Asher debated what to do. He didn't sweet-talk females anymore, and he was afraid to comfort her with touch. Even something as simple as a hug could be too much for him.
Because as much as he may want to fight it, Asher wanted to hold Honoria in his arms once more. He could lie and say it was because he wanted closure on that chapter of his life. However, he wanted to hold her and see if the world simply felt right with her heat against him, like it had done in the past.
And if it did, that would complicate everything.
After wiping her eyes, Honoria smiled weakly. "Here I am about to cry, which is one of the unsexiest things in the world."
"Why is being s
exy important? You are, of course, sexy. But it shouldn't matter."
Fuck. He definitely shouldn't have said that.
He expected a smile or even a chuckle. What he didn't expect was for Honoria's pupils to flash to slits and back, followed by pink spreading across her cheeks.
His beast spoke up. I want to know why she's blushing. Maybe it's about us.
I doubt it's about us. We just brought up the death of her parents.
Honoria's voice prevented any reply inside his mind. "So you still think I'm sexy. Good, then it's not one-sided and will make my proposition seem reasonable."
He frowned. "What the bloody hell are you talking about?"
"When was the last time you had sex, Ash?"
His dragon growled. Almost six fucking years.
Asher took a step back. "Why does that matter?"
"Are you really going to play this game? You and I are the strongest, most well-rounded candidates for clan leader."
"Yes, but—"
"So it makes sense that we should do everything possible to keep it that way and ensure we stay in the running." She took a step forward, but Asher didn't retreat. He'd barely acknowledged how nice it was not to have to look down at a female to meet her gaze when Honoria continued, "You need sex and so do I. I suggest we use each other to strengthen our chances at the trials."
He blinked. "What?"
"Release will make our dragons behave. Just one time, and then we each walk away and try our hardest to win the top spot."
His beast hummed. Yes, yes, tell her yes.
For a second, panic flared. He'd love nothing more than to slide between Honoria's thighs and fuck her senseless. However, he wasn't sure once would be enough. Even now, standing so close to her and feeling the heat of her body, he wanted to reach out and pull her close.
He'd never even slept with her as a teenager. What if doing so brought back feelings he didn't want, ones that could cost him the clan leadership?
His dragon grunted. Us not fucking her will be more of a distraction. It's not like she's our true mate.
As he tried to think of how to respond, Honoria took another step closer and placed a hand on his cheek. The touch sent a jolt of heat rushing through his body, straight to his cock. When she lightly caressed his skin, he barely resisted sighing and leaning into the touch.
A touch that seemed to soothe his soul.
Before he could think of why he shouldn't do it, Asher roped an arm around her waist, hauled her up against his body, and kissed her.
~~~
Honoria had been working up the courage to kiss Asher when he surprised her. The second her body pressed up against his, her knees buckled and she had to lean into him for support. Good thing, too, because in the next second he pressed his lips to hers.
A long-hidden desire rushed forth at the contact, her nerves aware of every inch of him against her. She opened her mouth and Asher thrust his tongue inside, caressing and stroking her breathless.