Tanner wrapped his arms around Ella’s waist, forcing her to thread her arms around his neck. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he didn’t pull her too close. Besides, this stance made it easier to talk to her.
With hooded eyes, Ella nodded to something on the other side of the room. “Look who is here. Sasha. And she’s glaring at me.”
“Let her. Tonight, how about we forget about testy customers, jealous women, and probably a ton of jealous men, too, and just enjoy ourselves?”
“I can do that. This is a time to celebrate Expansion Day, so let’s celebrate.”
He pulled her closer, and Ella placed her head on his chest. He was sure she’d wonder why his heart was racing, but he wasn’t about to announce he wanted them to be mates. Good thing he was wearing a long sleeve shirt. If he hadn’t been, everyone in the room would see his flashing scales and know how excited he was to be with this gorgeous woman.
While having everyone know his desires wouldn’t be a bad thing, he wasn’t sure he wanted Ella to know. Since the room lights were rather dim, it helped conceal his turquoise eyes—a sure sign of his desire.
The song was about halfway finished when someone tapped Ella on the shoulder. Shit. It was Sasha.
“May I cut in?” she asked, sounding syrupy sweet.
Tanner was about to say no, but then he decided he needed to have a serious chat with her. “Do you mind, sweetheart?” he asked Ella. That affectionate name might have been overkill, but he wanted to let Sasha know in no uncertain terms to leave him alone.
“Sure.” Ella stood on her toes and brushed her lips against his. “Enjoy your dance with Sasha.”
Goddess, but Ella was something else. Not only did she not throw a fit, that kiss made his dragon shoot fire in his gut. She had to have known what that contact would do to him.
Sasha didn’t seem to care though. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I cut in because I wanted to hear from you that you two were legit.”
“Legit?”
“Carolyn said you and Ella are mates.”
“We are. I don’t know how to make it any clearer.”
She smiled and leaned back. “Good to know. If Ella gets tired of you though, you know where I work.” She winked. “I’ll be watching you in case things aren’t what they seem.”
The last comment said it all—Sasha didn’t believe him. When the song ended, he thanked her and went in search of his mate. Tanner knew he and Ella belonged together. It was just a matter of convincing her.
Ella was sitting at the table with his partners and their mates. The chair next to her was vacant so he sat down.
“How was Sasha?” Ella asked without a hint of jealousy. Darn.
“Who knows, but she asked to dance because she wanted to make sure the rumors were true.”
“Rumors?” Jace asked.
It wouldn’t be a lie to say that he and Ella were mates, because they were. He just hoped she didn’t balk when he announced it. “That Ella and I are mates.”
Poppy, one of the Four Sisters of Fate, smiled knowingly. The others looked as if he’d told them he’d secured another large contract.
“That’s fantastic, but I thought you said you just met her a few days ago,” Jace said.
“We did, but what does that matter? When you know, you know.”
Jace looked over at Ivy. “I will admit that the moment Ivy walked into Slade and Poppy’s living room, my dragon let me know that I’d met my mate. So, congratulations.”
“Thank you,” he said, not daring to glance at Ella. When she didn’t deny his claim, he let out a slow breath.
Poppy held up her glass. “To Tanner and Ella.”
“To Tanner and Ella,” the rest said in unison.
“Tell us how you met,” Ivy said. “Jace has been tight-lipped about it.”
Jace’s mouth opened. “I didn’t know any of the details.”
“Jace is right,” Tanner said. “I only mentioned my adventure to Slade. I figured he’d tell Jace. We met when I saved Ella from being buried under an avalanche.”
Needless to say, that resulted in a lot of questions. He answered some, and Ella filled in the rest. Unfortunately, he didn’t learn any additional information during the retelling about why she’d left home.
“You said you were leaving Thedia for good? Why? I’ve heard it is beautiful there,” Ivy said.
Thank you, Ivy.
“I was tired of being isolated on top of Wagner mountain. I wanted to explore the world.”
Isolated? Tanner would have to ask her about that later. Was it because she was homeschooled? Or was something else going on? She was the daughter of the Clan leader, but that shouldn’t be restrictive. Or was it?
Before anyone could delve into Ella’s life further, the food arrived, and the conversation turned to the Eco-tourism park. Tanner had wanted to put work aside for one evening, but it was rare that all three owners were in the same room.
They were halfway through the meal when Jace’s parents took the stage and spoke about Plux and how far it had come. Naturally, they praised Slade once more, for how much he had done for the community.
“I wish they wouldn’t make me out to be a hero,” Slade said. “I did what anyone would have done.”
“I disagree. I don’t remember anyone else stepping up to the plate after the flood,” Tanner said.
“Maybe not.”
Once the ceremonies were over, the talk at the table turned to their children, and Tanner had to admit he’d never seen Jace or Slade happier. Since Tanner never thought he’d find his mate,
