He squeezed his female. “Give a dragon-shifter some credit. I do have a trick or two up my sleeve. The DDA might be powerful now, but with Melanie Hall-MacLeod’s help, that might soon change.”
“What?”
Bram hadn’t planned on telling Evie about Mel’s plans, but talking with her was easy, especially as his dragon kept sending thoughts of trust to him. “Melanie is writing a book about dragon-shifters to help sway public opinion. Come to think of it, the female has all kinds of ideas of how to improve our image.”
“So Melanie is your PR expert?”
He smiled. “I hadn’t thought of it in that light, but aye, I think you’re right.”
The sadness faded from his female’s eyes and was replaced with a hint of determination. “Then I think I should help her. If she’s good at marketing, then combining that with my insider knowledge about the DDA and British law, we’ll become unstoppable.”
He could see the wheels turning in her head. But as much as he loved how Evie had moved on from her sadness, he didn’t have much time before Mel and Samira would come and take Evie away to prepare her for tonight’s dinner.
Just thinking about Evie leaving their side made his dragon snarl. Before she leaves, ask her. Stop waiting. She is right for us. The clan must know she is ours.
Then fucking tell me why you’re so certain.
No. You feel it too. Trust that feeling. Ask her.
Only because of the female at his side did Bram resist growling. He did want to keep Evie as his female, but his dragon’s sudden secretive nature was driving him mental.
His inner beast growled and Bram decided enough was enough. Fine. I will ask her. Now, shut it so I can concentrate.
And just like that, his dragon faded to the back of his mind.
Bloody beast.
Moving a hand to Evie’s cheek, he said, “That’s a possibility, but it’s completely up to Melanie. The book is her pet project.” Evie opened her mouth and he moved his fingers to her lips. “We can discuss it later. Right now, I need to tell you about this evening. Especially since Melanie and the other human mated to a dragon-shifter, Samira, will be here soon to fetch you.”
Evie moved her lips against his fingers, reminding him of just how soft they were. “If you’re expecting me to speak, then remove your bloody fingers from my mouth.”
He was tempted to remove his fingers and shut her up by kissing her, but he hadn’t lied before. There wasn’t time. Not even his still-hard cock lying against his belly would convince him to fuck up the event this evening. “Just listen first. Tonight is a special dinner honoring Finlay Stewart as our guest. Attire is meant to be formal. While you no doubt know what the traditional clothing looks like, Mel and Samira will help you look your best. Everyone will be watching you tonight.”
She frowned and mumbled against his fingers. “Care to tell me why?”
Removing his fingers, he placed a finger under her chin. “Because I want my clan to know that you’re mine.”
Her breath hitched and a feeling of smugness came over him. His dragon hummed. See? She wants us too.
She hasn’t said yes yet, you bloody beast.
She will.
Evie pushed half-up and looked down at him. “Is this a firm ‘Yes, I’m going to take you on as my mate’ or another half-arsed way to string me along?”
Calm her fears. Leave no doubts.
Sometimes, Bram wished he could just let his dragon talk instead of conveying the beast’s messages. Still, he agreed with him this time. The thought of her walking away from him and leaving with Finn in a few days caused a surge of jealousy to shoot through his body.
Bram rolled on top of Evie, pinning her body to the bed, and leaned in until he was a hairbreadth away from her lips. “Evie Marshall, I want you as my mate.” Remembering her request from this morning, he tacked on, “Will you allow me to walk in to the great hall with you on my arm? I can make the announcement tomorrow, as I don’t want to take the focus away from Finn, no matter how much I wish I could just kick the bastard to the side and bring you into the limelight.”
Evie’s eyes searched his. “Are you being serious? I don’t want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed later when we have another row.”
He moved one hand between them and gripped her breast possessively. Evie sucked in a breath as he said, “You are mine, Evie Marshall, and one day you’ll admit as much.”
His dragon hummed. Yes, yes, she is ours. Always. We need her.
Needing was the last word he wanted to hear right now since his cock was currently cushioned between him and Evie’s round, soft stomach. Every instinct he possessed urged him to thrust into the female and make her scream.