Page 14 of Conning Her Dragonkin Boss (Mated to the Monster: Season 3)

Chapter Fourteen

SAY YES

Sunny Adlawan

The cafe is tucked into a quiet corner of the convention center, its warm amber lights and the scent of freshly ground coffee offering a much-needed reprieve from the energy of the weekend.

Mei stirs her matcha latte absentmindedly, her fingers drumming against the ceramic. She’s still distracted, her focus half on her phone, half on me.

I sip my cappuccino, savoring the creamy foam before finally setting my cup down. “Alright, spill. What’s up with you?”

Mei blinks, snapping back to reality. “Huh?”

“You’ve been on your phone all morning.” I narrow my eyes. “And not in your usual scrolling-for-hot-monster-boyfriend-content way.”

Mei snorts. “Okay, first of all, rude. Second of all… I just have some stuff happening back in New Vegas.”

I tilt my head. “Good stuff?”

A slow smile tugs at the corner of her lips. “Better than.”

Now I’m really curious, but before I can press, she downs the rest of her latte and stands. “I gotta go, but we’ll talk soon, okay?”

I nod, even though I’m dying to know more.

Mei gives me a quick hug, squeezing my arms. “And hey—congrats again, Best in Show. And congrats on…” She waves a vague hand. “Your ridiculously hot boss situation.”

I groan. “Do not call it that.”

She just winks.

Then, with a final finger-gun salute, she strides off, disappearing into the convention crowd.

I linger, finishing the last of my coffee, feeling the soft hum of contentment settle in my chest.

The weekend has been unreal.

Everything I hoped for—and more.

And then, a shadow looms over me.

The familiar, commanding presence that I can recognize instantly.

I turn my head?—

And there he is.

Khanner.

His golden eyes flick over me, sharp and assessing, like he’s taking stock of every detail.

“You’re surprisingly easy to track,” he murmurs, voice low and rich, like dark velvet.

I raise an eyebrow. “Should I be concerned that you’re tracking me?”

His mouth curves slightly. “Not when I already own you.”

Heat flares up my spine.

“Excuse me?”

He leans down, crowding into my space, his warm breath brushing against my cheek. “Your employment contract. Legally mine.”

I roll my eyes, shoving at his chest.

Unfortunately, all that does is make me very aware of just how solid he is under his suit.

“You are ridiculous,” I mutter, grabbing my bag.

“Ridiculous,” he echoes, his hand finding the small of my back as he steers me out of the café. “And yet, I got exactly what I wanted.”

His touch is possessive, guiding, unyielding.

And maybe—just maybe—I like it.

We settle into the private dining area, away from the lingering convention guests.

Khanner moves with his usual precision, his golden eyes constantly scanning, always aware of his surroundings.

But whenever he looks at me, it’s different.

Like I’m the only thing that matters.

The table is set with warm pastries, fresh fruit, and a selection of gourmet teas and coffees.

Khanner, of course, has his doppio espresso, black as his soul.

I take a bite of my croissant, flaking apart perfectly in my hands, and clear my throat.

“So…” I say carefully. “What happens now?”

Khanner takes a sip of his espresso, watching me like he’s already five steps ahead of this conversation.

“I was just discussing that with Royce and Urul,” he says.

My stomach drops.

Oh gods.

This is it.

I knew this was coming.

I knew that last night was too good to be true, that I’d crossed some invisible boundary, and now?—

“You’ve earned your place,” Khanner continues, setting his cup down. “And it’s not as my assistant.”

My breath catches.

Oh.

Oh no.

I swallow hard, forcing a nod even though my chest feels tight.

“Right,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “I understand.”

A job as Khanner’s assistant was the most stable thing I had. And I knew I was replaceable, but hearing it?—

“You should be heading up Project Management in a senior role.”

I blink.

Hard.

“I—what?”

Khanner arches a brow. “You clearly have the skills. It was only a matter of time before we moved you up.”

I stare at him, completely stunned.

He gestures toward a packet beside him.

“I think,” he says smoothly, “you’re getting a significant raise and a title bump.”

I reach for the papers with slightly trembling fingers, flipping through the offer.

It’s—

It’s real.

I let out a breathless laugh, shaking my head.

“Okay, but… just to clarify,” I say, half-laughing, half-dazed. “I’m not being fired, right?”

Khanner’s mouth twitches. “No, Sunny.”

I still don’t know what to say.

Khanner leans forward, eyes glinting with something unreadable.

“Say yes,” he murmurs. “So that we can move on to the HR paperwork disclosing our interpersonal relationship.”

My brain short-circuits.

He smirks.

“That is, of course,” he adds, “if you agree.”

Do I agree?

Of course I do.

I grab the pen and sign before I can even think twice.

A Proper Ending

Once the paperwork is signed, I exhale, still reeling.

Khanner takes the packet, setting it aside with obvious satisfaction.

“Now that that’s settled,” he says, “I took the liberty of extending our stay.”

I blink. “You… what?”

“You should finish the convention,” he says simply.

Warmth rushes through me, spreading like fire.

I should.

I want to.

But only if?—

“Only if you stay with me,” I say before I can stop myself.

His gaze sharpens.

His golden eyes burn.

His lips curve, slow and knowing.

“I wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.”