Chapter Fifteen
Much later the same day, Aaron lay on the bed and watched Teagan as she returned from the door with a bag in her hand. She waggled a finger at him. “If I ever have to call my mother again to bring me clothes because you destroyed mine, you’re going to be the one answering the door.”
He grinned. “It won’t bother me. Although I’m not sure you want your mother seeing my jewels.”
She picked up a shoe from the ground and hurled it at him. Aaron moved out of the way.
Teagan glared. He tried his best not to laugh as she growled out, “At this rate, the entire clan will see your penis before the week’s out.”
He lazily stroked his semihard cock, and her eyes followed the motion. “They can look, but it’s only for you, love.”
His dragon spoke up. Why are we lying here? Take her again. She is ours and laid claim on us.
She has duties, as do I.
One more hour shouldn’t matter.
Teagan’s voice prevented him from replying. “As much as I want to shout ‘Prove it,’ I can’t. Today is my weekly appointments with disgruntled clan members. I can’t afford to irritate anyone right now by canceling.”
Aaron released his dick and rolled off the bed. Closing the distance between them, he kissed her and murmured, “If there’s any way I can help, tell me.” She hesitated and he pushed. “I mean it, Teagan. The sooner this is done, the sooner I can set a puzzle to exercise your brain and maybe even wrestle you in dragon form. Tell me what you need me to do.”
“You aren’t going to like it,” she said slowly.
“Try me.”
She tilted her head. “Well, if you could find out the reason for each visit, in detail, as they wait their turn, it would dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to handle each person. They tend to ramble, you see, or shout. With you, they might be less comfortable and just give the pertinent details.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “So I should use my scary Protector frowns and growls to whip them into shape.”
Teagan smiled. “That might help.” She laid a hand on his chest and idly ran her fingers back and forth through his chest hair. “You don’t mind? I know it’s not exactly the best use of your skills, but it would help me out quite a bit.”
“If I offer to help, I mean it, no matter what it is. You need to understand that now. I won’t have you doubting me or wondering if you’ll scare me off. Provided you don’t cut off my balls, I’m staying.”
Amusement danced in her eyes. “Is that a challenge to see what I can come up with and see if you stay?”
He growled. “It’s not a joke. I’m staying, Teagan. And my top priority is taking care of you so that you have the strength to take care of everyone else.”
Teagan’s face softened. All he wanted to do was kiss her, but he somehow resisted. He needed to hear her response.
She finally cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
He ran a hand down her back to cup her arse through the fabric of his shirt she wore. “Stop being so formal.” He lightly slapped her bum. “I think once I’ve made you scream my name, all pretenses are off.”
She swatted his chest. “Aaron.”
He nuzzled her cheek. “I’m going to have to work hard to make you stop blushing.” He lowered his voice as he pulled her closer. “After all, no one needs to know what happens between us when we’re alone. You don’t want the clan members pointing and whispering because your cheeks turn pink whenever you see me.”
Pushing against his chest, Teagan leaned back. “And you can train me for that later. Right now, I need to shower and change. My first appointment is with Renny Walsh, and if I’m late, he will complain for ages about it to anyone who’ll listen.”
Aaron kissed her once more before releasing her. “Then to save time, let’s shower together.”
She searched his gaze. “No funny business.”
“I promise no sex, but if you think I’m going to keep my hands off your wet body, then you’re in for a surprise.”
She smiled. “Oh, you might have a few surprises coming your way as well.”
Teagan took his hand and led him into the bathroom.
It was hard to believe the sexy, clever leader of Clan Glenlough wanted him. But as she looked at him with a devilish glint in her eyes, he quickly pushed aside any doubts and joined her in the shower. It was going to take death to pry him from her side. She may not know it, but Teagan O’Shea would be his—she was his future.
~~~
Teagan’s head began to pound when her first appointment, Renny Walsh, asked her point-blank if she was sleeping with the English dragon-shifter.
