He blinked. Had the human really just said that?
His dragon spoke up. Encourage her.
How?
Figure it out.
Tasha’s gaze roamed down his body and back up again. Every inch she took in sent more blood straight to his cock.
Just what had she talked about with Ashley Swift?
His soon-to-be female spoke again. “Yes, I’m being straightforward. And maybe it’ll never happen. But I figure if I’m going to basically marry you for a while, I should be honest. You’re attractive, and there’s no sense hiding it. If not for the true-mate thing, I might consider the whole acquaintances-with-benefits deal. However, you can’t kiss me or it’ll start the frenzy. It’s best if I test you now, when we’re still mostly strangers, so you can shore up your defenses against me.”
He frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“You’re clearly attracted to me, too, Brad. But if I have children, it’ll be with someone I want to spend my life with. A frenzy doesn’t guarantee that will happen, so we both need to get used to being around one another without sex happening. And from your dropped jaw, I can see I’ve surprised you. But honesty will help us in the long run, I think.”
At her words, he snapped his jaw closed.
His dragon laughed. I like her more and more. If she can make you gape, she’s worth keeping.
Ignoring his beast, he focused on the human female sitting across from him. “There’s different levels of honesty. But I think it’s safe to say that you’re the most honest person I’ve ever met so far.”
She grinned. “Good. I kind of like that fact.” Her face returned to a more neutral expression, her smile fading far too quickly for his liking. “But I’m serious, Brad. I’ve agreed to mate you and stay on StoneRiver to avoid being killed. Maybe some women would instantly fall for the hero trying to protect them, but that’s not me. If—and that’s a big if—this goes anywhere, wonderful. But I want certainty concerning the future, not just some hot sex that fizzles out after a few months.”
He growled and blurted, “It would never fizzle. I promise you that.”
They both fell silent, staring at one another, and Brad imagined ripping off Tasha’s shirt and bra, cupping her breast, and taking her dark peak into his mouth. He could all but feel her nails digging into his scalp as she squirmed.
Brad wanted her. For sex, yes. But if her short, honest conversation was a glimpse of what life would be with her—Tasha always keeping him on his toes—he wanted that, too.
His dragon hummed. Good, good. Now you have to win her.
He leaned forward a little more and murmured, “You’ve laid out a challenge, Natasha Jenkins. One I’m close to accepting.”
Her heart rate increased at the same time her pupils widened.
She was thinking of him, much like he’d been thinking of her.
Her voice was husky as she replied, “Well, we’ll see how it goes.”
“At least that’s not an outright no.”
“No, it’s not.”
The temperature in the room kicked up a few more degrees.
Between her heat, her scent, and her beautiful face, Brad was teetering with his control. So it was time to change the subject.
He stood. “Well, there’s one way for you to see me naked and not worry about sex.”
She raised her brows. “Are you a part-time stripper on the sly or something?”
His lips twitched. “Not on purpose.”
“So you just accidentally tear off your clothes in public?”
At the amusement twinkling in her eyes, he itched to pull her close and kiss her.