Love on the Field

by Mia Allen

  “Yep,” Ted said. “She tried to call you all morning and you didn’t pick up, so she figured something must be wrong. She told me a lot about you, actually. Like how you work at home and all that. That’s why I thought it was kind of strange too, but… It looks like she was right about you then, eh? Considering you weren’t all right at all.”

  “Yeah, I’ve had better days…” Worse days too. “But I just wasn’t really expecting such a, um, pleasant surprise. Did I mention I was sorry for going berserk on you?”

  Ted held one of his hands up and said, “The sooner we stop talking about it, the sooner we can forget about it. I think you still owe my sister an apology though. She’s been worried sick about you for a few hours now. It’s even managed to mess with her work flow, which….never happens. It’s kind of weird, actually. The last guy she got really into was…” Ted lost himself in thought and then shook his head. “Eh. Never mind. It’s not really all that important.”

  “Okay, well… Should I call her or…?”

  “I think your best bet at this point would be to go in there and tell her what’s going on yourself. She’s usually on break for a bit around now, so this’ll be your chance to go and see her.”

  “Where does she work?”

  “Park ranger. I’ll give ya a ride to where she’s usually patrolling and yes, you can thank me now.”

  Chapter 6

  Ted let Trevor out of his truck near the entryway of the park. Trevor said, “Thanks,” he said as he got out.

  “Don’t mention it,” Ted replied before driving off. The park was farther than he would’ve liked it to be, but walking the distance as a dragon wouldn’t be as bad. Thinking about his dragon form as he walked down the park pathway, Trevor couldn’t help but remember the fact that he still hadn’t told Brenda. She’d been worrying about him and been honest with him the entire time and yet he couldn’t get up the nerve to tell her his most important secret.

  Ted told Trevor where to find Brenda—by one of the benches where the kids usually played. It was in the middle of a school day, however, which meant no kids. Lunch hadn’t hit yet so the adults were absent as well. Everything was quiet. Almost a little too quiet for Trevor to be comfortable with. He stayed alert since he knew he most common folk were joggers. There was even a chance that a few seniors would come around the park benches to feed the birds.

  It didn’t matter to him though. The building pressure and the heat in his chest let him know his mind was made up. Brenda was going to know who he truly was. She deserved to know even if it meant losing her.

  Trevor reveled in the scents all around him even though he was still in his human form. His naturally heightened senses made him feel at home at the park and for a brief moment, he wondered why he didn’t come here often. I really have been missing a lot out here, haven’t I? He thought to himself as he passed the fountain set in the middle of the park.

  Just a few feet ahead of him, he could make out what looked like Brenda eating a sandwich on one of the benches. His first thought was to run up to her immediately, but a better idea came to mind as he remembered how he would walk home later on that night. Trevor looked around for a spot there weren’t too many people and started to disrobe in front of some bushes. Just this once, he thought as he took a deep breath and focused his energy, channeling it into doing what he wanted it to. Let’s show her who I really am.

  When Trevor came out from behind the bush again, he was no longer a man and instead a jet black dragon. The smells and sensations that he’d grown accustomed to as a man nearly overpowered him as a dragon, but he pressed on down a less challenging path as he made his way to Brenda. He could clearly smell her sandwich—made of bacon, lettuce, and tomato—as he padded closer. His stomach got the better of him and before he could stop himself, he lunged at the half beside her on the bench and scarfed it down.

  God, this is so good! Wait…what was I doing again? As soon as Trevor swallowed he remembered his real reason for coming to the bench and tried to smile at Brenda as if he was still a man. In reality, he’d managed to flash his fangs at her, making it look more like a threatening gesture than anything else. Brenda froze in fear, holding an arm up to shield herself while her other hand reached for something on her belt.

  No, no! I’m not going to hurt you, Brenda… Trevor whimpered, looking downward as his ears drooped. He wasn’t sure how to get the message across in a way she’d understand. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all…

  “Wh-what the hell is this thing? Help! Call the po—” Brenda couldn’t finish her sentence. She tried to utter the last words but they refused to come out. They were locked in a hypnotizing stare. Trevor managed to calm her down and get her quiet.

