Her lips curled upward. "But if it's true, it may be helpful to our situation."
Chase loved how the situation had become theirs so quickly.
Maybe he did have a chance with Layla after all. After two years of holding back, it was almost too much to hope for.
His dragon spoke up. Of course we have a chance with her. Now, focus on making her say yes so we can kiss her skin again.
I'm not sure I could make her do anything.
His beast growled. Try harder.
"Chase? What does your dragon say?" Layla asked.
He snorted. "He's excited, is all. As you well know, inner dragons aren't the most patient lot. And for you to even consider giving us a chance is a massive deal to him." He moved a finger to trace the outer edge of her ear. "So, will you give us a chance? Even if it's only a couple of weeks or a month, I'll treat every day as if it were our last, and give it my everything."
Lifting her hand from his chest, she lightly brushed her fingers against his cheek. The light touch sent another rush of heat through his body.
And she'd only touched his face. He'd explode when her fingers finally wrapped around his cock and squeezed.
Fuck, he'd promise her anything to make that a reality.
She murmured, "There are a million reasons why I should say no."
"But?" he prodded gently.
She searched his gaze and brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead. "But I can't bring myself to say anything but yes."
His heart rate kicked up. "When can we start?" he croaked.
He swore she leaned more against him as she replied, "Tomorrow, after I finish work? That'll give me time to tidy up a bit. There are a few things I'd rather you not see lying about my house."
He tightened his arm around her waist. "Och, lass, now all I'll be doing is thinking of what those forbidden items are."
She grinned, her eyes crinkling at the corners and only making her even more beautiful to him. "Then maybe that can be your incentive to stick around."
Moving his face closer, he stopped a few inches from her lips. "All the incentive I need is standing right here in front of me."
Her breath hitched, and it took every iota of restraint he possessed not to close the distance and kiss her.
He wondered if older dragonmen could better restrain themselves around their true mates.
His dragon snorted. I doubt it.
It was then he heard the front door open and close, followed by Faye's voice. "I'm hungry and tired of waiting. And you know that once I smell something as delicious as a roast and potatoes, I can't even imagine eating anything else."
Layla stepped away and he let her go. She whispered, "This is our secret, aye? Promise me."
As much as he wanted to scream to the world that Layla was allowing him to court her, he nodded. "I promise."
She quickly added, an eager gleam in her eye, "I can't wait until tomorrow evening."
Before he could reply, Faye burst through the door, carrying the roast on a plate. "Sorry for the delay. I just needed a wee bit of fresh air."
Since he didn't want to arouse any suspicion—although he suspected his mum and possibly Faye and Grant already knew the truth—Chase replied, "And you took the others with you?"
"Of course. I'm in a delicate condition, aye? I needed at least two people around in case I fainted."
Grant entered the room, snorting. "You're about as delicate as a brick wall."