Married to the Dragon

by Selina Coffey

  “OK, that sounds great.”

  “Bye, Jess.”

  “Bye.”

  Jess stepped out of her house and waved goodbye to the police cruiser that had been parked there as it drove off down the street. She felt a weight rising up off her shoulders and she noticed for the first time in weeks how beautiful everything was. The weather was starting to warm up and she was going to enjoy as much of everything as she possibly could.

  She jogged to the track and had herself a great workout.

  The next day she was lazing on the couch at Alex’s mansion. He had the most comfortable sofa she had ever had the privilege of parking her butt on. It sank down with you as you sat down and molded to every subtle nuance of your body offering just the right amount of support. Once you were in there, you never wanted to get out of it. It was really that amazing.

  Alex lay beside her with his shoulder underneath her head. She loved to lie against him and just relax. His body was so warm and inviting that she could just use him as a human pillow for hours and she often did after sex, but even without the sex it was amazing.

  They agreed to watch several goofy movies that neither had ever seen before. Jess had to admit to herself that it felt weird to not be stressed about something and even weirder to be wasting a Saturday on meaningless drivel and not getting up off the couch. She had not done this since college, but she was glad she was enjoying it. She was learning that as an overachiever she needed to stop and smell the coffee once in a while. The experience of the past several weeks had taught her that it was the little things in life that you had to take time out to enjoy or else you would miss them completely. She loved her job and she loved the fact that she was moving up in the company. Her superiors had almost assured her of this based on her work and it was refreshing knowing that she was working towards something specific with every case that she won.

  Alex got off the couch and grabbed another couple of beers for the two of them. Jess grabbed the bottle and took a huge gulp. It felt good to just let loose and let the beer do its thing as she poured it down her gullet. She realized she was not being very lady like, but she figured she was allowed to let go of that stuffy stereotype every now and then. Alex seemed to find it charming.

  “So, how does it feel to be officially stalker free?” Alex asked.

  “Pretty good,” Jess replied.

  “Just pretty good? I figured it would feel amazing,” Alex said.

  “Well, it does, but I like to be modest about things,“ Jess joked.

  “Well, modesty does suit you just fine. You should try it more often.”

  Jess slapped his arm playfully. “Jerk.”

  Alex laughed good-naturedly.

  “So, you don’t have any more psycho women you have pissed off recently do you? Any other stalkers in the midst I should know about?”

  Alex shook his head.

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “Well, you had better hope not. I’m not going through that again. If another psycho woman wants you that badly then she can just have you.”

  “Oh, I see how it is.”

  “I can’t imagine you didn’t think of her when you were going through the lists of potential people that could have been stalking me,” Jess said.

  “I thought she was in an institution or something. That was the last I heard of her.”

  “Well, apparently she got out. You still might have mentioned it.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you,” Alex said.

  “How?”

  “I’ll pay for the pizza next time,” Alex replied.

  “What do you mean next time? Did you use my credit card for this?” Jess asked.

  “Sort of.”

  Jess burst out laughing. “I’m going to kill you!”

  “Now, who is the pscyho?”

  Jess wrapped her fingers around Alex’s neck and pretended to strangle him before pulling him close for a kiss.

  Jess often found herself thinking about the past several weeks and how everything had played out. Her feelings and loyalties had been tested by three different men but she had chosen Alex over the others. And she was proud of that choice. It was true that your heart would never steer you wrong and so far she was living proof of that.

  The next night Alex asked Jess to go out to a nice dinner aboard his yacht. She had never been on a yacht before and she was flabbergasted at how romantic and amazing it had been. Alex had a great meal catered onboard before they drifted off into the bay. Jess had never really acquired an affinity for boats or the water, but she was starting to feel pretty special drifting slowly along on Alex’s yacht. The food was amazing and Alex couldn’t have handpicked a more perfect night. The evening was warm, ushering the first remnants of spring and the sky was clear with a huge full moon shining down on them.

