Dragon's MatchMate Agency: A Paranormal Romance Boxset

by Maia Star

  Hayden chuckles and cracks his knuckles. “It was Fiery Hearts...looks like I’ve got a job.”

  Chapter Five

  Erika

  Now that I’m standing in front of the Fiery Hearts Inc building, I’m not sure that hiring a bodyguard was the right choice. The white building looms above me, its shadow covering me completely. There are numerous windows on each floor, and I can practically see meetings take place in some of them.

  I’m almost too nervous to just walk inside and give the front desk clerk my name. Shifters are dangerous people, and I’ve had a front seat view of one for a year. If this bodyguard that Audrey picked out for me is anything like Maxen, whether that be controlling, demanding, or just plain arrogant, I might fire him instantly.

  But then that would leave me vulnerable for Maxen to pluck me off the streets of San Francisco. Plus, I would be out a lot of money. These bodyguards don’t come cheap. Jolting at the sight of a man in a business suit walking inside, I step back and place a hand over my heart. The guy blinks at me, confused, and then pushes open the front door. Working up my courage, I realize other people are staring at me just standing outside, so I nod and push the doors open.

  Inside, the lobby is huge, with a red velvet carpet leading up to a long row of front desks. To my left is a large waiting area, where dozens of people are sitting looking at their phones or chatting with their friends. More people are walking or jogging around the place, a few just barely dodging me. I weave my way through the crowd to reach the front desk, where a cheery woman greets me.

  “Welcome to Fiery hearts Inc!” she says. I figured that all the employees of this company would be shifters...but this woman looks pretty average to me. Pretty human. But I guess that’s one of the reasons why shifters can be so scary: I can never tell if I’m speaking to one or not. “Do you have an appointment with us today?”

  “Uh, yes. With Audrey. For the Protector Hearts Security Service,” I say, keeping my voice low. I redden as a pair of guys glance at me from a few counters over. One winks, and I instantly look away. I’m way over my head here.

  The clerk gets right to typing on her computer, probably bringing up my appointment. “Ah, Erika Botten, correct? Audrey is already in one of the meeting rooms. Room 367. I can show you to the room if you’d like?”

  “Yes, that would be great! Thanks.”

  “It’s no problem!”

  Rising, the clerk saunters out from behind the counter and hurries away. I quickly follow, trying not to lose her in the mess of people. We soon are walking down a wide corridor, until she suddenly stops at a pair of elevators. After she presses the button, we wait in silence. My heart is pounding now, and I’m convinced it’s quiet enough that this clerk can hear it. She glances at me, and I hold myself tighter, shyly smiling back.

  “Is this your first time at Fiery Hearts?” she asks politely.

  “Yes, how could you tell?”

  The clerk shrugs. “It’s easy to tell who’s dealt with dragon shifters before and who hasn’t. You’re very tense. I can see it in the way you’re holding yourself.”

  The elevator doors slide open, and the clerk shuffles me inside. “Am I that obvious?”

  She laughs. “A bit. It’s quite adorable, really, if you don’t mind me saying.”

  When the elevators open again, she leads me out and places a hand on my back, steering me down the hallway. “Don’t worry. You’ll only be meeting with Audrey for now. When you’re ready, she’ll bring in your shifter bodyguard for you to meet. Just take a deep breath and think about the positives.”

  Nodding, I stare at the room straight ahead, which is Room 367. We stop before the door, and the clerk knocks. “The client is here, Audrey!” She winks at me before striding away.

  Nervously, I stand outside the door, unsure of what to do. But then I just shake my head and step inside.

  The room is smaller than I’d imagined but is quite cozy. There are three love seats arranged in a triangle in the middle of the room. Sitting in the chair with its back to the window is a smiling woman whose very presence makes my nerves practically dissolve into thin air. She looks up while she finishes up writing some notes down on a clipboard. “Erika, I take it? Come in and sit down.”

  “And you’re Audrey?” I ask, sitting down in the closest seat to the door.

