by Jane Jamison
Cinda was about to slide off her stool to follow Kiley when he placed his hand over hers. “Stay.”
Stay. One little word and yet it evoked an intense reaction from her.
“Cinda, come on. If we’re late, we won’t get to choose our machines.”
She should’ve listened to her friend. Instead, she met his strange metal-colored eyes again, and for the first time in a long time, she did what she wanted to do. “You go on. I want to stay here for a while.”
“What?”
Cinda lifted her glass that wasn’t even half empty. “I think I’ll have another smoothie. They’re good for me, right?”
Uncaring what Kiley’s answer would be, she didn’t bother looking at her friend. After all, Kiley had left her alone after meeting a guy too many times to count.
Still, she’d had to use the pretense—as lame as it was—to be able to stay with Hank. How often would she get a chance to talk to a hot guy? Especially after she and Todd were married?
“Cinda,” warned Kiley.
“It’s fine. Todd’s going to be here in a little while.”
The glint in Hank’s eyes died a moment at the mention of her fiancé.
“Fine. But you’re not getting out of class tomorrow. No matter who you’re talking to.”
“Okay. Sure. Whatever.” As long as Kiley left, she’d promise her anything.
She didn’t have to see the look Kiley gave her. She could feel it. But at least she was walking away.
He waited until Kiley was gone. “Do you really want another one of those?” He gestured toward her drink.
“God no.”
“How about a couple of waters instead?”
“Sure.” Water would be perfect to push down the awful residue left by the green smoothie and to give her something to do with her hands. If she didn’t get them under control, she’d end up grabbing him and pulling him on top of her.
“Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything.”
Why does he care? Yet, she was flattered. “There’s not much to tell. I’m a real estate agent, but you already know that.”
“Yeah, but I want to know the good stuff.”
“The good stuff?”
“Yeah. Like what you like and what you don’t like. What you do for fun. What your dreams are. The good stuff.”
Why was he paying so much attention to her? And wanting to know all about her life? Most guys on the prowl wouldn’t go to so much trouble. Why was he trying so hard to make her feel good?
“Okay. But it’s kind of boring.”
“I don’t think anything about you could be boring.”
“Oh, it is. I am.”
“Then tell me and prove it. I’ll judge whether or not you’re boring.”
She liked the way his mind worked. What harm could there be to go along? Unless, of course, he really was a chubby chaser. Still, why not enjoy the attention? Attention Todd wasn’t giving her. Besides, it wasn’t like anything serious could happen between them. “Well, I’m an only child.”
“But you’re not spoiled.”
“I don’t think so, but you might want to ask my parents.”
“Nah. You’re not the type to lie.”
“No. I’m not.”
“Go on.”
“Like I said, there’s not much to say. Kiley’s my best friend.” She struggled to find more to say about herself. “Um, I don’t have any pets, but I love dogs. And, of course, horses. I mean, what girl doesn’t like horses?”
“None that I’ve found.”
He was so charismatic and sexy that she sometimes forgot to listen to him. Just watching his lips was enough to put her into a trance of lust.
“What about you?”
He eased back. “I live a pretty simple life. The ranch and the work take up my time. I live on the ranch, too, along with a couple of friends.”
“You have roommates?” Please tell me he doesn’t live with his family. Or, God forbid, his mother.
“Yeah.” He chuckled as though he knew what she was thinking. “I know it’s kind of strange for a thirty-six-year-old man to be living with two other men, but we’ve been friends a long time. If we didn’t live together, we’d probably end up at each other’s homes all the time anyway. Besides, they work on the ranch, too.”
“Are they psychiatrists, too?”
“Nope. Walken’s a therapist and works the ranch full time. He likes breeding the horses. Grant, on the other hand, keeps the books, but he also helps out with the kids. He’s not a therapist, but he’s really good at figuring out what a kid needs. Probably because he acts like a kid most of the time. We just got started a few years ago, but things are picking up speed fast. We may even have to expand so we can help more kids.”
“That must be really nice. Helping kids have a better life.” His work was more fulfilling than hers, making her doubt, not for the first time, whether or not she wanted to continue as a realtor. But what else would she do?
“It is.”
They chatted for several more minutes, talking about everything and anything. His likes and hers. Even politics and religion.
At last, just when she was finally getting comfortable enough to forget how handsome he was, he stopped and stared at her. His silver gaze pierced her, making her skittish again.
“Cinda?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re beautiful, but I get the feeling you don’t believe it.”
She let out a quick breath. “What?” She’d expected him to say almost anything. But not that. Never that. “Are you psychoanalyzing me?” She was only half joking.
“Nope, but you don’t have to be a trained professional to see how you feel about yourself. Like I said, you’re beautiful, but you don’t realize it.” He narrowed his eyes. “Either that, or someone’s convinced you that you’re not.”
Todd.
Again, she felt guilty by betraying Todd, if only silently.
“If that’s the case, don’t believe him. He’s an idiot.”
She found it difficult to speak. How had he known?
“As far as I’m concerned, you’re the sexiest girl in the gym.”