  After the main course followed by the most amazing Tiramisu she had ever eaten Alex surprised her yet again. The man was always keeping her on her toes and tonight he didn’t disappoint as he asked her to close her eyes. When she opened them Alex was on one knee with the biggest diamond ring she had ever seen held out in front of her. He asked her to marry him and Jess immediately said yes.

  She said yes before she even knew that the answer would be yes.

  As Alex scooped her up in his arms and held her closely she found herself wishing that she had not waited so long to embrace this man in her life.

  But she knew that time had a plan for everything.

  And it was time for the next step.

  The End

  Shifter Romance

  Part I

  Bear Mission

  Shifter Romance

  About the Book

  For Kaia Phillips a trip to the mountain of Georgia might as well be a trip to the moon. A city girl in the county, Kaia expects nothing but trouble and misery but finds a lot more than she bargained for when she meets the owners of the resort her friends have roped her into travelling to. When she meets Zed Bruin her opinion changes further, maybe the country had more to offer than beer, hot buffalo wings, and a game of horseshoes or cornholing?

  In a world where shifters have only just come out of their hiding places, Kaia has secrets. Secrets about her friends, secrets about herself, and secrets about the man she can’t get out of her head. Revealing those secrets could cost Kaia her freedom. Is revealing the truth to the man her soul has chosen as her mate worth her freedom or her life? Will her quest for answers end in heartache as she discovers even more secrets? Kaia has decisions to make and whatever way she decides, the results could not only impact her, but her circle of friends.

  Chapter One

  Kaia Phillips stared out of her friend Tessa’s SUV and wondered just what she’d let herself be talked into. She saw no coffee shops, no clothing stores, no bars or clubs, just a building that resembled an overgrown log cabin with a lot of windows in it. Pretty but not what she thought of as vacation material. But here she was feeling like a lost city girl in the country. She wasn’t going to act like the stereotype, however. She was going to give this place a chance. Even if it might bore her to death. There wasn’t even a daiquiri shop like she’d found in Louisiana. Now that was a vacation to remember. Or not, she thought with a smile as they pulled their luggage out and went into the resort.

  Joined by her two friends, Tessa and Cora, Kaia came to the Singing Stones resort in the northern mountains of Georgia for a two week stay. Tessa suggested it as a way of getting Cora’s mind off of her troubles before she gave birth to her daughter, and Kaia had balked but thought it was a good idea in the end. Some hiking through nature trails instead of parks might be good for her too. Tessa loved nature so it was a natural choice for her.

  Kaia had never really left the city, though. Her parents were from Atlanta, they’d always lived there, and she grew up there. Nature was as foreign as going to another planet for her. The suburbs of Atlanta had been as close to nature as she’d ever come, or wanted to come. Kaia loved Tessa and Cora and k
new Cora needed this getaway before the fall semester at the school where they all taught started so she’d agreed to it. Pushing her and Cora’s suitcases into the main office Kaia listened as Tessa dealt with the woman behind the check-in counter.

  Kaia caught her own reflection in a mirror over the desk and checked herself before turning away. Still the tall, slim, biracial women with black hair and blue eyes that she’d always been. Even as a baby Kaia had been long and gangly, never quite the small delicate child people wanted her to be. Kaia was built for a different purpose in life but she’d still ended up in teaching. She loved her chosen path and though she had the body of a woman made to be a warrior, without all of the bulging muscles, she was fit and intelligent. Her mind thrived at the tasks she was assigned and she wouldn’t change her job for anything.

  Kaia’s brain focused on the conversation going on in front of her and as she heard the rude dismissal of the woman at the desk Kaia felt a sudden urge to climb over the desk and punch the bitch in the mouth! How dare she talk to Tessa that way, telling her to get out just because the dates were wrong on the computer!

