Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

N athan couldn't believe he'd told Hayley he liked her hugs, let alone that he needed to discuss things with her once they returned to the surface.

It wasn't long after they were back in the water that his dragon spoke up. You're starting to accept the truth, is all. You need to hurry up and embrace it so we can win her.

You're even more certain she's our true mate?

Yes. After holding her close, I'm certain.

For a long time, Nathan didn't reply. His much younger self had always wanted to find his true mate, experience the frenzy, and live happily ever after like his dad and stepmum had done.

But he was older, more jaded, and didn't know if he could trust a human to accept all of him. Mate-claim frenzies, in particular, could be intense.

His dragon spoke again. Hayley isn't a timid female. She's taken on some scary people and tough cases before, and come out the other side. Plus, she's even helped dragon-shifters when it didn't help her career at all. She likes our kind. She'll be fine.

If she even wants that life. After all, she'd have to mostly give up her career to mate a dragon-shifter.

In some ways, yes. But talk with her. She could do a lot from Stonefire, both for dragons and humans. She wouldn't have to completely give it up.

His dragon was being optimistic, of course. Hayley might be able to still practice law on Stonefire, but it wouldn't be like before. Going from the bustle of London to an isolated dragon clan would be a huge change.

He also didn't know if she wanted children. And that was important because all mate-claim frenzies resulted in at least one pregnancy.

His beast growled. Stop trying to find any reason not to talk with her. She knows her own mind and can make her own decisions. Don't waste time guessing what she might say or do. Just ask.

We'll see. Maybe once we get out of here. I don't want her to reject me and then we have to live together awkwardly for a long period of time.

You don't have to blurt it out right away. Try being her friend and having fun with her. Maybe you'll finally see how she would be good for us.

Nathan thought about it the entire swim and still hadn't made a decision by the time he reached the shore. He helped Hayley off his back. She turned, he shifted into his human form, and they still walked in silence back toward the bathroom entrance.

He fucking hated the awkwardness.

His dragon sighed. Given how vague you were with her, can you blame the human?

They finally reached the door to the bathroom. Only once Nathan removed the rice bags and closed it did Hayley speak again. "I think I saw some clothes in the storage room. I'm going to see what I can find and then pick a bedroom."

He studied her. "Will you be okay by yourself tonight?"

She fidgeted with a button on her cardigan. "I don't know, but I'm going to try my best not to let my fear control me."

Even though he shouldn't offer anything, he couldn't stand seeing her uneasy and said, "Most of the rooms have multiple beds, so we can share, if it'll make you feel safer."

She glanced at him. "Are you sure? I was thinking there's safety in numbers, just in case there are bats or snakes or something down here."

He nearly smiled at the image of them trying to chase a snake. "Yes, I'm sure. Now, let's go pick out a room, find some clothes, and start planning out this evening and what we'll do tomorrow. A little structure will make everything less daunting."

"Will it?"

"I hope so. It works that way when I get a new project, one that seems intimidating at first but later is easy once I've broken it down into segments."

"Hmm, that makes sense. Between knowing my schedule for tomorrow and having you in the room, I might actually get some sleep tonight."

Nathan probably wouldn't. Sleeping in the same room, hearing her soft breaths, and constantly breathing in her scent would keep him awake. Or, if he did drift off, Hayley would probably feature in his dreams.

His dragon spoke up. Good. A taste of Hayley, even if it's in your imagination, may erase your final barriers to wooing her.

Not wanting to think of when that would happen—yes, it was becoming more a matter of when rather than if—he gestured for them to exit and went to find a room and clothing.

Hayley was simultaneously relieved and worried about sharing a room with Nathan. His presence always made her feel at ease, which was a good thing. And yet, she would probably lay there for hours, thinking about her cheek resting against his warm chest, and wishing she could snuggle next to him in bed.

Maybe more than snuggle. She pictured his hands roaming her back, her butt, her hips and then over her breasts. He would kiss her cheek, her neck, and keep going down, down, down until he flicked his tongue against her clit and made her cry out.

Nathan currently walked in front of her, and her gaze drifted to his arse. A firm, round arse she'd love to grab and dig her nails into while he claimed her.

Her cheeks burned, and she resisted placing her hands over them. Stop imagining sex with Nathan. There are so many reasons that's a bad idea. At least whilst we're stuck down here.

Maybe, just maybe, she could see where things went once they got free. However, they needed to work together to escape, and she couldn't risk any animosity between them.

They reached the biggest bedroom she'd found, and she stopped. "In here."

She entered, Nathan on her heels, and nodded to herself. There were six sets of bunk beds, which would space them far apart.

Nathan said, "Pick whichever one you want."

She sat on the bottom bunk closest to the door. "Here."

The dragonman frowned. "What if someone comes in?"

"Are you really worried about that? You said the supplies are from after the clan traitors were booted out. So anyone who finds us should be a friend."

"Should be is the important part."

"No, I'm sleeping here. In case I need to escape into the hallway for more space."

His expression softened. "Of course. But that means I'm sleeping above you, just in case I need to protect you."

Hayley bit her bottom lip and tried to imagine lying in her bunk with Nathan's body just above hers. She'd hear his every movement, see if he snored, and learn the little noises a person usually discovered during the intimacy of sharing a bed.

Well, most of them. They would need to be naked in the same bed for her to learn what he sounded like when he came. Was it a groan? A shout? Her name?

Hayley, stop it. At this rate, having him so close meant she'd never fall asleep. Claiming a different bunk would put distance between them, since Nathan would probably stay by the door.

And yet, she needed to be situated close to the door in case she felt closed in.

You're a grown woman. You can handle it. "Fine, you can sleep in the bed above mine. But if you start snoring, I'm going to throw a pillow at you."

He smiled. "Noted." His face returned to a neutral expression. "I'll make something for dinner whilst you find us some clothes and maybe towels. Come to the kitchen when you're done." He searched her gaze and added, "Or for any reason. Call my name, and I'll come running, Hayley. I promise."

For a second, she stared, wondering what it would be like to always have Nathan at her back.

She quickly pushed the thought aside and bobbed her head. Nathan gave her one last, long look before he exited. With a sigh, Hayley removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. It was going to be a bloody long night.

However, that was later. For now, she went looking for clothing and toiletries. Keeping busy would distract her from thinking about being underground. And if she were lucky, it would also keep her from thinking about Nathan sleeping right above her later that night.