I was about to argue with him when I realized what I was doing. Wasn't I vehemently against this whole concept in the first place? Now I was almost begging Gaius to go let me talk to a contestant?

  I reeled myself back. I wasn't an out-of-control heathen. I could wait.

  "Fine," I grumbled.

  "You like him! You like him!"

  I rubbed my temples. Returning to the castle was a mistake. Saffron and Aurum danced around me like a pair of cackling hyenas. They wouldn't shut up about my apparently obvious crush on Taylor.

  "Of course I like him, that's why I chose him to win the challenge," I snarked back. "That doesn't mean anything."

  Aurum's grin went from ear to ear. "Yeah, but you like him."

  "What an astute observation of what I literally just said."

  "Are you getting attached yet?" Saffron asked, leaning on the table.

  "I barely know him," I said. "Now go bother someone else."

  It was no use. The golden twins were glued to me in their mission to squeeze out every possible bit of gossip.

  "Never thought of you as the type of dragon to fall for a cat," Aurum teased.

  "Taylor is not a cat. He's a tiger."

  "Um, tigers are cats, genius."

  Saffron looked smug. "Crimson's making a distinction because he doesn't like that white cat, Alaric."

  Oh, dear. Was it that obvious?

  "I don't dislike him. He's simply not my type," I said.

  Aurum nudged me. "Yeah, you like 'em big and strong, with broad shoulders and a moody face."

  "Taylor does not have a moody face," I argued. "He's... stoic."

  "Yeah, he's so stoic that it looks like he doesn't even want to go on a date with you!"

  The way my stomach flipped at that statement was embarrassing. What if Aurum was right? What if, for some reason, Taylor didn't want to be here at all? Had I just roped him into an uncomfortable situation?

  No, that couldn't be right. If that was how he truly felt, he could've lost on purpose, or withdrawn from the Games outright. Something kept him here.

  What was it?

  Nine

  Taylor

  "You missed a spot. Here."

  I ruffled the clean towel behind Poppy's neck, under a patch of pale blond hair.

  After the challenge, all the omegas had returned to the hotel to get changed. The ones who'd lost the challenge had already packed up and left. The rest of us who remained either roamed the beach by the hotel, sulking in our rooms after losing, or in my case, hung out with my friends until we dried off.

  "Ah, thanks," Poppy murmured.

  Muzo flopped on the bed with a loud sigh. "What a crazy challenge! Talk about a workout..." He suddenly sat upright, as if struck by a conspiracy. "What if that was secretly a challenge to find out how fit you are? Y'know, like how long you can have sex?"

  I raised an eyebrow silently at him.

  "Okay, fine, maybe not," Muzo admitted. "It just helps is all I'm saying. So, you excited for your big date?"

  "Don't remind me," I mumbled.

  "You're so weird. You just won a date with a dragon. Literally anybody else would be pissing with excitement or nerves."

  "My bladder is empty."

  Now that Poppy was dry, I folded the used towel and put it away. When I got back from the bathroom, both my friends looked expectantly at me.

  "What?" I asked.

  "You don't have to spill to Gaius, but at least tell us, man," Muzo said. "We're your friends."

  Poppy nodded. "You're not scared, are you?"

  Dammit. If anyone could weasel something out of me, it was Poppy and his big puppy-dog eyes.

  Sighing, I sat down on the bed next to them. "No. I'm not scared. I don't know what to feel, honestly."

  Muzo and Poppy exchanged a curious glance.

  "Are you happy?" Poppy asked softly.

  I hesitated. Was I happy to go on a date with a pompous, arrogant alpha dragon who had organized a ridiculous dating show?

  Well...

  Maybe a little.

  When I didn't respond immediately, Muzo barked out a cackle of laughter. "Holy shit. You are excited for this date!"

  "N-no, I'm not," I grumbled.

  He grinned. "No use lying to me. I see right through you, my man."

  I got up abruptly from the bed. "I'm going to get a snack from the lobby."

  My attempt to shake him loose didn't work. Muzo and Poppy trailed behind me as I waited for the elevator.

