After a few more seconds to try and calm herself—her life was about to change in a huge way, after all—Tasha stood and went to the door. It was time to tell her future fake husband the news.
Chapter Five
About half an hour later, Brad guided Tasha inside his cottage and into the living room.
Ever since she’d said yes to being his mate, everything had passed by in a blur. David saying he’d get things in line with ADDA, how he’d coordinate Tasha’s first lesson with one of the clan teachers, and then David ordering Brad to take the day off to help Tasha adjust and get to know StoneRiver.
With everything going on, he’d barely said more than three sentences to Tasha. But as she sat on the couch and raised her eyebrows at him, he knew they’d finally have a chance to talk alone.
And Brad had no damn idea what to say.
His dragon sighed. Ask her how’s she’s doing or if there’s anything she wants to know. It’s not that hard.
Tasha’s voice prevented Brad from replying to his beast. “The flashing pupils mean your dragon is talking, right? How does that work exactly? No one has explained it as more than dragon-shifters have two personalities inside one head.”
He grunted. “Pretty much. The dragon starts to talk to the human half at six or seven years old. Getting along with the inner beast isn’t always easy, but if you don’t make it work, things can go wrong really fast.”
She frowned. “Wrong how?”
His dragon growled. You’re scaring her.
I doubt it.
Still, Brad sat in the recliner opposite the couch and said, “Well, if an inner dragon goes rogue and takes control, they can cause all kinds of damage. But it’s rare to happen, and it’ll never happen with me.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “So sure of that, huh?”
He sat up taller in his chair. “Of course I am. My main job is to protect the clan. A crazy dragon would make that impossible.”
She tilted her head, her hair spilling over her shoulder, and it took everything he had not to reach over and brush it back. Because then he might trace her shoulder, the side of her neck, and finally cup her cheek.
And he most assuredly couldn’t do that. Tasha showed no sign of wanting more than his protection—arousal didn’t equate wanting a future together—and he wasn’t going to assume anything.
Which means I’ll have to be the one to tell you when she’s ready, his dragon stated. Because you never notice anything about females.
Not wanting his beast to rehash discussions about their ex—and how his beast had seen the signs that Amber didn’t love them the same way—Brad focused on Tasha. He cleared his throat. “You clearly have more questions. So ask them.”
“Is that an order or a request?”
“Does it matter?”
She snorted. “Maybe not in this case. But as long as I’m here, we’re to be equals, Brad. This is your clan, but I’m not going to do everything you say just because I’m in the minority here.”
He leaned forward and propped his elbows on his thighs. “I’d never order you around, Tasha. Unless we were naked.”
Fuck. He hadn’t meant to say that, but it seemed his brain and his cock weren’t on the same side right now.
To her credit, Tasha didn’t frown or instantly admonish him. No, instead she also leaned forward—maybe purposely to show off her cleavage, because he had a clear view—and replied, “If we’re ever in that situation, I look forward to it.”
He blinked. Had the human really just said that?
His dragon spoke up. Encourage her.
How?
Figure it out.
Tasha’s gaze roamed down his body and back up again. Every inch she took in sent more blood straight to his cock.
Just what had she talked about with Ashley Swift?
His soon-to-be female spoke again. “Yes, I’m being straightforward. And maybe it’ll never happen. But I figure if I’m going to basically marry you for a while, I should be honest. You’re attractive, and there’s no sense hiding it. If not for the true-mate thing, I might consider the whole acquaintances-with-benefits deal. However, you can’t kiss me or it’ll start the frenzy. It’s best if I test you now, when we’re still mostly strangers, so you can shore up your defenses against me.”
He frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’re clearly attracted to me, too, Brad. But if I have children, it’ll be with someone I want to spend my life with. A frenzy doesn’t guarantee that will happen, so we both need to get used to being around one another without sex happening. And from your dropped jaw, I can see I’ve surprised you. But honesty will help us in the long run, I think.”
At her words, he snapped his jaw closed.
His dragon laughed. I like her more and more. If she can make you gape, she’s worth keeping.
Ignoring his beast, he focused on the human female sitting across from him. “There’s different levels of honesty. But I think it’s safe to say that you’re the most honest person I’ve ever met so far.”
She grinned. “Good. I kind of like that fact.” Her face returned to a more neutral expression, her smile fading far too quickly for his liking. “But I’m serious, Brad. I’ve agreed to mate you and stay on StoneRiver to avoid being killed. Maybe some women would instantly fall for the hero trying to protect them, but that’s not me. If—and that’s a big if—this goes anywhere, wonderful. But I want certainty concerning the future, not just some hot sex that fizzles out after a few months.”
He growled and blurted, “It would never fizzle. I promise you that.”
They both fell silent, staring at one another, and Brad imagined ripping off Tasha’s shirt and bra, cupping her breast, and taking her dark peak into his mouth. He could all but feel her nails digging into his scalp as she squirmed.
Brad wanted her. For sex, yes. But if her short, honest conversation was a glimpse of what life would be with her—Tasha always keeping him on his toes—he wanted that, too.
His dragon hummed. Good, good. Now you have to win her.
