Inside, his inner wolf began to pace, the edge of constant desire making him savage and restless.
Damn. Ryan had never had a woman affect him this way. He wanted her something fierce, but she merited more than a quick release of driving need. She deserved candles and moonlight and romance and wine. A plush bed in a luxurious stateroom, a silky negligee and tenderness. He had it all planned, the seduction. He would not act like a rutting bull. Even though his body wanted to.
“This thing will drive itself for a while,” he said, managing a casual and hopefully friendly smile. “Let’s go up on deck and take a look around.”
* * *
With desire on a slow simmer, and feeling unaccountably nervous, Maria watched Ryan control the boat, glad he focused on the water rather than her. Every time the man directed that intense gaze on her, she melted inside.
Now that they were completely alone and heading for the open water, she briefly wondered if her decision to indulge her craving for him had been wise. No doubt her father wouldn’t approve. But then, what father would?
Truth be told, she’d grown exceedingly weary of doing the right thing. Sure, she understood her destiny, but the weight of the task she’d been charged with often felt too heavy to bear.
Some time off to recharge her batteries might be just what she needed. A fling, she reminded herself for the twentieth time since she’d decided to do this. Nothing more than a fling. Fast and fun, no strings. Back to her life, to the real world, the next day.
This kind of thinking had nearly gotten her into trouble before. She suspected this time would be no exception. Still, she realized she didn’t care. Something told her it would be worth it.
“Hey.” Ryan’s voice made her blink and come out of her reverie. “Are you all right? You’re not feeling queasy or anything, are you?”
“I’m good.” She managed what she hoped was an easy smile. “And I’ve never been seasick. As far as I know, I’m fine with the waves and ocean and boats.”
“Good to know.” His slow and steady gaze felt like a caress. She shivered, realizing the anticipation was a kind of foreplay. Even the rocking motion of the yacht as it cut through the waves felt sensual.
“I asked you if you wanted to go topside and take a look around. With this kind of weather, the view ought to be breathtaking.”
She wished she had the courage to tell him what she really wanted to do—go down to that elegant master bedroom, disrobe and make wild, passionate love on that huge bed.
But then it would be over. She wasn’t sure she was ready for that, at least, not yet. They’d just set off, after all.
Part of her thought she should go for it. Casual sex should be just that—casual. Simple as that.
But she knew there would be nothing casual about the way Ryan made love to her. Nothing casual at all.
Better to wait, to prolong the anticipation.
She’d been buzzing with desire ever since climbing aboard the boat. Every look, every accidental touch, merely added fuel to the fire.
Upstairs, the sea breeze kept the sun from feeling too hot.
“I’ve dropped anchor. Do you fish?” Grinning, Ryan produced a couple of really long fishing poles.
She thought of how she usually fished, using her razor-sharp dragon claws and swooping down to snatch them right out of the water. Human fishing would never be able to compete with that. “I might have caught fish a time or two,” she said. “But if you don’t mind, I’ll just relax and watch you.”
She’d been planning to lie out and catch some sun once they were clear of the other boats. Underneath an oversize T-shirt cover-up, she wore her favorite bikini in red. She felt both nerves and anticipation as to how he’d react at the sight of her in it. The swimsuit barely covered her, and yet somehow managed to look elegant and sexy. It had been expensive and, as far as she was concerned, worth every penny.
Of necessity, Maria had learned to become expert at showcasing her...assets. This went against everything inside her quiet, would-be modest self, but it had been drilled into her that she had no choice. If she wanted to attract a mate, she had to gain his notice. So she tried.
Even so, she knew she wasn’t actually good at it. Luckily, men didn’t seem to care.
This was actually the first time she’d truly wanted a man to notice her. Which, in the long run, didn’t bode well for her ultimate mission.
Right now she refused to think about anything but the here and now. She wanted Ryan Howard, a man she knew she had nothing in common with, no real future. From the single night they’d spent making love, she knew they were good together. Clearly, since one night hadn’t been enough. Maybe once she did this, spent enough time with him to get him out of her system, she could go on with her life and her search for The One.
Heart pounding in her throat, she removed her cover-up, feeling naked in the tiny bikini. She heard his swift intake of breath and found she couldn’t even look at him, even though she was so aroused the triangles of fabric hurt her nipples.
They came together as if they’d never been apart. Touching him, she felt herself expand, as though when their bodies joined, the universe became magnified.
Amazed, astounded, so full of joy her eyes stung, she gave herself over to him. Again and again and again, they moved together, a mating dance of passion and purpose, something she knew she never wanted to end.
She flew and soared, a dragon lifting in the air, even though she never left her body. He gave her fireworks and stars and as she clenched her body around his hardness, the thought came to her lovemaking like this might have ruined her for anyone else. A second later, her practical nature asserted itself, chiding her for considering such foolishness.
And then Ryan moved inside her and she forgot to think at all.
* * *
While Maria slept in his bed, a soft smile on her lovely face, Ryan slipped out from under the sheets and headed up to the main deck. There, he watched the water, enjoying the way the moonlight caressed the waves. He felt safe here, isolated from land and people. Though he always looked for whales, he’d never seen one, though there’d been plenty of dolphins.
