Dragon Heartstring

by Cross, Juliette

  “All right, Cade. I’ll assign someone to track her. But you’d better tell her. Morgon women don’t like any sort of deception.”

  “Neither do human women.”

  Lucius lifted his glass. “True.”

  I clinked mine to his and swallowed another sip, the burn lessening.

  I found Shakara again over the crowd. While I felt triumphant that Lucius was doing exactly as I’d hoped, somehow I thought I was still falling short for her. “I’ll let her know.”

  “You do that.” He swirled his glass of liquor in a small circle. “Speaking of deception, you might want to stop deceiving yourself.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You’re not looking out for her because she’s your sister’s friend.”

  “No?”

  “No. When you admit the true reason to yourself, some of that anxiety you’ve got building up inside will go away.”

  “How would you know about any anxiety I might have?”

  “I’m a Morgon, Cade. I can sense the change in your heartrate, your agitation in your nervous movements, particularly when her name came up. It means something. And I’m fairly certain you know what that something is.”

  “Good evening, Nightwing.”

  I ignored his smirk, set my empty glass back on the bar, and pushed through the growing crowd toward the dance floor area.

  When I drew closer to Shakara’s table, I recognized the guy with her as a friend of Jessen’s from college. He leaned toward her with one arm braced on the table and his hand on her tall chair back. I swallowed the jealousy stirring in my gut. Damn Lucius and his Morgon senses. I knew exactly what that something was. Shakara entranced me like no other woman. And yes, she was Morgon. My father had taught me that, though we did business deals with them, they were not like us. And we were certainly never to mingle as friends or, heaven forbid, lovers. When my sister chose to marry Lucius, she was officially cut off by my father. And while I understood wholeheartedly that Jessen had made a good decision in marrying Nightwing and that Morgons were no different than us in the ways that mattered, it was still difficult to swallow the idea that I might be falling under Shakara’s spell.

  I stepped up to the table with as much of a smile as I could muster. “Hello, Shakara.”

  “Oh. Hi. I didn’t know you’d be here.”

  “Likewise.”

  “Jed, this is Demetrius Cade.”

  “Oh, yeah,” he said with a friendly smile and reached out to shake my hand. “You’re Jessen’s brother.”

  Shaking his hand, I replied, “Yes. That’s right.”

  “Well, I’d better get up on stage. We’ll be starting soon. Good to see you, Shakara,” he said with a squeeze of her arm before he sauntered across the dance floor and leapt up onto the stage.

  “Sorry,” I said. “Did I interrupt something?”

  “With Jed? No.” She laughed. “We’re just friends.”

  “Good,” I couldn’t help but say.

  “Though I did have a crush on him once.”

  My gut wrenched. I glanced up at the pretty boy fooling around with his bandmates. I shook my head. “No. He doesn’t suit you.”

  “You don’t think so? Why not?”

  I shrugged, swiveling my attention to her. She wore another V-neck, this time a white, airy halter dress that tied at the neck and had pearl buttons lining the front. I imagined unbuttoning the entire line all the way down to her naval so I could get a better look at her lovely complexion.

  “Demetrius?”

  “Why not, you ask? Well, for one, he seems to be more of a kid. Not serious enough for you.”

  “You think I need someone more serious?”

  “Definitely.”

  “Hmm. I rather like to laugh.”

  I could think of no appropriate reply. Her attention was drawn to the stage again as Jessen stepped up to the microphone.

  “Welcome, everyone! First, I’d like to thank all of you for your support of the Gladium Children’s Hospital. Your attendance alone will help provide equipment and resources the hospital needs to care for our sick youth. We have also set up a silent auction on the second floor if you will please peruse the items there and make a bid. Remember, all proceeds go to the Children’s Hospital. And other than that, thank you for coming and enjoy your night. We have the band Elysium about to kick things off for us.”

