No, it had to be possible because he couldn't risk the alternative. If he forced the mate-claim frenzy on Layla, she'd never forgive him.
With a fresh surge of determination coursing through his body, he went after Layla.
Chapter Six
If any other male had said those words to her, about having enough dirty thoughts for the both of them, Layla would've frowned and told them to mind their manners.
But when Chase said them, her body heated, and she itched to asked him what some of them were.
As soon as he left the kitchen, her dragon spoke up. Then ask him.
I…can't. He's distracted me enough tonight as it is. And we really need to view that security footage because the longer the supplies keep being stolen, the more it hurts the clan in the long run.
Her dragon huffed. We can do both. It'd be even easier, though, if you asked for help. Chase's brother would help. And you can't use any excuses because Grant knows how to keep a secret.
From Finn? I doubt it. The surgery is my domain, and Finn will disrupt it, as well as make everyone question my authority and ability to run the place. I'll ask for help once I know who it is and why they're doing it, but not before.
It wasn’t as if Layla would never ask for help if she truly needed it. But no one was dying or in danger. Yet. She wasn't about to become the female who cried wolf.
Her dragon paused a second before adding, You've proven yourself as head doctor. There's no need to keep shouldering all the burden.
It's not by choice, dragon. Until another fully trained doctor is around, it has to be this way. I can't entrust a junior one still in training without the necessary supervision. No matter how good their intentions, someone could still die.
Her beast sniffed. Hand over the smaller duties to the junior doctors, all of them if possible. That alone will free up some time.
There's not much more I can hand over.
Her dragon was about to reply, but not wanting to have the same argument she'd had many times before with her beast, Layla ignored her and went to her home office.
Right after she sat down, Chase followed suit and took another slice of pizza. Watching Chase casually sitting there, taking a bite of pizza, gave her a glimpse of what an ordinary, everyday life could be. Aye, some females dreamed of flowers, presents, and ballads, but for Layla, she simply wanted a partner in life she could love and be loved by in return, one who would be there for her after a long day of surgeries or paperwork.
She wasn’t entirely convinced yet that Chase could be that person, but she was at least giving them a chance. She owed him that much.
She adjusted her position in the chair next to him and her arm casually brushed his. Even so, a slight shock tingled up her skin, making her heart beat faster.
Chase leaned closer toward her. She wondered if he'd touch her again, but he reached around and flipped on a few switches before moving back and typing something on a keyboard. Images appeared on the screen in front of them.
Tamping down her disappointment at him doing exactly what she'd asked, she listened to him explain how to turn it on. Once she nodded at the end, he put the image on fa
st-forward and ordered, "Eat."
If she weren't so bloody hungry, she'd fight him. But as her stomach growled, she took a bite of the warm, cheesy goodness, loving the grease and ignoring the doctor in her that said she should be eating something healthier.
Chase merely sat and watched her until she'd eaten the entire slice. Once she lifted her plate and made an overdramatic gesture of it being empty, he grinned. "Good, lass."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm not a dog or horse."
He placed another slice on her plate. "No, but since I can't reward you the way I want, I've resorted to teasing you."
Not wanting to flush yet again and only make them both frustrated, Layla asked, "What's one of your guilty pleasures then? You know my secret love of pizza, but what's yours?"
He blinked, surprised at the change of topic. Both woman and beast felt a thread of warmth at being able to surprise the charming male.
She may be predictable at her job, but when she was younger, she'd loved playing pranks on her sister.
Before she could go down memory lane and feel sad again, Chase shrugged and garnered her full attention. "It's not really a secret, but not many people would guess I like gardening and trying to find new plants from around Scotland to plant in my secret garden. Something about taming a yard, working hard to showcase its hidden, unrealized beauty satisfies me. Besides,"—he winked—"it gives me the chance to take off my shirt and have everyone ogle me."
She narrowed her eyes at the thought of a pack of females watching Chase's powerful, sweaty back.