Not His Dragon Page 8

  She’d sneak in her shop, start her day and maybe he’d go away without making a scene. She was allowed to fool herself for a few more minutes.

  Trash bins blocked her path though. Dump trucks couldn’t fit into the alley, so shopkeepers were expected to drag their bins closer to the road behind the java house. It was trash day and the bins made it difficult to navigate to her building.

  Of course, it was trash day. She pushed through the cans, careful of what she touched and to be sure not to knock one over. Any other day this alley would be easy to walk. The only time she needed to use it a garbage gauntlet had formed.

  From the side, she spotted a trash bag move inside the bin. Her heart rate rocketed in a flashback of the horror movie marathons. Against her better judgment, she stepped closer. There could be a doorway to another universe developing in the trash. God, she was stupid. She pushed it aside.

  An orange cat jumped to the ground in a blaze of hisses and high-pitched screeching.

  Angie tumbled back, knocking over one of the fullest cans and spilling her coffee. “Fuck, fuck, fuckity, fuck fuck.”

  The cat took off, back legs churning faster than its front as it turned the corner, heading toward the street.

  She kicked the closest bag and tossed her empty coffee cup against the wall. With careful steps, she traversed the rest of the gauntlet to the clear part of the alley behind her shop.

  Unlocking the door, she swung it open and heard the warning beeps of the alarm system. That meant she had ten seconds to punch in the code before it went off. Why was the alarm still on? Beth usually arrived earlier to open the shop, which meant shutting off the alarm.

  Angie tossed her bag on the closest chair. “Beth?” She hurried to the front of the shop to the empty receptionist desk. “Beth?” she called out louder.

  The beeping responded instead of the omega. Angie sat at the desk and punched the code into the control pad. Silence filled the shop. Beth still hadn’t responded.

  A flashing light on the phone caught Angie’s attention. She dialed in the appropriate numbers to access the messages and played them on speaker.

  Beth’s voice played. “Angie, I’m at Ryota’s office.”

  Angie rubbed her temples and glanced out the window at Eoin’s back.

  “The dragon was waiting outside the shop and I didn’t want to confront him by myself. I—”

  “What the fuck is going on between you and Eoin?” Ryota’s voice interrupted Beth. “I have a meeting that I can’t reschedule. Once I’m done I’ll walk Beth over.” He hung up.

  Ryota’s office wasn’t far. Couldn’t he have another pack mate walk Beth? No, the alpha wanted to butt his nose in her business.

  Beth had run to her alpha, as she should when frightened, but why hadn’t she called Angie’s cell? She pulled out her phone from her pocket. Dead; that’s why she hadn’t received any warnings.

  She glanced at the window again and met Eoin’s gaze. Her heart beat a little bit faster.

  He grinned and waved.

  Those blue eyes seemed capable of seeing right through her barriers into her soul. He stripped her naked every time their stares met, and she didn’t like it. Not one bit. She tried to blink but her eyelids refused to work. She couldn’t break contact. Even though Eoin was in human form, his presence crowded her shop waiting room. “What do you want?” she shouted.

  His grin became crooked and he shrugged.

  Angie blew out a frustrated sigh. What did she expect? She wouldn’t be able to avoid him as she’d hoped.

  Unlocking the shop’s front door, she came face to face with the gorgeous dragon. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and counted from ten. “Eoin.”

  “Good morning.” The smoke drifting from his nostrils faded. He handed her a cup of coffee. “Thought you might need some after last night.”

  Butterflies took over the acid boiling in her stomach and left her lightheaded. She accepted the coffee and took a sip. “Thanks.” How did he know to keep it black?

  He wore a threadbare Pixie Cunt t-shirt. They were an old punk rock band that had broken up a couple years ago. She fingered the hem of his shirt. “You’ve good taste in music.” As if burned, she yanked her hand away. That would only encourage his behavior. Whenever Eoin was around all she wanted to do was touch him.

  “The band wasn’t mainstream. I’m surprised you know them.” He ran his hand over his chest in a nonchalant fashion. Angie couldn’t help but notice how the motion caused the material to mold to his hard-packed pecks. Those muscles had to come from all the flying; otherwise it just wasn’t fair.

