Because a small part of him wanted Ashley to be there bidding on him. And he knew that could only spell disaster. If he had one night with her, he might never be able to walk away again. And not just because of the frenzy, either.
He'd wanted her sassy smile and quips every day for the rest of his life.
Wes would just have to hope Ashley didn't show up at the event. After all, she worked with dragon-shifters almost every day. Why would she want to spend a night out with one?
His dragon huffed. Taking care of humans and dragons is one thing, but spending a night out and having fun with a dragon-shifter is a different thing entirely.
It doesn't matter. I'm the last person she'd want to spend money on just to be in my company.
If you say so.
Done arguing with his beast, Wes sat up and focused on his never-ending mountain of paperwork. His clan was all that mattered. He needed to remember that.
Chapter Twelve
Gaby was tempted to take out the note in her pocket again, to double-check that Ryan had asked her to meet him at the lakeside glass observation building. But she'd read it fifty times already and knew this was the right time and place.
And even though her human had survived wearing a back brace for six weeks and another three grueling weeks of physical therapy, she was anxious. He could trip and get hurt again. Or, maybe someone would accidentally bump him and hurt him that way.
Her inner dragon growled. Just stop it. Dr. Carter cleared him. And thanks to regular shots of our blood, he healed much faster than a regular human. He's as good as new.
I want to believe that, but…
Keep hovering, and it'll drive him crazy. You can only use your pregnancy hormones as an excuse so many times.
Gaby instinctively placed her hand over the tiniest bump of her belly. She was about three months pregnant, and in perfect health.
Well, apart from morning sickness and the ups and downs of her emotions. It was bad enough that she'd been regulated to desk work for her job, at the order of her human boss, without a dragon-shifter interfering at all.
She hated desk work. But Gaby knew she could put people's lives in danger with any decision she made out in the field. Besides, she'd be back after the baby was born.
Before she could count how many long months that was, she saw Ryan walking toward her, no cane in sight. She smiled and rushed over to him but stopped short of jumping into his arms.
Ryan raised his brows, patted his chest, and she leaned against him. He kissed her head and murmured, "I won't break, Gaby."
"Logically I know that. But it's still instinctive to be gentle with you."
He moved his lips to her ear, his hot breath against her skin. "Later tonight, I'm going to prove to you I want more than gentle."
Her breath hitched. While they'd been creative over the last three months, Ryan hadn't been cleared for sex until earlier this morning.
And Gaby desperately wanted to strip him right then and there to claim her male.
However, Ryan had asked for that real date she'd wanted and she'd somehow survive it before jumping him. After all, they were having dinner inside a glass structure, for crying out loud. She wasn't about to give the clan a free show.
Her dragon turned smug. It wouldn't bother me.
Don't even try to convince me of doing it.
Then hurry up with dinner, or I may just try to take control.
Ryan leaned back and smiled down at her. "I would ask about your flashing eyes, but I have a feeling I know what your dragon wants. So just let her know that she'll get it soon enough."
Her beast hummed. There's a reason I like him.
Gaby raised her brows. "Great. With that comment, you're all but asking her to take control."
He kissed her gently. "Not yet, but maybe later."