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 her. “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 9 of 20
Dedicated
Description
Mason Walker is a war veteran, who after seeing so much suffering finds God. Just months ago, he takes a vow of celibacy to begin his journey to become a priest. Then, someone walks into the church searching for anything that can save her from the life she has been dealt. Those around him don’t see her as the type who can be saved, so he begins to question everything he knows about religion.
Samantha Adams has had a rough life. She comes from an abusive home, from which she was removed at fourteen. She made the rounds of numerous foster homes. At seventeen, she discovered being pretty could go a long way with men who had money in their pockets. She became a muse for lonely, rich men who could keep her fed and sheltered for months at a time. At nineteen, a pregnancy ended it all. About to be on the streets with a baby, she walks into a church looking for redemption.
Will Samantha’s sweetness, beauty and new mindset cause Mason to question his choice of celibacy? Will Mason be able to help Samantha trust him to be a different kind of man than those she has known and grow to believe in God?
Chapter 1
Samantha shocked herself by walking into the church. She hadn’t stepped foot into one since one of her foster parents had forced religion upon her. The woman had believed it would wipe away the sins of Samantha’s birth parents and leave Samantha cleansed of evil. What it had actually done was make her see the family life she was missing and go into a depression. She hoped for better things this time around. Her baby deserved a chance and Samantha sought redemption for the life of sin she had been living.
As she sat down to listen to the sermon, Samantha was reminded of being in a church, much like this one, under the critical eyes of her pious foster mother. She was forced to sit perfectly straight, her back not touching the pew, with her hands clasped in her lap. Her knees were clamped together and her skirt pulled over them for modesty. If she dared change position, there would be hours of prayers on her knees as penance. Other parents held wiggling, crying children or whispered into their teenager’s ears, bringing quick smiles to their faces. She longed to be a part of such a family.
Alyssa, her infant daughter, began to get fussy. She wouldn’t be like her foster mother and pop the baby on the leg to make her quiet. Instead, she reached into the oversized bag that contained her most precious belongings and pulled out a bottle and a teether. She soothed Alyssa with a kiss on her blonde head. Samantha swore she would never abuse her child the way she had been abused all her life.
Samantha felt judging eyes turn her wa
y. Some of the worshipers knew her from the streets of Chicago. They recognized the girl who had run away from home so many times and stolen food from the small grocery stores, so she wouldn’t starve. Others may have seen her with the rich men who kept her fed and sheltered in exchange for companionship and inspiration. Samantha had not thought of herself as a prostitute. She considered herself a muse, aiding the richest of men to find confidence in their dreams and aspirations. Many had doubled their wealth acting on the imaginings others had deemed ridiculous.
Sadly, no man wanted a muse with a child. All her youth and beauty were useless to them if she could not drop everything and follow them around the world on a whim. The needs of a baby put a damper on that quickly. Almost out of money and dreaming of a different life for Alyssa, she had wandered into this church seeking help. The disapproving eyes made her think she had made a huge mistake. But for her daughter’s sake, she would see this through.
Once the service ended, Samantha stayed in her seat. The baby was sleeping and she didn’t want to walk out among the people who were acting as if she didn’t exist. One little girl had reached out to touch Alyssa’s downy hair and her mother had snatched her hand away. Samantha realized the woman had not wanted her child tainted by touching an unwed woman’s baby. It hurt Samantha’s heart to know that Alyssa would be judged by her past sins, though the baby was innocent.
Mason had noticed the young woman and her child enter the church during the sermon. He had noted the stares that came her way and found himself puzzled by the disapproval he saw. What could there be to disapprove of? The young woman was dressed demurely, her light brown hair clean and shining, and the chubby baby appeared perfectly healthy. She had calmed the baby during the service with a gentle touch and a kiss. This was not a drug addicted mother looking for a handout. She clearly loved her child and was here for another purpose.
The church emptied and Mason saw the woman still sitting peacefully with the baby sleeping in her arms. He didn’t wish to disturb her worship, but she looked so forlorn and lonely, he couldn’t help himself. He took a seat in the row in front of her and said, “I’m Mason Walker. I noticed that you’re new here. Is there something I can help you with?”
Samantha looked into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. There was a kindness and understanding in them, she was instantly drawn to. His short, military style hair cut contrasted with the soft voice he used when he greeted her. This stranger made her feel welcome for the first time since she had entered the church. Clearing her throat, she replied, “I just need some time to sit here and find some peace. I promise not to overstay my welcome.”
“Stay as long as you like. If it’s peace your looking for, this is the place to find it. I came here seeking it after I got out of the military and it’s changed my life. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll be up front clearing away everything from the service,” Mason stated.
“Are you a priest? Can you help me find redemption?” Samantha asked.
“I’m not a full-fledged priest yet, but I’m working on it. You can talk to me. I swear not to pass judgement on anything you say. If that makes you uncomfortable, I’ll find the priest and bring him to you,” he soothed.
“I’d rather speak to you. You have kind eyes and I need that. My past isn’t the best. In fact it’s awful. I’ve made so many mistakes in my life and I want to change. My baby deserves a real home filled with love and kindness. I never had that and I don’t know where to start. By the end of the month, I’m not even sure where we’ll be living. Can I be saved? Maybe, I don’t deserve it, but Alyssa is innocent of all wrongdoing. Thankfully, she is too young to see the looks we are given by the other worshipers. I never want her to feel that kind of pain.”