  Muzo mimed holding a microphone to me. "Mister Chalchin, how does it feel to go on the first-ever date with Crimson?"

  I mimed chucking the microphone thirty feet down the hall.

  "Hey!" he cried.

  The elevator doors opened—and revealed the last person I wanted to see. Alaric already looked annoyed before he recognized me, but when we stepped inside the elevator, he was ready to explode.

  "Oh. It's you," he snipped.

  I stared at the closing doors without looking at him. "Don't worry, the feeling's mutual."

  But Alaric clearly wasn't in the mood to leave me alone. A hiss built in his throat. "You think you're such hot shit, don't you?"

  "Stop projecting on me."

  "I know your type," Alaric spat. "You exotic apex shifters are all the same, thinking you're better than the rest of us."

  As much as I wanted to ignore the bait, the hairs rose on the back of my neck. Unfortunately, Alaric was skilled at getting on my nerves.

  "I've never said that," I growled back. "Don't put words in my mouth, Alaric."

  He rolled his odd-colored eyes. "Wow, the great tiger even knows my name."

  Why wouldn't he leave me alone?

  I'd had enough of this shit. I turned to him and asked, "What's your problem?"

  "You," Alaric said flatly.

  "What have I ever done to you?"

  Alaric glared furiously at me. "You think you're too good for Crimson. I don't even know why you're here when you're obviously not taking the Dragonfate Games seriously."

  I snorted. "If anyone's taking the Games too seriously, it's you."

  An angry caterwaul rumbled in Alaric's throat. If he was in cat form, his white pelt would be spiked.

  "Unlike you, I'm here to find a mate!" he snarled. "I'll prove my worth to Crimson. I'll show him I'm better than the riff-raff."

  "Did you just call me riff-raff?"

  Alaric's narrowed eyes glinted like knives. "It's what you are for toying with Crimson's heart."

  Out of all the insults he'd hurled at me, that one cut me the deepest. The hairs rose on the back of my neck and my hands curled into fists at my sides.

  "Don't make assumptions about me, house cat," I growled in a low voice.

  Even Muzo must've felt the tension in the air because he thrust himself between us before a catfight began in earnest. In one breath, he said, "Hey, would ya look at that? We're in the main lobby already! Better get going, see you!"

  Alaric remained in the elevator out of spite as the three of us emptied into the lobby.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. "Sorry you guys had to see that."

  Muzo patted me. "No worries, Tay. That twink has a chip on his shoulder. Let's grab a snack and relax before your big date. Ooh, speaking of chips, they have salt and vinegar..."

  As evening descended upon the island, my nerves were shot. I didn't particularly want to go on my date with Crimson, but I also didn't not want to... It didn't make any sense.

  I'd dressed in a simple white button-up shirt and black pants. Thankfully I had a spare shirt after Crimson dumped his drink all over the other one.

  An unbidden snort of soft laughter came out of me at the memory. He was an idiot, yet still managed to be charming.

  As I left the lobby, my friends wished me luck. Muzo had tried scrounging for a pair of binoculars so he could watch my and Crimson's ocean-side date from his hotel room, but couldn't find any. He'd have to be satisfied using his imagination.

  I wasn't alone on the way to my date, though. An entourage of cameras followed me. The short, scaly camera crew—all lizard-people called kobolds—were good at staying out of sight, but that didn't stop the feeling of knowing I was being watched. Could I really enjoy a date while it was being filmed?

  It was too late to do anything about it now. I'd sealed my fate the second I agreed to be on this foolish show.

  The ocean breeze caressed my face, cool and salty. Ahead lay a sandy strip of beach with a wooden platform, the same one I'd seen in the opening ceremony. Warm lights and colored paper balls were strung around the perimeter, giving the space an inviting glow. A single table with two chairs stood in the center.

  And there was Crimson.

  As soon as he saw me, he stood up.

  My heart fluttered oddly. It wasn't like me to get so nervous. It must've been all the cameras.

  I stepped up onto the platform, trying not to notice the thickness in my throat or my uneven heartbeat. But I wasn't about to bow my head and defer to some cocky alpha. I held my chin high and met Crimson's ruby gaze straight on.

