Page 35 of Seducing the Dragon
Shit.She hadn’t meant to overstep her bounds. Because Bram had been friends with her brother since childhood, Bram often let her get away with more than he’d allow other clanmembers. She needed to fix this situation. “Bram is the leader. He and I discussed the terms earlier. I’m sure with all your flirting, he didn’t have a chance to go over the finer points of meeting with me.”
She knew Bram’s eyes were on her, but she refused to look over at him. For some reason, the Lochguard leader provoked her. No doubt, Bram would have questions. Questions she really didn’t want to answer.
After one last look, Finn’s eyes became serious. “Right, then, lassie, tell me what sort of encryption you plan to use. The dragon hunters are becoming tech savvy and the more barriers we have in place, the better.”
Ara blinked. “Do you understand the different types of encryption or shall I explain it in laymen’s terms.”
“Before becoming clan leader, I earned a degree in computer science and worked part-time with our own tech expert as a sort of apprentice. Only when the leadership position became open, did I give it up. This is more an interview for your skills than a question and answer meeting for me.”
Bram interjected, “Arabella is the finest we have. She can do whatever you ask.”
Warmth from Bram’s praised filled her, but Ara focused on Finn. “No, it’s okay, Bram. Maybe I can teach him a thing or two and knock down his ego a notch.”
Finn’s smile was back. “I’d like to see that, Arabella MacLeod.”
His words were a challenge, a challenge she wanted to tackle. Any uneasiness or worry she’d felt upon first seeing the Lochguard leader vanished. Instead, she was determined to knock the cocky grin from his face.
Looking to Bram, she said, “I can handle it from here, Bram. I’m sure there’s lots to do before the dinner officially begins.”
Her leader searched her eyes. They asked if she were sure, and she gave an imperceptible nod. Her leader looked to Finn. “You do anything to upset her, and the alliance be damned, I’ll have your bollocks on a platter before the night is done.”
Finn raised an eyebrow. “Hurting the lass is the last thing I wish to do. After all, she’ll never flirt with me again if I piss her off.”
Ara opened her mouth to protest, but then Finn placed his hand on her back. She tensed a second, waiting for the fear to consume her, but it never came. Her dragon peeked her head out inside her mind.He won’t hurt us.
She blinked. Her dragon hadn’t spoken to her in months. She nearly asked what she meant, but the beast was back in the far reaches of her mind before she had the chance.
Finn pushed gently against her back. “Now, tell me your plans for our security, and don’t leave anything out.”
Rather than focus on all of the oddities of the evening, such as with her dragon speaking to her and Finn’s touch not inciting a panic, Arabella concentrated on her work. As she told Finn of her plans, she was just a female talking to a male without any stress or fear. Apart from Bram or her brother Tristan, she’d never experienced this sense of comfort before. It was almost as if her attack ten years ago had never happened.
Almost.
Bram watchedthe Scottish leader walk away with his hand on Arabella’s back and barely resisted running after him. Only because Ara seemed at ease did he stay put. For the first time since he could remember, Ara wasn’t shying away from her trueself. The brief flash of dragon slits in her eyes signaled even her inner dragon was speaking to her.
As much as he didn’t like to admit it, having an outsider talk and flirt with Arabella might be good for her. Regardless, he’d keep an eye on Finn. The man flirted with everyone and he didn’t want Arabella to be hurt later on.
His dragon said,You worry too much. Arabella is becoming stronger. She is also surrounded by clan. They will protect her.
Considering how much his dragon had roared earlier to get Finn off their land, he was now defending him.
If Bram were a drinker, he would definitely start drinking
Rather than start an unwinnable argument, Bram checked his mobile phone, but there weren’t any updates from Zain yet.
He clenched his free hand. Usually, Bram didn’t mind playing politics, but tonight, it was just bloody annoying because it prevented him from protecting both his clan and his soon-to-be mate.
“Bram.”
He looked up and saw Samira walking toward him. While her dark hair was swept up and her make-up done for the dinner, she was alone.
He met her halfway and said, “Is anything wrong? Where are Melanie and Evie?”
Samira smiled in the calm, collected way she always did. “They’re just outside. Evie mentioned how you wanted to walk in with her on your arm.” She paused, and then winked. “I also think you need a minute alone with her.”
He grunted. “Alone is probably not a good idea.”
Chuckling, Samira placed a hand on his arm. “Mel and I will be a few feet away. We won’t let you ravish her in front of the clan.”