  “Do I look like a mainstream girl?” She always marched to the beat of her own drum.

  He traced the short strands along her hairline. “You look beautiful.”

  Her lungs forgot how to work. Clearly, he was blind. People used words like cute or pretty when describing her. Hellcat on occasion, but not that word.

  Eoin hooked a finger in the belt loop of her pants and drew her against him slowly. “Are you feeling better?”

  She took a deep breath, doing her best not to gasp like a fish in a net. “I took some allergy medicine.” And dreamed all night of Eoin wearing things like whipped cream and Nutella. That’s what happened when she mixed drugs and a stomach full of sugared cereal. “I’m fine.” Being this close to Eoin made her head feel stuffed with cotton candy. All her angry scripted speech shriveled as her brain went dead and images of Eoin wearing only lamplight filled her imagination. Her throat went dry. “Must have been some weird pollen in the wind.” She sounded hoarse.

  He gave her a secretive smile. “Sounds possible.”

  “Eoin, what are you doing scaring my only employee away?” She tried to back away but his finger locked and she didn’t want to tear her best non-stained pants. “Is it for a referral for my replacement?” Please, let that be the reason. “I’ll need at least a day.” She didn’t sound half as confident as she wanted.

  “I’m here to find out what time to pick you up tonight.”

  Maybe he hadn’t heard her. She’d been in the middle of a sneezing fit. “I can’t see you anymore.”

  His smile faded. “Can’t or don’t want to?”

  “Why does it matter?”

  “We had a deal.”

  “And it’s not working out. Time to compromise. I’ll find a replacement and they can care for your scale rot.”

  Eoin let go and spread out his arms to gesture at the empty street. “Good luck.”

  “You scared everyone away.”

  “Without even trying. All I did was lean against a window and smoke.” The depth of sadness in his voice struck her hard.

  “It would help if you turned down the intimidation factor.”

  “Doesn’t seem to affect you any.”

  Her teeth snapped together painfully, stopping her response. He was right. She wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Things were worse. She wanted him.

  He returned to his spot against the storefront window and set a cigarette in his mouth. The dragon didn’t even light it before blowing smoke. The tight muscles along his jaw popped as he blew more rings. He glanced at her. “I’ll wait right here while you make calls to find someone brave enough to replace you.”

  Those last two words stung more than they should. She blinked at the sudden moisture in her eyes. “You’ll scare all my customers. None of them will enter my shop.” Her voice came out raw.

  “Not my fault they’re cowards. I’m not even in dragon form.” He showed his teeth in a grim smile. “I can’t even take a decent bite.”

  “I’m sure you could barbeque them,” she muttered under her breath.

  “I heard that.” He took another drag from his cigarette but didn’t look in her direction.

  “I can’t afford to play this game. My schedule is full and I have rent to pay.”

  “So seven o’clock again?”

  She set her hands on her hips and glared at the sidewalk. Beth had all the contacts. The o
mega would know which shifter would be desperate enough for cash to work for Eoin. Beth wouldn’t come to the shop with Eoin staked out front in that mood. He may as well be in dragon form.

  “You could make three months’ rent by finishing the job.” Eoin made small rings float through a bigger one. Her nails dug into her fisted palms. He knew exactly why she didn’t want to return. Their mutual attraction would destroy her. To Eoin, she’d be a short distraction but he’d ruin her for any other man because they’d never compare.

  He turned toward her still leaning against the building. “You still want me to leave?”

  She hesitated then whispered, “Yes.”

  He sighed. “There’s more to you than just your scent, Angie.” He pushed off the wall to leave.

  Her stomach plummeted. She’d never see him again except from clips on the television. “Eoin?”

  He tossed her a questioning glance over his shoulder.

  “Pick me up at seven.”

  “Flying or driving?”

  “Driving. No trunks.”

  Eoin smirked. “Never.” He strode toward her, pulling at his earlobe. “Here.” He held the ruby earring between his fingers.

