He shook his head. “Just like you wouldn’t turn your back on science for money.”
“Of course not. I’d rather live in a studio flat and discover ways to improve lives over creating some online channel or podcast to promote what’s no different from snake oil.”
He chuckled. “I haven’t heard that term in a long while, but aye, I agree. Some humans try to hire dragon-shifter bodyguards, treating it as some sort of proof they have the money to do so, which I’d never do. All I want is to protect my clan.”
She studied him, but saw only the truth in his eyes. As difficult as his job had to be, he loved it. “So we do have some views in common.”
“I bet there are more, lass, but as much as I want to keep chatting, it’s getting late. You look exhausted again, and we still need to discuss and set the rules for living together.”
Between the wine and her dinner, she was a bit sleepy. And yet, she wished they could keep talking about anything and everything else. It was rather…nice. She’d never felt so at ease with someone so soon before.
No, just stop. He isn’t for you, and this isn’t real.After all, this was merely a ruse to keep her on Seahaven long enough to do her research.
She nodded. “Right, well, I’m sure regular flatmate rules will work. You know, don’t steal each other’s stuff, ask if you want loads of people over, and share the cleaning duties, that kind of thing. I’m more worried about what we have to do when we’re in front of your clan members.”
“If you give me five minutes, then I can show you how we should act in front of the others—it’s easier than explaining it.”
Her heart raced as she imagined him holding her close.
Would he do that as part of his demonstration? Or, maybe they were less affectionate on Seahaven compared to other dragon clans, and he merely wanted to hold hands.
His voice snapped her back to the present. “I’m not going to maul you, lass. But it’s better for you to jump and blush now when we’re alone, aye?”
His words pricked her temper. “I’m not a naïve virgin just out of school.”
“I never said you were. But you’re human, and they tend to be more reserved overall than dragon-shifters.”
“I’ve been living with dragon-shifters for years. I’ve seen how they act. Maybe they’re not as outgoing in the UK as in France, if the rumors are true. But I know what to expect.”
She’d heard of the French dragon-shifters and how they were quite, er, affectionate in public.
“No, I’m not French.” He stood and offered her a hand. “But if we’re living together, everyone will expect that we’ve at least snogged a few times. We need to practice.”
Her face flamed. “Kissing?”
“Aye, that’s what snogging means.”
His eyes danced with laughter, and she narrowed her eyes. One thing Cam didn’t know about her yet was that when Emily Davies committed to something, she was all in. Her competitive nature didn’t like failing, and that included convincing everyone she was actually interested in Cameron Alexander.
So she stood without taking his hand and stepped away from the table. Raising her chin, she was about to tell him to start when a flash of reason returned to her brain. “But what if we’re true mates? I don’t have time for a baby right now.”
As Cam’s eyes flashed to slits and back, some of her resolve weakened. Was she? What would happen if she was his true mate? Would she have to decide now if she wanted to stay on Seahaven?
Because if she kissed him and she was his true mate, then his inner beast would start a mate-claim frenzy that meant she either had to run far away while Cam was locked up, or she’d agree to the frenzy that only ended when she was pregnant.
Searching his gaze, she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. Even though she itched to run back to Stonefire and return to her old, safe life, she knew she couldn’t. Not only because of Trahern, but she wasn’t going to abandon her research unless she absolutely had to.
So Emily merely waited to see what he said, and then she’d have to form a plan from there.
Cam had been enjoyingEmily’s company and fire so much that when she asked about being true mates, he instantly felt the fool. That was something he should’ve thought of.
He asked his dragon,Well? Are we?
His beast paused before answering,I don’t think so. But there’s always a wee chance she is.
Male dragons are supposed to know. How are you unsure? She’s a foot away.
His dragon took a minute to think, and Cam resisted telling him to hurry up. He couldn’t risk a mistake in this. Emily may have signed up to be his pretend mate, but not the actual frenzy.
