ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)

by Summer Cooper

  “What?” I said raising my eyebrows; done feeling flustered by him.

  He raised his brows too, “Is this the point where you become hostile?”

  “Is this the point where you stop attempting to be a brooding, mysterious stranger?” I said back testily. He seemed surprised by my words and then he smiled. I wish he hadn’t done that. He was even sexier when he smiled. I admonished myself for thinking that and tried to find a decent excuse to use in order to escape his gaze.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you Maximus. Tell your father---.”

  “Tell me what dear?” came Mr. Cornwell’s voice from behind me and I turned towards the older gentleman dressed in a suit as well and smiled.

  He was a sweet man and well read, of course. I enjoyed his company, as he understood me better than most.

  “I was just about to leave.”

  “I see you met my son,” Mr. Cornwell said moving over to his desk and shuffling around a few papers.

  “Yes, I had the pleasure of meeting Maximus,” I said trying not to sound flippant, but I felt that I failed when Mr. Cornwell looked up at me with a tiny smile on his lips.

  “Maximus, you weren’t bothering Ms. Matthews, were you?”

  “Never, Dad. I was on my best behavior. Wasn’t I Liza?” I liked the way my name rolled off his lips. He made it sound almost exotic and it was then that I noticed his slight accent. I assumed he had been educated outside of the United States, but not in Europe. I would guess in Australia or somewhere else on that side of the world.

  “I’m not sure what your best behavior looks like, Maximus, but I can guarantee that I didn’t see it displayed earlier.” I said feeling the urge to rib him.

  Most people expected me to be shy and reserved, the stereotypical librarian, but I was anything but. Maximus’ presence made me tongue-tied, but I still had my share of caustic comments to throw at him.

  “Well, I’ll be sure he makes up for his behavior at lunch. Would you care to join us?”

  I opened my mouth to say no and then I saw Maximus’ expression. He seemed amused, as if he expected me to say no and almost as if he dared me not to, I heard myself saying yes instead.

  “Great news,” Maximus said with a small smile, “I’m actually suddenly starving. Ravished.”

  As he looked at me, I wondered if he were referring to a desire for food or something else completely.

  Chapter Two

  Mr. Cornwell surprised me by choosing a bar and grill for our lunch date. He told me he had a thing for American sports so we sat close to a bar with several flat screens. When I saw the menu sporting such items as caviar, truffle French fries and burgers that started at fifty dollars, I knew this wasn’t your average pub food, and understood why most of the clientele sported suits.

  We ordered and our food arrived quickly. It smelled heavenly and I happily dug in. I sat across from Maximus as Cornwell Senior and I made meaningless chit chat, mostly talking about our favorite books from the collection. At one point, he excused himself and left Maximus and me to our own devices.

  “You young people talk. I’ll be back.” He said moving to another table to greet a colleague.

  Without much to say, I concentrated my attention on pushing what little was left of my food around on my plate.

  “Do I make you uncomfortable, Liza?”

  I didn’t bother to answer him and reached for my glass. I was still trying to become comfortable with his blunt manner of speaking. I took a sip of water, taking my time. He wasn’t going to rush me into this conversation.

  “What makes you think you make me uncomfortable?” I said at last.

  “You’ve barely said a word directly to me throughout our meal.”

  “I have things on my mind.”

  “Like what? A boyfriend?”

  “No.”

  “So you’re not seeing anyone?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  He placed his hands on the table and I realized then how large they were and he looked at me intently and said, “You’re right. It’s none of my business, but I would like to make it my business. I would like to make you my business.”

  I felt my cheeks turn red and I avoided his meaningful gaze.

  “Maybe I do have someone.”

  “Wouldn’t matter if you do or not. It wouldn’t be much of a deterrent as far as I’m concerned.”

  I looked at him and said, “A deterrent from what?”

  He smiled at me and said, “Pursuing you.”

  “What makes you think I want to be pursued by you?”

