The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons 6)

What's wrong with that? Imagine pulling her close, kissing her lips, jaw, neck, and down to her hard nipple…

The image flashed into his mind. Alistair closed his eyes and growled to his beast, Don't do that.

Why? She's not going to crawl under the table and check the current status of our cock.

Kiyana's voice interrupted his inner conversation. "Most dragon-shifters can easily talk with their dragons and jump right back into a conversation with someone else. Is it different for you?"

His dragon hissed, Of course not. Tell her.

Opening his eyes, Alistair drew in a breath at how close Kiyana stood. If she leaned a few inches closer, her breast would brush his shoulder.

And if he turned his head and lowered it a little, it'd be at the perfect height to suckle her nipple through her top.

Stop it, Alistair. Nothing can come of it, he mentally told himself. Of course, his dragon snorted.

Careful to keep his voice even and not husky, he shook his head and answered, "No, I can talk as easily with my dragon as anyone else. Maybe I was trying to send another subtle signal for you to leave, but somehow you're still here."

"Well, you haven't actually asked me to leave."

His dragon chuckled. She's right.

"Will you leave, then?"

She tilted her head. "That depends. Will you let me know when you're done with that book?"

Fuck, if he said yes, she'd leave but then he'd be forced to talk with her again. Somehow, he didn't think she'd take too kindly to him sending a student on his errand. If Finn got word of him avoiding Kiyana, then his clan leader would probe. And no one wanted to be prodded and questioned by Finn. Charmer he may be, but he was tenacious, too.

His dragon sighed. Stop being a coward. Just let her know we'll bring it to her. It's not that difficult.

Alistair grunted. "Fine, I'll let you know when I'm finished with it. Although you'll have to bribe Jhanvi—she's in charge of the archives—heavily to even think of taking it out of this building."

Kiyana stepped toward the nearest bookcase, and Alistair tamped down his disappoint at how her scent diminished. He watched as she ran a finger over the nearest shelf of books, carefully touching each spine. "I like it in here and don't need to take the book out of the building. Besides, I wouldn't do anything to revoke archive privileges. There's so much knowledge here, stuff that most humans haven't had access to in decades. I almost wish I could stay here my entire time on Lochguard. Not to avoid everyone, but the knowledge will be brilliant, I know it."

His beast said, She appreciates books as much as we do.

Maybe, he conceded.

That kind of female is a rarity. Are you really going to ignore her and risk never finding another one who shares such a major passion of ours?

He watched as Kiyana continued to read the spines on the shelf above her. Her profile was just as beautiful as her whole face. The urge to kiss every curve and line of it exploded through his body, his lips throbbing in anticipation.

Kiyana met his gaze and froze. After a beat, she faced him and shook her head. "Sorry, but not going to happen, Alistair."

He blinked. There was no way she could've read his mind. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"

She gestured between them. "Us. The desire is plain in your gaze, but I can't. Just know that I can't, no matter how much I may want to."

His dragon roared. Then she does want us. Why can't we have her? Ask her. Ask her now.

Since he was curious as well—even Alistair had some pride—he asked, "Why not?"

As they stared at one another, sadness flickered in her gaze. "Because if I do, I'll lose everything. My job, my career, my whole life's purpose. Things may be changing between most humans and dragons, but employees of the DDA still aren't allowed to dally with dragons if they wish to remain in the organization."

His dragon growled, It wouldn't be a dalliance because that implies once or twice. That's not enough. I want to know her better.

The words gave Alistair an idea, one he should instantly toss away. And yet, if he was to truly understand humans better and pass on the knowledge to his students, he shouldn't shun all of them.

And so far, Kiyana fascinated him the most.