He leaned forward a little more and murmured, “You’ve laid out a challenge, Natasha Jenkins. One I’m close to accepting.”
Her heart rate increased at the same time her pupils widened.
She was thinking of him, much like he’d been thinking of her.
Her voice was husky as she replied, “Well, we’ll see how it goes.”
“At least that’s not an outright no.”
“No, it’s not.”
The temperature in the room kicked up a few more degrees.
Between her heat, her scent, and her beautiful face, Brad was teetering with his control. So it was time to change the subject.
He stood. “Well, there’s one way for you to see me naked and not worry about sex.”
She raised her brows. “Are you a part-time stripper on the sly or something?”
His lips twitched. “Not on purpose.”
“So you just accidentally tear off your clothes in public?”
At the amusement twinkling in her eyes, he itched to pull her close and kiss her.
Not to silence her, but to reward her. It had been far too long since anyone unrelated to him had tried to tease him.
And Brad missed it.
He cleared his throat and put out a hand. “When I’m about to shift into a dragon, yes. Let me show you my dragon form, Tasha. I want to be your first here on StoneRiver.”
He half expected her to tease him again, but she stood and slowly placed her hand in his.
As he curled his fingers around hers, electricity raced up his body as their gazes locked again.
Just how in the hell had he ignored and resisted her for all those months?
His dragon huffed. Good question.
She murmured, “I’d like that. Although hopefully I can do more than watch. I have no idea what dragon scales feel like, and that’s probably a good thing to know about if I’m to live here.”
“I’m not sure the texture of dragon scales will come up at the dinner table, but ear scratching might. So I’ll have to teach you about that today.”
She snorted. “Ear scratching? Like people do with dogs?”
His beast growled. We are a million times better than a dog.
He smiled. “Don’t compare my dragon to a dog. That’s a good first tip, I think.”
“Oh, did I insult him? I didn’t mean to. I think I still forget there’s a second personality listening in to this conversation.”
His dragon grunted. Just wait until I can talk to her. Then she’ll meet the better half out of the two.
Brad replied to Tasha, “Don’t worry, he can handle it. And with time, you’ll more than remember he’s there. Dragon halves can take control sometimes, even when we’re in our human forms.”
She squeezed his hand. “Then explain it to me as we walk. I’m impatient to see my first ever dragon up close.”
His dragon settled down and stood taller inside his mind. Yes, I want her to see me. So stop wasting time.
As he walked hand in hand with Tasha out of his house and toward the rear landing area—it was the quieter of the two inside StoneRiver—he did his best to give a basic explanation about inner dragons.
And despite the fact several clan members gave worried looks at Tasha, she never faltered or looked away from anyone who met her gaze.
She was fucking fantastic for so many reasons. And Brad was tired of making up excuses.
From here on out, he would try a little harder at winning his true mate. Maybe, just maybe, things would go better this time around with the right female.
Tasha had no problem listening if the speaker had something interesting to say. And for the entire walk to what Brad called the landing area, the dragonman went into detail about his inner dragon.
Oh, she didn’t fully understand the part about his dragon “hiding” inside his mind for the first six or so years of his life. But it was fascinating to learn how the dragon half had its own personality, its own opinions, and could even take control of Brad’s human form.
She really had barely scratched the surface during her dragon lessons from ADDA, right before she’d opened her bar to the dragon-shifters.
And before she knew it, Brad stopped them inside a giant area surrounded by a tall wall made of carefully stacked rocks. Definitely something built a long time ago, judging by the worn surfaces and various marks on them.
Brad released her hand, and Tasha almost grabbed it again, afraid the spell of normalcy they’d shared during their walk would fade without constant contact. After all, listening to Brad talk about his inner dragon with a mixture of annoyance and fondness had made her more interested in the dragonman by the minute.
However, she was a grown-ass adult and could resist one man. Instead of reaching for him, she tapped her hand against her leg and asked, “So how does this whole shifting thing work? I haven’t gotten that lesson yet.”
“It’s easier if I show you. Of course, to change forms I need to be naked. You can turn around if you want, but then you’ll miss the free show.”
She blinked. Had Brad just…teased her?
Tasha quickly recovered and decided not to hold back. She moved her gaze from his face to his broad shoulders, his trim waist, and muscled thighs that she could make out despite his jeans. “Oh, I think I won’t be doing that.”
She looked at his face again and smiled at his startled expression.
This was clearly a man unused to teasing and humor, at least from a human. But Tasha loved it, and he’d just have to get used to it if he was going to be her mate.
Clearing his throat, Brad turned around and adjusted himself. She snorted. “Oh, dear. Do we need to wait a few minutes or risk giving this show an X-rating?”
He grunted. “Just stand there and I’ll get ready. Don’t come close to me until I’m in my dragon form and motion for you to approach.”
The strain in his voice told her all she needed to know—she was close to pushing him over the edge.
And Tasha didn’t want to do that. There was a difference between teasing for fun and going too far to cause anger or distress.
So she watched as he continued to stand with his back to her for about two minutes. Then he took off his shirt, revealing a deliciously wide set of shoulders.