  “Indeed, I am! I’m the one who talked to you over the phone. Now, if you don’t mind, I want to get us straight down to business.” She’s pulling out pictures and handing them to me. Each one shows a smiling, blond-haired, ripped guy. His smile draws me in, and of course, his muscles are easy on the eyes. Honestly, I wouldn’t doubt Audrey if she said she tore these out of a beauty magazine. “This is Hayden, the dragon shifter we’ve assigned to be your bodyguard. This will be his first assignment with us, but we’re confident in his ability. What do you think?”

  I find myself smiling at the sheer charisma oozing out of Hayden’s picture. Honestly, it still hasn’t hit me yet that this guy is a shifter. If he were just human, he’d be perfect, but…

  Looking over just this one guy, I get chills, and not because he’s a shifter. I get chills because I wonder if he’s truly enough to stand between Maxen and me. Having one bodyguard was already expensive enough, yet I can’t help but want more.

  “Is it possible to add on two more bodyguards?” I say, looking up at a blinking Audrey.

  Audrey cocks her head. “Well, yes, but we don’t typically advise that. Hayden here would certainly be enough.”

  I shake my head. “No, I’m sorry, but I want two more bodyguards.”

  Audrey stares at me, seemingly dumbfounded, but soon enough, she smiles. “I think that can be arranged.”

  Chapter Six

  Hayden

  By the time I find myself in front of the Fiery Hearts building, I’m all smiles.

  My walk here was a great one. Not only did I get looks from pretty women, but the sun was brighter, the warm breeze felt amazing, and above all, I was the first of my clan to find my true mate. Maybe it was a bit premature to think that, yet I couldn’t help myself. I was chosen above Reed and Sven, meaning I could tease them more now.

  And as I walk through the front doors of the building, I’m whistling a happy tune. Not many people are really paying me much attention since there are plenty of other guys like me with smiles on their faces, but I still feel like a star.

  At the front desk, I spy a long-legged woman who’s leaning over chatting with one of the clerks. I recognize her instantly as Audrey, the woman I’ve spoken to over the phone a number of times when my clan and I were first getting registered here. She notices me walk up and straightens, smiling sweetly at me.

  “Well, well, so I finally see you walk in the door for your first job. And hopefully, your only job, if you know what I mean,” she says, winking.

  I chuckle. “Of course! I’m just glad you picked me over Sven or Reed. Now I can lord it over them.”

  Audrey rolls her eyes but grins at my comment. “It was a random pick. Honestly. You know we care about finding all three of you mates, but since the public doesn’t know about this other objective of ours, our human clients often don’t make decisions because of that.”

  I blink. “Wow, okay, this sounds like you’re about to tell me something major. What is it? Did my beautiful client request something odd?”

  “Ha! Look at you already calling her beautiful before you’ve even met her.” Audrey pokes me in the side. “Listen, you’ll just have to see for yourself. I was just...negotiating with her about some changes she’s requested. She’ll tell you herself what those are. So, you ready to go up?”

  Nodding, I motion with my hand. “Lead the way!”

  So we walk all the way down a hallway and step into an elevator.

  “Are Sven and Reed bummed out that they weren’t picked for a job yet?” Audrey says.

  “Reed is, though I didn’t tell Sven yet. Reed will tell him.”

  “Well, they won’t be
disappointed for too long.”

  “What does that mean?”

  But Audrey doesn’t explain herself, and when the elevator reaches the third floor, she steps out and hurries off, forcing me to quickly follow. It’s easy for a shifter like myself to keep up with her pace, yet still the woman walks annoyingly fast for a human. When we arrive at Room 367, she knocks on the door. “Try not to scare the poor girl, okay? She’s all nerves right now.”

  Then she opens the door and steps inside. I follow after, my eyes instantly locking onto the woman I’ll be protecting from now on.

  She sits hunched over a round table, gazing over three sets of files. When we walk in, she looks up, and her amber eyes glance from Audrey to me. Her auburn hair tumbles down over one shoulder, leaving her tan neck exposed. Her pale lips part as she watches me step past her and sit in the chair, and her eyes widen at seeing me. I’m equally as stunned, seeing the same woman from a week ago now. Sven, Reed, and I had seen her hurry down the sidewalk.