  "Good evening, Taylor," he said with a smile.

  "Evening."

  He gestured to the chair opposite him. "Have a seat."

  As we both sat, my eyes roamed across Crimson. He wore a different suit tonight, a striking blood-red blazer with a black pullover and matching red tie. I couldn't lie, he pulled off suits better than anyone I'd ever seen. He was smoking hot.

  A sharply dressed waiter came by to silently deliver a menu and water. I noticed he didn't hand a menu to Crimson.

  "You're not eating?" I asked.

  He gave me a coy smile. "How sweet. Are you worried about me?"

  I arched a brow. Annoying handsome bastard.

  "Not so much worried as confused," I said.

  He shrugged. "I don't need a menu when I know it all by heart. It's the typical dinner fare the staff serve at the castle."

  I snorted, then looked down at the menu so I didn't have to meet his intriguing ruby eyes anymore. "Of course you're a dragon and live in a castle."

  "Where did you expect me to live? In a shack?"

  "No, I just shouldn't have expected a dragon to have so little humility."

  He sounded amused. "You wound me. Are you always so cold to your dates?"

  "I don't date," I said bluntly.

  Crimson tilted his head, pausing for a second. He fingered the stem of his water glass. "And yet, here you are."

  "I didn't ask to be chosen as the winner of your little challenge."

  "True," Crimson conceded. "But you did ask to be part of the—" He paused, then sighed as if saying the next words physically pained him. "—Dragonfate Games, did you not?"

  I looked back up at him. "Actually, I didn't. My friend tricked me into entering my name."

  Crimson's brows shot up in surprise. Then he let out a soft, genuine laugh. "I see."

  "What's funny?"

  He circled his finger around the rim of his glass. "This whole charade wasn't my idea, you know."

  "What do you mean?"

  "My lizard-brained brothers put me up to it." Crimson smiled at me in a peculiar way, like we shared an inside joke. "I wanted nothing to do with the dating show. In fact, I vehemently shot the idea down... only to be outvoted."

  I blinked at him. That wasn't what I expected, so I didn't know what to say.

  "Oh," I said.

  Crimson grinned, flashing his perfectly white teeth. "Really, Taylor. You think a man of taste like myself would desire a gaudy game show like this?"

  From the corner of my eye, I saw one of the kobolds—the director, I thought—give Crimson the middle finger.

  I lowered my voice. "Are you sure you should say things like that on camera?"

  As if playing a game with me, Crimson leaned in and lowered his voice to match mine. "I'm a dragon, Taylor. This is my home. I can say and do whatever I want."

  Something about the way he said that sent a shiver down my spine.

  In a regular tone, he added, "Oh, and by the way, the microphones are very high quality. They pick up whispers just as well as shouts."

  I blushed slightly and pulled back. "Good to know," I mumbled.

  When the waiter swung back around, we put in our food orders. He also dropped off a bubbly red drink for Crimson, and a fresh water for me.

  "Sparkling wine?" I asked.

  "Not quite. Something a little... closer to your heart."

  I didn't get what he meant until I remembered my pink shirt. "Ah. Cranberry soda."

  "That's right. I can get that shirt dry cleaned for you, by the way."

  I shrugged. "It's fine. It's not normally my color, but I kind of like it pink now."

  "Nonsense. Any color would look good on you."

  Was he flirting with me or just being nice? I couldn't tell. Dodging his comment, I took a sip of my water.

  "No wine for you, either," Crimson commented. "I recall you saying you don't drink."

  "You remembered."

  He smirked. "Yes. Even though you didn't remember my taste for cranberry soda."

  I gave him a half-smile. "Sorry, I don't go around remembering every dragon's favorite soft drink."

  A flicker of something—jealousy?—flashed across Crimson's eyes.

  "You know other dragons?" he asked.

  "No. You're the first I've met."

  That seemed to calm him down. "Ah."