He had to be playing her. Whatever the reason was, it didn’t matter. She’d had too many people tease her about her weight to care why they did it. But she’d be damned if she was going to sit there and take it.
Still, he caught her before she could get off the stool. “I’m going to kiss you. If you’re going to stop me, do it now.”
Who did he think she was? Some poor, pitiful girl who’d let him do whatever he wanted? She didn’t want his pity kiss. Yet, before she could tell him to go to hell, he cupped her behind the neck and tugged her mouth to his.
Her breath hitched in her throat. Her heart suddenly skipped a beat then started racing. Her skin became sensitized as though she’d picked up a loose electric wire.
He captured her mouth, hard and demanding. She did everything she could to keep from responding, but her hands soon found his broad shoulders and pulled him closer. A hand reached around her, going to the small of her back, holding her steady. If not for his support, she would’ve fallen off the stool and onto the floor.
The kiss lessened, but only so he could nibble on her lower lip. His tongue swept over the seam of her mouth then plunged inside, taking control. He tasted so different than Todd, and so much better.
She clung to him as though her life depended on it. For once, she didn’t think about the bulges under her shirt that he had to be feeling. For once, she wasn’t self-conscious, worrying more about her size than about the delicious sensations coursing through her.
Giving herself to him, she moved a hand to grip the thick hair at the base of his neck. Her tongue played with his. Her nibbles mimicked his. He came closer until her breasts pressed against his hard chest.
When the kiss ended, she was left breathless, her head spinning. He sat back on his stool and caressed her cheek.
“I’m glad you didn�
��t stop me.”
“Me, too.” She shouldn’t have told him, but it was the truth.
“Good.” He took her hand again. “Look, I don’t know if you feel the same way, but I’ve had enough experience to know when I’ve met someone special. And I have.”
She blushed, the heat spreading from her neck into her cheeks. What could she say? Certainly not what she wanted to say. She was someone special? To a man like him? Suspicion clouded her mind.
Watch out. You know better than to believe him.
“I know this is fast and all, but I don’t want to lose this chance with you.”
Uh-huh. Yet, oh, how she would’ve loved for his words to be true. “You’re saying you’re interested in me?”
He sat back, obviously thrown. “Yeah. I was hoping you’d get that from the kiss. Damn, I must be off my game.”
His game? Was he telling the truth before? Or now?
“Why me?”
“Why not you?”
Because I’m fat. Instead, she only shrugged. “Because I’m no one special.”
“You’re very special.”
What was she supposed to say to that? He was obviously just being nice.
“Let me take you to dinner tonight. We’ll go anywhere you want. Just name it.”
The name of a new Italian restaurant flashed through her mind. She’d tried to get Todd to take her there, but he’d claimed it was “too fancy.” Instead, he always wanted to go to his favorite family restaurant so he could order his favorite hamburger. She loved a good burger as much as anyone, but why couldn’t they splurge once in a while? Being “too fancy” had nothing to do with it. Todd was just plain cheap.
“So? Is it a date?”
Unsure of what to say, she gazed past him into the interior of the gym. More girls, skinny and sexy girls, decorated the stair steppers and other gym equipment.
A horrible feeling, one she knew all too well, crept into her. Why would someone who looked like him want someone who looked like her? Buff bods didn’t go out with so-called “fluffy” girls. Was he setting her up, only to be a no-show later? Was this how he had fun?
“I can’t.” She pulled her hand away. How many times had she been the brunt of jokes? From impolite pig snorts as she strolled through the mall to rude remarks posted on her Face Place page, she’d learned all too well that people didn’t like overweight girls.
“Why not?”
He appeared confused, even disappointed. But that had to be an act.
As though on cue, her phone lit up with a text from Todd telling her he was waiting outside. He couldn’t be bothered to park his car and come inside. “I have to go.” She slipped off the stool and hurried to the front of the gym.
“Hold up.”
She couldn’t stop. If she did, she might never leave. But she had no choice. He grabbed hold of her arm, spinning her around to face him.
“What’s going on? Why can’t you meet me for dinner?”
Too many people were close by, most of them now watching. Many of the pretty girls stared. Their thoughts were written on their faces as surely as if someone had used a permanent marker to draw them there.
“Why is he with her?”
“Did she steal something? Why else would he talk to her?”
“Talk about a cow. It wouldn’t surprise me if she mooed.”
Cinda forced herself to look Hank in the eye. “I can’t because…”
“Because why?”
She couldn’t stand it any longer. Another text from Todd came through. She had to do whatever she could to get away. Even lie. “Because I’m married.”
He turned her loose. His stunned expression said it all. He’d really wanted to date her.
Todd’s third text beeped at her, telling her to “get your ass out to the car.” Wishing she could change her answer, yet knowing she couldn’t, she pivoted and ran for the door.
Chapter Two
One Year Later
Walken Hardgrove felt almost as comfortable on the back of a horse as he did in his dragon body. Holding the reins in an easy grip, he steered his horse, Valiant, toward the older two-story house on Bright Futures Ranch then gave the horse its head. One of his two best friends, Hank Jansen, spurred his mount forward into a canter, taking the lead. Walken didn’t mind. Hank was just one of those guys who liked to go first. Although Walken wasn’t a follower by any stretch of the imagination, he tended to lay back and not get in a hurry. As far as he was concerned, the tortoise had the right idea. Steady and sure.