He thought of the other night, when he’d seen the dragon, and found himself watching the cloudless sky. Nothing but stars and black velvet. Chiding himself for his foolishness, he found himself wishing Maria would wake and join him.
She’d been everything he’d imagined she’d be and more. Fierce and fiery, she gave as well as took, and their bodies had fit together as if they’d been made for each other.
After their explosive lovemaking, he’d actually let himself fall asleep holding her, something he never did anymore and hadn’t done since college.
Somehow, he’d thought this time with her would slake his ever-present hunger for her. Instead, he felt like an addict, craving more.
Shaking his head at his middle-of-the-night flight of fancy, a movement close to the water caught his eye. His heart began pounding as he got to his feet, gripped the rail and peered intently at the dark water.
Would he finally see the whale he’d longed to see?
And then, the surface of the water exploded. A huge form burst from beneath the surface, arcing toward the sky.
But this was no whale. Not even close. While Ryan stared in disbelief, the dragon launched up, a huge fish caught in one giant claw.
Ryan shrank back against the side of his boat, praying the beast hadn’t seen him. This one looked larger than the one he’d seen before, and its scales didn’t glimmer with as many colors. Instead, the muddy green-and-brown color made it blend better with the ocean. The expression it wore also seemed ominous, somehow. Still, he figured he would be safe as long as the dragon didn’t spot a human.
Damn. This was the second time he’d seen such an unbelievable sight. After the first incident, he’d almost managed to convince himself he’d imagined it. Now, he could no longer do that. Who knew such creatures even existed?
He made a quick ment
al note to do some research once he got back to land and kept his eye on the dragon, just in case it decided to come for his boat.
Luckily, the beast took off, flying toward open water with its prey still flopping in one claw. Ryan stared in the direction it had gone, long after it disappeared.
“Ryan?” Maria’s voice was husky with sleep. “Where are you?”
“Out here.”
A moment later she appeared, wearing only his T-shirt, her dusky skin illuminated by moonlight. In reaction, his body stirred. “Couldn’t sleep?”
He shook his head, debating whether or not to tell her what he’d seen. Ultimately, he decided against it. Though her aura told him she was some kind of Shape-shifter, neither would be inclined to reveal their true nature, not without a committed relationship.
And he didn’t do committed relationships.
According to Maria, neither did she. Which meant this would work out perfectly, right?
“I find the sea peaceful,” he said, rather than answering her question. “Also, I’m always trying to see a whale. So far, I haven’t had any luck.”
She tilted her head, considering. “I know there were actually two orca sightings in the gulf. But to see the large whales, you’d need to go south, closer to Mexico.”
Knowing he couldn’t ask her about dragons, he nodded. “I take it you’ve researched this.”
“Actually, I have. I love the ocean and all of its inhabitants. At one point I was going to A&M in Galveston to become a marine biologist.”
Fascinating. “I didn’t see that coming. How’d you go from that to a wedding chapel owner?”
“Simple. I wanted to own my own business. And there are way more limitations on marine biology than I realized. So I quit school, one year short of getting my degree, and here I am.” She eyed him. “What about you, Mr. Billionaire Playboy? How’d you get to do whatever it is you do?”
“You really don’t know?”
Her chuckle was answer enough. “I take it I should.”
“Didn’t you even read the magazine after you found out who I was?” Strangely he felt equal measures of hurt and amusement.
“No. I didn’t think I needed to. I’d much rather get to know someone in person.”
He couldn’t help but pull her in for a kiss then. “I like you,” he told her, meaning it.
“I like you, too.”
At her sweet words, he felt a small premonition of warning. Things were going too well. She was his ideal woman, everything he could want, including claiming not to want a relationship. Why then did he feel as if the hammer was about to come down?
* * *
The idyllic time on the boat went way too fast, as good times often do. All too soon they pulled back into the harbor and toward the marina.
Maria knew enough about herself to understand that once she got home, she would have regrets. Tons of regrets. Almost the way a junkie repents the first time trying a drug, she should never have explored Ryan Howard. One taste of him had potentially ruined her for everyone else.
Not good, especially for a woman who felt as though she always had a ticking clock hanging over her and needed to find her mate soon.
But she refused to feel regret that their time together was over.
After Ryan had parked the boat back in his slip, she went below and grabbed her bag. Rejoining him topside, she accepted his hand as he helped her onto the dock. This time, she ignored the immediate tingle the contact brought and summoned up her friendliest smile.
“Thanks for an amazing time,” she told him, her tone a bit too bright. If he noticed, he gave no sign.
“Do you have a ride home?” he asked.
Holding up her cell phone, she shook her head. “I’m about to call now.”
“Don’t. I’ll drop you off.”
Briefly, she considered declining, for the foolish reason that she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know where she lived. But, she realized, he’d agreed to the parameters they’d set and wouldn’t be dropping by unannounced or anything. “Thank you,” she said. “I’d appreciate that.”
