Chapter Fourteen
A loud crack next to her ear woke Teagan and she jumped to her feet. Scanning her office, she found her grandmother lowering her cane to the ground. “What are you doing here, Gran?” she demanded.
Orla looked to the crowded sofa and back to Teagan. “I could do with resting my old bones first.”
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, Teagan cleared one side of the sofa. It seemed everyone was a critic. “Hurry up before you fall over and hurt yourself.”
Orla tsked as she maneuvered her bum onto the cushion. “Odd that you’re giving health advice, granddaughter, when you’re not taking care of your own.”
Teagan smoothed her hair and sat back in her own chair. “I eat, I sleep, and I’m in perfect physical shape. Are you sure you’re not losing your mind, Gran?”
“Oh, stop it, Teagan Marie O’Shea. You’ve lived in this office for the last three days. I think you need some help and so I’m here to offer my services.”
Teagan sighed. “Gran, I appreciate the offer—”
“I won’t fall asleep every five minutes. You, on the other hand, won’t be able to defeat anyone if you remain cooped up in this room.”
Teagan felt as if she were five years old again and having to explain herself. “The DDA has strict deadlines, which weren’t helped by the fact that Clan Greenpeak waited until the last possible second to submit the names of their visiting judges.” She patted a stack of papers. “Once I send these in today, I can have a proper sleep at home.”
“Again, someone else can fill out paperwork.” Teagan opened her mouth, but Orla beat her to it. “I understand proving yourself. After all, I was in your position. But unless you learn to delegate, you will work yourself to death, Teagan Marie. At least let me help you until the bloody challenge is complete and you send those males running home with their tails between their legs.” Her voice softened. “I may be old, but I’m not useless.”
For a brief second, Orla wasn’t the former clan leader full of bite and a steely will. She was simply an elderly female with longing in her eyes.
Her dragon spoke up. Let her help. She has no great-grandchildren, mate, or job to occupy her time. Give her a task. Gran has always hated being idle.
Teagan sighed. “You can help, but with a few conditions.” Orla raised an eyebrow and Teagan continued, “You have to promise not to change any of my decisions or issue orders in my absence. Even if I’m unconscious, the task falls to Killian first to take charge.”
“I’m not used to following others, but if it gets me out of my damn cottage and gives me something to do beyond watching the grass grow, then I suppose I can try my best.”
That was the closest thing to a promise her gran would give. “Right, then this pile needs to be filed—”
Orla waved a hand. “The DDA hasn’t changed their filing process in fifty years. I’ll double-check to make sure everything is filled out and ensure they send a confirmation receipt.”
Teagan frowned. “Everything is as it should be, Gran.”
“Look, you’re sleep-deprived and overworked. There’s nothing wrong with a quick check. I’m not trying to overstep my boundaries. I just want to make sure there’s one less item for the other clans to use against you. Could you imagine if a missing letter on a name ended up canceling the challenge? The others would rally the support they need to attack and do who knows what. Glenlough may be strong, but we’re not invincible.”
Her beast sighed. She’s right. Let her help us. Maybe after a quick nap, we can go for a short flight. The exercise will maintain our strength. I also miss the sky.
Me, too, dragon. Me, too.
Teagan stood. “I will take your help, Gran.” She paused before adding, “Thank you.”
“No need to be so formal. Now, hurry up and sneak out before someone comes knocking.”
“If they do—”
“I’ll take the message and redirect as much of it to Killian as possible.”
Teagan looked around the room, wondering if she had forgotten anything important.
Orla thumped her cane on the ground. “I’ll tidy up a bit as well. If I find anything that needs immediate attention, Killian will sort it out. Go, Teagan, before I smack your bum and chase you out. No matter how long you’re leader, I will always be your grandmother first and foremost.”
She smiled. “I love you, Gran.”
“Aye, I know. Now go.”
Teagan hesitated one more second before she plucked up her mobile phone and headed out the door. She took the back exit out of central command and stepped into the fresh air.
Since it was barely six in the morning, few people were awake and walking around. It was easy enough for Teagan to make her way without being questioned by curious or anxious clan members.
However, when she reached the fork in the path, she stopped. One way would take her back to her cottage, but the other way went to Aaron’s.
Beyond him dropping off meals at her office, she hadn’t seen or spoken to him for three days. She shouldn’t yearn to hear his deep English voice, but it had occupied much of the dreams she’d had during her naps.
She wondered if he’d welcome her showing up at his door so early in the morning.
Her dragon sighed. Just go. If he doesn’t want to see us, then he’s unworthy of our time in the first place.
