Page 18 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss

“You handled yourself well, Ms. Adlawan.” His eyes gleamed with approval. “I believe you will be a welcome addition to our team at the next quarterly board meeting.”

Quarterly board meeting?

Before I could fully process what that meant, Royce leaned in with an approving grin. “Agreed. You’re going to make our lives much easier.”

My chest swelled with quiet pride.

I had just been invited into the highest level of company operations.

And then?—

Khanner’s gaze flicks to me, unreadable. “I was planning to discuss that with my assistant.”

My chest tightens slightly, but before I can decipher if that was approval or dismissal, Urul lets out a booming laugh.

“Ah, of course. Well, while you’re discussing things with your assistant, I have a certain Senior VP I’m eager to get back to.”

I frown. Why does that sound loaded?

Royce smirks. “Yes, Urul. Don’t keep yourassistantwaiting.”

Khanner barely reacts.

But something unspoken passes between them.

I don’t have time to dwell on it before Urul turns back to me.

“Apologies—” he lowers his voice, conspiratorial, “We refer to my mate, who is also the Senior VP of Property Development.” He points to a beautiful woman chatting with Harla. When he does, his jacket sleeve shifts back from his wrist, revealing mixed metal cuffs adorned with intricate inlays.

Mating cuffs.

The term lodges itself in my brain, and I file it away for later.

Are those a universal Otherkin thing? Or is it just an Orc tradition?

I make a mental note to research that later, even as I quickly glance at Khanner’s hands.

No cuffs.

I shouldn’t care.

But for some reason, I do.

I don’t realize that I’m standing alone next to Khanner until he turns toward me, his wings gradually rising like twin sails from his back. He must have seen my surprise because they were suddenly retracted once more, a wry smile curving up the corner of his mouth.

He is not allowed to look that attractive.

“Apologies for startling you, Ms. Adlawan. They have a mind of their own sometimes.”

I giggle. “Oh, please call me Sunny. Ms. Adlawan reminds me of one of my aunties. And your wings didn’t startle me. I was more intrigued about where they came from. Rather where they go. When they’re not—you know—present.” My fingers flutter in the air to indicate the space around him. “I notice sometimes they’re in some pictures rather than others. Not that I’m looking at pictures, I’m just saying I just noticed.”

Good lord, I need to stop talking. This is what happens when I go off script. Words just tumble out of my mouth for no reason.

Khanner, at least, takes it all in stride. “They don’t really go anywhere, it’s more that they can disappear from sight if I control them enough. They take up a lot of space, so it is easier this way.”

“No they don’t,” I protest. “Your wings are part of you. You don’t need to shrink yourself. We can adjust. Of course, if you prefer not to, that’s also fine, as I’m sure you know as they are your wings, and you’re the boss and all.”

I want to slap myself in the face to keep from speaking some more, and honestly debate if he would think that would be better or worse than my neverending word vomit.

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