  He leaned back and his face was impassive as he said the next words, “The way your pupils dilate when I get close to you or the way you emanate heat just being in my presence. The way you’re unable to take your eyes off my hands as if you wonder what they would feel like on your body, touching you, caressing you. It could be the way you can’t take your eyes off my lips and you know you would like to feel them on you…” His voice grew deeper as he said, “Everywhere.”

  I didn’t know what to say. Was I that easy to read? He was so bold, so cocky and I wanted to tell him that he was wrong, that he didn’t excite me, but that would be a lie.

  “Am I wrong?” he said as if bored and he leaned back away from me, breaking the increasingly sexually heated moment. He then smiled in the direction of his father who suddenly appeared at the table.

  “Thank you for joining us for lunch, Liza. Hopefully my son wasn’t too insufferable.”

  I smiled at Mr. Cornwell shakily, “No, thank you for inviting me. And I have to say, your son was actually very insufferable so thank you for coming to my rescue.”

  Mr. Cornwell chuckled, assuming that I was joking and said, “Isn’t she a funny girl?”

  “Hilarious,” Maximus said lightly, but his tone was distracted as he looked towards a large flat screen television hanging over the restaurant’s bar. I looked up at the television, thinking he was distracted by something related to sports and realized that it was actually the news. There was something about a tiger sighting in the suburbs and Maximus frowned deeply. Mr. Cornwell also seemed engrossed by the sensationalism.

  I said, “It must have been someone’s pet. That’s a wealthy area of town. Many celebrities live there. Don’t you live in that area Mr. Cornwell? You know how certain celebrities own wild animals. I bet someone’s pet got loose and was terrifying the neighbors. Be careful when you go home tonight.”

  Mr. Cornwell glanced briefly in my direction and said with a gracious smile, “You’re probably right my dear; there are so many eccentric people in my neck of the woods, but I think we’ll be safe.” He and Maximus then exchanged a look I didn’t understand.

  I didn’t dwell on it and quickly forgot about it as Mr. Cornwell promptly paid the check and we walked back in the direction of the library. I had a meeting later that afternoon and didn’t want to waste too much time. I hadn’t been able to prep for it the night before, so I was looking forward to doing the prep now.

  As we neared the building, I said, “Mr. Cornwell, I will catch up with you later.” I then turned to Maximus and nodded an acknowledgment of him, “It was a pleasure meeting you Maximus.”

  “The pleasure’s all mine.” He said softly and the tone of his voice sounded actually genuine as if he regretted that our time together was cut short.

  I tried not to read too much into it as I turned and walked quickly up the stairs, but part of me wanted to get one last look at him, so I glanced over my shoulder and saw him standing there not really listening to his father who was talking animatedly.

  Maximus had his eyes trained on me as I climbed the stairs and I held his gaze briefly. My heartbeat quickened and I found myself growing warm before shaking my head at the power this stranger seemed to hold over me before I broke eye contact and walked purposefully away.

  * * *

  I listened to my boss drone on and on about budgets and the fiscal year, but I wasn’t really listening. My mind
was on my encounter with Maximus earlier. I had to get him out of my head, I thought to myself as the meeting finally ended and I was able to escape without making too much idle chitchat with my coworkers. I loved my job, but I hated the meetings.

  I promptly headed to my car and as I approached my little sedan, I saw Maximus standing there, leaning casually against it.

  “What do you want, Maximus?” I pretending he didn’t excite my body just being near.

  “You don’t sound too happy to see me.”

  “Are you a stalker?”

  “I try not to be.” He continued leaning against my car, making no sign of being ready to move.

  Before I could order him to go away, he said, “I would like to get to know you better, Liza. Outside of work. Would you like that?”

  He moved away from the car then and came to stand in front of me. He reached up and trailed a hand down my cheek. The soft movement seemed almost intimate and I wanted to rub my face against his hand.

