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He winked. “Don’t get used to it. But I’m big enough to admit when someone’s doing a good job. I’ll leave any greater compliments until I face you and see what you’re made of.”
Aaron’s words should needle her ego, but instead, it made her anxious to get started. “And you shall. How about twenty minutes after dawn? Unless that’s too early for you.”
“That depends. Do I get coffee beforehand or not?”
“I’m tempted to say no, but I want you at your best for my win. So drink as much as you like. I love mornings, so I may fly a few laps whilst waiting.”
He grunted. “Just tell me where and I’ll be there.”
She smiled and picked up her wineglass again. “I think I’ll keep you in suspense for a little while longer. That way you’ll have to stay and participate in your welcoming celebration.”
Aaron’s gaze swept the room. “I’m not one for small talk and diplomacy.” He looked back to her. “Trust me, you should be urging me to leave as soon as possible before I start a war between our clans.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know about Stonefire, but this is Glenlough. We prefer honesty.”
“I somehow doubt you lot always take honesty with a smile and nod.”
“Of course not. But the ensuing consequences can be fun. The only real rules are to not permanently maim or kill anyone.”
He raised his brows. “Those might be famous last words.”
She waved a hand in dismissal. “All of that isn’t important right now. What you should be worried about is that you’re expected to dance tonight.”
“If you think I’m going to flail my legs and look the fool, then I promise you I’ll be kicking more than one person this evening.”
She snorted. “We have a lot of the same traditional dragon-shifter dances you do, so stop moaning. I’ll let you know when it’s time for you to show everyone what you’re made of. Once you do a few dances, then I’ll tell you the location for tomorrow morning.”
“You’re devious.”
She sipped her wine. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”
Aaron opened his mouth to reply, but one of her advisors called her name and Teagan went to the end of the table to talk with him.
Still, as she listened to the male, her eyes kept darting toward another. Aaron Caruso was starting to shatter her initial opinions of him. Maybe she’d see the carefree, teasing version of him yet.
And maybe she would take up her dragon’s suggestion of a little fun while Aaron was there. She’d just need to make sure he understood it was temporary and that no matter what happened, he wouldn’t sever the alliance because of it.
Her beast gloated, but Teagan ignored her to focus back on her advisor. Taking care of her clan would always be her top priority, even if it meant an isolated existence to carry out her duties.
Chapter Six
Aaron watched Teagan from the corner of his eye as she conferred with one of her clan members. The older male had gray hair and smile lines around his mouth. His instinct sensed the male was more like a grandfather to Teagan than anything else. It gave Aaron the opportunity to merely watch her as she worked.
In contrast to Stonefire’s leader, who used humor to comfort and calm, Teagan often touched a bicep, forearm, or shoulder as she talked. It was a much more female way to handle the situation, but that didn’t make it wrong, just different.
His beast spoke up. You’re being too serious. This is a celebration. We should have some fun.
There’s nothing wrong with observing others, especially if we’re to work closely with Glenlough in the future.
I think it’s more a case of you wanting to defeat her tomorrow morning.
That, too. Knowing your opponent is never a bad thing.
Teagan caught his gaze and she tilted her head at him. Aaron didn’t back down. He merely smiled.
She rolled her eyes and focused back on her clan member. Still, Teagan couldn’t hide the faint blush on her cheeks that he bet wasn’t because of the wine she’d drunk.
His beast spoke up again. She finds us attractive. Take advantage of it. I bet she’s a tiger between the sheets.