  My inner dragon is growling with desire now. I can tell right away that I’m going to love this woman. She will definitely be my mate.

  Her body is as curvy as I remember it, and it’s all I can do to keep myself from pouncing on her right this second. The shirt she’s wearing is just tight enough to make me go wild on the inside. I think I want to claim her the second we’re done with this meeting.

  She sits up straighter, staring at me, unable to rip her gaze away. And then, Audrey clears her throat. “Hayden, would you like to introduce yourself, or have you forgotten what language is?”

  Shooting Audrey a mean glance, I smile back at my client and future mate. “I’m Hayden, your new bodyguard. And I’m very happy to meet you.”

  “I’m Erika,” she says, blinking, her cheeks red. “Thank you for, well, taking this job offer. But, um, where are the others? Are they coming late or something?”

  I cock my head. “What others? What’s going on?”

  Audrey sighs. “Erika here has demanded that we give her three bodyguards.” She looks pointedly at me and grins. “And, since, there’s no policy against that, I agreed. It was a last-minute change. Surely you understand, right, Hayden?”

  On the outside, I smile at the request. On the inside, I swear profusely, and my inner dragon won’t stop raging. “Who are the other two bodyguards?”

  “Why, it’s Sven and Reed, of course! Your two other clanmates. Isn’t that wonderful?” Audrey says, laughing. Erika smiles too. God, her smile is gorgeous, but right now, it’s also painful. “Can you call them up and get them over here? Erika would like to meet all three of her new bodyguards at once.”

  I sit, unsure of how to react. I want to punch a wall, but at the same time, I don’t want to scare off my future mate. So, nonchalantly, I slide out my phone and dial Reed’s number.

  Reed picks up on the other end, and I can tell he is already home by the raucous laughter in the background. “What do you want, Hayden? Aren’t you busy with your new client?”

  I tap my fingers along the armrest. “I am, but guess what? I need you two to come down to the Fiery Hearts building.”

  “What? Why?”

  Erika sits across from me, smiling shyly. I don’t think I’ve ever been as smitten with someone as I am now. “Just come, and you’ll find out, okay?”

  Before he can respond, I end the call and continue to smile at Erika.

  Chapter Seven

  Erika

  Having three dragon shifters crowd into the meeting room really put my nerves into overdrive again. While Hayden sits in the seat across from me, running his hand through his short hair, the other two stand behind him.

  The shorter of my new bodyguards has black hair with his head shaved on the sides. Thin-rimmed glasses cover his dark brown eyes. Broad-shouldered and lean, he stands against the wall, his arms crossed, staring at me. He’s pretty cute, and so all the attention he’s giving me turns my cheeks pink. I think his name is Reed.

  The next guy is taller and wider. His muscles are clearly bigger. His thick, corded arms are at his sides, his meaty hands stuffed into his jeans pockets. With a pale-blond beard matching his combed hair, and icy blue eyes, he looks like a polar bear. The edge of a black tattoo can be seen just above his shirt collar, stark against his fair skin. I remember he introduced himself as Sven when he walked in.

  And of course, Hayden is still sitting in front of me, his chiseled chin resting in his palm. He’s watching me, but also keeps glancing over at Audrey.

  “So, why are we here?” Reed asks, stepping forward, looking from me to Hayden to Audrey. “Please don’t tell me Hayden called us here just to rub our faces in the fact he got a job before us.”

  But Sven shakes his head and points at Hayden. When he speaks, his voice is heavy. “Does that look like an expression of amusement? No, something else is up.”

  Raising a brow, I glance at Hayden, who’s wry smile strikes me as, well, normal. I can’t quite figure out why Sven thinks it’s weird. Hayden takes the opportunity to wave at me. “Well, I shouldn’t be the one to tell you guys. Erika, if you will?”

  Nodding, all eyes are back on me again. Audrey is still leaning back in her chair, watching this whole thing unfold with a twinkle in her eye. She thinks this is funny for some reason, but again I can’t figure out why.

