Page 29 of Charming the Dragon
“We’ll test that later. If nothing else, we can do it like in the old days and boil water and put it into a tub.”
“I hope we don’t have to go to weekly baths, though. I know I’m spoiled, but I like a daily bath or shower.”
“Agreed.” After opening the fridge, Nathan closed it. “I’m not sure what we’ll need this for, but it works, too. Now, let’s find some food, eat, and strategize.”
“I already told you I’m not the best cook, and you admitted the same. So we might have to rely on rations.”
“I can make a few things, just nothing fancy. But, yes, we’ll probably have to eat rations today.”
They went to take stock of the pantry, and when Hayley discovered tea bags, she cheered and did a little dance. She didn’t even care that Nathan rolled his eyes at her.
She held up the box. “This is a small comfort, so I’ll take it.”
He picked up a few of the water jugs. “Until we know if the faucet water is potable, we’ll use these for your tea.”
As he strode out the door, Hayley couldn’t help but stare at his strong arms and tight arse.
What would it be like to grab it as he claimed her?
Wait, no. There would be no claiming. None. Ever.
Hugging her package of tea bags, she chased after him and focused on making tea and food.
Sometime later,they both sat at the table with tea and packages of “curry.” Hayley peered at the spoonful of mush and hesitated.
Nathan ate a bite and shrugged. After swallowing, he said, “It tastes fine. It won’t win any awards, but at this point, I’d eat used tea leaves to try and feel full.”
She sniffed and tried it. The so-called curry wasn’t the worst thing she’d ever eaten, so she took another bite and another, realizing just how hungry she was.
Only when her package was half gone did she let out a sigh and sip her tea again. Looking up, she saw Nathan staring at her chest. With dread, she glanced down. Of course she’d dropped some of the orange curry mush on her cardigan.
She removed as much as she could with a napkin, but the orange stain was probably here to stay, given her past track record with curry sauces.
Nathan spoke again. “Don’t worry about it. If I’m deep into a coding session, when I’m in a groove and really banging it out on the keyboard, I end up with stains on my shirt, too.”
She gestured toward her chest. “It’s not exactly the same thing this time, is it?”
“I don’t know. You were truly enjoying your food, is all. Besides, you have, ahem, things that act like a shelf and catch things. I don’t have to worry about that.”
She nearly crossed her arms over her boobs, but resisted. “That just makes it worse, because then guys will stare and act like they had a legitimate reason to leer at me.”
His pupils flashed—his dragon must finally be back—and growled. “Who made you feel uncomfortable?”
She blinked. “Um, random men, mostly.”
“If anyone does that whilst you’re staying on Stonefire, tell me, and I’ll have a word.”
Maybe she should be offended that he didn’t think she could handle herself. And yet, she rather liked that he wanted to protect her.
And if she could protect him back and they were partners? It was something she’d always wanted before but never had.
Not going to happen.She pushed up her glasses, had some more curry, and finally said, “I’ll be fine. Bram and Kai both told me to report anyone who makes me feel unwelcome. Provided we get out of here, of course.”
“We will.”
She tilted her head. “The more time I spend around you, the more I think you’re stubborn.”
He nodded at her. “Takes one to know one.”
