Page 119 of The Dragon's Mate

“I’m staying with Bren tonight,” Tyler said.“Right, Bren?”

The look he gave his brother was almostpleading. Without hesitating, Bren said, “Yes.”

“Whatever,” Robert said. He glanced at Kaida.“It’s unfortunate our first meeting was marred by my children’s thoughtlessness.It was a pleasure meeting you, Kaida.”

Her hands in tight fists behind her back,Kaida said, “Good-bye, Senator Matthews.”

He left the kitchen and when the front doorslammed behind him, Tyler said, “God, what a douche.”

“Tyler,” Bren warned.

“What? He is,” Tyler said.

“He’s still our father,” Bren said.

Tyler shrugged before grinning at Kaida. “Canyou imagine the look on his face if he knew Kaida was a dragon?” He snortedloud laughter. “He was going on and on about how dangerous dragons are, andthere was one standing right beside him. He’s lucky she didn’t torch him whenhe started talking shit about dragons.”

“I wouldn’t torch a human,” Kaida said quickly.

“I know,” Tyler said. His phone buzzed andhe glanced at it. “It’s Corey. Can he come over and hang with us too, Bren?Please?”

Bren glanced at Kaida. “Sure. Does heneed a ride over?”

Tyler texted Corey and when his phonebuzzed again, shook his head. “Nah, his foster dad is gonna be near here.Said he’d drop him off.”

He stuck his phone into his back pocket andthen sniffed at his armpits. “I’m gonna take a quick shower. Oh, shit. Ididn’t wash the clothes I left here the last time I stayed over.”

“I washed them and the other clothes too,”Bren said. “The amount of clothes you leave here is staggering. Do you haveany left at home, buddy?”

“Some. Thanks for washing my stuff, dude.”Tyler fist bumped Bren before grinning at Kaida. “It’s cool you and my brotherare dating.”

“Go have your shower, Ty,” Bren said.

Tyler sauntered out of the kitchen, typingagain on his phone. Bren waited a few seconds before turning to Kaida. “Well,you’ve met my father. Still want to try dating?”

She wrapped her arms around his waist andkissed his chest, her dragon purring softly to him. “Yes. You are not your father,Bren.”

He rubbed her back. “Sorry about Tyler joiningus for the day. If I didn’t let him stay, Dad would have harassed him all afternoonabout not going to the charity event, and -”

She pressed her lips against his, stopping thewords. When she drew back, he smiled at her. “What was that for?”

“I love that you put Tyler’s needs ahead ofyour own. You’re an amazing brother and Tyler is lucky to have you,” she said.

His smile made her dragon purr again. He kissedher and then said, “Thanks for understanding. But if you want to go back toyour clan rather than hang out with the boys and me, I get it. I’ll ask Bishopto bring the potion to you tomorrow and -”

“I want to stay,” she said.

“I want that too.” He kissed her again. “WhenCorey gets here, why don’t the four of us go for lunch? I know an amazingdiner that isn’t very busy. There shouldn’t be too much worry about a shiftersmelling your scent and discovering what you are.”

“That sounds perfect,” she said.

Chapter Twenty-One

Bren set the suitcase on the bed andstripped out of his work clothes. He took a quick shower and threw on a pair ofjeans and a t-shirt before heading to the kitchen. He grabbed a beer from thefridge and opened it.

Kaida would be here any minute and he couldn’twait. She’d spent the entire day with him and Tyler and Corey yesterday, and eventhough Elora had brought the invisibility potion to them by dinner time, Kaidahad stayed until almost nine. They’d watched a movie with the boys, and he didn’tthink it was his imagination that Tyler was starting to glom onto her like ababy duck imprinting on a human. His younger brother wanted a mother figureand while technically Kaida wasn’t old enough to be his mother, she had a calm andalmost motherly energy that Tyler couldn’t resist.

She’ll be an excellent mother.

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