  The waiter brought our food. I ordered a light meal so I didn't pig out on TV. The savory melted cheese crepe was doused in a creamy mushroom sauce, making my mouth water. Crimson's dish was a seared fish steak, likely fresh from the ocean. The tiger within me licked his lips at the scent of grilled flesh.

  "Smells amazing," I said looking at his plate.

  Without missing a beat, Crimson sliced a piece of his fish and offered it to me. I froze. He didn't put it on my plate—he expected me to take it straight from his fork.

  Which meant putting my mouth on it. Which he would then put in his own mouth.

  Crimson expectantly arched a brow, radiating smug energy. That asshole. He knew we'd be indirectly kissing on film.

  The longer I hesitated, the dumber I felt. An indirect kiss? What was I, a teenager? What did it matter if we ate from the same fork? We were two adult men on a date, for gods' sake.

  I bit down on his fork, then sat back. The smoky flavor of fish exploded on my tongue. It smelled good, but I didn't expect it to taste that incredible. Without thinking, I let out a small moan.

  Shit.

  Crimson's eyes widened. A glassy hungriness shone in them—and it wasn't directed at the food.

  A flushed sensation shot through my body. I took a long gulp of icy water to cool off, but it didn't help.

  "Thanks, I'm good," I mumbled, indicating I didn't want any more of his fish. I wouldn't be able to handle it if he offered again.

  Crimson cleared his throat. "If you say so."

  That was the end of it. Or, so I hoped.

  Because a second later, something touched my foot under the table. It was Crimson's shoe.

  A hot blush bloomed across my cheeks. What was that asshole thinking? Trying to make him stop, I nudged his foot back hard.

  But Crimson just grinned. He thought I was playing with him. He circled my foot with his in a teasing gesture.

  An electric jolt tingled my skin. I wanted to pull my foot away from him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

  It felt... good.

  Gods, what was I thinking? I must've been touch starved. I shouldn't have been so desperate that playing footsie under the table would get me so worked up.

  I tried to ignore Crimson by eating my food. The crepe was just as delicious as it smelled. I'd never eaten something so divine. Now, though, I was careful not to moan embarrassingly about it.

  "Sure you don't want another bite?" Crimson asked when I was finished. A hearty chunk of grilled fish remained on his plate.

  Since I'd eaten light, there was room in my stomach... but if that meant subjecting myself to his cute-yet-annoying fork feeding, did I really want it?

  My inner tiger growled. Yes, he did.

  "Fine," I grumbled.

  Looking delighted, Crimson offered me another piece. I took it. He didn't even bother to hide his joy as I swallowed. He liked feeding me.

  That was kind of sweet, honestly.

  We repeated the process until his plate was empty. I licked my lips, swallowing the last of the grilled fish juices. Now I felt truly satisfied.

  Crimson regarded me fondly. "Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you eat?"

  My cheeks turned hot at the sudden comment. "W-what?"

  "You get this eager, yet peaceful expression. It's very endearing."

  My temperature skyrocketed. I was so baffled I didn't know how to respond.

  "Um," I said. "Thanks?"

  Crimson's shoe grazed against mine again. I shivered.

  "No problem," he murmured, still gazing at me.

  My heart flip-flopped in my chest. He was flirting with me. Nobody ever did that. Since I had no experience with it, I didn't know what to do except sit there silently, gawking at him.

  Crimson tilted his head. "I guess the answer is no. I'm the first one to compliment you like this?"

  I nodded slowly.

  He grinned, clearly pleased. "When was the last time you were on a date, Taylor?"

  The question made me bristle from bad memories. "It's ancient history."

  "Really?" Crimson asked. His hand inched closer to mine across the table. "I can't imagine why a handsome tiger like yourself wouldn't be in high demand."

  I felt my heart pounding in my throat. Where did all these compliments come from? Was he trying to put me on edge? Was this another game, another challenge?

  "I don't know," I mumbled.

  Crimson's eyes pierced mine. Those glinting ruby shards were impossible to break away from. They sucked me in, demanding my attention. Was this an alpha dragon's power?

  I suddenly remembered the airplane pilot mentioning magic. That put a damper on my heightened feelings.

  "You're using magic on me, aren't you?" I asked cynically.