Tired as she was, Teagan didn’t argue and took the fork toward Aaron’s cottage. She reached the back wall of his garden, looked around, and scaled the wall. She stopped at the back door and took a deep inhalation before lightly rapping on the wood.
As the seconds ticked by, she debated leaving or not.
Just as she turned away, the door opened and a voice gravelly with sleep said, “It’s early.”
She looked over her shoulder. The sight of Aaron’s hair sleep-mussed brought a smile to her face. “If you look this disheveled on your own, what would you look like if you had someone else in bed with you?”
Rubbing a hand down his face, Aaron replied, “If you think I’m going to be witty this early, you’ll be waiting a long time.”
He yawned, and she took advantage of his action to trail her gaze lower. His bare chest called to her, and his semi-erect cock punching against his boxers turned her mouth dry.
She wondered if he’d been dreaming of her.
Her dragon sighed. Dreams don’t matter when he’s standing right in front of us.
She ignored her beast. Keeping the want from her voice, she met his gaze and raised her brows. “Good morning to you, too. If I’m that much of a bother, I can just leave. I don’t need you witty first thing, but a little welcoming would nice.”
She took a step away, but Aaron’s strong hand gripped hers and yanked her inside. She barely had the chance to squeak before he pulled her close and kissed her gently. “You know what I’m like without coffee in the morning. Not grunting every word is about my limit. Welcoming requires a little motivation.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “I don’t want to start a bad habit. I like to save my seductions for special occasions.”
He brushed the hair from one of her cheeks and over her shoulder. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but why are you here?”
As she stared into his lovely brown eyes, full of nothing but curiosity, she decided to be honest. “I’ve been ordered to rest, but when I came to the fork in the path, I was pulled here.” She laid her head on his chest. “You help me forget about the world outside, and I need that right now.”
Aaron merely stood there, rubbing her back in silence. Doubt yet again reared its ugly head. She had no right to put him in such a spot. After all, he’d stated their relationship was purely physical from the start.
Then he stepped back and released her. The hug was him just being nice.
She cleared her throat. “Don’t worry, I’ll go and leave you in peace. I shouldn’t have come here.”
Before she could bat an eyelash, Aaron scooped her up and lifted her against his chest. He grunted. “You’re not going anywhere. You need to rest.”
If anyone else had tried to pick her up in public, she would’ve slashed their arms and wrestled them to the ground.
Yet as Aaron carried her in his arms and walked toward his bedroom, she snuggled against his warm chest. His heat and steady beating heart lulled her to sleep.
Her beast spoke up. He will watch over us. Sleep.
Why do you trust him so much?
He is meant for us. He will stand by our side.
Aaron laid her down on the bed and climbed behind her. As he wrapped his arms around her middle, he kissed her ear. “Sleep, love.”
With Aaron’s heat at her back, Teagan closed her eyes, and the world went blissfully black.
~~~
Aaron listened to Teagan’s even breaths and hugged her closer to his body.
He was in trouble.
When she’d shown up at his front door, barely able to stand upright with shadows under her eyes, anger had coursed through his body, followed by concern.
She was working too bloody hard.
He’d done his part to feed her, but since she wasn’t his mate or even his girlfriend, he had no claim to force her to do anything else. He understood clan leaders had duties, but even Bram back home would take a break every once in a while, more so after he mated Evie Marshall.
His dragon spoke up. If you would pull your head out of your arse, then you’d see she should be ours. No one else takes care of her. We should be able to. Just imagine how much stronger she’d be with someone always at her back.
He hugged Teagan a little closer to him. It’s not that simple.
Maybe it is.
Not wanting to argue with his dragon, Aaron buried his face in the crook of Teagan’s neck and closed his eyes. With her warm back against his front and her wild feminine scent filling his nose, he instantly fell asleep.
~~~
Aaron stood at the foot of a hill, scanning for Teagan. They were playing chase and it was his turn to find her.
He finally caught a glimpse of black hair waving in the wind at the top of the hill. He quietly inched his way up, determined to surprise her.
Lying on his belly, he crawled the last few feet until he could see Teagan sitting on the ground and leaning back on her hands, basking in the warm sunshine.
Something was wrong. She should’ve been waiting to attack him, not sitting out in the open with her eyes closed.
Opening her eyes, she looked straight at him and smiled. “Aaron. Come, I want to introduce you to my newest good friend.”
Curious, he stood and walked toward Teagan. However, when he was nearly to her, the dark-haired, olive-toned form of Nerina appeared from out of nowhere. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
Teagan stood and walked to Nerina. Teagan answered, “Nerina told me how useful you were to stir up jealousy. The male I truly wanted has noticed.” The blond-haired form of Colm crested the hill and swept Teagan off her feet. Teagan gazed up at him and said, “He’s Irish and won’t cause any problems when I mate him.” She looked to Aaron. “It’s time for you to go home.”