  It’s okay, Brenda. I’m not going to hurt you… He thought as he led her off the bench.

  Brenda got up, following Trevor’s lead as he ground her over to the bush where he’d shifted into the beast. Knowing that she would still be stuck in a daze for a short while, Trevor broke the stare and smiled a little. Seeing his lover calm in his dragon’s presence made him happy even if she was only as such because of being under the influence of his power.

  Trevor went to hide behind the bush for a moment as he reverted. Brenda slowly started to come to. Just as she came to her senses she was plainly riddled as shown as the scrunched up look on her face. She waited by the bush to see what was going to come out from the other side with a weapon from her belt held at the ready. “What are you doing back there…?” she asked, the words teetering on the edge of fear and excitement. He was in the middle of reverting back into his human form when he’d caught her peeking over the bush. Her sharp gasp seemed to ring in his ears and play over and over again, but he forced himself not to dwell on her reaction.

  When he was again a man, he kept his lower half hidden in the bushes as he tried to put his pants back on. Brenda stood there in shock, not knowing what to say or how to say it. Trevor knew he had to be the one to break the silence, so he started by saying, “I’m sorry that I didn’t answer your calls.” Brenda didn’t respond. “I thought you were like the other women I’d been with who stood me up and… I was stupid.” She stayed silent, but managed to close her mouth. “And well… This is what I am. If you want to be with me, then you’ll have to know the truth about me, Brenda… I’m a…I’m a dragon. I’m this…hybrid…thing.”

  Trevor looked away from Brenda, but to his surprise she came closer and reached a hand up to cup the side of his face. She placed a soft kiss on his lips and finally said, “I guess I know that extra something that makes you special now, don’t I?”

  He blinked twice and asked, “You…you don’t mind?”

  She didn’t reply, she only smiled. Fires lit up in Trevor’s eyes and he jumped into the air. Scales rapidly rippled across his skin, his voice deepening and he took Brenda’s hands in his. The claws now holding Brenda’s hands shook as Trevor roared, “We’ve got to make this official with a flight!”

  In a flash Trevor was on all fours in front of Brenda. She was cautious at first, but ultimately climbed onto Trevor’s back. The black, jagged wings to her sides flapped up and down as Trevor ran across the park and ascended. They rose into the air together and Brenda screamed at the top of her lungs.

  It was music to his ears for Trevor. It’d been so long since he’d heard the sounds of someone’s first flight. Excitement ran through him and made him go faster and faster. Shuddering sensations of Brenda’s cries mixed with the acceleration of flight made the dragon let out a loud roar.

  The courtship ritual went on long into Brenda’s shift. They passed nearby towns and cities, lakes, they even went all over the very city in which they lived. Taking such flights had never interested Trevor before, but now that he had them to share with Brenda he couldn’t stop thinking about the next one. The plan played in the back of his mind, but Brenda finally had to get his attention by tapping his shoulder.

  Confused, the dragon looked over his shoulder at h
er. “This really is lovely, Trevor, but I need to be getting back to work now…”

  Trevor grunted out of sadness, but accepted the fact. At least I got to finish the courtship. Damn does it feel good to be mated again.

  The dragon made his way back to the park and landed softly. He let Brenda off his back and changed back into human form. Brenda helped protect him as he scuttled around for his discarded clothes once again. She smiled a little while watching him, her hands on her hips and the other rangers nowhere in sight.

  “So, um… Now that that’s done it’s official…” Trevor said as he came out of the bushes, his hands fidgeting with themselves. “You’re sure that you’d rather be with me more than any other guy, Brenda? There’s so much more for you out there and if you’re stuck with me you’ll probab—”

  Brenda cut Trevor off by pressing her lips to his briefly. “Honey… I don’t care about what you are or any of that. I want to be with you.”