  Applause welcomed the sudden burst of music as the drummer and two guitarists, all Silverbacks and all blond, lit up the club with a steady beat. They appeared to be brothers. If Jed had wings, I’d say all of them were. Jed started crooning a sultry melody about two lovers under the moonlight.

  “Would you like to dance?” asked Shakara.

  “I’m not much of a dancer.” I wished that I was so I had a reason to pull her into my arms.

  “That’s too bad.” She stood as if to leave, either for the bar or another drink or simply to get away from me.

  I searched for something quick to say to keep her close for a while. “Would you join me at the silent auction?”

  She glanced at the stage then back at me with a shrug. “Sure.”

  I stood beside her and placed a hand on her back where the dress was open all the way down and her skin was bare. Her wings tightened at my touch, the bottom of the one on my side brushing my arm. Guiding her to the elevator, I allowed myself the pleasure of sliding my fingers across her satin skin and down her spine. She stiffened, but didn’t flinch away. Rather, she leaned closer into the crook of my arm, an unexpected but delightful reaction. There was hope yet.

  * * *

  I couldn’t believe it. Stern, grave, all-business Demetrius Cade was showing affection in a public place. My first instinct was to pull away, but my traitorous heart hammered hard, and to my surprise, I liked the weight of his warm hand on my back. I liked it too much.

  He dropped his hand when we entered the elevator. My dragon growled in protest. I kept my gaze steady and straight, my pulse thrumming at his light touch from a moment before. When the elevator door opened and we exited, he pulled me to a stop facing him, both hands cupped around my bare shoulders. The hallway leading to the second floor gallery was empty. We were completely alone in the alcove. I stared up at him and waited. His jaw tightened as he ground his teeth together. My dragon senses honed in on every line of his tense expression—the way his brow creased then smoothed, the tightening of his lips—as if he fought some inner battle. When his dark eyes landed on mine after perusing my face for what felt like an eternity, I knew he’d come to a conclusion about something. But I certainly hadn’t expected the words that came out of his mouth next.

  “I’m going to kiss you now, Shakara.”

  “What?”

  My heart plummeted right into the pit of my stomach. My wings tightened to my back, an instinctive response when I was surprised or scared. Right now, I was both. I couldn’t say a word as he slid his long fingers around my nape and pressed his palm to my jaw. His fingertips curled and tightened when he leaned forward. As if I would try to get away. I thought about it as his mouth lowered to mine. I should be resisting. I should be protesting.

  “Demetrius, I’m not so sure this is a good idea.”

  When he pressed his lips to mine, so gently, barely there, adrenaline shot through my body. I gasped at the sudden energy charging the air. He pulled back, capturing my gaze with those dark eyes, most definitely seeing the dragon in mine.

  “Do you want me to stop?” he asked. “Because I don’t think you do.”

  “I—I—”

  “That’s what I thought.” In a swift, aggressive move I didn’t expect, he angled his mouth over mine and went deeper, gliding his tongue inside for a nice, long taste. I clutched his biceps, holding on for dear life, because my mind spun with the sudden jolt of adrenaline. I melted against his chest and torso, my dragon longing to claw off his expensive suit and feel him skin on skin.

  A little moan escaped me as he nipped my bottom lip then pulled away
. Still breathless, I let go of him and touched my fingers to my mouth. “Where did that come from?”

  His expression remained grave, a pinch between his brows, as if we’d been discussing some tragic event on the news. “I don’t know. I just had to.” For a moment, I thought he would kiss me again, and heaven help me, I wanted him to. But he stood straight and asked, “Shall we go see the auction?”

  “Okay.” Though my brain was far away and foggy as hell, I managed to sound coherent and not as addled as I was. And somehow a little angry. At myself, not him. I wasn’t the kind of girl to swoon over a sexy man. That was never enough to entice me. And yet, something about Demetrius made me lose my wits, even when I still worried about his hang-ups with Morgonkind.

  There were a few people perusing the tables set out for the silent auction, but most of the crowd was downstairs enjoying the band. Holding hands like it was normal, we walked along the table.

