He spit through clenched teeth, "My dragon won't wake up for at least two days."
Finn shrugged and then bounced his son. "You've always been strong-willed, so who knows, maybe you could bring him back simply because you will it."
Alistair took a step toward Finn, but Kiyana placed a hand on his chest. "Don't let him get to you. Because if you do, he wins."
Finn's gaze shot to Kiyana. "Clever lass."
She raised her brows. "Male dragon-shifters tend to be mostly predictable. If someone doesn't notice their proclivity toward alpha, stubborn, veiled challenges the first week, then they aren't looking hard enough."
Finn snorted. "Aye, you'll do fine here, lass."
Kiyana stood a little taller at his side. And even though they'd barely done more than kiss and agree to have a frenzy, a surge of pride rushed forth.
He needed to do everything he could to win her heart before some other dragonman saw how bloody fabulous she was.
Finn swung around once and then tickled his son's neck. As the bairn squirmed, he said, "I'll give you a few minutes. Before you leave, come find me, Alistair."
With that, Lochguard's leader exited the room.
Turning toward Kiyana, he kissed her quickly. She blinked. "While I'm not complaining, what was that for?"
"I couldn't help it. I just needed to."
"Hm, more likely it's so I can taste you again, giving you the chance to brand it into my memory? And as a result, I'll crave it?"
He snorted. "You're a cheeky one, aren't you?"
She grinned. "As you Scots say, aye, I am."
He chuckled. "I'd like to tease you some more, but it'll have to wait. When can I see you again?"
"Do you have to teach today?"
"Aye. Not only that, I need to coordinate with the other teachers to cover me in case we have the frenzy."
She searched his eyes. "In case?"
"I'm not going to assume anything until my dragon is back and you're naked under me, moaning my name."
"Oh."
Cupping her cheek again, he thrummed his finger over her soft skin. "Och, now you get shy."
Her lips turned upward again. "Studying dragon-shifters from afar? I know how to do that. But I don't peep through windows and watch couples going through a mate-claim frenzy. That would make me a pervert."
"That it would, so don't go peeking into windows in the next few days, aye? We don't want any rumors starting."
She stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. The fem
ale kept making him do that, and it was brilliant, especially as it slowly kept dawning on him how serious he'd become in the last few years.
Good thing his dragon was absent or Alistair would never hear the end of his admission.
He kissed her nose. "Okay, I'll stop. Besides, Finn will be back any second. Come find me after three o'clock. I should have everything sorted at the school by then."
She bobbed her head. "What will we do after that?"
"Let me surprise you, Kiyana. Make sure to bring a jacket and wear sensible clothing."