Brad grunted. “Maybe.”
She growled in frustration. “For something this important, you’re going to stick to a nonanswer?”
David jumped in before Brad could reply. “It’s late, and we all should rest before picking up this conversation in the morning. ADDA won’t notice you staying here a day—you could be looking for another part-time security guard, for all they know—which gives us time to figure this all out.”
She frowned. “You say that as if it’s decided that I’ll stay here.”
“There’s not really another choice, Tasha. Take the night to think about it and then we’ll talk further.” David stood. “Brad’s sister has an extra room and you can stay there. Megan is a lot friendlier than her brother, so don’t worry about a warm welcome.”
If she were to guess, David wanted her to warm up to Brad through his sister. But little did he know that until she had an honest conversation with Brad, she wasn’t going to consider the decision to marry him, or whatever the dragons called it, her only option.
She stood. “Okay, then let’s go so I can get some sleep. But I hope we can snag some food on the way since I haven’t eaten yet.”
Brad’s deep voice came from behind her. “I’ll ensure you have something to eat. Come on.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, Tasha,” David stated. “Good night.”
Something about the tone of his voice told her there was no arguing the point. Everything would have to wait until morning.
And she felt like she should obey, which was weird. It must be yet more dragon-shifter magic, of a sort.
So she merely followed Brad out of the room and down the same corridor. Only once they were outside did she stop in her tracks. When Brad finally turned toward her, she said, “I can’t wait until morning to hear this answer of yours, Brad. Why’ve you done your damnedest to make me think you hate me?”
As she watched his pupils flash in the dim light, she wondered what his inner dragon was saying.
But since she couldn’t read minds, Tasha waited for the man to answer.
Brad knew he should’ve been prepared for Tasha’s question. Ever since he’d run into David in the hall and his clan leader had mentioned how mating Tasha was the best course of action, he’d dreaded having to explain everything.
And now here she was, his fated female, wanting answers.
His dragon huffed. It’s because even you’re realizing how stupid your reasons sound.
Not entirely true. I don’t reveal everything about myself to most people.
But she’s our true mate, one that we’re about to mate officially. She should know the truth.
Brad didn’t have it in him to argue that Tasha hadn’t said yes to the mating yet.
Instead, he studied the human female in the dim light, his dragon-shifter eyesight allowing him to see her as clearly as in bright daylight.
Her brows were pinched a little as she stared at him. Even though he was so much taller, and stronger, and could shift into a mighty dragon, she didn’t show a bit of fear. Maybe she was a little afraid, but if so, he couldn’t tell.
For a human, she was incredibly strong.
Which, damn it, made him want to tell her more than he should.
Brad finally replied, “The reason I tried to brush you off all the time is because when humans and dragon-shifters get involved, things get complicated. If nothing else, you should know that from what happened with Ashley and Wes Dalton.”
Wes was the clan leader of PineRock, another dragon clan in the greater Tahoe area. Brad didn’t know him well, but the two clans hadn’t been actual enemies in a long, long time. And not attacking or threatening StoneRiver made the dragon leader somewhat okay in his book.
Tasha nodded. “Yes, I know that, but not just from what happened to Wes and Ashley, either. Remember that when a place opens its doors to dragons, we have to memorize a set of laws and take a test.”
He growled, “The laws are the fucking problem.”
She tilted her head. “While I can see that point of view, I think there’s more to it. Something you aren’t telling me.”
His dragon stood up tall inside his mind. She’s really preceptive.
Are you surprised? Nothing happens in her bar that she doesn’t know about.
Brad could brush it off and tell her to wait until morning, as David had said.
But now that his fate was almost assuredly tied to hers—Tasha was smart and would see how mating him was the only way StoneRiver could protect her for the foreseeable future—Brad decided fuck it. He’d be honest and see how she reacted. “Humans cause trouble. One stole my ex from me. They ran away in the middle of the night, and I have no idea what happened to her. She could’ve fucking died for all we know. She should’ve waited and at least consulted the clan leader. But no, she didn’t. And I’m sure the human was the reason she didn’t.”
And there was his truth. He’d been hurt by her betrayal, of course he’d been. But the days, weeks, and months of wondering whether Amber was still alive or not had been the worst part.
No doubt the human had convinced her to run. And a dragon-shifter on the run became a target of ADDA, the League, and possibly rival clans. The four Tahoe clans weren’t exactly friendly with one another, but they at least each minded their own damn business and stayed out of trouble.
However, in some parts of the country, a foreign dragon-shifter entering their territory marked them as enemy number one. True, it was against the law to murder, but some dragon clans did a lot of things on the sly, uncaring about modern-day laws.
His dragon said softly, Amber would’ve known all that and still taken the risk. Maybe there was a reason she ran, we don’t know.
Tasha’s voice interrupted Brad’s reply to his dragon. “Ashley tells me all the time that I shouldn’t base my opinion on the actions of one dragon-shifter. Sure, the bastard ones end up in the news and then make everyone think you’re all murderers or thieves, or ‘insert criminal type here.’ But it works both ways, Brad. Maybe that human guy your ex ran off with made a rash decision, or was persuasive. However, it could’ve been a joint decision. Regardless, basing your opinion on all humans because one stole your girlfriend is a little stupid, in my opinion.”