Walken watched his friend, knowing he’d pull up soon enough. Hank was as good a guy as they came, even if he was a Talasium dragon like their friend Grant Richman. Both men had proven their friendship more times than he could count. He liked to think he’d done the same.
Most dragons in the Dradian clan wouldn’t have been caught dead hanging with two Talasium dragons, much less co-owning a horse ranch, but Walken wasn’t like most Dradians. Hank had joked often that Walken had been born into the wrong clan. Maybe he had been, considering he wasn’t as conniving or as scheming as Dradian dragons were. Fighting against his nature, as well as his upbringing, he’d decided to choose a different kind of life, leaving the Dradian need for control and power behind. His clan hadn’t accepted his decision, prompting him to choose between the clan and his ideas. Being different from other Dradian dragons had never bothered him, so leaving the clan to make a new life was easier than he’d thought it would be.
When he’d cut ties with his clan, he’d gotten lucky and found Hank and Grant. They, too, had grown tired of the continuing struggles between the four ruling dragon clans. They’d left their clan’s main home in Vegas and had come to Atlanta to make their own way. It had been fate stepping in when the three of them had tried to buy the same land outside the small community of Hoschton, Georgia. When they’d found out they were bidding on the same property, they’d gotten together to see which of them would take it. Several drinks later, they’d come to an agreement. They’d run the ranch for helping those in physical and emotional need that Hank had always dreamed of owning. As a team, they’d be sure to make the ranch both profitable and a great source of empowerment for children and adults alike.
As Walken had known he would, Hank pulled his horse to a walk, allowing him to catch up. When he was even with his friend, he glanced over, once again finding him looking morose. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what again?” Hank shifted in his saddle but didn’t glance his way. Which meant, of course, he knew exactly what Walken was talking about.
“You’re thinking about her again.”
“About who?”
“Come on, man. Don’t bullshit me. You know who the hell I mean.”
It had been a year since Hank had come back to the ranch solemn and despondent. He’d gone to the gym as his usual cheerful self and come back depressed and angry at the world. Why? Because he’d met “the woman of my dreams.” A woman who was, unfortunately, already married. No self-respecting dragon would interfere in a marriage, even a mortal one. He’d been torn apart when she’d said she was married. He’d found a great woman, a woman they might share, and had said as much many times since then.
“I can’t help it if my mind keeps going back to her. Hell, you’re as good a shrink as I am, even without the degrees to show it. You should understand this more than anyone.”
“I understand, all right. She’s become an obsession.”
“Can you blame me? I swear if you or Grant had met her, you would’ve felt the same thing. She could’ve been the one for us.”
“Not when she’s already married.”
The sound of horse’s hooves interrupted them. They waited until Grant pulled his mount alongside theirs.
“What’s going on?” Grant’s blond hair shone under the bright afternoon sunlight. The golden strands complemented the tanned bronze of his skin and made his silver eyes stand out even more. A lot of Talasium dragons had the same eye color, but a
ll dragons’ eyes changed to red whenever their dragons rose to the surface.
“Hank’s mooning over the Cinda girl again.”
“Again?”
“If you two had met her—” Hank kicked his horse forward. They kept even with him.
“It wouldn’t have changed a damn thing. She was married, man. We don’t fuck up marriages.”
Grant was right, although Walken figured he could have been more diplomatic in the way he’d said it. Then again, maybe that was what Hank needed to hear. “We said it before. It is what it is. There’s no going back and changing the past. She was never meant to be ours because she was already married.”
“Besides,” added Grant, “are you ready to give up your immortality?”
As dragons they were immortal until they claimed a mate. Once the mate accepted them, their immortality would be lost. They’d begin aging both in their human and dragon forms. As it was, they could control their human appearance, keeping it a certain age, as well as changing it to appear older whenever necessary.
“I should’ve at least gotten her last name.”
“With her husband right outside waiting for her?” Walken didn’t want to rub it in Hank’s face. Seeing her dashing out of the gym and getting into the car with another man—no doubt her husband—had struck Hank to the core. According to Hank, if her husband hadn’t picked her up, if she hadn’t willingly left him behind and gotten into the car, he would’ve chased after her. Knowing Hank and his impulsiveness, they were lucky he hadn’t shifted, scooped her off her feet, and flown her to the ranch.
“I should’ve done something. Instead, I just stood there like a jackass.”
Grant’s eyes flashed red. He often got more irritated at Hank than Walken did. “Again. It would’ve have mattered. We keep looking, that’s all.”
“But—”
“Let it go, Hank. It’s bad enough that you searched for all the Cindas in Atlanta.”
Surprisingly, there had been a few. Four had been married, and he hadn’t continued his inquiry into their lives. Why tempt himself with someone he couldn’t have? Of the other two, one had turned out to a man, and he’d lost track of the other one. There wasn’t much more he could do without knowing her last name.