She managed to keep a smile pasted to her face as she answered, “Your appointment is for airing grievances, not talking about my personal life. You resisted telling Aaron your purpose for coming here, and I still allowed you to keep the appointment. But if you don’t have anything for me to hear and rule on, then you should probably go.”
The male’s silver brows came together. “If you’re sleeping with him, then I have the right to know. Him being here will put my life in danger.”
She shouldn’t encourage him, but she couldn’t help but ask, “How so?”
“You might accept Stonefire as an ally, but memories are long. We were enemies once. Some won’t forget that.”
“And we were allies once, too.”
“Hatred of enemies always lasts longer,” Renny stated.
She shrugged. “I have no control over that. I’m working on making new memories with Stonefire. The world is changing, and it’s becoming harder and harder to face the human world alone. My hope is that Stonefire is just the first. The more clans we have with us, the easier it’ll be to keep our lands and ensure the well-being of everyone in the clan.”
He waved a hand. “I care nothing about other clans. Glenlough is all that matters.”
She folded her hands in front of her, drawing on every bit of patience she possessed. “Are you insinuating that I don’t care about Glenlough, Renny? If so, you’re on dangerous territory.”
“It’s not the caring I’m concerned about. Rumors will fly soon, Teagan, and weaken your support for the upcoming challenge. You need to be honest with the clan about your relationship with the male to curb the rumors. You know the consequences for taking a mate. The challenge may not be necessary at all if you step down.”
Her dragon huffed. Maybe revealing our relationship with Aaron will help with dismantling the old way of thinking and put Renny’s ridiculous suggestion to rest.
I agree, but the timing needs to be right, which isn’t now.
Teagan focused back on the older dragonman. “I am honest and open about most things—more than the average clan member for certain. For example, would you answer a question about sleeping with someone? I’ve heard rumors about you as well, Renny. Maybe we should talk about your dalliance with a human widow living just outside Letterkenny.”
He blinked. “How do you know about that?”
“It’s my business to know. Killian checked out her background and cleared her. Otherwise, I would’ve talked to you much sooner.” Teagan leaned forward. “So, I repeat my question: would you want the clan to know about your private life? Because it can easily be arranged, if it’s that important to know about mine. Dallying with a human female may not be illegal, but it’s frowned upon, especially by the Irish DDA. You’d either have to mate her or break up with her.”
Renny narrowed his eyes. “What I do with Colleen isn’t the same thing at all. The English dragon-shifter could be a spy, merely using you for information. Does the DDA even know he’s here?”
Teagan raised her brows. “The Stonefire dragon-shifters are here to help us all. If you report them, then you dash any hope of forming an alliance with Northcastle. As I recall, you have cousins there. Wouldn’t you like to see them again?”
Renny didn’t answer, but Teagan knew from chatter that Renny banged on about missing one cousin in particular.
She continued, “Now, I’ve heard your grievance and will note it down in the records. Aaron is not a spy and whenever I choose to mate, it will be my decision, and I’ll share it with the clan. For now, our only priority is preventing attacks from other dragon clans.”
Renny muttered, “A male in charge would stop that, too.”
Teagan raised an eyebrow. “I assure you that despite what history may want you to believe, having a penis doesn’t grant magical powers. Now I think it’s time for you to leave. Others are waiting their turn.”
The elderly male slowly rose to his feet. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Teagan. The English bring nothing but trouble. You’ll see.”
As soon as Renny closed the door, Teagan let out a sigh and spoke to her dragon. If he’s this way now, I can only imagine what Renny will be like if Aaron and I mate, but I refuse to step down.
I’m glad you’re seeing things my way and accepting Aaron as our own.
Few trained soldiers would lower themselves to acting as a receptionist. I think he’s proved his dedication. He’s at least earned a chance.
You’re still afraid he’ll run away.
She hesitated but finally said, Maybe. Standing by my side for a few days is one thing, but long-term it may eat away at his feelings for me.