  Normally a calm woman that settled disturbances by merely raising an eyebrow, the rude way in which the worker was talking to Tessa really flew all over Kaia. She’d taken a step closer to the woman, preparing to yank her over the desk, when a tall man walked up and sent the woman on her way. The man was handsome, very handsome, but he seemed to only have eyes for Tessa.

  Kaia stepped back into the background, allowing the man to speak with Tessa. The offer of upgraded rooms as an apology suited Kaia just fine and when she got to the room and seen champagne and an invitation for all of them to come to dinner, Kaia thought the place might have something to offer after all, especially if the other men were as handsome as that fella. He’d said his name was Hale. There was more to the man than he let on, Kaia knew that instantly, but said nothing. She had her own secrets to hide. One of them being that Cora was pregnant, but that was just scratching the surface of it all.

  She dismissed her friends’ discussion about shifters as Cora finished getting ready and watched the other two women. A watcher of people by nature, Kaia could come off as cold and reserved but she wasn’t, she just let people talk while she listened. She smiled inwardly as she wondered what would happen if her friends actually met up with real shifters, of any variety. They’d probably faint straight away.

  Kaia had already unpacked, showered, and her thoughts shifted to food now as her friends continued to chatter on the way to the elevator. Wondering what kind of food the restaurant might offer, Kaia hoped they had something besides the country cuisine she expected. Barbecue and cornbread were fine at times but she wanted something a bit more elegant tonight. When the elevator door dinged Kaia prepared to step out but stopped. She wasn’t expecting what greeted her when the doors quietly glided open.

  Four rather gorgeous men stood there, waiting on the doors to open. Every one of them was a shifter. Kaia didn’t need to be told that, she knew it instinctively, the same way they could sense her own secret. None of them were strictly human, not even Kaia. That was a story for later, though, Kaia wanted food and to learn about these handsome gentlemen. She’d also spend time trying to find out what they knew. That could come later as well.

  Taking the arm of the darker man, the one that didn’t swoon for Tessa or Cora, Kaia smiled at the man and introduced herself.

  “I am Kaia; it’s nice to meet you.” She offered.

  It’s lovely to meet you, sister.” The man spoke low and deep, the words falling into Kaia’s ear. “I am Zed.”

  Kaia stood back for a moment, pulling away to look into his watchful eyes. Yes, they were quite similar, she thought. She smiled at the man as he escorted her into the restaurant and sat down beside her at their table.

  Zed was the watcher of his friends. Hale was also a watcher but talkative. The other two, Knox and Rhys, were jokers and boisterous, often loud as they vied to hold Cora’s attention. As the night wore on Zed engaged her in very little communication but she was fine with that because she could watch her friends and ensure their safety. Zed did the same but Kaia caught his eyes on her as often as she looked at him.

  The man was gorgeous, well over six feet tall, with a dusky skin tone that was either Native American or testament to a heritage similar to Kaia’s. His dark eyes, a dark brown that was almost black, were almond shaped and kept drawing Kaia’s attention. Her own very dark blue eyes seemed to enchant Zed. Kaia would smile at him, perhaps say something about the antics of their friends, and would turn away. She knew she was being obvious about her attraction but couldn’t help it.

  She’d met shifters in her lifetime, even people like her, but none had instantly attracted her the way this man had. His strong hands drew her gaze and she imagined how they’d feel on her smooth skin. They weren’t work roughened hands so she knew the gentle glide of his flesh against hers would be sensual and pleasurable. His strong face, long neck, and powerful looking body attested to a high level of activity that would serve him well. His endurance must be high to have that kind of a body.

  But even his physical appearance wasn’t enough to draw her the way he had so far. Even his quiet nature wasn’t enough. Kaia looked over at him once more, later in the evening, after dessert and another bottle of wine had been emptied and knew why she was so attracted to him. Seconds upon meeting him her body had made a decision. From the look in Zed’s eyes now, an intense longing mixed with desire, Kaia knew he had made the same decision. They were mates, and no matter what they did now, they would long for each other for the rest of their lives.