  Tears welled up in Trevor’s eyes. “Brenda… I…”

  “Hush.” She tapped him on the nose lightly. “Now get the rest of your clothes on before I have to get you out of here for indecent exposure. My break’s over, so… Tonight at six?”

  Trevor nodded. “Tonight at six.”

  THE END

  Bonus 10 of 20

  Black Hawk

  Description

  Olivia

  She had a debt to pay after the death of her parents. Swamped in medical bills, Olivia couldn’t risk being out of work. After being fired from her last job for kneeing the boss in the balls, Olivia was at her wits’ end. She found herself working for two billionaires as their secretary.

  Jack and Reese

  Controlling men who took what they wanted without bearing the consequences.

  Both were tempted by her and they wanted to possess her.

  Both wanted to pleasure her.

  At the same time.

  But, more than all, they were desperate to breed her.

  Will they be able to claim her?

  Chapter 1

  Olivia

  Madison, Georgia was a small, quaint town with tiny cottage-style houses. It was beautifully picturesque. Cobblestone pathways blanketing the streets between rustic buildings. The flowers were blooming and the trees bursting with life. The mountains peeking behind the picturesque town added to the mix. When the rays of the sun peeked from the clouds, and hit the lake perfectly, the town looked lively and beautiful.

  Today was one of those days, where everything was picturesque. But it was a stark contrast compared to my life. I had a shitty day. I was fired from my job at the Little Cupcake Dreams as the accountant. The owner leered at me all the time and I always chose to ignore it. Because I need the job to pay over the leftover bills that escalated ever since my parents passed away.

  Losing one of them was hard enough, but losing them both within a year was hard enough. I barely finished college when I got the call that Mom had breast cancer. We lost her six months later and my dad succumbed a year later, dying of heartbreak.

  I was twenty-four years old and I was up to my neck in debt. Hence, I could not afford to get fired. But today my boss went too far when he groped me by the kitchen. Apparently, he thought me choosing to ignore him was an invitation.

  I grabbed the closest thing and I threw it at him, which happened to be that morning’s cake batter. Suffice to say, he fired me on the spot and, on top of that, he had to deal with the lost business which gave me a moment of satisfaction, I thought grimly.

  I was walking along those picturesque cobblestone pathways, twirling my umbrella lost in my thoughts, when I bumped into something hard and solid. I was stopped in my tracks and then I found myself staring up into the grayest eyes, like stormy clouds, I’ve ever seen. If the man’s firm hands weren’t bracketing my arms to catch my fall, I would have bounced right onto my ass.

  I pushed my hair out of my eyes and apologized to the man I had so rudely collided with him, lost in my thoughts. My eyes wandered over to his broad shoulders. I had to look up at him from over the top of my glasses, since he was well over six feet tall.

  His hands, which were still on my biceps, steadying me, were long fingered and callused against my bare skin. Those stormy eyes softened, locking with mine for a moment, before anger took hold.

  “Watch where you’re going,” he grumbled.

  I was taken back by his rude tone and wanted to push back. With each second his arms are wrapped around me, tightly, my panic should be escalating but instead I melted into his arms.

  Ever since I was the accountant at the bakery and forced myself to live through Carl’s leers and jeers, I suffered from random panic attacks from situations i couldn’t control.

  I tipped my head forward and buried my face into his suit jacket, letting the tears fall. It was a horrible day and, somehow, I stole comfort from this stranger. It felt good to have someone hug me even if that hug was one-sided. It had been so long since someone hugged me.

  The stranger stood there, letting me seek solace in his arms. That is until he had had enough.

  I felt my body flush with awareness, despite the chill in the air, and I stepped out of the man’s hold.

  “Who made you cry?” he gritted out, wrapping one arm around my waist, keeping me in the cradle of his arms, which was odd, given his temperament.

  After a couple of seconds, I decided to answer him. I sniffled. “I got fired from my job today.”

  “Why?”

