Page 75 of Charming the Dragon
After Kai and Bram said their goodbyes, Nathan struggled to keep his eyes open.
And soon he fell asleep, with Hayley caressing his face, and dreamed of when he could finally claim her as his mate.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Two days later, Hayley stood in Denise and Paul Woodhouse’s kitchen and frowned at the mess she’d made.
Dr. Sid had kicked her out of Nathan’s room, saying she needed to do a final examination before sending him home. And since pacing in the waiting area had then resulted in the doctor ordering her here to wait for Nathan, she’d channeled her energy into baking.
The biscuits were baking in the oven, but now she had to tackle the mess. Hayley had never been the type of baker to clean up as she went, even if rationally, it made more sense.
She was nearly finished washing up when Denise Woodhouse came in. Nathan’s stepmum smiled at her. “I tried to stay away and let you have the kitchen, but those biscuits smell so bloody good.”
As the dragonwoman’s pupils flashed, Hayley asked, “I never thought about it before, but are there dragon treats you can eat in your dragon form?”
Denise laughed. “You always have the most interesting questions. And no, not really. Sometimes we hunt in our dragonforms, but that’s it. Dragons don’t have a sweet tooth.” She stopped next to Hayley. “Do you want me to help with the dishes?”
“No, I’m nearly done. And I need something to keep me busy until Nathan comes home.”
“It should be soon.” She picked up a towel. “I can at least dry and help put away.”
Denise’s expression brooked no argument, and they worked together for about a minute in silence before Denise blurted, “I know you’re Nathan’s true mate. He was half asleep when he blurted it out.”
Hayley frowned. “He was supposed to wait to share that.”
“I know, dear. And it was an accident. But it makes me incredibly happy he found you. After…”
“After the other human.”
“Yes. He talked to you about her, then?” She nodded and Denise continued, “I’m glad. As much as I love my stepson, he sometimes keeps things to himself. Not only that, seeing his face light up when he talks about you makes me so happy.”
Uh-oh. Denise was laying it on thick.
Not that Hayley wasn’t leaning more and more toward mating Nathan and having a mate-claim frenzy, but she didn’t want her dragonman to think she agreed because of his mother’s meddling.
Handing over the latest clean dish, she replied, “I like your son. Very much. But he and I need to talk things through first. So please, please don’t pressure him.”
Her pupils flashed a few times. “Any female who tries to protect my son is a worthy one indeed.”
“Um, okay.”
Denise laughed. “Don’t mind me. It’s going to be some time yet before Ryan thinks of getting a mate. I’ve been trying for so long with Nathan, and he ended up finding you himself. Showsme I should just let my children figure out their own futures, huh? But it’s hard to do with children, sometimes. You want them to succeed so badly but also know they have to make their own choices.”
Hayley dried her hands and touched Denise’s arm. “He’s lucky to have you, Denise. I hope you know that.”
The dragonwoman’s eyes looked a little teary, and she cleared her throat. “I try.” After clearing her throat again, she put away the last dish and said, “Right, that’s done. Now, let’s make some tea and try some of those biscuits of yours. Quality control, you know.”
She winked, and Hayley laughed. “I used to say that with my own parents whenever they baked something.”
She helped Denise ready the tea things and soon they sat down, chatted, and drank their tea.
Her previous fears, of things being awkward, had pretty much disappeared. Every time she was with Nathan, it felt like home. And even here, where she was technically a guest, Hayley felt more and more like she was with a second family.
She still needed to spend time alone with Nathan, outside of the surgery, to make her final decision. But she could imagine this being her life.
An hour later, the front door opened and within seconds, Nathan walked into the kitchen. Seeing him upright and smiling, Hayley rushed right for him. He embraced her and murmured, “Hello, love. Happy to see me?”
She snuggled into his chest. “Of course I am.” After lifting her head to meet his gaze, she asked, “Are you truly healed now?”
