Draco shook his head. “We take care of our own around here. And make no mistake, Lacey, you’re mine.”
Well, hell. He hadn’t meant to just blurt that out. Way to go, Casanova!
She looked surprised by his words, but pleasantly so. He wondered how long it had been since someone had shown her any affection, since someone had worried what happened to her.
He cupped her cheek. “Please, let me take care of you.”
“All right,” she said softly.
He was a little shocked she’d given in so easily. There was no doubt she was a fighter, she’d have to be after what she’d been through. Only someone strong would’ve managed to escape and land on their feet. She hadn’t admitted defeat when she’d run out of cash, she’d merely found a job, even knowing it was a risk. He admired that strength, but he wanted her to know that she didn’t have to be strong all the time, she could lean on him.
Draco smoothed her hair back from her face. “You’re so beautiful.”
A blush tinged her cheeks and she ducked her head. “My eyes and hair are just unusual, is all.”
“No, it’s more than that.” Tipping her chin up, he leaned in, moving slow so as not to scare her. Her eyes flared then slid closed a moment before his lips touched hers. It was a simple brush of his mouth against hers, but it made him even more aware of her than before. He’d wanted her from the moment he’d scented her at the diner, but only in a sexual way. Then he’d observed her and realized she was hiding something. Her moves indicated she didn’t want to be noticed and he figured it was more than just being shy. She’d intrigued him. But when she’d been injured, when he’d known that she needed his help, he’d felt protective toward her and that wall he’d built around his heart so many years before came tumbling down, crumbling to dust.
It was in that moment that he realized who she was to him. She was his mate, the one woman destined to belong to him, to complete him, to be by his side for the rest of his life. And that was a very long time. Thankfully, once they were mated, her life would extend to the length of his. With werewolves and other shapeshifters, they claimed their mates with a bite, but that wouldn’t work for him. Draco was special, different. As a dragon shifter, a different set of rules applied to him. If what he’d been told was to be believed, the first time they made love, she would become his. The only question was would she let him? Could he convince her that he was right for her? He hadn’t had parents to teach him about being a dragon, but a local witch had found a dragon on the other side of the country who had been willing to guide him in the ways of his kind.
As he broke the kiss, he tightened his embrace, holding her close. They’d just met and he was moving way too fast, at least for a human he was. But Draco wasn’t a human and now that he knew who Lacey was to him all he could think about was making her his. He supposed he should tell her a little more about himself first.
“I’m guessing you already know I’m not human,” he began.
She nodded.
“I’m the only one of my kind in Moonspell, or the surrounding towns. You’ll find a lot of shapeshifters around here, but most are regular animals, like wolves, big cats or birds.”
“But you’re something different?”
“Yes. I’m a dragon shifter.”
She leaned back and looked up at him with wide eyes. “Dragon? You mean dragons are real?”
He grinned. “Yes, we’re real, but I don’t think there are very many of us left. A shifter-human pairing can result in shifter offspring. But if you mate with a different type of shifter, it’s anyone’s guess what your children will be. Because dragons are so rare, we’re dying out.”
“Is that why you want me?”
“No! God no. Don’t ever think I want you just for breeding purposes. I want you because you’re my chosen mate. I know that’s a lot to take in, and you probably don’t really understand it, but we were destined to be together. Don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t. It’s just something that I know.”
“I think I understand, but this is all so new to me.”
He nodded. “I understand. I’ll give you all the time you need.”
Draco only hoped he could keep that promise. He needed to bond with her in the worst way, to ensure that she was protected against her past and that the town would keep her safe. If she were mated to him, Chief Hale would surely aid them and not lock her away. Draco wasn’t convinced that Lacey had done the crime she was accused of, and he only knew of one way to find out the truth. They’d have to not only visit Dr. Collins, but her sister Margaret, as well. Both women had psychic abilities, but Margaret was the more powerful of the two and would be able to see the truth of the situation.
Hell, at this point, he’d consult an Ouija board. He wasn’t adverse to help from the other side, or from any side, just as long as it kept Lacey with him and out of trouble. He didn’t think he could bear it if they took her away. He might have only known her a day, but somehow he just knew that she was the right woman for him, and he would do anything to hold onto her.
Chapter Five
When they got home, Lacey followed Draco into her room and gasped in surprise. That he had taken the time to go shopping for her struck a chord deep in her heart. He had to be the kindest man she’d ever met. It would be all too easy to let him solve all of her problems, but it wouldn’t be very fair to him.
Tears gathered in her eyes at his gesture. “You did all of this, for me?”
“It was my pleasure, Lacey. Although, I can honestly say I’ve never shopped for women’s clothes before, especially the more delicate items. I have to admit I had a little help picking things out. If there’s anything you don’t like, we can take it back.”
She grasped his hand. “No, they’re all great. I’m touched that you would even think to do something like this.”
He cupped her jaw in his free hand. “I told you I wanted to take care of you.”
