Fine. I’ll try.
Her dragon grumbled, I don’t understand why you fight it. You like it when he teases you with words and his tongue.
She paused a second and decided what the hell, her dragon would know if she were lying. Most of the time.
It’s because he’s fun. Still, tell him no fondling or sexy kisses until we’re alone.
Finn watched her and she finally sighed. “I have bad news, I’m afraid.”
“What did your dragon tell you?”
She blinked. “How can you tell it’s my dragon and not me?”
Caressing her cheek, he answered, “Because I’m starting to get to know both of you. I’m fairly certain that whenever your dragon says something irritating or that makes you uncomfortable, you narrow your eyes.”
She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know about that. I save my best glares for your shenanigans.”
“Well, then let me educate you.”
“Oh, so the big, bad male must explain things to me?” She rolled her eyes. “Can we just go inside, already? It’s chilly out here.”
Her dragon’s tone was stern. You still haven’t warned him. Right now, a kiss is too much. Tell him.
Shut it. I’m working on it.
Liar. Don’t be weak. Just tell him straight or the frenzy will be your fault.
Finn stroking her cheek quieted her dragon. Then the dragonman leaned close enough she could feel his breath on her lips as he murmured, “You did it again, just now. Since your eyes were slitted, I know you were talking to your dragon. So, what did she say, lass?”
The fact Finn watched her so closely made her heart thump harder. Rather than let on she liked his attention, she shrugged. “Oh, just the usual. How you’re a randy bloke who can’t stop thinking with his dick.”
Finn’s eyes flashed to slits. “Mention my cock again, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you off to my bed.”
“No you won’t. I’ll escape first.”
“Is that a challenge?”
As they stared at one another, Finn’s scent surrounded her. Combined with the heat of his breath on her lips, Arabella ached to close the distance between them and kiss him. Yet if she did that, the frenzy would overtake her. She couldn’t allow that to happen. At least, not yet.
Clearing her throat, she answered, “Maybe later.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “That wasn’t the answer I was expecting. What’s going on, lass?”
She paused a second. Just as her dragon moved around and was about to speak, she spit out, “My dragon is close to losing control.”
Finn leaned back a few i
nches and she nearly pulled him close again. “How close?”
Picking at the material of his kilt-like outfit, she murmured, “A kiss could set her off.”
He cursed and stepped away. “If we don’t kiss in front of the clan, Ara, they’ll be offended.” Releasing her, he ran a hand through his hair before assessing her. “Can’t you help her control the frenzy? Just for the kiss? If it means I can’t hold you close all evening, then no matter how much I hate it, I’ll do it for you, lass. For all my talk, I won’t take you before you’re ready.”
Studying him a second, she believed he was telling the truth; one word, and he would keep his distance. Sure, he would probably growl at any male who even looked her way, but he would restrain himself from touching her if she asked.
Remembering every interaction with Finn since arriving, it hit her that he’d always held back. Even with all the flirting and ridiculous lines, Finn always thought of Arabella’s needs, no matter how difficult it had to be to control the mate-claim frenzy.
He didn’t do it because he felt sorry for her. No, he did it because he cared for her.