Jade smirked. “I can imagine.”
I flushed, wanting to change the subject since I didn’t want Jade thinking about my sex life. “Let’s get back on topic. The challenges, remember?”
Jade leaned forward. “All right. What about them?”
“They suck,” I said bluntly. “No more obstacle courses, or other shit like that.”
Jade pulled out a pen and crossed off some text on a piece of paper. “Noted. What would you prefer?”
I shifted my weight in my seat. I didn’t exactly have a plan when I stormed up to Jade’s office. Since I’d already fallen for Matteo, none of the other contestants stood a chance. How could I tailor the challenges in his favor without being too obvious about it? Not that I cared that much. At the end of the day, Matteo wouldalwaysbe my choice.
I recalled our conversation. An idea sparked in my mind.
“If the challenges are supposed to figure out who my fated mate is, shouldn’t they be about my interests?” I asked.
Jade hummed in affirmation. “Yes, that’s a good idea. Any suggestions?”
I mulled it over. “What about... a quiz? The second challenge could test what the contestants know about me. I mean, if they want to be my mate, they should know a thing or two about the bachelor, right?”
Jade’s pen flew across the paper. “Excellent. Anything else?”
I wracked my brain, but my mind-blowing afternoon with Matteo had turned it to mush. “You put me on the spot here... Can you give me time to think about it?”
“I can spare a day or two, but not much more. We need time to prepare the set and make arrangements,” Jade said.
“That’s fair. I’ll think of something,” I promised. “Thanks, Jade.”
“Of course. I want the Games to be as rewarding for you as they were for Crimson.”
Was that a hint of envy in Jade’s voice? I wondered if he looked forward to his turn. Jade never made a fuss about finding his fated mate, but he was an alpha dragon all the same. It was instinct. We couldn’t stave it off.
Speaking of which, my instincts were pissed at me for leaving Matteo alone in his hotel room. There was nothing I could do about it, though. My best option was to head home and finally watch the first season of the Dragonfate Games, just like I promised.
My hopes of a relaxing night watching Matteo on TV were dashed as soon as I opened my bedroom door. The smell of popcorn wafted from inside. A pair of uninvited guests sat on the floor, leaning against my bed and staring at my laptop screen.
“What the hell are you two doing in my room?” I grouched at the twins.
“Oops. Busted,” Saffron said. He made no attempt to move except to toss another piece of popcorn in his mouth.
“Oh, hey, Thystle,” Aurum said without wrenching his gaze off the screen. “Come on, we just started episode three. This is a juicy one.”
If I hadn’t let off so much steam with Matteo, I might’ve shifted and clawed their ears off. Because I had, the twins’ unwanted presence only mildly infuriated me.
“Why are you even in here? And what are you watching?” I demanded.
“Dragonfate Games season one,” they said in unison.
I instantly forgot about my anger. I leapt onto the bed and stared at the laptop screen, watching closely for any sign of Matteo.
“Where is he?” I blurted.
“Who?” Saffron asked curiously.
I blushed. I’d forgotten that only Jade knew. “Nothing, never mind.”
Aurum snorted. “You can’t just say that and then pretend it’s not important.”
“Shut up.”
