Page 70 of Charming the Dragon
“Fine. Then keep up with me. If you fall behind, onto the stretcher you go.”
Dr. Sid walked her normal speed, which he could mostly match, as long as he was careful not to move his ribcage and trigger sharp pains.
The entire journey to the surgery, he kept wondering what Hayley was up to. Strange as it was, he already missed her teasing him, her scent, her making yet another cup of tea as they talked about everything and nothing at once.
Not to mention kissing her skin, or hearing her moan as he made her come with his mouth.
Would she still want to spend time with him, now that they were back on the surface? And more importantly, would she ever want a mate-claim frenzy with him?
His dragon spoke again.She will. And now we can try wooing her for real.
Let’s hope she still wants us when we’re not the only choice available.
Stop being daft. Of course she does. You’re just in pain and not thinking clearly.
Each step jarred his body, but Nathan clenched his jaw and focused on getting to the surgery. He needed to get well so he could strategize about how to win his true mate.
As Hayley sippedsome hot tea—complete with a splash of milk—she relaxed a little.
Oh, her mind still whirred with a million questions, one of which was how Nathan was doing. All she knew was that he’d gone to the surgery, and she could see him later.
Sarah set down a plate of sandwich and crisps in front of her. “I know it’s not a gourmet meal, but we didn’t bring that sort of stuff to the children’s camp.”
Hayley shook her head, placed her tea down, and took a bite of the ploughman’s sandwich. The ham, cheese, pickle, butter, and lettuce had never tasted so bloody good in her life.
Melanie sat across from her and said, “Let us know if you need more food after that. I know you can’t tell us everything, but did you even have anything to eat while you were missing?”
After swallowing, Hayley replied, “There was food, but it wasn’t great. I can’t wait until I can talk more about it. I can say it was quite the adventure, though.”
Samira sat next to Melanie. “Is there anything else you can share without getting into trouble? You and Nathan were missing for a few days, and we were all so worried. Bram had most of the clan searching for you two.”
The concern on both Samira’s and Melanie’s faces made her swallow hard. She barely knew these women, and yet they’d truly worried about her.
It was yet another point for staying on Stonefire—there were some lovely people inside the clan. People she wouldn’t mind being friends with.
Hayley replied, “I can share a little, I think. You know that Nathan and I are working on a law database project?” After thewomen nodded, Hayley continued, “Well, whilst searching for records under the great hall, we got trapped. Until today, at any rate.”
“Oh no, that sounds awful!” Samira said.
Hayley grimaced. “I’m not a fan of enclosed spaces, either.”
Melanie touched her arm. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Thanks. If not for Nathan, I’m not sure what would’ve happened. And not just because I never could’ve done what he did to escape, either.”
Dawn tilted her head. “Neither of you wanted to leave the other. Did something happen during your disappearance?”
She could brush it off. After all, she and Nathan still hadn’t discussed the future, at least in concrete terms.
However, looking around the room, Hayley decided to be honest. After all, she might end up living on Stonefire, and she wanted these women to be her friends. “It’s complicated. I’m…his true mate. But I haven’t yet decided what to do about it.”
Dawn took her hand and squeezed. “You seem uncertain, so what’s holding you back from saying yes to him? Is it the frenzy? Because I can assure you, it’s amazing.”
“No, I’m not worried about that. Nathan would never hurt me.”
“Then what is it?” Dawn asked.
Hayley bit her bottom lip and debated how to answer that. It wasn’t as if she could say he might not want anything to do with her now that they were back with his clan. Or how he might forever think she was afraid of his dragon and not believe she could handle both man and beast.
