Now who's the romantic one?
You. You're the one who asked her to dance. Not that I'm complaining. It means we get to hold her close and memorize her scent.
Decades of experience told him his beast would soon go down the path of naked images and prodding Rhydian to kiss the human. So he ignored the dragon and said to his human, "You're light on your feet."
Delaney met his gaze, a grin on her face. "Just be grateful you're seeing it now, and not when I'm trying to punch you and knock you out."
He snorted. "Maybe one day, if you give me a little training, we could have a proper match."
"That would be a tough decision, whether to teach you or not, because if I teach you too well, then I'll lose."
"True, but then I'd keep pushing you to do better."
Her smile faded a fraction. "I can't go as hard as I did even a few years ago. I hurt my knee, and while I can do a match or two for fun as long as I wear a brace, there's no way I could train up and participate in professional matches again."
"You miss them, don't you?"
She shrugged one shoulder. "In a way. I mean, all athletes are on ticking clocks to some degree. Bodies age, and we can't do the same as when we were younger. And I knew one day I just wouldn't be able to keep up with it all." She missed a step but quickly righted herself before adding, "But even if I wanted to practice, I haven't had the time. Over the last few years, I've been taking classes in graphic design, and building up a client base for my new career."
He raised an eyebrow, making sure to turn Delaney at the right moment. "That would require you sitting still all the time. Are you sure that was a wise choice?"
"I've been using a standing desk, which helps. But regardless, there's only so many things I can retrain to do at thirty without spending years and years at university. Graphic design was something I'd always wanted to try anyway, and I'd even built up some regular clients before coming here, so I must be decent at it."
He made the final turn as the music died down. However, he didn't release his hold on Delaney. "Can you still teach boxing without reinjuring yourself? I'm sure some of the Protectors would love the chance to fight against each other, to let off some steam."
She raised her chin a fraction, and Rhydian did his best not to notice her long neck. "Maybe. I've never tried training others before."
"Then maybe give it a go? I can help set everything up as well as put out the invitation. While it's not the same as fighting and competing yourself, you wouldn't have to completely discard that phase of your life. Well, provided you want to do it, of course."
She searched his gaze, remaining silent a few beats. He desperately wanted to know what she was thinking.
She finally bobbed her head. "I'll work on a training plan, although my top priority will still be Rian."
"Of course. I wouldn't expect anything else of you."
She tilted her head, her long, dark hair sliding over her shoulder.
Rhydian wondered what it'd feel like to have her hair brushing his naked chest.
His beast growled, but thankfully Delaney spoke again before his dragon demanded something he couldn't do, such as kiss the female.
She finally replied, "How can you say stuff like that so confidently? You barely know me. Is this all because of the true-mate pull?"
Rhydian answered, "As much as I'm sure some people would love that to be true, no. I've been in charge of Snowridge for about five years now, and I've become rather good at reading people. Between the time spent with you and the background check conducted on you by my Protectors, I have a general framework. And then every additional minute with you fills in the gaps a little more."
Her hand moved from his waist to lay on his chest. Even through the material of his shirt, fire erupted at her touch.
His dragon hummed but didn't say anything. Probably because he was trying to be on his best behavior, as he'd promised he could be.
Delaney stroked her fingers, and Rhydian let out a groan. "You're testing my limits, human, that's for sure."
She pulled her hand away and he wanted to drag it back, but didn't. "I wasn't trying to tease you. To be honest, I wasn't even aware I'd moved my hand. Are you sure you don't have some sort of mind-control powers over me?"
He snorted. "If I did, then we wouldn't be here talking. We'd be doing a different kind of dance in my bed."
Her pupils dilated and he could smell the intensity of her arousal.
Rhydian was getting closer and closer to the edge of his restraint, so he released Delaney and stepped back a few paces. "I'm an honorable male, Delaney Murphy. Even so, I'm getting close to my limit. I'll warn you now that if you kiss me, it'll start off the mate-claim frenzy, which will only end once you're pregnant. And before you possibly say you want it, I can't. Not yet, anyway."