  “My boss, Carl, grabbed my backside.” I teared up again at the thought of being violated. To have another man’s hands on me without consent was degrading and revolting.

  The stranger tensed, his hands curled into fists and his jaw clenched.

  “Where did you work?”

  “I needed that job. I have to repay my parents’ medical debt. They both passed away within a year last year.” I hiccupped and rambled. I had no idea why I was confessing to this stranger. Maybe it was the fact that I would never see him again and confessing made me feel lighter and stronger. I felt relieved at laying everything out.

  I felt his lips press on the top of my head after a moment. The kindness of the gesture was at odds with the anger I felt exuding from him.

  I started to pull back and step away and apologize for heaving my burden on him, but before I could move, he wrapped both arms around me and tightened his hold. My glasses were crushed and the lens turned foggy but I didn’t care.

  “You need a job?” he asked gruffly.

  I stepped back, disentangling myself from his arms and gazed up at him. His aquiline nose and grey eyes and square jaw made him look aristocratic. Old noble. Even if he was angry at first, his upbringing couldn’t prevent him from being kind. It was present in that rigid way he held himself. Trying to hold back and help a person in need by offering me a job.

  And I needed the job. So I took the offer. “Yes.” I was desperate.

  He glanced at me, amusedly. “My business partner, Reese, needs a secretary.” He pulled out a card out of his back pocket. “Come tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. We’ll conduct an interview.” He tipped his head and walked away, having decided my intrusion in his life to be over.

  For now.

  I stood there in the cobblestone pathway, people milling about, and questioned myself. I was hesitant to accept the job.

  I looked down at the pale gray business card.

  Jack Black

  Black Hawk

  CEO

  Chapter 2

  Olivia

  The building was tall, stark and forbidding against the blue sky. It took up about a quarter of the block. All steel grey and glass windows. I double checked the address from the card in my hand to make sure I was at the right place. It was an hour drive into the city from home. I didn’t often venture out to the city, but when I did I was taken away by the busy streets and skyscrapers.

  My palms were sweaty when I smoothed out my pencil skirt. I took a deep breath and entered the b
uilding.

  Glass and chrome, modern and sleek. The vibe of the lobby was airy and open. A woman in her mid-thirties manned the security desk. She looked up with a generic smile, “How can I help you?”

  All of a sudden, I felt the panic beginning in my abdomen which was akin to a spark plug. My breathing became rapid and shallow. I had the primal urge to flee. I bent at the waist and placed my hands on my knees when I felt the room spinning.

  I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. They were coming in gasps while my heart was hammering in my chest.

  In and out.

  Inhale. Exhale.

  I dimly felt arms encircling my waist and I was lifted from the ground, cuddled against suit cladded chest. I curled into the chest, my limbs trembling and tear streaking my cheeks.

  When I felt more in control of my body, I opened my eyes and gazed into stormy clouds.

  Jack.

  Another face came into my view. He was simply arresting. Gorgeous. Obsidian eyes clouded against golden, sun embedded skin. His brows were furrowed as he took me in. Worry encased his face.

  He was worried for me and he didn’t even know me.

  “Deep breaths. Focus on my counting. 1…2…3,” he rasped out.

  That made me want to cry all over again as I focused on my shallow breaths, slowly my panic attack ebbing. I wasn’t normally a crier, but these recent months have forced me to succumb to my tears.

  The silence was broken when the elevator dinged signaling its arrival.

  The ding jolted me awake and present.

  “I can walk,” I said, stiffly. To say I was embarrassed was an understatement. I had a panic attack before I could interview. It was the worst impression.

  Jack slowly put me down, his arms hovering to make sure I was steady on my feet.

  “Ms. Cole, I trust you are okay?” Jack asked me.

  “Yes, Mr. Black,” I answered shakily.

  He nodded toward the other man who watched our exchange silently.

  “Reese, meet Ms. Olivia Cole. Ms. Cole, Reese Hawk. The other half of Black Hawk. You’ll be interviewing for him.”