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Not wanting to dwell on how he had a preference, he focused instead on her words as she stated, "Well, at any rate, I suppose asking most of my questions to one dragon-shifter will help me from forming social relationships with many more dragonmen and women. So doing all of this should be worth it, I think. I get the knowledge I want and can mostly keep a distance from the rest of the clan."
His dragon jumped in. I don't want her to keep her distance. But still, she needs to say yes. If I find a loophole where she can keep her job, then maybe she'll change her mind.
Even if there is one, I have no interest. A mate will detract from our work.
His beast huffed. You always say that. But there is more to life than books.
"Alistair, are you listening?"
He blinked. "Sorry. My dragon is quite chatty at times."
She slid into the chair opposite him. Even with her scent invading his nose, he managed to keep his body from responding.
Their arrangement might just work after all.
His beast shook his head but remained silent. When Kiyana leaned forward, he did his best to ignore her breasts pressing together. "Talking with your inner dragon is one of the things that fascinates me the most. Is there anything in the archives about inner dragons? Such as studies done in the past? That way I could have a foundation of knowledge before asking you for more details."
Alistair admired her zeal of learning. "I can't say I've looked for that sort of information before. Layla—Dr. MacFie—might know more about that since it's related to her field."
She craned her head around, surveying the rows of bookcases. "I may look here first. Nothing against your doctor, but I like to start with historical knowledge and work my way forward. It's not the most popular approach in my field, but I like getting the bigger picture, complete with a historical perspective, instead of focusing on just the present."
He scanned his memory for what little he knew about the social sciences, and social anthropology in particular. "Aren't you supposed to interview people? Watch how they interact, and interview some more?"
"That's the simplistic approach used decades ago. It's a lot more complicated than that now."
Alistair resisted a grimace. He really didn't want to go into ethics and philosophies surrounding anthropology.
Kiyana laughed. "Judging from your face, you would rather be shut in a room with a million gnats than have me tell you more."
"A million is a touch much, aye? A thousand, on the other hand, and then you'd be right."
She grinned, revealing a beautiful smile and a dimple on one side of her face.
For a split second, Alistair's heart stopped beating. Kiyana was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen.
Not only bonnie but also intelligent with a sense of humor.
If not for their agreement and his honor, he might be in trouble.
When his dragon remained firmly quiet, further unease settled in his stomach.
Kiyana stood. "Well, I'm going to look around and see what I can find. We'll start next week then, around the same time?"
He bobbed his head and watched as Kiyana walked away from him. His gaze zeroed in on her hips and arse.
She'd be nice to take from behind.
Not that he ever would. Alistair opened his book and tried to keep reading. However, he couldn't manage to comprehend a single paragraph until Kiyana left the building.
That alone should make him wary, but add in his dragon's restrained glee, and Alistair hoped he hadn't underestimated the depths of his honor. Because if he had, he might do something stupid, like eventually try to kiss Dr. Kiyana Barnes.
Which, of course, could never happen.
Chapter Four
As Kiyana walked home from the archives, she couldn't help but smile. Not only had she discovered a book on old Lochguard mating dances—who knew such a thing existed—she also now had a source to ask all her questions.
Being honest had seemed to work with Alistair. However, she never expected him to take her refusal so easily, not to mention suggest they meet once a week to share information.
