Page 72 of Seducing the Dragon
The dragonwoman rolled her eyes and stepped back. “If coming inside will help stem your cockiness, then hurry up.”
His dragon crooned.She likes us. This is good.
Rather than dwell on his inner beast’s words, Finn stepped inside the cottage and headed into the living area. Once he plopped down on a chair, he dove right to the point. “Have you considered my invitation to come to Lochguard and set up the secure connection?”
She stayed standing on the far side of the room. While her heart rate appeared normal, he didn’t like the distance.
Arabella answered, “I told you I’d think about it. My answer hasn’t changed.”
“In my experience, maybe means no. Come, Arabella. It would benefit us both.”
She frowned and her voice was careful when she said, “Explain that last bit.”
His dragon cautioned,Don’t scare her.
I won’t coddle her. She doesn’t want it.“You’ve proved your skills to me and I won’t have to double-check your work, which saves me time.”
“And what is the benefit to me?”
“You’ll have the chance to interact with people who will treat you with care because you’re a stranger, not out of pity for your past. While I’ve only heard the rumors, I expect everyone on Stonefire knows the truth.”
Arabella took a step toward him. “I don’t want your charity.”
His dragon piped in.Don’t fuck up.
Finn stood up. “It’s not charity, Arabella MacLeod. I need your skills and you desperately need a break from the clan. Even your brother coddles you.”
She took another step toward him. “Leave my brother out of this.”
“It’s true, aye? Your brother is as careful as the rest. I don’t know about you, but living day in and day out with everyone walking on eggshells must be exhausting. Yes, you’ve gone through something terrible. But isn’t it time for you to face the world and live your life?”
They were only a few feet apart from one another. Finn never flinched from her gaze. Aye, she was angry, but there was longing there too.
Arabella’s voice was quiet and full of steel when she said, “I think you should leave.”
His inner beast roared, but Finn ignored him. “I’ll leave, but think on it, lass. Lochguard may not be perfect, but it could be a fresh start for you.”
Provided, of course, he hadn’t fucked up the alliance with Stonefire.
Before the dragonwoman could reply, there was a knock on the door followed by Bram shouting, “Finlay Stewart, I know you’re in there. We need to talk.”
Arabella retreated to the far side of the room. It took everything Finn had not to walk over and corner her against the wall to provoke her fire again. Both man and beast liked her fire, maybe a little too much.
There was more pounding on the door and Finn sighed. “It looks like you’re getting your wish, lass.”
He waited a beat, but Arabella remained silent. Rather than push too far, he gave a flourishing bow and went to the door. Opening it, Bram glared up at him and said, “Where’s Arabella? Is she okay?”
Finn motioned behind him. “She’s back there. Lass, care to shout out so he doesn’t kill me?”
Arabella peeked her head around the corner. “I’m fine, Bram. Finn was just leaving.”
Bram looked between him and Arabella, but if the Stonefire leader expected an explanation, he wasn’t going to get one.
Finn raised an eyebrow. “You’re letting the heat out. If we’re walking and talking, then let’s go.”
Bram gave him one more assessing stare before he turned around and started walking. Finn took one last look at Arabella and dared to say, “Think on it, lass. I mean it.”
Then he was out the door. As he lengthened his stride to catch up with Bram, Finn hoped that wasn’t the last he saw of Arabella MacLeod. The lass deserved to have laughter and light in her life and Finn wanted to be the one to give it to her.
