Page 61 of Charming the Dragon
His dragon sighed.She’s not going to turn us in for something we did as a teenager.
I’m not worried about that. It’s just so bloody embarrassing and pointless that I ever did it in the first place.
We shouldn’t hold anything back with her.
After another second, he placed his mug down and replied, “Yes, I’ve committed a major crime. But to be fair, I was seventeen and out to prove myself. And it didn’t harm anyone, nor did I steal.”
“Okay, now you simply have to tell me what you did.”
He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the counter. “It was still early days for the internet. However, from the first time I went online, I was able to explore and discover things few other people could find. It’s how I discovered a way into the security and power systems of Centre Court during Wimbledon.”
She put her mug down and pointed at him. “Wait, I vaguely remember that one chaotic tournament. My parents watched Wimbledon every year, and even if I didn’t really care about tennis, the TV was on and we all saw the blackout. You did that?”
“Er, yes. That was me. I was trying to flash the lights but could only manage to turn them off. Not for long, but just long enough to prove I could do it.”
“And no one found out about it?”
“No. I was careful, covered my tracks, and to this day, they still haven’t discovered I was responsible.”
“Nathan! What if one day MI5 shows up and arrests you?”
He shook his head. “I monitored things closely for a few years. But once the terrorists struck the London Underground and a London bus in July 2005, my silly crime was pretty much forgotten.”
Watching Hayley’s face, he waited to see how she’d react. While being young didn’t completely absolve him, he’d since used his skills for good instead of bad, even helping the British Army while in Afghanistan. That’s where he’d served the mandatory year before becoming a Protector.
She asked, “You haven’t done anything else illegal since then?”
“Not anything major. I did sneak off the clan’s lands a few times when I was younger. My cousin dared me, and being young and stupid, I had to accept. Rules about dragon-shifters venturing off dragon clans were stricter back then, so it would’vebeen against the law.” He searched her gaze. “Are you telling me you’ve never broken the law? Not even by accident?”
She adjusted her glasses. “Er, I was caught speeding on the motorway once. But to be fair, my sister was in labor and I wanted to meet my nephew. But it’s not quite on the same level as hacking into someone’s power grid and messing with it.”
“Hmm. Maybe not, but I like knowing that even a solicitor can break the law once in a while.”
She stuck out her tongue. “I’m only human.”
Nathan couldn’t help but take her hand, kiss the back of it, and then murmured, “My human.”
Her breath caught. Before he could determine if it was for a good or bad reason—dragon-shifters were possessive and not everyone liked it—the timer for the pouches went off.
He was just about to turn away when she murmured, “I’m starting to think maybe I am.”
“Pardon?”
She smiled. “I know you heard me, with those super ears of yours. True, we still need to spend more time together above ground, with your family too, and see how things go. But no other dragonman will be catching my eye whilst we do that.”
His beast hummed.Yes, yes. She’ll agree to the mate-claim frenzy soon.
Not until we’re back with the clan.
The timer kept beeping, and he reluctantly released her hand, turned, and set about getting dinner ready. And as they ate, they discussed what they’d do the next day and plans for how to leave the bunker.
By the time he went to bed with Hayley in his arms—just to sleep—Nathan was impatient to return to the surface and convince Hayley she had a future with him on Stonefire.
Chapter Eighteen
Despite how much Hayley had looked forward to Nathan teasing her again with his mouth, she’d fallen asleep as soon as she’d climbed into bed. Still, waking up the next morning and being able to snuggle against him was pure bliss.
She’d missed sharing a bed with a guy and learning how he snored or tossed and turned or merely laid in place as he slept. All the little things that made a relationship intimate and wonderful, at least in her view.