  “I won’t accept that.”

  “Consider it a down payment.” He fingered the fake gold loop hanging in her ear and grimaced. “This is almost blasphemy.” Removing the piece of jewelry, he replaced the loop with the ruby stud. “Now you can’t break our contract.”

  He knew she wouldn’t renege on their agreement; otherwise she would have done so already. Angie twirled the gem in her lobe, sensing the new weight. Words flowed from her so easily when angered, but at the slightest kind gesture they vanished.

  “I’ll see you tonight.” He bent closer.

  Angie held her breath.

  He hovered where her neck met her shoulder and inhaled. “Still smell like she-dragon.”

  Eoin couldn’t resist the urge to take a lungful of her scent. The prickly spice stung his nostrils and made his mouth water. She smelled better than two days ago, even though a trace of garbage clung to her scent. What had she been doing in the back alley?

  Angie cleared her throat. “Stop that.” The offense in her voice was a lie. She didn’t make any effort to distance herself from him. If she truly wanted nothing to do with him, then she would have let him leave.

  Purring, he stroked her cheek. “It’s okay to like me. I won’t be offended.” She had reacted to his pheromones last night. Not the way he’d expected, but she sensed them nonetheless. A human wouldn’t have flinched. Dragon traits ran stronger in Angie’s blood than he’d suspected. He wouldn’t test it in this manner again unless he wanted her to run away.

  Maybe she owned other undiscovered characteristics like producing smoke or breathing fire. She said she couldn’t shape shift, which was a magical process. Her link to those powers could be blocked by her human DNA.

  A flush of color brightened her face. “This is why I don’t want to return to your castle. No matter what attraction you are imagining, I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”

  “That’s good.” He breathed a dramatic sigh of relief for her benefit. “I’m terrible boyfriend material.” Pinning her against the wall with his body, he relished the way her breasts pressed against him as she breathed in deep. “I’ve been told I’m very selfish.”

  “This is sexual harassment.” She didn’t sound convinced.

  “Two days ago you called it assault. I don’t think you know what these words mean.”

  “What would you call it then?” A cute snarl followed her question.

  He chuckled. “Flirting.”

  She set her hands on his chest and did her best to push. He had to admit she was stronger than a human, but he didn’t budge.

  With a distressed noise, she flopped limp between him and the wall. “Does what I want even matter to you?”

  He scratched his chin. Of course it did, but why was she misunderstanding him? He was only responding to his instincts. Was she this capable of ignoring hers or was she playing hard to get? The relationship with Ryota had left deep scars and Eoin would need to help her heal before she’d let him close. Tact and sensitivity would be needed and he owned neither of these qualities. It looked like they’d be in for a hell of a ride.

  He backed off from Angie, giving her space. “No flirting.” Raising his hands in the air, he took another step away toward the shop door and opened it for her. “I promise to be a gentleman.”

  “And you always keep your promises?”

  “I have to. A dragon is nothing but a beast without his honor.”

  “Thank you.” As she passed into the shop, he couldn’t resist smacking her heart-shaped ass.

  That felt way too good. “See you at seven, toots.” He let the door close on her squeal of shock. Grinning, he strolled along the street and popped another cigarette in his mouth. They didn’t affect his health like humans. If anything, the cigarettes made him more socially acceptable since he produced smoke even in his human form. Smoking just made humans see him as less of a monster.

  Light on his feet, he made his way to his Harley. He’d parked his girl a block away to avoid any trouble. He half expected Ryota to appear at Angie’s shop and after the mark Eoin had left on the alpha’s car, well, let’s just say his bike didn’t need a scratch. The werewolves seemed protective of Angie. From Ryota’s behavior, Eoin suspected she could be made honorary pack as his mate if she wanted. Yet, it seemed she pushed the alpha away. What drove her? Not greed, not power, nor status. Well, maybe a little greed. He chuckled recalling the way her gaze riveted to his ruby when he’d offered the gift. It was exactly how a she-dragon should react. Treasure made their world go round, after all. It was the definition of treasure that changed from dragon to dragon.