  “I’d like to bid on something,” he said. “Tell me when you see something you like.”

  This man continued to surprise me. There were a few pieces of artwork donated by Flaming Hearts Art Gallery, owned by the Nightwings. I expected that with Jessen in charge of this fundraiser. There was a dinner for two at Dorchester Steakhouse. Demetrius looked at me and raised his brow. I shrugged and shook my head. We walked down the line, passing designer crystal, four tickets to a Vaengar game in the exclusive box seating of the stadium, and an all-day spa treatment.

  Demetrius paused at the spa day. I shook my head. We came to the end of the table, and I pulled him up short.

  Pointing, I said, “That one.”

  He arched a brow at me then read, “A three-day getaway for two in the luxurious White Sand Villas of Sorrel Sea. This is the one you want?”

  I smiled. “Yes.”

  He took a slip of paper, scrawled a number I couldn’t see, and then folded it and placed it in the box.

  “You shall have it,” he said.

  “Not if someone outbids you.”

  He chuckled. “No one will outbid me.”

  “Confident, are you?”

  “When it comes to business dealings, yes, I am.”

  “And what do you mean ‘I’ shall have it? It will be your winnings, not mine.”

  “Think of it as a gift.”

  “A gift?”

  He dipped his dimpled chin lower with a stiff nod.

  “And I could bring anyone I wanted?”

  “Of course.” He edged closer. “I could make a suggestion if you’d like.”

  Rather than answer, I slipped a hand through the crook of his arm and pulled him toward the bar. “Let’s get a drink.”

  This playful idea of the two of us in a villa in paradise for a few days had my blood rising at an alarming rate. This was escalating fast, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Part of me still thought of him as the arrogant director of Cade Enterprises who tended to keep Morgons at a distance. The other part saw Demetrius for what he truly was—sexy as sin. I’d always been the kind of girl to do what was right. The good girl. But Demetrius stirred in me a desire to do very bad things. And if I was honest with myself, my old notion of him was melting away by the second.

  We strolled to the bar with a blue backlit mirror. I watched his reflection as he ordered. The man truly was quite beautiful. He never once glanced at his own reflection. Rare in single men I’d encountered these days. They were always checking themselves out—their hair, their clothes, the way their shirts bunched at their biceps. Not this man. He knew everything was right as it should be. There was no need to look at himself a hundred times to be sure. Or he didn’t care. Somehow, that made me want him more.

  He dropped a bill on the bar then handed me the glass of wine.

  “You’re not drinking?” I asked.

  “I’ve already had a few, and I believe it’s dulled my inhibitions enough already.”

  He glanced at my lips. The kiss.

  “Ah. I see.”

  The band cranked it up a notch. Demetrius scowled at the stage.

  “Have you been here before?” I asked.

  “What?” he asked, leaning down.

  I shouted closer to his ear. “Follow me. I want to show you something.”

  He nodded. We wove back to the elevator, passing another couple who had stepped out. “Where are you taking me?” he asked.

  I pressed the button for the top floor and gave him a smile. When we reached the top, the elevator dinged. I linked my arm through his again. “Come and see.”

  We stepped out onto the rooftop terrace, which was open beyond the elevator and the aerial entrance for Morgon patrons. There were two Morgon bouncers working the roof, making sure no one crashed the private party. One of them stared as we walked by, my arm linked with a human man. Ignoring him, I led Demetrius out to walk the wrap-around balcony.

  There were already a few couples taking advantage of the private rooftop. We stopped at the corner and looked out over downtown Gladium. Glittering like stars, the city lights lit up the night.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” I asked, leaning on the railing, the warm summer breeze lifting my hair.

  “Yes. Quite.”

  I glanced over to find him staring at me, not the city. I smiled. “Do you know it’s rude to stare like that?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t help it. You are quite beautiful,” he said with sincerity.

  I arched a brow. “Even with the wings?”