“It sounds like there’s a long story behind your reasons for coming here today. I’m willing to listen as long as it takes. Let’s start with the basics. What’s your name?” Mason asked.
Chapter 2
“My name is Samantha Adams and my daughter’s name is Alyssa. It’s just the two of us,” she began. “My birth parents were abusive. They drank and did drugs. I kind of took care of myself. After a beating, when I was fourteen, I was taken away. The foster homes weren’t any better. So I ran away. I lived on the streets until I was seventeen.”
“I’m so sorry that your childhood was stolen from you,” Mason replied. “No child deserves to be beaten or abandoned. You survived somehow. Where did you go after seventeen?”
Samantha bowed her head and answered, “Men started looking at me differently. At first, they offered me food just for my company. They claimed I was too pretty to starve. One man had been sitting alone on a park bench for hours, staring into space. He had lost an important business client and was afraid of telling his boss. Somehow, I managed to give him the courage he needed by telling him about my life. He offered me a place to stay in return. From then on, I always found a place to live. Yes, they eventually wanted more from me than just words. I gave it freely. I needed to feel loved and they helped.”
“You’re speaking in the past tense. Have you walked away from that life?” Mason inquired.
“It walked away from me,” she explained. “I got pregnant and wouldn’t get rid of the baby. Her father provided for me until she was born. I was so afraid that I couldn’t take care of her that I offered to give him custody. He freaked out. He told me that he was married and wouldn’t ever tell his wife about us. He gave me enough money to last six months and sent us away. We’ve been living in a rundown motel by the freeway. No man wants a woman with a baby, no matter how pretty she is or how she can inspire him. I wanted out of that life anyway, for Alyssa. Can I be forgiven?”
Mason smiled and said, “You already have been. God sees our hearts and he found a good one in you. He blessed you with a beautiful daughter and the courage to keep her. It was most likely He who sent you here today. The first thing you need is a job. You have rent to pay and food to buy.”
Samantha replied, “I’ve tried. No one around here will hire me. Either they remember me from stealing food as a child or they say I would be unreliable because of the baby.”
“I intend to help you with that problem. Give me a few days and I will see what I can come up with. You’ll need childcare as well so that you are reliable. Where can I reach you?”
Samantha gave him the name of her motel. “Why are you helping me? You really don’t know me at all.”
“Helping those in need is part of what I vowed to do. Besides, I see something special in you, a worthiness you are unaware of. The way you forgive those who treat you badly, without anger and the way you love Alyssa shows me how good you are inside. Everyone deserves a second chance. I’m determined to see that you get yours,” Mason declared.
Samantha carefully bundled up her sleeping child, picked up the hefty bag and left the church. She stared up at the sun breaking through the clouds and saw it as an omen. She whispered, “Thank you for sending an angel to guide me.”
Mason watched her leave. He couldn’t understand how someone so lovely, sweet and gentle could be treated so badly. People had to see that her inside was as beautiful as her outside. She needed a chance to convince them of her sincerity and value. He prayed he could make that happen.
From behind, a gruff voice said, “You shouldn’t get involved with her. Leave her to me. You are too vulnerable to her wicked wiles as yet. Her beauty will cause you to falter and forget that she is a harlot.”
Mason was shocked by the priest’s words. He had never heard such a terse tone from his mentor. He answered, “She’s a lost spirit, looking for redemption. I don’t see her as a harlot. She was pushed into her way of life by circumstances beyond her control. If I had been exposed to such an atrocious childhood, I’m not sure I could have handled it at all. I would probably have joined a gang and be dead before I reached eighteen. She’s asking for help and she was sent to us to get it.”
The priest retorted, “I see she has already gotten her claws
into you and swayed your viewpoint. It would be best for you to walk away and leave her be. She will find another man to take her in. I don’t believe she truly wishes to be saved. If she did, she would have come to us long ago. I saw her a few times, sitting in the back with her foster mother. She had a chance then to learn a different way. Instead, she ran from it and the home she was given.”
“She had a reason for running, I’m sure. Not everything we see is as it appears. Samantha may have been brought to church, but what happened in that foster home we don’t know. She wasn’t rejecting God. She was rejecting a world filled with pain and heartache. She sought love in all the wrong places. It doesn’t make her evil or unredeemable. I refuse to believe that. I won’t back away and leave her begging for help,” Mason declared.
“I pray she isn’t your downfall. If you see so much good in her, then of course we will give her a chance. She must be brave to have faced the disapproving stares of the congregation. Do not let her fool you though. Wickedness comes in many forms. Beauty and sadness can cover a multitude of sins,” the priest replied.
Chapter 3
Samantha heard a knock on the motel door. It frightened her. There were so many drunks and drug pushers who stayed in the old dilapidated motel, she never felt safe. She tried to stay locked inside the room, especially after dark, but often strangers pounded on her door. They were either lost or looking to force her into the deepest reaches of their world.
A Sugar Daddy’s Secret: Billionaire Romance Page 27