Tasha had always had a thing for shoulders that could make her feel small and protected.
However, she didn’t think too much more on it because Brad began to slide down his jeans—slowly, oh so slowly.
It looked like the man was teasing her now.
Since he’d pretty much given her encouragement, Tasha couldn’t help herself and whistled. The dragonman glanced over his shoulder with a frown. He growled, “Stop distracting me.”
“Sorry, I’ll behave. But it’s just so much fun to tease you. However, I’m not one of those people who can’t take it. So feel free to get back at me at any time.”
His pupils flashed between round and slitted before he replied, “Duly noted.”
And as he dropped his jeans, revealing no underwear underneath, Tasha bit her bottom lip.
What she wouldn’t give to grab his firm ass and dig in her nails.
Brad stepped out of his clothes and she met his gaze again. The dragonman smiled smugly as he slowly turned around.
Curiosity piqued, she looked down south.
And holy hell, the rumor about dragon-shifters being well-endowed was true. Although it seemed he’d taken care of any erection for the time being, which made her wonder just how big he was then.
“Stop staring at my cock and watch me shift,” Brad ordered.
Tasha finally tore her gaze away just as Brad glowed ever so slightly. A second later, his arms and legs grew longer, wings slowly emerged from his back, and his nose elongated into a scaled snout.
She had no idea how many seconds passed before a really tall, dark red dragon stood in front of her.
Sure, she’d seen pictures, but nothing compared to the faint sunlight glinting off his scales, turning them a slightly lighter red in places.
For some reason, it made her think of glitter. Although she suspected Brad wouldn’t like that comparison. After all, a glitter dragon didn’t exactly sound all that scary or intimidating.
The magnificent beast made a sound in his throat and motioned with a wing for her to come forward.
If it had been an unfamiliar dragon, one that had landed near here randomly, then maybe Tasha would’ve hesitated. But Brad was agreeing to marry her to protect her, so she went to him without hesitation.
Still, as she approached Brad, she took in his sharp, pointy teeth, the ears standing up from his skull, and even the giant talons of his front paws—hands? Claws? Who knew—resting on the ground. If someone didn’t know a dragon-shifter personally, then Tasha could understand how a person might fear a creature like the one in front of her.
Maybe if more people interacted with dragon-shifters, the League members and other anti-dragon assholes would dwindle, making them less of a threat. She filed that under topics to discuss with Ashley at some point in the future.
When she was close enough, Brad lowered his head and gently bumped her shoulder. Taking it as a sign to pet him, she ran her fingers along his snout. The texture was smooth, yet hard and slightly warm. Definitely not the cold, glass-like idea she’d formed from various movies and books.
Brad’s dragon hummed and she smiled. “Okay, I was wrong earlier. You’re more like a cat. And no, that’s not a put down, either. I’d say cute, but I don’t think you’d like that, right?”
The dragon grunted and she laughed. “Okay, okay. I’ll make up for it with this mysterious ear scratching. Since I didn’t get told exactly how to do it, you’ll have to give some signs I’m doing it right.”
The giant beast took a small step backward and turned his head toward her, putting his ear right in front of her. It was a bit more pointed than a cat’s, b
ut the backside was mostly covered in scales. Well, except for a tiny section at the bottom. “Let me guess, scratch you at the bottom, where you can feel it best?”
Another grunt, which she interpreted as a yes. And so Tasha ran her hand down the ear—also firmer than she’d imagined, although it made sense a dragon needed armor-like protection—and finally reached the little area of exposed skin. Brushing her finger there, she felt the heat of the dragon’s body. “Well, if I ever get cold, I know what to do now. Have you shift and then I can curl up against the back of your ear. Maybe not the easiest thing to do, but I’m sure we can figure it out.”
The dragon huffed in what she thought might be laughter—could a dragon laugh?—and she finally scratched the area with her short nails.
The more she scratched, the more the dragon leaned into the touch and hummed louder.
Yep, definitely more like a cat than a dog.
Just as she was about to ask if she could explore the rest of him, a tall, unknown woman with brown hair and light brown skin ran up to her and Brad. Without preamble, she said, “Shift back, Brad. David needs to see you both ASAP.”
Tasha frowned at the urgency in the woman’s voice. “What’s wrong?”
The younger lady replied, “Let’s just say that your mating ceremony needs to happen now or we can’t protect you.”
She looked into one of Brad’s huge dragon eyes but couldn’t read his expression. He motioned with his snout for her to stand back and she followed the unknown clan member to the outer perimeter of the landing area.
Since she would be staying on StoneRiver for at least some time, she looked at the younger woman and asked, “You already know my name, but what’s yours?”
“I’m Maya Santiago, one of the younger Protectors.”
Tasha remembered from her ADDA training earlier in the year that all Protectors in the US spent a year, sometimes two, working with one of the armed forces.
Judging the woman to be in her early twenties, she had to be just out of service.
Tasha asked, “Can you tell me anything about what’s going on now? I mean, I was attacked just yesterday so I’m a little worried about what could happen next.”
The Dragon's Charge (Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 4) Page 5