Suddenly she wanted to feel his arms around her again, feel his lips against hers. Their kiss in the park might have been chaste compared to what either of them had experienced in the past, because she knew a man like him had experienced true passion before, but it was the best kiss she’d ever had and she couldn’t wait to have another.
“I’d better go, before I do something I’ll regret,” he said.
“You would regret kissing me again?”
“No, beautiful. I could never regret that. But once I start kissing you, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop and I don’t want to hurt you.”
She moved closer. “You would never hurt me, Draco.”
“You would test the patience of a saint,” he muttered right before claiming her lips with hungry urgency.
His mouth coaxed and teased hers, going from soft and feathery to hard and demanding. His tongue swept into her mouth as he kissed her deeply, leaving her weak-kneed. Her heart raced from excitement as she pressed her body close to his. It was a long, drugging kiss, and afterwards, his lips lingered on hers, as if he couldn’t bear to pull away.
Lacey opened her eyes to see Draco looking at her with an expression that could only be described as hungry. There was no doubt in her mind that he wanted her. Was she brave enough to give him what he wanted? She’d held onto her virginity for twenty-four years. Deep in her heart, she knew that she wanted Draco to be her first. She just wasn’t sure how to instigate it.
She placed her hand against the hard planes of his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat. Sliding her palm upward, she curled her hand around the back of his neck. She wanted him to kiss her again, needed him to. There was an ache growing inside of her, an emptiness, and something told her only he could fill it.
“What are you doing, Lacey?”
“I want you to kiss me again,” she answered softly.
“Do you know how hard it is to stop at just kissing? I’ve never wanted a woman the way I want you.”
“Then don’t stop.” She looked up at him, trusting him comp
letely. “I may be new to all of this, but I know that I want to be with you, even if it can’t last.”
“Oh, it can last. I told you, you’re mine. I’m never going to let you go, sweetheart. This town had better prepare to stand by your side because I won’t accept any less.”
Her heart warmed at his words. “Draco, I want you. Please.”
“If we do this, we’re going to do it right. You deserve something romantic, not a quick tumble because my hormones are raging out of control.”
She couldn’t think of anything more romantic than being with Draco. She didn’t care if it was slow and tender or fast and hard, she just wanted him. This would be her first time seeing a completely nude male and it seemed right that it would be Draco. She’d known that first day that there was something special about him, she just hadn’t realized how special he would become. Yes, she’d known him a very short time, but sometimes you just knew.
Her psychiatrist would probably say she was looking for acceptance and love, as she had experienced neither in a very long time. And maybe to some degree she was. But it was more than that. Draco made her feel special. For all she knew, she was just one in a long line of women, but he claimed she was different, that she was his. Those two words -- you’re mine -- had sounded so wonderful.
“You don’t have to romance me, Draco.”
“Yes, I do. You’re my mate and I want our first time together to be a memory you’ll cherish always. It isn’t like I do this all the time.”
She wanted to ask if there had been many women in his life, but she was afraid of the answer so she kept quiet. He was her first and that was all that mattered. Her first and her last. Her only, if she understood him correctly. What could be more special than that?
“Draco, there’s something you should know.”
“You can tell me anything.”
“I’ve never… I mean, I…”
He stroked her jaw and waited patiently while she found her words.
“I’ve never been with anyone before.”
His lips tipped up in a slow smile. “You’re going to be my first, as well.”
Her eyes widened in surprise and her lips parted. To say he’d shocked her was an understatement. How could a handsome, virile man like Draco be a virgin? “How? Why?”
“There was never anyone who interested me enough. I’ve only dated a handful of women, and never more than three dates. I was looking for someone, and I couldn’t find her. I was looking for you.”
She wasn’t sure what to say to that. What could you say? It was sweet and romantic. Draco of the sexy body, piercing blue eyes, and oh so kissable lips wanted her and only her. He’d waited for her. It made her want him even more. She was even more certain than before that she was doing the right thing.
“Make me yours, Draco.”
“Tonight. After dinner. It’s going to be a full moon and there’s a special place I’d like to share with you. We’ll take some blankets with us.”
“Outside? You want to make love outside?”
“I promise no one will see us. Not even the other shapeshifters go that far into the woods.”
“I trust you. I’ll go where you want to take me.”
And she did trust him. She knew that he wouldn’t do anything to harm her. While she didn’t understand the whole mate concept, not really, she did remember reading about them in romance novels. She’d always thought it would be wonderful to know with that kind of certainty that you belonged with someone, to know that you wouldn’t divorce or grow apart. And now she had her chance at that kind of happiness and she was going to take it, she was going to grab hold with both hands and hold tight.
“Why don’t you relax and watch a movie or something? I’m going to set up an appointment for you with Dr. Collins for tomorrow, then I’m going to see if I can get someone to work my shift for a day or two. I want more time with you before I return to work.”
“You’ll have to make my appointment for the afternoon. I’m scheduled to work until two.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and tugged her closer. “You know, as my mate, you don’t have to work.”
“You mean just sit at home all day and let you take care of me?”
