Page 46 of Charming the Dragon
She softened. “I never thought a guy would say something like that to me. It’s like a movie or something.”
He grunted. “I think the males you dated in the past were rubbish and unworthy. Anyone intimidated by your intelligence is just a weak male, projecting his insecurities.”
She nearly pinched herself. Nathan really seemed too good to be true. “Does that mean you aren’t like that?”
“No. The second-in-command of all Protectors is a female, and Nikki Gray-Hartley could kick my arse if it came to it. I don’t see why gender should dictate superiority.”
Hayley fell a little bit for him right then and there.
Don’t rush into it. Remember, this will not only be your life, but it will create a child as well. Get to know him first.
Although, for a few seconds, she wished she didn’t have to be the responsible adult. No, she wanted to strip and let Nathan live out that fantasy from earlier, where he licked between her legs and made her scream his name.
And yet, he was right about her—the longer she stayed trapped underground, the worse her nightmares would probably become. Nathan’s presence helped, but it couldn’t completely erase her past, as much as she might want it to.
She stroked his chest a few times, loving how solid he was. He might not have the biggest muscles on Stonefire, but he would protect her, no matter what. Her gut told her so.
Hayley finally spoke again. “As for exploring the far side of the lake some more, I think we should go. Yes, because I want to get out of here. But I can also spend more time with your dragon and get used to him. Not because I’m afraid, but because if it’s ever to work between us, he needs to be included, too.”
His pupils flashed. “My beast approves.”
She smiled. “I’m glad.” She cleared her throat and removed her hand. “But if we can’t find an exit on the opposite shore and have to return to the bunker, then let’s have a kind of dinner date. We’ll make the best meal we can, play some cards afterward, and then see where it leads.”
He pressed against her lower back, and she moved closer, until her belly pressed against his front.
At the feel of his hard cock, she sucked in a breath and started to wonder why they needed to find a way back to the surface.
He kissed her cheek, the soft touch sending another rush of warmth through her body.
He whispered, “It’s a date, then.”
Her smile turned into a full-blown grin. “A date. With a dragonman. Who would’ve thought?”
Chuckling, he stepped away, and she nearly hauled him back.
Nathan said, “It would’ve happened for you, even if you weren’t my true mate. All of the unattached males in the pub were staring at you.”
She frowned. “Probably because of my dreadful singing voice.”
“No, love. Not because of that.”
His gaze burned into hers, and she couldn’t look away if her life depended on it.
Had any man ever looked at her like that? As if she were the most beautiful woman in the world, one he’d spend his whole life treasuring?
Treasuring? Get a grip, Hayley. Now you’re creating a fantasy.
She readjusted her glasses. “Well, whatever the reason, you caught my interest from the beginning. I never really understood why, given how grumpy you were at first. And yet, maybe humans can sense the true mate thing, too.”
“Usually, I’d say no. Most female dragon-shifters can’t even figure out who is their true mate. However, you keep surprising me, so I say anything is possible.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment.”
“Good, because it is one.”
They smiled at each other, and she yearned to close the distance between them. However, that wouldn’t get them back to the surface. And the sooner they did, the sooner she could figure out her future.
Hayley scampered to the doorway and gestured with her head. “If we’re going to get anything done, we’d better head out. I already packed up supplies, just in case.”
