“That’s right,” Matteo said in a clipped tone. “If he thinks we’re somehow allied because we’re both eagles, he’s in for a surprise.”
Yeah. Totally jealous. That was a side of Matteo I hadn’t seen yet and didn’t expect. He was such a cool guy that it amused me to see this facet of him.
I grinned. “Don’t worry, you’ve got the edge on everyone. You have experience from being on the show before.”
Matteo smirked. “True.”
He had an extra edge, too—the fact that I liked him. But I felt too shy to share that. I was already in Matteo’s bed. It might make things weird if I confessed to crushing on him.
That jealous aura continued to mill above his head. As adorable as it was, I didn’t want him to worry, so I scooted closer reassuringly. His shoulders relaxed. That seemed to calm him down.
“Hey,” I said. “Is this weird? Be honest.”
The corner of Matteo’s mouth curled up. “You’ll have to be specific, because plenty about this situation is weird.”
“You know what I mean. That I’m in your bed.”
He sighed in amusement, like I was being silly. “Look at it this way. I’m one of dozens of omega contestants on a private island being filmed for a reality TV dating show in whichyou, an alpha dragon, are the prize. The fact that you’re lying in bed with me is the least weird part about all this.”
I blushed furiously. “Well, when you put it that way...”
To my surprise, Matteo put his arm around me. I sucked in a soft breath. The sudden touch made my skin hot and tingly all over.
“Thystle, if you’re weird, I don’t ever want you to be normal,” Matteo murmured.
If the warm touch wasn’t bad enough, his beautiful, comforting words were the final nail in the coffin. I was head over heels for Matteo and the Dragonfate Games had barely begun.
I exhaled sharply, because if I didn’t, I would’ve broken into a big, stupid smile, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself like that over a few nice words.
“Are you always this mushy?” I asked, hiding my face from him.
“Why? You don’t like it?” he teased.
“Didn’t say that,” I mumbled under my breath. “If you’re trying to get a head start in the Games, you’re doing a decent job.”
“Thystle, I don’t care about the Games,” he said mildly. “If I have to participate in the challenges, then so be it. But I’m only here to find my fated mate. That’s all.”
My heartbeat rampaged. He was so earnest, it was painful. He wasn’t like the people I’d met tonight chasing the fame of being on a popular TV show, or the glory of courting an alpha dragon. Matteo was here for love. For the mate destined for him.
What if that was me?
A firm knock came from the hallway, followed by the irritated voice of hotel staff ordering the partying neighbors to quiet down. They argued for a moment, then reluctantly obeyed. The floor went silent after that.
“Guess that’s our cue to finally go to sleep,” Matteo remarked.
“Thank Holy Drake,” I mumbled. “I’m never gonna stop regretting inviting all these damned people.”
Matteo arched a sly brow at me. “Don’t think you’ve escaped that conversation, by the way. When we’re awake, I expect a real answer this time.”
I snorted. For some reason, I liked that he dogged me about it. “Fine. I owe you.”
He smiled, then closed his eyes. “Goodnight, Thystle.”
“Night.”
I thought he’d turn around to sleep, but he lay on his back, giving me a full view of his sleeping face. Was he teasing me, or was I reading too much into it? Dammit, having a crush was impossible.
Since Matteo didn’t turn around, I didn’t either. I retained my position curled up beside him with my head on the spare pillow.
