Page 69 of Hoarded By the Dragon

“That’s mine now,” I say. “You can have it back after I talk to Maggie.”

This won’t work forever. I have no doubt that Katarina will read all the books in their entirety after I give my report, but then she’ll at least have a baseline of what she does need to worry about rather than the majority of things she doesn’t.

“Okay,” Katarina says, and my dragon puffs up at the soft look in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” I say. It’s not fair to have Katarina go through all the information alone.

Stella breathes a sigh of relief and slides off the bench. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen Griffin anyway.”

The women leave and I restack the books, picking up the top title and opening to start reading.

“I’m surprised,” Ben says.

“I’m offended at your surprise that I can read,” I grumble back.

Ben shakes his head. “You were so adamant that you two wouldn’t have a relationship…”

“Stop gossiping, Ben. Or I’ll assign you some of these books to read for me.” Katarina and I do have a relationship. Whether it was something that I wanted or not. I will not allow her to overtax herself.

Ben hums. “I don’t think you will.”

I glare at him.

Ben grins. “Because you promised her that you’d read them, and you’re not about to break her trust.”

* * *

“Oh my!”Maggie’s voice is warm as she takes in all the books on the table. “She did get busy, didn’t she?”

“Katarina does nothing by half,” I say. “Who told you?”

“Ben was keeping me up-to-date through the process. I think he was going to call me back home, but you handled it.”

I’d known the exact moment when Maggie returned to the back kitchen door… and how long she lingered there.

“I’ll have plenty of questions for you later, but did you have a nice time?” I ask, smiling when she blushes. Ben’s gossip goes both ways.

“Yes, I did. Jensen was a perfect gentleman.”

“Not too much of a gentleman, I hope,” I tease her.

Maggie gasps. “You will say no such thing to him. I enjoy that he’s taking so much time in romancing me.”

Maggie is fae, and fae do love their carnal activities.

“I’m surprised you finally accepted his offers,” I say. My driver has been slow in his approach. Patient at the same time as letting his interest be known. I didn’t think Maggie would ever let him past the point of flirting.

Maggie doesn’t respond to my remark and instead goes to check the potatoes boiling on the stove. The pot roast in the slow cooker should be done soon. It’s not her night to cook, but it’s hard to keep her out of the kitchen.

Maggie frowns. “Where’s Ben? These potatoes are going to get overcooked.”

“He went to take Stella home.”

“Oh, she should have stayed for dinner!”

I arch a brow. “Apparently, she’s not brave enough to try Ben’s cooking.”

Maggie nods knowingly. “The two of them are quite entertaining.”

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