Between his past and yours, I’m surprised you two have managed to let down any walls.
Don’t start, dragon. I have to be careful.
A text message beeped on her phone, garnering Teagan’s attention. It was from Aaron, about her next appointment: Some bloke called Hugh. Refused to talk with me. Arsehole.
She snorted. Hugh was indeed an arsehole, although she wondered what had happened to her original appointment for the day. Hugh’s name hadn’t been on the list.
A knock on the door ceased her wonderings. The tall, balding form of Hugh Burns waltzed in.
Teagan steepled her fingers in front of her. “I don’t have you on the schedule. Why are you here?”
“Donna gave me her spot.”
Donna Mullins had been scheduled for this time. Teagan would have to seek out the female later and see if she’d been coerced in any way to abandon her appointment.
Her former rival to lead the clan sat down in the chair in front of her desk. “And what do you want, Hugh?”
Hugh waved a hand toward the door. “I had to see it for myself. You’ve all but cut off the English male’s balls.”
Teagan had suffered years of Hugh’s taunts, so it was easy to keep her expression neutral. “What is your grievance, Hugh? Others are waiting their turn.”
“My grievance is inviting Padraig and Orin to our clan for a bloody challenge. An outsider has no place ruling here.”
Orin Daly was the leader of Clan Greenpeak in Killarney, and Padraig O’Leary was in charge of Clan Wildheath not far from Dublin.
“It’s happened many times over the centuries, Hugh. Glenlough has done a fairly good job of finding our leaders internally, but most of the other Irish clans haven’t.”
Hugh grunted. “Just because it’s happened before doesn’t mean I have to accept it. We have plenty of strong candidates here.”
“I acknowledge your opinion, but since I won the leadership challenge nearly five years ago, this is my decision by right. And while I know you don’t think I can win, I’m out to prove otherwise. The clan will be updated as things unfold,” she stated.
“You won’t win, you know. Your being clan leader is a result of luck.”
Teagan had suffered Hugh’s bullshit over the years, but she was done dancing around. “You can leave, Hugh. If you continue to stir up trouble, Killian will pay you a visit.”
“Hiding behind a male, I see. Without us males to assist, you would’ve destroyed the clan long ago.”
She didn’t miss a beat. “All members of a clan are important, and even the arseholes play their roles. So of course I need the males to help; otherwise, there wouldn’t be any babies.”
He sneered. “Being witty won’t help you win. You’ve invited strangers onto our land without our consent. I could challenge you because of it.”
Raising her brows, it took everything she had not to laugh. Hugh had gained several stone and a flabby middle over the last five years. “You want to challenge me and lose a second time? Fine, then join the contest with the other leaders. Unless you’re too afraid of losing to me again?”
Hugh smiled slowly. “I heard the challenge will be different this time. Having a former leader’s coaching won’t help you this round. I will be there and I’ll win the leadership. Once I do, I’ll be reporting your deeds to the DDA’s office. Then I won’t ever have to deal with you again.”
Her dragon growled. Are you sure we can’t wrestle with him now and put him out of the running? I can’t take much more of his smugness despite his obvious flaws. While we all have flaws, he is blind to them.
No, dragon. We can’t afford to injure ourselves dealing with him.
Her beast huffed and fell silent.
Teagan gave her best glare and thread every bit of dominance she possessed into her voice as she said, “Then you know if you continue to harass me, you could be disqualified and it’ll squash your dreams early. Now get out before I literally kick your arse out of my office. We’re done talking.”
He stood. “When I’m leader, you’ll be tried for your crimes, Teagan O’Shea. Remember that.”
Hugh waltzed out of her office, leaving the door wide open behind him.
A beat later, Aaron popped his head into the doorway and raised his brows in question. She gave a small shake of her head to indicate they would discuss it later. She merely said, “Send me the details of the next person and send them in a few minutes later.”
