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“Looks aren’t everything,” Rasmus said. “If we wanted to use my bed for anything other than sleeping, we would need a much bigger one.”

“Let’s reserve my bed for that pleasure,” I whispered.

His grin was sexy and full of intent. “I’m going to make you keep that promise, even if you get mad at me again.”

My sigh of longing informed us both of how I felt about sleeping with him. Rasmus didn’t need to read my lusty thoughts to know. I’m sure it was written on my face as I stared at him.

The guardian set me on my feet beside his bed and removed everything I wore. Then I felt him press my naked body down on his cool cotton sheets that smelled like the body wash he used.

I scooted to the middle of the bed to make room for him. His bare body sliding along mine felt like coming home.

The adult in me knew sharing a bed wouldn’t solve our real issues. Tonight, I didn’t care about them at all. It was enough to have my hope restored.

The next morningI reluctantly left a naked and still sleeping Rasmus sprawled across his bed.

Zara moving around next door had woken me but her presence hadn’t stopped me from lusting for him. However,the coziness of his normal-sized bedroom made me realize the vulnerability of our being together within Zara’s hearing.

I left before my willpower gave out.

It was a matter of trust. The only people I didn’t care about hearing me with Rasmus were Conn and Mulan. Zenos, Zara, Dylan, and Mulan’s family were basically all strangers. Dylan might have been the one other exception but I still didn’t want him using my sex life against me in the future. He could be a terrible tease as well.

I passed Henry’s people coming up the stairs with loaded breakfast trays for Mulan’s family. I smiled and said good morning to them as I headed down to my quarters.

I knocked on my bedroom door and entered when Conn called out in greeting. Inside, I found the two of them eating their breakfast. Mulan had a bed tray. Conn had fetched the little side table from the sitting room for himself.

“Good morning,” I said to them with a smile. “I’ll only be a minute. I came to find some fresh clothes. Are ya feeling better today, Mulan?”

Mulan nodded. “I must speak to parents soon.”

I waved her concerns away. “Henry and Gale got them settled in just fine yesterday. Zenos could talk to them enough to get their cooperation. I would give them another hour or two because I passed their breakfast being delivered on my way down. I hear Henry made them a common room on the second floor where they all could eat together. He and Gayle have the whole second floor set up like a regular bed-and-breakfast place. I may need to install an elevator if we keep entertaining this many guests all at once.”

Conn grinned as he shook his head. “I can’t believe you want to install an elevator to spare Henry’s people from carrying food trays up the stairs.”

“Why not? They shouldn’t have to walk all those trays up and down. One of those small elevators would be a big help to them. They’re not my servants, Conn. They’re like business partners.”

Conn spread his hands. “You always amaze me, Aran.”

“Thanks. I amaze myself too,” I replied, and then laughed at my bragging. “Someone needs to tell my daughter how amazing I am. Fiona sure as heck doesn’t believe me.”

I bent and opened a storage tub to search for clean clothing.

“So, where did you end up sleeping last night?” Conn asked.

“I slept upstairs, of course. Why do ya care where I slept?” Focused on sorting out my underwear, I didn't bother to lift my gaze.

“You’re in a strangely good mood for someone who slept in a strange bed last night and who hasn’t had her coffee yet.”

“If ya’re trying to rile me this morning, it won’t work. I slept very well. The only bad part of my day will be dealing with a dragon mage who believes he’s a gift to women of every species. He’s a worse flirt than ya used to be before Mulan tamed ya.”

Conn’s grin when I looked his way was wide.

“Oh, stop smirking,” I ordered. “I don’t have time for yer nonsense. Nothing happened.”

Mulan giggled around a bite of food. “Shelies. Somethinggoodhappened.”

“No,it didn’t,” I insisted. “And ya have no right to point fingers at anyone. Ya should be ashamed of yerself, Mulan. Ya turned yer powerful shaman staff into a sex toy.”

Mulan giggled. “People take wallets and keys butno onesteals love toys. They will empty purses and leave love toys behind,” she said while pointing at Conn. “He gave me idea.”