  Clearing my throat, I speak. “Well, I asked for three bodyguards instead of one. I’m...uh, well, I’d just feel much more comfortable with three pairs of eyes watching my back, instead of just Hayden.” At that, he looks away and clutches the armrest tightly. “Not that I think Hayden isn’t capable! I just think having a group would be better. And besides, it works out perfectly, since there’s three of you looking for a job.”

  Audrey takes the chance to butt in. “And of course, all three of you will be paid accordingly. So you don’t have to worry on that front.”

  Reed and Sven look at each other and they’re both grinning. Reed and Sven both step closer to Hayden. Reed pats his friend on the shoulder while Sven ruffles up his hair. Hayden punches them both as the two chuckle.

  “Poor Hayden!” Reed says. “And here you thought you were special, didn’t you?”

  When Sven notices my concern, he smiles at me. “Oh, don’t worry, we’re just giving him a hard time about this. He was very excited to finally meet you.”

  “Careful, Sven,” Hayden hisses, “I might just put you in a headlock again.” But Sven only chuckles and returns his gaze to me. Hayden glances at his clanmates as they step back. “But you guys aren’t accepting the job offer, right? I wouldn’t want to stress you two out...”

  Reed adjusts his glasses. “Oh, we’re both definitely accepting! We can’t back down when a pretty lady asks us for help.” He catches my eye and nods. “Right, Sven?”

  “Of course! Erika demanded we act as her bodyguards, and so we shall.”

  Hayden simply grunts in response, leaving Audrey to laugh. She claps her hands together. “Well, this is such a nice surprise! I’m so glad you’re both willing to help Erika out. I mean, you are pretty new to this city, aren’t you, Erika? Having different perspectives on city life will really help too.”

  I go to answer, but Hayden jerks forward, gazing at Audrey. “I’m sure there are other candidates for bodyguards in your records. Are you sure there aren’t any other free shifters?” Then, in a low voice, “Listen, I don’t want to compete with my clan.”

  But Audrey just shakes her head. “Erika has spoken. There will be no changes unless Erika wants them. Unless you simply wish to turn down this offer?”

  Hayden looks to me, and my expression of concern most likely calms him down, because he sighs and nods. “Fine. If this is what she wants, then I’m fine with it.”

  “Please don’t talk about me as if I’m not here,” I say.

  He widens his eyes and nods again. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to. Anyway, can we talk about the details now?”

  “First, we need to get the paperwork done!” Audre
y says, looking at me. “Well, actually, I need to go grab some more copies, so you and Hayden can get started. If you all wish to discuss the details while I’m gone, go right ahead. Just be sure to mark down on your papers the reasons why you’re hiring three bodyguards, Erika.”

  “Okay, sounds good.”

  With that, Audrey rises to her feet and walks out the door, leaving me alone with three muscular dragon shifters. All three pairs of eyes won’t leave mine, and I’m forced to glance either at the ceiling or the floor just to keep myself from melting under the pressure.

  “So,” Reed says as the door closes shut. “Who exactly are we supposed to protect you from?”

  Chapter Eight

  Sven

  I only realize as Reed asks the question that we’re all putting a lot of pressure on Erika as we stare at her. It probably feels like she’s being interrogated by three intimidating men. I don’t blame her for not being able to return our looks.

  Punching Reed in the arm, he gives me a curious look. “How about you let her focus on one thing at a time?” I say, watching as she slides her packet of paperwork over.

  “It’s okay, but thank you, Sven,” she says. I grin at Reed, who gives me the stink eye. As she picks up a pen and flips open the packet to the first page, she speaks. “Um, well, basically, I want you three to keep my ex-boyfriend away.”

  Hayden, following her lead, begins his paperwork too. “Oh, classic story.”

  “I’m serious!” Erika says. “My ex-boyfriend is mean and controlling. I ran away and left him. And now I’m afraid he’s going to come after me.”

  I stroke my beard, trying to picture this woman having a boyfriend. It’s pretty easy, considering her looks, but it does make more sense now how frantic she looked when we saw her across the street. Snapping my fingers, I point at her. “So that’s why you were glancing over your shoulder that day we saw you across the street.”