Not to mention with her not wanting to sleep with him, it created the perfect barrier. Alistair would never push something that would cause harm, which meant he'd never have sex with Kiyana and ruin her dreams.
He spoke up. "Then no sex. None. I promise you that."
She searched his gaze. "Just like that?"
"Aye. But is there anything in the rules about being friends?"
Pausing a second, she tapped her chin. It took everything he had not to stare at her long, graceful finger as she did so. "Not that I recall."
"Good. Then we can share information. Once a week we can meet
here and ask each other questions. No touching, no heated gaze, just two people engaging in a professional relationship."
His dragon hissed. I don't like that, not at all.
To me, it's the perfect solution. After all, sex is off the table. And neither of us are dishonorable enough to take everything away from her, aye?
Of course not. Maybe some rogue dragon-shifters don't have honor, but we most assuredly do. It doesn't mean I won't try to think of a way around it.
You do that. Although I somehow doubt you have a vast knowledge of the DDA's policies.
Then maybe I'll work on changing that.
Kiyana's voice interrupted his conversation with his dragon. "I hope I don't come to regret this, but okay. We'll try it." She narrowed her eyes. "But at the first heated look, I'm out of here and I do my best to steer clear of you."
"I'll try to hold back, but I can't always control my dragon's emotions. Unlike my human half, he doesn't understand why we should hide emotions."
At the spark of interest in her eyes, Alistair knew she wanted to know more.
And while his dragon may cringe at a platonic relationship, it worked well for him.
His beast spoke up. And what about Mum? She'll ask questions if she finds out.
Good point. Alistair focused back on Kiyana. "And maybe one more caveat, aye? I have no interest in finding a mate, but my mother will continue to foist females in my direction with the hope of me changing my mind. So if she asks, I'll tell her I have someone. I won't mention names, but maybe we can humor her?"
"I can't risk that, Alistair. Forgive me, but even I've already learned how much of a gossip your mother is."
"Aye, she is that. But I will merely tell her we're friends, nothing more. However, she may wink at you occasionally, thinking she's cracked our secret. Still, if there is no proof of a romantic entanglement, the DDA can't reprimand you."
"Add any more conditions, and we'll need to draw up a written contract so I can remember them all," she drawled.
His lips twitched. "No more stipulations, I promise. And look at it this way—the less time I have to argue with my mother about finding a female, the more time I can answer your questions."
"You're good at dangling the carrot, aren't you?"
He chuckled, surprising himself.
Alistair hadn't laughed much over the last few years.
However, before he could sort through that thought, Kiyana spoke again. "Okay, then meetings here once a week it is. But we should both try to arrive as inconspicuously as possible. That way fewer will notice the coincidence of us both being here at the same time. Maybe your mother won't ever find out."
He grimaced. "Unfortunately, the female who runs the archives is friends with my mum. Even if she weren't, Meg Boyd has a way of finding out anything and everything that happens on Lochguard."
Well, except for Alistair's secret project and his late girlfriend. Both of which he managed to keep from her, but only because he knew his mother so well.
Kiyana tugged a section of her hair straight, released it, and repeated the gesture. He was sure it meant something—probably discomfort or an internal struggle—but all he could focus on was how long her hair was when stretched out. It would be past her waist if it were straight.
Although he preferred it curly.