Aaron took a step toward Teagan and Colm, but they vanished. He was left alone with Nerina.
She laughed. “You aren’t worth the trouble. Go home and stay there. Why would any of us want an English dragon-shifter to tear apart our clans? If no one wants you on Stonefire, then maybe there’s a reason.”
Nerina snapped her fingers, and Aaron sailed through the air, over the Irish Sea, and landed at the gates of Stonefire. Bram stood in front of locked gates. His voice rang out. “You failed us, Aaron. You’re no longer welcome on Stonefire. Leave and never return.”
Aaron tried to shift, but his mind was silent.
His dragon was gone.
The gates to Stonefire grew taller and taller until Aaron stood alone inside a steel pen. A small window appeared, with his mother peering through. Disappointment shone in her eyes. “You’ll be just like your father, useless and untrustworthy. You’re the reason I’ve never had an easy life. Leave, and maybe I can finally be happy.”
His mother shut the window. Aaron stood alone, his dead father’s laugh echoing inside his new prison.
“Aaron.”
Teagan’s voice snapped him back to reality, and he opened his eyes to find her hovering over him. She searched his gaze. “Are you all right? You were muttering and are covered in sweat.”
He rubbed a hand down his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a nightmare. Most of them had stopped once his father had left all those years ago.
The question was whether he should tell Teagan the truth or not.
His dragon growled. You should.
Why? So she can think I’m weak? I’ve spent over half my life proving my worth to the clan. As Stonefire’s representative, I can’t give her a reason to question the alliance.
This isn’t about the bloody alliance, and you know it. If you don’t take down your walls for Teagan, then for who? It’s not weak to admit faults. Maybe she is the one to help us finally leave this past behind and look toward the future.
Teagan’s voice prevented Aaron from replying to his beast. “While it’s nice you get along with your dragon, talk to me. What the bloody hell was going on? And don’t bother saying nothing.” She moved to straddle his stomach and extended a talon. “Do I really need to threaten you for the truth?”
His beast huffed. Two against one.
For once, Aaron didn’t want to challenge her or his dragon. He sighed. “I had a bad dream.”
Teagan raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“And what? People have bad dreams all of the time.”
“Maybe, but not when I’m lying right next to them. I’d rather not have you sweating all over me every night if I can help it.”
He paused and echoed, “Every night?”
“Don’t change the subject. Just be honest. Otherwise, I’m leaving.”
He didn’t answer and hurt flashed in her eyes. She leaned to swing off the bed, but Aaron placed his hands on her hips to keep her in place. “Telling you will change things between us, Teagan. Are you sure you want that?”
She retracted her talon and brushed his cheek with a finger. “Considering I came here instead of my own cottage already means things have changed between us.”
His dragon huffed. Don’t push her away, too.
As he stared up into her beautiful green eyes, her black hair dancing around her face, he took a chance and leaped. “I’m sure you’ve read my file and know I spent some time in Italy.” She nodded and he continued, “It was for my mother. Most of her family lives in Italy and she missed them. I didn’t know if she was going to stay long-term or not, but regardless, I went with her to help her settle in. I was only going to stay a few months, but then I met a female named Nerina.”
Teagan’s jaw tightened, but she grunted and he continued, “She was pretty, loved to laugh, and always knew how to find a good time. After spending most of my childhood in isolation and controlled by my father, I thought a carefree and social female was what I wanted. In my mind, I thought Nerina was the key to that kind of future.”
Teagan’s eyes turned curious. “What happened?”
While Aaron didn’t blink at facing a challenge on the battlefield, he glanced to the side to avoid seeing Teagan’s pity. “She pretended to want me and only used me to stir jealousy in the male she truly wanted to catch.” He paused and growled. “When I tried to remind her of the good times, she laughed in my face and said no Italian dragon-shifter in their right mind would want the trouble of having an English dragon as a mate. Besides, English dragon-shifters were cold and unfeeling. She would never saddle herself with that.”
“Aaron,” Teagan whispered.
Determined to finish, he kept his gaze averted. “If it had only been me, I would’ve given Nerina the finger and returned home with purpose. But my failure cost my mother, too. She defended me and called out some of the higher-ups in the Italian clan. As a result, we were kicked out and forced to return to Stonefire.”
He paused. Telling her about his dream could ruin his chances with Teagan. She wouldn’t want a weak male.
And yet, if he didn’t carry on, he would most assuredly push her away forever.
That’s not what either of us wants, his dragon growled.