He blinked. “Did you just call me stupid?”
She bobbed her head. “A little, yes. Oh, you’re really good at spotting troublemakers or noticing people about to act like idiots in the bar. I’ve never had a security guard as good as you. But in this one instance, regarding your opinion on humans? Yes, you’re an idiot.”
His dragon laughed. I like her even more, if that’s possible.
Considering she’s our true mate, I don’t think so.
But he had to give it to Tasha—she was right. Deep down, he knew she was. However, admitting it wasn’t the easiest thing. Especially since that belief had kept him together for the months after Amber had left, giving him someone to hate for his loss.
His dragon spoke up. It’s been a long time now. Maybe you should be more open-minded. Even knowing the risks, Tasha opened her bar to our kind. She, at the very least, deserves a chance.
Not wanting to answer his beast, Brad grunted. “Maybe I am biased. But it’s much more than my past that made me try to avoid you, Tasha. My dragon noticing how you’re my true mate makes everything complicated. Imagine being constantly drawn to someone despite what you’re feeling. And then if you accidentally kiss them, it starts off a sex marathon that only ends in pregnancy. So I have more than one reason for being cautious. I was protecting us both.”
She raised her eyebrows. “What century is this? I can—and have made—many of my own decisions, Brad Harper. Did you never think to share this with me and see what I say about it?”
His dragon muttered, I suggested that all the damn time.
Ignoring his beast, he replied, “If I had told you the truth, then what? Would you have instantly given up everything to move to a dragon clan? Mating a dragon-shifte
r means living with them on their clan. There’s no way around that in the US. And despite what you may think of me, I know how much your bar means to you. It’s hard enough opening your own business, but then to have it be profitable and stay that way? It’s a big fucking deal.”
Her furrowed brows eased a fraction. “Of course it’s important to me. And who knows how I would’ve reacted. But you still should’ve told me, especially given the whole sex marathon possibility.”
As Tasha stood in the mostly darkness, the light wind blowing her hair to the side, her eyes strong and determined, he forgot about his past for a second. Tasha Jenkins was fucking beautiful, strong, and would never cower before anyone.
She had the heart of a warrior, or better yet, a dragon-shifter.
His dragon spoke up. And she could be ours for more than a fake mating, too. If you tried to win her, even just a little.
Brad had spent so much time trying to avoid the human female, not wanting to betray his former love and his own stubborn ass. He was a Protector after all, and tried to be as honorable, strong, and loyal as he should be.
However, maybe he’d taken his loyalty to his former love, Amber, too far and had instead used it as a shield.
His beast snorted. And now look who’s becoming all soft and poetic.
He cleared his throat. “So now you know the truth. What will you do?”
Tasha shrugged. “That I don’t know just yet. While our little chat has helped me understand you better, I’m not sure one conversation will convince me to give up my entire life.”
He wanted to force her to stay so he could protect her. But he tamped down his urges and said, “I hate to say it, but if you don’t agree to David’s plan, you may end up doing so anyway. And possibly more permanently.”
She didn’t so much as bat an eyelash at his hint of being killed. “Maybe. But I need some time to think. Where’s your sister’s place? We can talk more in the morning, once I sort through some things.”
Ten minutes ago, Brad would’ve jumped at the chance to get rid of her.
And now?
Well, now, he was all confused about what to do with his fated female.
His dragon spoke up. Spending the night apart will help both sides.
And now you’re the rational one?
Information is powerful, and it may be enough to sway her. So yes, I can wait a few hours to talk more with her, especially considering how you’ve avoided her as much as possible for months.
Damn dragon giving him whiplash with his moods.
With a grunt, Brad gestured toward the right. “This way. I’m sure David called Megan, so she should be awake and ready for us.”
And far quicker than he liked, Brad handed over Tasha’s care to his sister and headed toward his own house. It was going to be a long fucking night, that was for sure. Especially since he wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted to do with Tasha just yet.
His beast whispered, Oh, you know. But I’ll give you the night to realize it yourself.
With that, his dragon curled up inside his mind and went to sleep. And Brad spent the next few hours imagining life with or without Tasha, trying to figure it all out.
Chapter Three
The next morning, as Tasha sat across from the pale, blue-eyed form of Megan Lee, she sipped her coffee and noted the activity in the kitchen.
Megan’s mate, Justin Lee, was helping to feed their youngest child. While the man seemed nice enough, it hadn’t taken Tasha long to learn he was David Lee’s cousin. So her staying with Megan wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. No, not only was she staying with Brad’s sister, but another person closely tied to the clan’s security, too.
Not that she had gotten any sort of weird vibes from either of them. Justin was firm with the children when needed, but clearly doted on them as he helped serve up breakfast.
Megan was both friendly and chatty, but Tasha suspected the woman didn’t miss a thing that happened in her house.
After all, Tasha was just as perceptive, and it often took a perceptive person to recognize another one.
As Tasha sipped her coffee, Megan said, “I’ve been beating around the bush all morning. So tell me—what are you going to do?”