With a bob of his head, Aaron closed the door.
In the spare minute of solitude, Teagan rubbed her forehead. Hugh is going to be a pain in my arse.
Perhaps. But if he loses to you and the other leaders, any claim he thinks he has will vanish.
The other leaders might take offense at including him.
You never said it was for other clan leaders only. That is their assumption, and thus their problem.
Teagan sighed. Well, there’s nothing to do now. This is the only way to silence Hugh for good.
Gran would teach him a lesson, if we asked.
She snorted. I wish. Maybe I’ll use that as a punishment if he ever breaks one of the clan laws.
Before her dragon could reply, her next appointment entered. As Teagan listened to the rest of her clan members for the day, solving the majority of the problems, her tension eased. While she would have Killian root out any troublemakers, the majority seemed unconcerned with Teagan’s actions regarding both Aaron and the leadership challenge.
She only hoped it stayed that way.
~~~
When Aaron showed out the final appointment of the day, he locked the front door to Teagan’s secondary office suite and rushed to where she sat behind her desk. Without asking, he moved to her side and leaned down to kiss her gently.
He pulled away, and she made a content noise in her throat. “A female could get used to that every day.”
“My lips are rather powerful. They can cure most anything when it comes to you.” She gave a playful shove and Aaron took her hand in his. “I’m just glad you don’t have a frown permanently etched between your brows. Some of the grievances were rather petty. Is a tree growing into someone else’s garden that much of an inconvenience?”
She shrugged and interlaced her fingers with his. “Sometimes people just need to vent. If it helps their mental health, then so be it.”
“A clan psychologist would be better suited. Or maybe a gardener,” he drawled.
She raised her brows. “Are you volunteering to cut trees for the clan?”
He winked. “I could be fairly vicious with a chainsaw in my hands. But in all honesty, there are probably deeper issues at work. I’m too stubborn to visit a psychologist, but others could use the help.”
“We don’t have one, and given the instability at the moment, I doubt anyone would want to take on my clan’s problems. Besides, I don’t mind listening to them. It’s nice connecting with people, on some level at least.”
“Because you’re usually isolated from them.”
She stared at their hands, and it took everything Aaron had not to pull her close. He had a feeling she wouldn’t tell him anything if he did.
She talked to their hands. “It’s odd in a way. I know everyone and most of their situations, yet I don’t truly know them, if that makes sense. I can’t go to every birthday party or invite them over for dinner.”
“You can’t afford for them to think of you as merely a friend.”
She met his gaze again. “Exactly.”
He did yank her up and pull her close. Cupping her cheek, he murmured, “I’m going to be there for you when you finish for the day, not to mention celebrate everything that should be celebrated. You’ll never be alone.”
She played with the hair at the nape of his neck. “Just don’t hide things from me and be yourself. That’s all I ask.”
His dragon spoke up. See? I told you she is perfect for us.
Ignoring his beast, he focused on Teagan. “I’ll try, but as you know, males are tough to crack.”
She rolled her eyes. “And that is an excuse I don’t believe for a second.”
He stroked her cheek with his thumb. “Is that so?”
She smiled. “Let’s just say that if you stop being honest with me, you will be sleeping outside in the rain before you can blink.”
“I hate the bloody rain,” he growled.
She grinned. “Exactly.”
“Then do I get to mete out the same punishment if you hide from me?”
She shrugged. “Rain doesn’t bother me. I do have a few weaknesses, but you’ll have to figure them out yourself.”
He lightly slapped her arse. “I think you should tell me one.”
She moved a hand to the scar near the corner of his mouth and traced it. “This scar ruins your perfect stubble.” She looked up. “How did you get it?”
He grimaced. “My father.”
Teagan’s eyes turned fierce. “The more I hear of him, the more I hate the male.”
He shrugged. “He’s gone and doesn’t matter. You’re much more important.”