Aaron was tired of lying to both his beast and himself. No.
No matter how much he wanted to reach out and take Teagan’s hand, he instead clenched his fingers into a fist and continued, “As for my dream, in it, Nerina was a friend of yours, and you agreed English mates aren’t worth the trouble. I was also just a plaything, to make the male you truly wanted jealous and eager to be by your side.” He finally looked back to Teagan, relieved not to see pity but anger there. He could handle that. “Let’s just say I have trust issues. You already have a full plate. Are you sure I’m worth the extra trouble? I might even cost you your position, Teagan. Maybe I should go home early and only return to help with guarding the judges.”
He waited for Teagan’s reply, which would quite possibly determine his future as well.
~~~
As Aaron told Teagan about his time in Italy, it took everything she had not to bolt from the room, shift, and fly straight to the Italian clan’s gates to kick Nerina’s arse.
No doubt the female had preyed on the lingering effects of Aaron’s childhood and his desire for acceptance. If his father wasn’t already dead, Teagan would’ve had to fly to America to kick his arse, too.
She could only imagine the strength it took to survive the British Army and be a bloody good Protector without ever revealing his true self and fears.
He may not be a clan leader, but Aaron probably understood her nearly as well as if he had been. Both of them essentially lived double lives—strong in public, but vulnerable and lonely in private.
Maybe he was meant to be the male who stood at her side to challenge tradition after all.
Pushing aside that thought, she focused back on Aaron. She spat out, “Nerina is a bitch.”
Aaron’s brows drew together. “What?”
“You heard me. If your mother had family there, then Nerina probably heard about what your father did to you both. Verbal abuse leaves scars like any other type of abuse, even if they aren’t visible. Nerina used that knowledge to her advantage, not caring if it destroyed families, let alone lives or happiness.”
He searched her gaze. “Considering you’ve never met the female, you’re doing a lot of assuming.”
Teagan waved a hand. “She’s not worth my time. She used you, and that’s enough to cement my opinion of her. If I ever meet her, she’ll learn a lesson or two.” She leaned down until she could lay her forehead against his. “And if you try to leave now, I will catch you and tie you to this bed. I need you, Aaron, and not just for a bit of fun.” She hesitated, but decided he deserved truth as well. “Apart from my family, you’re the only one I can relax and be myself around. Not only that, you respect my position.” The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Well, at least in public.”
He moved an arm so he could gently hold the back of her neck. “So, you want me to stay? I can tell you now that it’ll cause strife and division. I’m not Irish, remember. Between the British and Irish DDA offices, not to mention our clans, it’s going to be a fight.”
“Fuck what others think. I already have males with ego issues threatening to attack me. Besides, once the clan sees your dedication to the clan and me, they’ll come around. They’ve already seen you win over my grandmother, and that counts for a lot around here.”
“Well, Orla did ask me to look out for you. She’d better be on my side.”
For a split second, Teagan wondered if she’d made a mistake. “Is that why you’ve been feeding me and put me to bed earlier today? Just because my gran asked you to?”
He growled and tightened his grip on her neck. “Of course not. You need someone to tell you to breathe and take a step back, even if for only a few minutes. Maybe it was to humor her at first, but now, whenever I see you about to fall over from exhaustion, and yet someone still approaches you, I want to intercede and tell them to call on you later.” He gently squeezed her neck. “Will you give me that right, Teagan O’Shea? I want to be your male.”
Her heart pounded faster as an image of her and Aaron leading the clan together flashed into her mind, followed by one of them much older with them teaching their daughter to fight. As the little green-eyed girl pinned Aaron and grinned, her black hair flowing in the breeze, Teagan’s heart swelled with pride.
She had no idea how it would play out, but she wanted those glimpses of the future.
She whispered, “I want you to stay.”
His hand moved from her neck to fist her hair. “And be your male?”
She nodded. “And be my male.”
“Good.” He raised his head to kiss her gently. “Don’t break my heart, love, and I’ll do my bloody best to be the male you deserve. Although I have conditions.”
She sat up and Aaron released his grip on her hair. She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
“I’m serious. I can’t leave my mother unprotected. And you’ll have to convince Bram to give my mother and me up. You can’t afford to make Stonefire an enemy.”
Tracing his jaw, she asked, “Why don’t you ask your mother what she wants? Believe me, I understand wanting to protect someone, but sometimes people need freedom to find happiness. Your mother should know she has a choice.”
“I’ll ask her, but I’ll always worry.”
“That is part of the reason I want you as my own. Underneath the muscles and morning crankiness, there is a caring, kind male who isn’t blinded by ego and insecurities about his manliness.”
