Page 8 of Charming the Dragon
“Good.”
He turned and resumed walking at his breakneck pace.
With a sigh, Hayley ran after him. Her work with Hudson Wells and Blake Whitby—the two dragonmen she’d spent the most time with in recent years—had been a walk in the park compared to this one. Even Blake’s shyness had faded once it came to strategizing how to protect his stepdaughter.
I’ll make this work somehow.Hayley wasn’t about to let Nathan Woodhouse discourage her. Stonefire had upheld their end of the bargain and she would do her part, too. Even if she eventually had to scream into a pillow to get out her frustration.
She managed to stay quiet as she took in the main section of the clan, the sort of High Street of Stonefire. There were a bunch of shops, ranging from a regular supermarket to a jewelry and tattoo place to a clothing shop. She even spotted a restaurantand what looked like a pub. “I thought you didn’t drink much alcohol?”
She waved toward the pub-looking place.
“We don’t. At least not often. But it’s nice to get a non-alcoholic drink, play some darts or pool, or for some, enjoy karaoke and quiz nights.”
“Karaoke? Really? I love karaoke! When is it?”
He frowned. “I don’t know. I don’t sing.”
“Never?”
“No.”
“Well, you’re missing out. It’s sort of freeing to be up on stage, singing as loud as you can, and people uncaring that you’re horrible.”
“No thanks. I’ll stick to darts or pool.”
“I’m rubbish at darts. Although maybe you can teach me.”
Nathan stopped again. “You’re a friendly female, and I’m sure you’re brilliant company. But let’s get one thing straight—I’m your work colleague, and that’s all. Don’t expect me to become your best friend.”
She peered at him closely. “I’m just being nice. You don’t try to get to know your coworkers?”
“Seeing as I’ve known most of them my whole life, no.”
Hayley was about to ask if he ever went to human places, but didn’t. She sensed Nathan was close to his limit of her chatter for the day.
A short, curvy woman with reddish brown hair walked up to her, and Haley recognized the most famous human of Stonefire—Melanie Hall-MacLeod.
Melanie stopped in front of her and smiled. Her American accent filled the air. “Hello, Hayley. I heard you were coming to stay! Me and the other humans are going to invite you over for dinner soon. Well, most of us. I think Rafe will feel out of place, being the only man.”
Even Hayley knew about Rafe Hartley—he was one of the few human men in recent memory to mate a dragon-shifter; the other two lived on Lochguard. “I hope I can talk with him at some point. I have a lot of questions, and Rafe’s situation created a precedent. Maybe I can use his situation someday, if more human men wish to look for a dragon mate.”
Melanie nodded. “I’m sure that can be arranged. He’s a new dad, for the second time, so maybe not immediately. But Rafe definitely hides a huge heart beneath his tough exterior, much like my own mate, and will want to help. Oh, speaking of which, my mate’s waiting for me! Here, give me your cell phone number, and I’ll text or call you later. And feel free to do the same, at any time.”
Hayley allowed Melanie to enter her mobile number and then tucked away her phone. “Nice to meet you properly, Melanie. And I look forward to that dinner.”
“Good, then I’ll make sure it happens.” Melanie moved her gaze to the dragonman standing next to Hayley. “And make sure to be a good guide for her, Nathan. I know you’re not chatty, but still, don’t make her pull teeth to get answers.”
Nathan rolled his eyes, and Melanie winked before rushing off. Once the dragonman started walking again, Hayley followed. They left the shopping area and were soon surrounded by a maze of cottages. “Which one am I staying at?”
He glanced at her and then back ahead. “It’s just up ahead. Didn’t they tell you anything about who you’re staying with?”
“Just that they’re named Denise and Paul, and they have a twenty-year-old son still living at home. You mentioned they were your parents?”
“Yes. My dad, stepmum, and also my half-brother.”
She opened her mouth to ask for more information when the door of a cottage opened and a middle-aged dragonwoman appeared. She waved. “You must be Hayley! Over here!”
The woman had brown hair streaked with gray and never stopped smiling. Nathan walked up the steps and kissed her cheek. That made Hayley blink.