When they pulled up in front of her modest home, she realized belatedly she wasn’t sure how to say goodbye. Should she kiss his cheek or his mouth, or only shake hands? Since this had been a one-time, casual encounter and she’d never done anything like it before, she had no idea what would be acceptable.
So, instead, she did nothing. As soon as he put the car in park, she opened her door and hopped out. “Thank you so much,” she began, but Ryan wasn’t looking at her. He stared past her, his expression suddenly thunderous.
Turning to look, she saw a man climbing out of her bedroom window.
“Do you know him?” Ryan asked, his voice low and urgent.
“No. I think I’m being robbed.” She dug in her purse for her phone so she could call 911.
But Ryan didn’t wait. Pulling out a pistol, he took off running after the intruder.
As she watched, her heart pounding, the man shape-shifted into a dragon. Ryan squeezed off a few shots, but they were too late and did nothing to stop the dragon from launching himself into the sky.
Chapter 5
Stunned, Maria watched as the Drakkor flew away. All she could think of was how what he’d done was in direct violation of every law set forth by the Drakkor Council. He’d changed in front of Ryan, and while she knew Ryan was Pack, this Drakkor intruder had no way of knowing.
Plus, it was broad daylight. Anyone could have seen. Did this mean Polacek had somehow escaped from prison?
Stunned, she looked back at Ryan. He, too, stared after the dragon until the huge beast disappeared into the clouds.
“Did you...” He cleared his throat. “Did you see that?”
“I did.” Unable to keep the anger and fear from her voice, she folded her arms across her chest.
“What was it?”
She took a deep breath. “You’d better come inside. Those gunshots are sure to attract attention.”
He stared at her. “After all that, the one thing you’re worried about is my gun?”
“I didn’t say that. I’m wondering how many others saw him and, worse, what will happen if someone got a picture.”
Ryan followed her into the house without saying another word. She placed her purse on the little table near the front door and tried to collect her scattered thoughts so she could figure out what to say. She knew she had to choose her words carefully.
After holstering his pistol, Ryan paced the length of her small living room. “I should call someone, don’t you think? I mean, that thing is flying loose over Galveston.”
“That thing is a Drakkor,” she interrupted. “And who would you call, the Pack Protectors?”
That stopped him in his tracks. “You know what I am?”
“Of course. You wear your aura just like we all do. I saw your wolf the first time we made love.”
He narrowed his eyes and studied her. “Okay. Touché. Since we’re exchanging personal information, tell me what manner of Shifter you are.”
“That’s not necessary.” Her tone let him know she refused to budge on this. “We’re not in a committed relationship, so there’s no need. Plus, I thought you wanted to discuss the Drakkor we just witnessed.”
“How do you know what it’s called?”
Now came the tricky part. “Because I’ve studied.” Not entirely a lie. She went to her bookshelf and pulled out a well-worn book. “Here. Take a look at this.”
Accepting the heavy hardback, he carried it over to the kitchen table. “History of Shape-shifters,” he read. “This looks like something we would have learned in school when we were young.”
“It probably was.” She glanced out the window. “The Drakkor are a very old and venerated people. However, that still doesn’t explain what that one was doing breaking into my house.”
“Or the fact that he broke every law of our kind by changing into a dragon like that.”
Grimly, she nodded. “Bro
ad daylight. It will have to be reported. By the way, why do you carry a gun?”
“It’s Texas. I have my concealed handgun license. Maybe me shooting at it will make that Drakkor think twice before coming back.”
“Maybe.”
Ryan began paging through the book. “Here we go. The Drakkor.”
While he read what was admittedly a brief and incomplete article, she hurried to her bedroom to see if she could figure out what this intruder might have taken.
Everything appeared to be exactly the way she’d left it, her bed still perfectly made, her clothes hanging in her closet. She checked her dresser drawers, but her neatly folded underwear looked untouched. The same for her T-shirts and pajamas. Even her jewelry box didn’t seem to have been rifled through.
“What did he steal?” Ryan asked from the doorway.
“That’s just it. I don’t know.” Delayed reaction had set in and she realized tears pricked the back of her eyes. Horrified, especially since she didn’t cry, she took several deep breaths and wrestled her emotions under control.
Good. Now she had to call her father and report what had just happened.
“You need to leave,” she said, aware her brusque tone and dismissal would seem abrupt, but beyond caring. “I’d like to make some phone calls.”
He studied her for a few seconds before slowly nodding. “All right. But first, I want to check and make sure everything is locked up tight. Do you have a burglar alarm?”
“No.”
“I’ll have one installed first thing tomorrow,” he said.
Under any other circumstances, she might have argued. But right this instant, all she could do was nod. “Fine. Now please go.”
He didn’t move. “You can’t honestly expect me to leave you alone after someone broke into your house? I think you at least need to call the police.”
“And tell them what? That a Drakkor broke in but didn’t steal anything?”
Again Ryan went silent. “Do you know what that person wanted? You do, don’t you? That’s why you don’t find the entire thing absurd.”
Billionaire Wolf (The Pack 17) (Nocturne) Page 6