  “It’s ridiculous how attractive I find you when your manner is borderline offensive and fully obnoxious.” I said instead. He was too shocked to say anything back and I liked for once that I had startled him into not being able to speak. I nudged him out of the way and unlocked my car while he just stood there a pleased little smile on his face. I then got in behind the wheel and he squatted down next to the door, looking at me through the window.

  I rolled it down and said, “I might consider seeing you again. Maybe. What did you have in mind?”

  He gave me a slow broad smile and I was reminded of how sexy he was again, “You’re so sassy. I think I might actually like it. How about we get together sometime this weekend?”

  I pretended to think about it before answering in the affirmative.

  “Your father has my personal number, I’m sure. Give me a call. We’ll make plans.” Not waiting for him to move, I backed the car up and he jumped lithely out of the way.

  I smiled evilly to myself, honked the horn twice in good-bye, and drove away. I couldn’t resist the urge to look behind me and I smiled to myself at the imposing perfection that was Maximus as I completely disappeared from view.

  Chapter Three

  “Lady Belle. Come down from there, right now! I’m serious. Right now!” I hissed at my cat that was up in a tree in front of my home, leisurely licking her paws as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

  I looked around me hoping that I wasn’t waking the neighbors. I didn’t see anyone, so I fastened my robe tighter to my body, and then giving one last look over my shoulder, I shimmied up the tree. It took a few bad starts, but five minutes later, I was hanging from a larger branch that stuck out to the right of the tree reaching for my cat Lady Belle, who was obviously anything but a lady, I thought somewhat bitterly.

  She made no move to make it easier for me and instead just rolled over on her back, exposing her belly, situated precariously on the edge of a large limb.

  “No! I’m not going to rub your tummy. Come here! Come here, sweetie!” I beckoned her.

  She blatantly ignored me and then made a move to jump down. I figured I would be able to stop her so I also pivoted forward and then promptly swiped her into my arms. It wasn’t until I was falling through the air that I realized I had over corrected and a scream tore from my throat as I tumbled towards the ground. I abruptly stopped screaming when I landed with a thump in the arms of a man I had seen before from a distance. Even from a distance, I figured he would be attractive, but I hadn’t been expecting this.

  Up close, his eyes were light blue, almost grey and he smiled at the bemused look on my face.

  “Thank you,” I said trying to maintain some dignity as I adjusted my robe and attempted to stand up. I had accidentally flashed him since I wasn’t wearing a bra beneath it and he was gentlemanly enough to pretend not to notice. I briefly thought how Maximus would have most likely gone out of his way to comment upon seeing my breasts.

  This man though only eased me down and I did my best to fix my disheveled clothing with a frisky cat still in my hand.

  “I’m a cat person, clearly.” I said to ease my embarrassment.

  “No kidding? A woman after my own heart.” He said softly and I realized that as he stepped out of the shadows into the streetlight he was wearing jogging shorts, running shoes and nothing else. He was all lean muscle and smooth lightly tanned skin. He placed his hands on his hips, I practically salivated as the small motion made his pecs flex, and I could see every detail of his chiseled perfect abs. The guy was built like a deity. I couldn’t believe my luck; two sexy men all in the same week?

  I felt suddenly shy around him, given that he was so scarcely dressed. He didn’t seem to be in a rush to go anywhere so I awkwardly said, “I’m sorry to disturb your jog. Run. Umm…your workout.”

  He shrugged and gave me a boyish smile, “No big deal. I like to help damsels in distress. My name’s Dominic, by the way. You’re new to the neighborhood too, right?”

  I nodded, “I’m Liza. I’ve only lived here for a few months. You live near Patterson Street, right? I thought I recognized you.”

  He nodded. “I’m having a housewarming party, by the way. Just a few friends. You should stop by, if you’re not too busy.” The offer surprised me. I assumed my current state of undress might have had something to do with it.

  Interested, I said, “When is it?”

  “This weekend. Saturday night.”