  “Especially with the wings.” His gaze flicked to them. “You know, Shakara. You seem to have a misguided notion that I dislike Morgons, but the truth is far from it.”

  “Well, if I may be so frank, your past proves you’ve had—I don’t know how to say it—issues with Morgonkind.”

  His heavy gaze never left me. “Some of us learn from our past mistakes. And we change. At least we should anyway.”

  His intense expression and bold statement were a challenge. One I wasn’t sure I was ready to explore. The conversation had turned from casual to serious in a heartbeat. And I realized in this, he was right and I was wrong. We should learn from our mistakes.

  Changing the subject was my only escape. “So. What were you talking to Lucius about?”

  He loosened his tie and pulled it off, folded it end over end then stuffed it into his inside jacket pocket. “You were watching me?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you lied,” he said, leaning forward with both forearms on the balcony wall, his left arm brushing mine.

  “Did I?” I focused on steadying my voice.

  “You said you didn’t know I was here at the party when I walked up to your table.”

  “Oh, yes. I did lie.” I felt him staring but continued to gaze out at the city. “I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you or something.”

  He laughed, leaning left, his shoulder grazing mine. On purpose, for sure.

  My senses amped up. “You’re avoiding my question.”

  “Am I?”

  “Yes, tell me. I want to know what Demetrius Cade, who never speaks to his brother-in-law even at his nephew’s birthday party, could possibly have to say in a little one-on-one conversation.”

  “You have been stalking me.” He smirked and pressed closer.

  I arched a brow at him and whispered, “Tell me.”

  “It was about you actually.”

  “Me?”

  “The hearing coming up.”

  “Oh.” The wind lifted my hair in the night air. I tucked a strand behind one ear. “What about it?”

  “As I mentioned at lunch yesterday, I’m afraid this hearing may bring some negative attention your way. Perhaps, even danger.” His frown was back. His lips tightened into a line as he studied me.

  “I think you might be worrying too much.”

  “No, I’m not. Which is why you might notice someone from Nightwing Security watching out for you at the clinic. And maybe elsewhere.”

  “Wait. I’m going to have a bodyguard?”
>
  “Yes. And don’t say you don’t want one. It’s necessary to be cautious about this. At least until the hearing is over.”

  I couldn’t help but be a little surprised that Demetrius of all people would take the initiative to protect me. My father and aunt were bringing up clan members for the hearing itself, but they hadn’t prepared for any threats beforehand.

  Before Demetrius’s scowl could deepen further, I made a bold declaration. “So what you’re saying is you’re worried about me.”

  Just like that, his stiff shoulders rolled forward as if a weight had been dropped. He angled his body toward me, leaning one elbow on the banister and answered my teasing question more directly than I’d anticipated. “Yes. I certainly am.”

  My nerves rattled inside me like marbles in a jar. It was all because of Demetrius. I was fine with him in crowds and loud clubs and chatty birthday parties. But alone with the heady mix of his cologne and his masculine scent swirling around me and with those dark eyes tracking my every move, my dragon wanted to stretch out for him and purr. The woman, the part of me who was confident in the clinic but shy in the bedroom, wanted to retreat and hide. As soon as I’d thought it, my wings twitched, brushing against him.

  I gasped and pulled them tight again, “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.”

  The air shifted, and I felt like I did that day in the elevator—breathless and trapped and extremely aroused at his nearness.

  “Shakara,” he said softly.

  “Yes?”

  “May I take a closer look at your wings?”

  “Yes.”

  I turned for him, inhaling a deep breath, and opened them partway, keeping one hand on the banister.

  “May I touch them?” he asked softly.

  “Yes.”

  I didn’t want to tell him how sensitive I was to touch on my wings. Some Morgons weren’t at all. But when Demetrius’s hands slid up the arches, sending a sensual shiver through my body, I thought I might come undone. When his fingers caressed along the side edge and back down, I gripped the banister tight.

  “They’re quite beautiful,” he said. He had to notice my tremulous state. But he made no note of it.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re quite beautiful.”