He grimaced. “I take it you don’t like that idea?”
“I want to be able to stand on my own two feet, Draco. Being a waitress might not be all that glamorous, and I may not make very much, but at least I’m trying to support myself. That means a lot to me.”
“I would never want to take that away from you, Lacey. I just hate the thought of you being at work on my days off. We won’t get to spend a lot of time together.”
She bit her lip. He had a good point. She’d see how this whole mate thing went and if it looked like things were going to work out, that she’d get to stay, then she’d re-evaluate her need to have a job. Maybe she could even find something she could do from home. Home. This beautiful place could be her home. At least… No, she was still holding back. If she wanted this dream to be hers, this new life, she had to be completely honest with him. She just wasn’t sure when she should tell him about the man in the alley, who he’d really been. Would he be angry with her for lying to him before, for falsifying that report?
“Explain the mate thing to me again.” She rubbed his biceps. “You claim I’m the only woman for you, but what does that really mean?”
“A mate is like a wife, except more. You’re the other half of my soul, the only woman who completes me. I know that sounds sappy and like a corny pick-up line, but it’s true. When we bond, when I claim you, we’ll be tied together forever. And forever is a long time to a dragon. We’ve been known to live for hundreds of years, and as my mate, your life will extend as well.”
“Married?”
His hand caressed her waist. “You need more time, don’t you? I’ll understand. It’s a big step to take.”
“How do you go about claiming me?”
“When we make love, you’ll become mine. It’s why I’ve never slept with anyone, it was never right. I wasn’t about to tie myself to someone I wasn’t meant to be with. In all honesty, I never even felt the urge to sleep with any of the women I dated.”
“Never?”
He kissed her briefly. “Never. There’s never been anyone but you, Lacey.”
“What if you claim me and then I get sent away again? I don’t want to live for hundreds of years if I’m going to be locked in a hospital again. And it wouldn’t be fair to you, either.”
“You’re not going back, Lacey. I won’t allow that to happen.”
“How are you going to stop it?”
“You do know dragons breathe fire, right? I’ll just roast anyone who tries to take you away.”
She laughed. “I’m being serious, Draco.”
“All I need to know is do you want to be with me, Lacey? Do you want to be mine?”
Lacey leaned into him and rested her head on his chest. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
“That’s all I needed to know.”
After dinner, Lacey and Draco returned home. Draco gathered two blankets from the hall closet and handed them to her. Following him outside, she wondered how they were going to his secret place. Would they walk?
Before she could ask him, he began stripping out of his clothes. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. With each article of clothing that fell to the ground, her mouth watered more and more. She’d never seen a more spectacular sight than Draco in the buff.
“Draco, not that the view isn’t wonderful, but what are you doing?”
He chuckled. “I can’t very well shift in my clothes.”
Shift? She was going to see his dragon form? Butterflies erupted in her stomach. Ever since he’d told her he was a dragon, she’d wondered what he would look like, and now she’d get to find out. It was so exciting!
No, wait. She couldn’t let him shift yet. She had something she had to tell him. “Draco, before you shift, before we go an
y further, I have to be honest with you.”
“You haven’t been?”
“Not completely. I didn’t mean to lie to you, I just… I was afraid at the time. You didn’t know about my past then. And later, when I’d told you, well…”
“Just tell me what is it, sweetheart.”
“The man in the alley, the one who hurt me? It wasn’t a drunk or a junkie like I’d led you to believe. It was one of the guards from the hospital. He’s here, in town.”
“But he could know you’re working at the diner?”
“It’s possible,” she said. “For all I know, he knows about you and this house. He could be watching right now.”
Draco smiled. “I would sense him if he were here, so you’re safe for now. All you’ve done is give me even more reason to claim you. Once you’re mine, the townspeople will have no choice but to help you. You’ll be one of us then.”
She looked at him uncertainly. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to get tangled up in my mess.”
“I’m sure. Now, wait right there and prepare to be amazed.” His image shimmered and elongated. One minute Draco stood before her, and the next a large blue dragon was in his place. His wings were tucked against his back and two horns stood up from the crown of his head. His long tail had small spikes running along the length. In the moonlight, his scales gleamed. She was in awe.
“Draco, you’re beautiful,” she said as she reached for him. Her hand ran along his side, his scales hard and cool under her fingertips.
He lowered his body to the ground and she looked at him. He tossed his head toward his back and she took that to mean she should climb on. Gathering the blankets close to her chest, she climbed up his leg and onto his broad back, making sure to not kick his wings.
“All right. I’m ready.”
He rose from the ground, his wings beating the air. She squealed as they became airborne. His large body glided through the air, skimming the tops of the trees. The wind blew her hair in her face, but she didn’t dare let go to push it aside. She didn’t know how long they were in flight, but Draco began to descend beside a small lake. There was a clearing just big enough for him to land. Once they were on solid land again, she slid from his back, her legs trembling from the exertion of trying to stay on.
Romance in Moonspell Page 20