  The bright morning sunshine warmed Eoin’s face. Oddly, it didn’t bother him. He preferred the night for obvious reasons, but this morning found him anxious to convince Angie to reconsider her resignation.

  She really didn’t want to quit and she admitted to needing the money. Her fear of him drove her away. He had twelve hours to figure out how to bypass this dread and show her he wasn’t just a dragon shifter. He could be a man. She needed to see beyond his scales.

  He took a deep pull on the cigarette and blew it out in a slow stream. Pausing in the street, he looked around the buildings and empty sidewalks. When had he felt this animated? He’d grown stale living alone all these decades. Recalling his emotional state a few days ago, he had seemed dead in comparison. Empty of everything. Hollow inside. Angie had ignited his soul and sparked a new interest in the world.

  Was this what the art dealer had tried to tell him?

  For the first time in a long while he felt young and alive, like he had a purpose, yet the source wanted to escape him. He had tried luring her with money and that had worked until he’d crossed a line, making his personal interest in her too obvious. Threatening her clientele had worked but it would lead to negative feelings.

  He rubbed the short stubble on his head. Well, fuck, he cared what she thought. He had one night to fix this so she could see that he wasn’t an asshole like Ryota.

  Speaking of which, the alpha was waiting for him by his bike. Eoin approached, keeping his body loose and relaxed. “Ryota.” He flung his cigarette at the alpha’s expensive-looking shoes.

  Ryota startled at the toss. “Hey, watch it.”

  “What do you do again for a living?” Eoin couldn’t imagine having to wear something so uncomfortable all the time.

  Ryota pulled out his wallet and handed Eoin a business card. “I’m a lawyer for the supernatural community.”

  “Huh?” Why did they need a lawyer? He pocketed the card. “I suppose you’re here because of Angie.”

  “That and you frightened my omega.”

  “Please, give Beth my sincerest apologies. She ran off before I could assure her of my intentions. I would have let her inside the shop.” He would have let any customers
in as well.

  “What do you want with Angie?”

  Eoin didn’t like Ryota’s possessive tone. “To thank her for last night. She has the most exquisite touch.”

  The alpha growled. “Leave her alone.”

  “She told me you haven’t marked her.”

  “Yet.”

  Eoin blinked his nictitating membranes, the ones that moved horizontally, and enjoyed Ryota’s flinch. Shifting his eyes to his dragon’s, with the vertically slit pupil, he met the alpha’s uncertain glare. “Angie belongs to me now, little dog.” Eoin patted the alpha’s head. “She made it quite clear that you are no longer part of her life. You’ve done enough damage. Now run along before I forget my manners and eat you in public.” He’d never had issues sharing a female, but the thought of anyone hurting Angie boiled his blood.

  Ryota didn’t love her. Werewolves wanted to claim their mates. A female like Angie should be cared for. Pampered. Cherished.

  The alpha scowled but turned his back to Eoin and made his way to the office building across the street.

  That’s what Eoin would do for Angie. He would pamper her. Starting with a meal. His gaze traveled to his bike and the deep, grooved scratches carved into his paint job. “Fucking wolf.”

  He jumped on his bike, refusing to let petty werewolf tactics wreck his good mood, and drove home. A familiar black Cadillac blocked his courtyard. His gut twisted. He’d forgotten all about Roger and Lorenzo. What would he show them? He’d flash-fried all his paintings the other night. Parking next to the car, he noticed they were examining the lump of metal he’d thrown out the window in a rage. “Gentlemen?” He joined them.

  Lorenzo shook his hand. “This is fabulous.” He gestured to Eoin’s trash. “Why did you keep your sculpting secret?”

  Eoin raised an eyebrow. Speechless, he turned to Roger, who stood behind the art dealer.

  His agent rolled his eyes. “One can’t rush art. Eoin wasn’t ready to share this side of himself with the public yet.” This was exactly the reason why he’d hired Roger. The man could think fast.

  “Yes, that’s eloquently said.” Eoin stared at the molten mess with jagged claw marks seared in to its element. He couldn’t even distinguish the cans.