  I thought briefly about Maximus and wondered if he actually planned to call anytime soon. I then told myself that I was being ridiculous; I could accept an invitation with another man. It wasn’t as if I was dating Maximus, he hadn’t even called, and it had been a few days since I had seen him in his father’s office.

  “I’ll try to make it,” I said in a noncommittal tone and he looked disappointed.

  “Come on, say yes,” and there was something about the beckoning, yet teasing tone of his voice that made me want to give in. He wasn’t as intense as Maximus, I could tell that instantly from the warmth of his voice and his open expression but something about him was just as enthralling and demanded my attention. His blue eyes slowly searched my own being reminded again of how different he was from Maximus. I knew Dominic was tempted to let his eyes travel over my body, but he resisted out of politeness, while Maximus didn’t care at all obviously about propriety.

  “You’re a very beautiful woman, Liza.” He said suddenly and I blinked, not expecting the compliment.

  “Thank you,” I mumbled and his pupils seemed to dilate a little bit. I assumed it was my eyes playing tricks on me. I ignored it; the man was gorgeous with his short cut hair and muscular shoulders. He looked like he belonged in the military or on the cover of a men’s fitness magazine. Everything about him seemed to be a study in perfection and his eyes were his crowning glory, a stunning shade of blue that seemed to alternate between blue and gray, as they surveyed me.

  “Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Liza. Maybe we’ll run into each other again.”

  And with that he teasingly saluted me and went back either to continue his jog or return home. I called out, “Be safe,” and realized he was gone. The man was seriously fast and clearly in great shape.

  I didn’t hear from Maximus at all and we didn’t run into each other as I thought we would when I went to the office. When Saturday night approached, I got dressed to attend Dominic’s party. I wasn’t so thrilled to be going, but I didn’t want to sit around all Saturday night wishing I were doing something besides watching old movies streamed on my computer. I’d had enough weekends sitting on the couch just talking to Lady Belle and I was starting to feel like our one-sided conversations weren’t the best use of my free time.

  I slipped on a maxi dress and let my long hair fall in soft waves that trailed down my back. I grabbed the gift card I had gotten Dominic for his housewarming gift and headed out. It wasn’t quite dark yet. It seemed like the sun would be setting in a few hours.

  I arrived
at Dominic’s door, rang the doorbell, and felt suddenly nervous being there. I didn’t know him at all and now I was going to hang out with him and his friends. What if he was an obnoxious jerk? Then what? I guess I could make an excuse about my cat being in the tree again and sneak away, I thought pitifully to myself.

  The door opened a second later and I scratched all ideas of running off to go sit on the couch with my cat when I saw Dominic standing there. He was wearing a fitted white t-shirt and dark jeans. He managed to look debonair and casual all at the same time and then he smiled at me as if he truly were happy that I was there.

  “Liza. You made it. Come on in,” he said surprising me by ushering me in by placing his hand on my lower back. It felt good there, especially since part of my dress was backless. His hand lingered on my exposed skin just long enough to be a tad inappropriate and I was sorry when he moved his hand away and started pointing at the various guests there.

  It was a full crowd and he jokingly gestured towards one group, sitting next to his fireplace and said, “Those are the nerds. Stay away from them: they’re talking about quantum physics and fiscal policy. Pretty boring subjects.”

  He then rotated me to the left and pointed out a group of people that were really animated and laughing. I thought I heard the words, aliens and Star Wars at one point from them.

  “Those are my friends that I only allow over if they pay me.” He said and I had to laugh.

  “Are they really that bad?”

  Dominic grimaced as if it pained him to admit it and I immediately loved his teasing personality.

  “Yes, they’re really that bad. Right now, they’re talking about Tesla, government conspiracy theories, sci-fi movies and who had the most acne back in high school. So far everyone agrees that it was me.”

  I laughed, “Well you couldn’t tell, your complexion’s beautiful now.”

  He smiled down at me, “Beautiful, huh? A woman before has never called me beautiful. I don’t know if I should feel emasculated or flattered. Either way, I might just have to keep you.”