Page 10 of Charming the Dragon
And strange as it was, Hayley felt as if she’d known Denise a while. And by the end of her venting session, they were laughing.
Then Nathan returned, and the atmosphere shifted yet again.
Chapter Four
Nathan was carrying Hayley’s second round of luggage through Stonefire’s High Street and toward the cottages when his father stepped out of the Dragon’s Nest pub and waved him over. He resisted a sigh, well aware of what his dad would say.
His dragon spoke up.You haven’t exactly been nice toward the human. I’m sure Denise has let him know it, too, with a text message.
I wasn’t rude, just not overly friendly. We’re to be work colleagues, nothing more.
Hmph. She doesn’t have any friends on Stonefire, and it wouldn’t hurt to be nicer.
I don’t want anyone to get ideas about me and the female.
But—
No. Stop, or I’ll create a mental maze and toss you inside.
His inner beast huffed, glared, and fell silent.
Nathan reached where his dad stood and set the luggage down. “What now?”
His dad smiled. “I think you know what.”
He sighed. “I know what Denise wants, but it isn’t going to happen.”
“I’m not asking you to mate the human tomorrow, just be a little less rude, for all our sakes. Maybe you could bring her by the pub tonight, to make her feel welcome and introduce her to some of the other clan members.”
His father rarely asked him to do anything. To deny him would make Nathan look like an arsehole. “Fine. I’ll bring her. But promise me you’ll talk to Denise about not meddling and playing matchmaker. Because I saw the glint in her eyes, and I know she’s thinking of trying.”
“I’ll do my best, son.” He slapped Nathan’s shoulder. “I’d offer to help you carry that lot, but you know about my back.”
While his dad was in his sixties, he was as fit as most men twenty years younger. “Right. When did that happen again?”
His dad waved a hand in dismissal. “Let’s not waste time on it. I’ve done my duty and talked with you, so I’ll leave you alone. But don’t keep your mother waiting too long. She has plans about Hayley’s stay here and wants to discuss them with you.”
“I still don’t understand why Ryan can’t show her around.”
“Your brother’s busy training with Dylan to become Stonefire’s next silversmith and tattoo artist.” His dad lowered his voice. “Just be patient with your mother and humor her a little. It’s hard for her to have such an empty house, what with Ryan gone most of the time now. Having the human female guest around should help with that.”
It was true—his stepmum had always wanted a big family, but hadn’t been able to have any more after Ryan. And since Nathan was nearly twenty years older than his brother, he’d barely lived with Denise for a few years before getting a place of his own.
He grunted. “Fine, I’ll be patient. Plus, a little break from her mothering would be nice.”
His dad raised his brows. “You could be fifty and she wouldn’t stop. My mate has a lot of love to give, son.”
“A male can hope, though.” He waved. “I’ll see you later.”
His dragon paced inside Nathan’s mind but remained silent. Nathan wasn’t sure whether the silence was a good or bad thing. For all he knew, his beast could be plotting for when he took Hayley to the pub.
Within minutes, Nathan reached his parents’ house again and entered; laughter came from the kitchen. He approached slowly and stopped to peer inside the doorway.
Hayley laughed wholeheartedly. Her eyes sparkled with humor, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.
In that moment, it hit him how fucking beautiful she was.
His dragon grunted and finally spoke again.I’ve told you that before.