Justin shook his head. “Can’t she eat in peace?”
Megan tsked. “It’s not an unreasonable question for me to ask. Better she figures out the answer now than when she talks with David, right?”
Tasha cleared her throat and all eyes—including those of the three children aged five and under—moved to her. Tasha placed her mug down and asked, “Is this how it works on dragon clans, then? Everyone keeps deciding or trying to convince someone of what’s best for everyone else without asking them?”
Justin grinned. “Well, I can’t speak for all clans, but it works that way here.”
Great. So everyone would always be in her business.
Maybe if she knew them better, she wouldn’t mind. But she’d had to be super careful about sharing any sort of personal information whenever working at the bar. After all, she didn’t want a drunk person showing up at her place and serenading her window. Or worse, someone trying to break into her house and do who knows what.
Megan spoke before Tasha could. “But it’s not all bad here. Some people do manage to keep to themselves. After all, my brother is an extremely private person for StoneRiver. But even if he doesn’t talk about it, I can tell he’s still brooding about that female that left him.”
“Megan,” Justin said slowly as a warning. The pair shared some sort of nonverbal conversation, which was only interrupted by the five-year-old, who slipped out of his chair and ran over to Tasha. He poked her arm and smiled. “You’re pretty. Be my mate?”
At the little boy’s sweet brown eyes and shy smile, Tasha forgot about meddling dragon-shifters and turned toward Andrew. “I think I’m too old for you, Andy. But someday you’ll find your own mate.”
Andrew sighed and hung his head. “Okay.”
The complete dejection from the little boy did something to Tasha’s heart. She touched his shoulder and he looked up at her again. “We can be friends, though. Is that okay?”
And just like that, his eyes lit up. “My first human friend.”
His words reminded Tasha of something she wanted to ask Megan. However, she first ruffled the boy’s brown hair and replied, “That’s right. I’ll gladly be your first human friend. Now, why don’t you finish your breakfast? I need to talk with your mom.”
Megan said softly yet sternly, “She’s right, Andy. Finish your fruit, like you promised you would. And no hiding it under the table like yesterday.”
“Okay, Mom,” Andrew said dramatically and trudged to the other side of the table, taking absolutely as long as possible to get there.
It took everything she had not to laugh at the theatrics.
She hadn’t spent much time around children for years, but Megan and Justin’s kids seemed like a good group to get reacquainted with them again.
Although seeing two dragon-shifters having breakfast with their three kids made her wonder if this was what it would be like with her own family. Provided she agreed to the mating with Brad, of course. And if it went well, then agreed to the sex-marathon deal that would supposedly guarantee a baby at the end.
Tasha hadn’t spent a lot of time thinking about what she wanted in the relationship and family department. Her bar had been everything.
But now, she had little choice but to wonder about what she truly wanted. Being targeted by a crazy terrorist group sort of put things in perspective. Did she want to give up her bar? Of course not. But maybe she wanted more in her life now, on top of owning a successful business.
Megan’s voice brought Tasha back to the present. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
She looked back at Megan’s smiling face. Tasha’s gut said the woman could be a good ally to have if she stayed on StoneRiver.
Although that was still a big if to staying. “Are there any
other humans living on StoneRiver? Brad has never exactly been chatty, and he’s the only real dragon-shifter I’ve known for more than an hour or two here and there. Dragon customers tend to keep their clan life pretty secret.”
Megan answered, “Yeah, I imagine they would. After all, the League is why you’re here, right? We have to worry about them, and others like them, all the time.” Tasha nodded—the daily lives of dragon-shifters were becoming more real to her—and Megan continued, “But no, as of right now, there aren’t any other humans. Clan PineRock has at least three humans living with them, although there’s talk of some sibling of the human male—what was his name? Oh, that’s right, Ryan Ford—petitioning to move there, too.”
Since Tasha didn’t keep track of dragon mates—it wasn’t as if many of her customers had revealed them to her at the bar anyway—she had no idea who Megan was talking about. So instead, she focused on StoneRiver. “So I would be the only human living here then.”
Megan smiled sadly and said, “Yes, at least for the moment. Although now that Ashley has mated a dragon-shifter—which gives her even more reason to push for humans to be allowed to mate a dragon if they want—I suspect it’ll change soon.”
It seemed everyone knew Ashely Swift. Tasha really needed to reach out to her ASAP and get some advice. She’d been too tired the night before to make the call, and she wasn’t about to call her at the ass-crack of dawn.
As Tasha pondered being the only human surrounded entirely by dragon-shifters, the doorbell echoed inside the house. Megan went to answer it and came back with her brother right behind her.
Brad found her gaze and grunted. “Good morning.”
The words were simple, but as she held his blue-eyed gaze, a small tingle rushed through her body.
She’d allowed herself to think of Brad as more than just her employee last night. And as a result, the hour or two of sleep she’d finally nabbed had been filled with fantasies, such as him stripping her slowly before kissing her. Not knowing what a mate-claim frenzy entailed—she’d learned the actual name of the sex marathon—her dreams had also been full of hot, often rough sex.
The Dragon's Charge (Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 4) Page 3