  Kaia felt a moment of panic as she looked into Zed’s eyes. She wasn’t ready for this yet, she still had several years before she had to settle down. She looked away from him and considered leaving but she could see Cora wasn’t ready to go just yet. Reminding herself that she was a modern woman Kaia took a deep breath and sipped at her wine. She didn’t have to act on anything, she reminded herself further, but Zed was her mate.

  “Hey Zed, can I ask you a personal question?” Cora spoke up, breaking into Kaia’s inner panicked dialogue. Cora hadn’t been drinking but Kaia wouldn’t have expected what she asked if Cora was flat-out drunk.

  “You may.” Zed answered with a smile.

  “What are you?” Cora looked utterly confused as she looked at the man, examining his features closely.

  Kaia looked over at her friend with shock, her mouth falling open.

  “Cora, you know that’s a very hurtful question. I’ve told you how often I get asked that question myself and how I hate it!” But Kaia looked over at Zed, wondering once more about Zed’s heritage. It was still a rude question though.

  “It’s fine Kaia, as you said yourself, people are curious. I think it just comes from a need to understand. It’s not really rude; we just hate answering it so often. The truth is I don’t know what I am. I was placed in an orphanage as a child with no information about me available. I was adopted and have never been able to find anything out about my heritage.”

  Kaia looked at him once more, seeing a man with a well-proportioned face, a slim nose with full lips, and silky looking eyebrows. He was handsome but there wasn’t anything that stood out to identify him as one race over the other.

  “With the way we’re all mixed now it’s hard to say what I am.” He continued. “It doesn’t really matter, I suppose.” He looked at Cora with a smile and she thanked him for answering his question.

  “I’m sorry if I hurt either of you with my question.” Cora said after a moment. “I didn’t mean to, you’re just so beautiful, the both of you. You’d make beautiful babies.”

  Cora looked aghast as the words came out of her mouth but this time Kaia laughed. That did sound like something Cora would say. She usually spoke her mind, even if she didn’t mean to. The trait was one Kaia loved the most about her friend.

  Kaia had to fight off a yawn suddenly and even Cora finally looked tired. Kaia
stood and when Cora joined her Kaia smiled. They all needed to rest tonight. She turned to Zed, who had stood and smiled as he held his hand out to indicate that she lead the way. Tessa and Hale had disappeared already but Kaia didn’t plan to invite the man into her room tonight. Even if it was the only thing she wanted to do.

  Rhys and Knox proved entertaining in the elevator but the noise quietened down as they walked Cora to her room. Kaia stopped at her own room and slid the key through the door before turning back to Zed. He stood there, no expectations on his face but he smiled before speaking.

  “It has been a lovely evening, Kaia. I hope we can repeat it tomorrow if you have no prior plans.” Standing there in his dark suit, his eyes burning into her own, Kaia felt a warmth begin to spread throughout her body.

  “I’d love that.” She leaned towards him as she spoke, as if drawn to him by an invisible rope. Her breath shook as he leaned into the doorway, his arm braced against the frame.

  Kaia thought he’d kiss her then but he only brushed a finger down her creamy smooth cheek, past her lips, and down to her jaw before standing up straight.

  “Tomorrow it is then; I’ll see you sometime after lunch. I’ll be busy until then but I’ll definitely see you after that.” Then he walked away and Kaia was left standing in the door, watching him walk away.

  Putting her left hand over her heart and smiling broadly, Kaia walked into her room and straight for the Jacuzzi tub centered in front of the balcony. Pouring in some soap Kaia watched as bubbles formed and stripped down. As she slid into the hot water she sighed deeply, feeling tense and tired muscles relax.

  Looking out at the view of the moon as it crossed the sky she now understood why the tub had been put in such an awkward place. She could sit here all night watching the moon as it journeyed through the sky. She sighed and looked over at the nightstand, knowing it contained a device that could take her beyond the moon to her own planet. The planet her parents originated from.