The anger faded a fraction from her eyes. “Pretty words won’t distract me from finding out the whole truth. Just tell me, Aaron.”
He raised his brows. “Someone’s a bit demanding.”
She growled. “Fuck, yes. If you want all of me, then this is part of the deal.”
With the fire in her eyes and flush on her cheeks, Aaron wanted her all the more. “He threw a book at my head. The corner caused a scar.”
Since they were the same height, Teagan merely leaned over and kissed the small scar. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Don’t go getting all bloody formal on me, O’Shea.”
“I can easily say you’re a bastard instead if that’ll make you feel better.”
He pulled her tighter against his body. “Cheeky wench.”
She flashed her teeth before saying, “You’d be bored if I weren’t.”
As they stared into each other’s eyes, Aaron finally chuckled. “Damn you, you’re right.” He kissed her quickly. “I only wish you didn’t have to go talk with Killian in the next few minutes or I’d take you home and show you how far from bored I am.”
“Then take a few minutes to kiss me and give me a preview. It’ll help me unwind.”
Without another word, Aaron took Teagan’s lips and devoured her mouth slowly. As she melted against his chest, his heart skipped a beat. And not just because a sexy, capable female was leaning against him. No, for the first time in a long time, he was happy.
More than that, he trusted Teagan. Not to mention that imagining a future without her in it would be bleak. He didn’t want to go back to hiding behind fake smiles and winks just to get through the day.
His dragon spoke up. You know what that feeling is.
No, not yet. It’s too soon.
Coward.
After a few minutes, Teagan finally pulled away, and she cupped his cheek. “I would say thank you, but you don’t like formalities.” She leaned over to his ear and whispered, “So just know that merely kissing you gets me wet for you, Aaron. Think of that until you see me tonight.”
His beast roared. She is gaining confidence. I like it. Can we have her soon?
Later, dragon.
He took her hand and guided it to his crotch. He murmured, “I’ll be thinking of you the whole time. I won’t even find release by my own hand. I’ll save it all for you.”
Her pupils flashed and Aaron grinned. “I also say we should let out our dragons for the second round. It should make things interesting and may shut them up a bit.”
His beast growled. That’s not very nice.
Aye, but it’s true.
She nodded and opened her mouth, but her mobile phone beeped. She sighed. “That would be Killian.”
He reluctantly released her. “Go, but just remember frisky Aaron will be waiting for you at home.”
Teagan moved a hand to between his thighs and cupped his balls. His cock became even harder as she played with them. “Then I think we’d both better hurry up and finish our tasks so I can meet frisky Aaron properly.”
Taking her lips in a rough kiss, Aaron tweaked her nipple, and she moaned into his mouth.
What he wouldn’t give to bend her over the desk and take her quickly.
His beast growled. Why wait?
Ignoring his dragon, Aaron broke the kiss and murmured, “You need to go, love. My nobility has limits.”
Teagan gave him one more kiss before moving to her desk. Collecting her things, she said, “Thank goodness because mine is being tested to the limits.”
She winked and dashed out of the room. Aaron stared at the closed door.
Fuck anyone who tried to take his female away from him. Teagan could handle herself, but he would always be her ally. He needed to find other ways to support her. Her well-being meant everything to him.
His dragon spoke up. And I know why, even if you’re too chicken to admit it.
The last time I used the “L” word, it was too soon. I won’t make the same mistake.
Teagan is different. How many times do I have to say it?
For now, let’s treasure what moments we have with her. There won’t be many until the leader trials are over.
His dragon huffed. Fine. Just remember to let me out and claim her, too. Otherwise I may have to let slip what you won’t say.
Bloody dragon. When his beast remained silent, Aaron mentally sighed. I promise you’ll have a chance.
Good. Then your secret is safe with me for the moment.
He didn’t like the “for the moment” bit of his dragon’s reply, but he would take it.
In the present, ensuring Teagan had a future as Glenlough’s leader was all that mattered.