Because even as part of her railed against his highhanded assumptions that he could “keep her,” part of her wanted him to try. Wanted to be his. Screw “wasting” her youth. She’d rather have a short time of some kind of wonderful then a lifetime of settling for less.
If she accepted his “offer,” what would that look like? She spent the hours in the air balancing out a list of pros and cons.
Cons: she’d never have children. He’d probably ditch her when she started to sag. He might ditch her earlier if he found his mate. Where would they even make a life together? On the run constantly?
Pros: best sex of her life. She’d get to stay with dragons longer, get to pretend that fate hadn’t broken her by never letting her have the life she’d been born for. She’d get to be part of his life for as long as he let her be.
That last one was probably anathema to today’s feminists, but she couldn’t help the way that appealed to her. In such a short time, he’d oddly become her center.
Even arguing with the stubborn man was exhilarating.
Gah! Why the hell had he said that and then let me torture myself with all these thoughts? Jackhole.
Hadyn debated ways to torture him back.
Withholding sex when this was over and they made it somewhere they could do that was foremost in her mind. Unfortunately, that would be a bit like cutting off her nose to spite her face. Not so fun for her, either.
But…
Maybe she could torture him with an orgasm he wasn’t getting to join in on. Right now. She bit her lip, considering the risk. They’d just started this journey, and the Alliance and the dragons they had manning the Alaz mountain should have no idea what was coming for them.
The likelihood of anyone following this soon was slim, and Rune had been out last, which meant others of their group were ahead of them not behind.
If she could keep herself silent and mostly still…
Hell, even the mere thought had her burning up, heat flushing through her system.
“What’s going on up there?”
Hadyn’s lips drew up in silent amusement. Had he smelled her already? She hadn’t done more than consider the option and weigh the risks. So tempting to sneak her hand into her pants and play with herself, or dry hump the spike in front of her, imagine his hands on her, his mouth, and make herself come.
Hadyn bit her lip, then wrapped her arms around the spike she sat snuggled up against. No. Her parents came first. The people who were putting their own lives at risk came first. She’d find a different way to torture the black dragon she rode.
She said nothing, just as she was supposed to, and deliberately thought of the most un-turn-on-able thoughts she could. Her parents’ faces, both sets. Little fluffy bunnies. The Alaz mountain on fire.
She wrinkled her nose at that one. Better not go down that dark path of thoughts. Better to keep a positive outcome in mind.
Like Chaghan meeting Rune and learning that he wanted to “keep” Hadyn.
That mental image had her physically choking back silent laughter. Why hadn’t she thought of that particular showdown sooner? Hell, he’d practically made the poor human boy she went to prom with pee his pants.
No need to come up with plans to get Rune back. Chaghan wouldn’t let him within a hundred feet of her once he figured out what was going on between them. Not until Rune proved himself worthy of Chaghan’s human daughter.
This was going to be fun. Entertainment to look forward to. Definitely positive thoughts.
Chapter Fifteen
Rune kept a close eye on Hadyn every time they had to land. Around daybreak, they finally stopped for a longer rest. For appearance’s sake, they had brought several tents with them, which had already been set up. Hadyn had started a campfire using human means so the heat signature wouldn’t even be a blip on anyone’s radar who might be on the lookout for dragons. The freeze-dried food had also been her suggestion.
Rune took one bite and had to stop himself from spitting it out.
Sitting beside him, Hadyn had laughed then picked up the package and wrinkled her nose. “Yeah. The lemongrass chicken never tastes quite right. I always eat beef flavored dishes.” She tipped up her own bowl to show him.
Quick as a jackrabbit he shot out his hand and spooned up a big bite. He ignored her protest and shoveled it right into his mouth. “Umm… You’re right. Much better.”
Hadyn eyed him narrowly for all of two seconds, then her expression changed, though he couldn’t quite figure out how. He didn’t have to wait long to learn. Giving no hints as to what she was going to do, she reached across and plucked his food from his hands, handing him hers.
“I didn’t mean for you to have to eat the swill,” he protested, and tried to reach for his food, but she held it sort of out of reach. He could have snatched it if he wanted but didn’t relish the thought of wrestling food from her hands and most likely getting it all over himself.
“You flew all this way,” she said. “All I did was sit and enjoy the ride. It’s more important to fill your tank than mine.”
The look she shot him dared him to argue, and he wanted to. This protective thing toward her was only gaining in intensity. He still had every intention of making her his, and he would have thought making that decision would have settled him and his dragon. Instead, these growing—ugh, he had to put a name to them—feelings…were getting worse. Not better.
“Fine,” he said, and shoveled a bite into his mouth, chewing resentfully.
“Big baby,” she grumbled.
Across the fire, Hall choked, and without looking, Rune was well aware that Delaney and Cami were swallowing their smiles. Seemingly oblivious to the others, Hadyn shot him a sunny smile and turned to her own food. What made it worse was Hadyn wasn’t wrong. He was being childish when she was only trying to help.
“Hadyn,” Finn said, for once laughter lurking in his voice. “You are welcome at my campfire anytime.”
She lifted her head, brows furrowed. “Thank you…but why?”
“Because no one has been able to make Rune listen. Ever. He listens to you, though.” Finn saluted her with his spoon.
Rune tried his best not to react, though he could feel the scowl forming under his skin, tightening around his eyes.
Hadyn slid a sideways glance in his direction, doubtful amusement dancing in her eyes, and Rune braced himself for whatever was about to come out of her mouth next. Probably something about how he’d been difficult to deal with and bossy and a general pain in her ass ever since he’d plucked her off the side of his mountain. Then again, so had she.
Except…she bent a pointed glare on his old alpha, an almost harsh expression that didn’t sit right on her usually smiling face. “Maybe you don’t use the right words,” she said.