissed her, he could focus back on his assignment. After all, she’d be his and other males would stay away. If not, he could finally growl and chase them away.
His beast chimed in. Yes, yes, kiss her. That one kiss will give us what we really want.
At his dragon’s reference to the mate-claim frenzy that would result in a child, it was as if a tub of ice-cold water splashed over his body. He couldn’t sacrifice a week or more for his own desires, no matter how much he wanted to.
Grant took a step back and cleared his throat. “Update me before you take Cat to dinner.”
Faye remained silent a second before asking, “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us? If you growled and glared at Max all night, he might restrain himself a bit.”
Watching Faye as she laughed and enjoyed the evening with Cat would only tempt him. He shook his head. “I’m going to do my first scouting session of the surrounding countryside this evening.”
“Okay. But remember, you need to eat, too.”
His beast said, See? She cares about our wellbeing.
Only because she wants me to find the traitors and protect the clan.
You can tell yourself that if you wish.
He answered, “I’m not a lad in nappies. I can look after myself.”
Rolling her eyes, Faye moved to the door. “Always Mr. Invincible.” She paused a second before she whispered, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, Grant. Regardless of what you may think, I can keep a secret if need be. You don’t have to go after your uncle or family alone.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to dismiss her offer, but as Faye scrutinized him, he replied, “Thank you.”
“Of course.”