He grunted. “I hope you’re not going to share that with your clan and ruin my reputation.”
Tapping her chin, she answered, “Well, we’ll see. I guess it depends on if you piss me off or not.”
His muscles tensed to move, but she allowed him to flip her onto her back and pin her wrists above her head. His voice was husky as he said, “Arguments can be fun. After all, making up is the best part.”
Lifting her hips, she rubbed against his erection. “I know we’re not making up now, but maybe we should practice for the future. I like to be prepared.”
He nipped her jaw. “Just as long as there is a future.” He kissed the corner of her mouth. “And to ensure you’re in charge for it, I’m going to help you prepare for the trials using every dirty trick I can think of. No more going easy on you.”
As Aaron moved to her earlobe and worried her flesh, she let out a moan. “Trials?” He blew on her wet flesh and she shivered. “How am I supposed to concentrate on anything when you do that?”
He nipped her ear. “It’s my secret weapon against you.” Moving to her neck, he gently bit her and eased the sting with his tongue. “But for now, it’s my duty to help you relax.”
“Your duty, aye?” Arching her back, her hard nipples brushed against Aaron’s chest. “Then you’d better demonstrate your skills so I can determine if you’re qualified for the task on a regular basis.”
Aaron took her lips in a rough kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth and claiming her tongue. Each stroke heated her body and made her ache between her thighs.
The male knew how to claim.
When he broke the kiss, he whispered, “How was that?”
“Fair.”
He narrowed his eyes, extended a talon, and sliced through her top and bra. Pushing aside the material, he took one of her nipples into his mouth and suckled.
Teagan moaned and tried to rub against him for friction, but he moved his lower body out of reach. She let out a cry. “Aaron.”
He released her tight point and met her gaze. The heat and desire in his eyes sent even more wetness between her legs. “Stay still or I’ll extend my torture even longer.” He licked her other nipple. “After all, I need to prove my skills are worthy of a clan leader.”
She opened her mouth to say he’d more than passed the test, but he tortured her nipple with slow caresses and gentle bites. Her entire body burned with yearning, wanting to feel Aaron inside her again.
Fisting his hair, she gently tugged until he raised his head. “I think it’s time you prove yourself with your cock.”
“As long as I can flip you over and take you from behind, I’m up to the task.”
“Stop talking and start doing.”
He released her wrists and turned her onto her stomach. His warm hands caressed her ribs and moved to her arse cheeks. As he slowly rubbed her skin, Teagan melted into the mattress. “I want a massage later.”
Aaron kissed her shoulder, and his breath danced against her skin as he said, “You’ll have to earn it first.”
“What?”
One of his hands slid down and lightly brushed her opening. “I’m going to make you come hard and then hand over control to you. If you make me scream your name, I’ll do whatever you wish.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “That sounds like a challenge.”
Plunging a finger inside her, Aaron chuckled at her intake of breath. “The day I stop challenging you is the day I die.”
Before she could comment on his serious remark, Aaron removed his finger and opened a condom package. She watched as he rolled it down his cock. “I love that you think of me.”
He finished and raised her hips. “I won’t take your future away from you, Teagan. When the day comes that you want a child, ask, and I’ll be ready. I can be patient.”
His words chiseled away at her defenses. She was starting to believe he would be content to be her equal and not force her to be someone she wasn’t.
Aaron’s eyes flashed. As soon as she had the chance, she needed to get to know his dragon better, too.
Her dragon spoke up. Maybe later I can be in control.
We’ll see, love. I don’t know how much time we have before I’m called away.
If I have anything to say about it, we have the rest of our lives.
She wanted to agree, but there was still so much uncertainty in her life.
Aaron’s husky voice interrupted her thoughts. “I think of you often, but right now, I want to do this.” He positioned his cock at her entrance. “Can you take what I give, love?”
Teagan nodded and he thrust into her. Taking hold of her hips, Aaron moved in quick, hard thrusts, each movement hitting her in just the right spot.
As the pressure built, she focused on the sensation of Aaron filling her to near bursting. No delicate motions for her male.
He increased his pace and soon she cried out his name as pleasure coursed through her body.
Aaron roared as he stilled and found his own release.
Teagan watched as the cords of his neck relaxed, and he slumped over her back. He gently kissed her neck and whispered, “I don’t think you screamed my name loud enough. I’m going to make you come once more before you get a go.”
She opened her mouth to argue, but Aaron pulled out and flipped Teagan to her back. He settled his head between her thighs and went to work. Each lick and nibble on her already sensitive, throbbing flesh quickly pushed her over the edge.
She lost count of how many times she yelled Aaron’s name before she finally elicited a roar from him with her own mouth.