Fated Attraction_Shifter Nation_Werebears Of The Everglades

by Meg Ripley

  She shook her head. Wade had never been grounded in reality, and she had loved that about him when she was a child. When he would come to visit his brother and sister-in-law, he would take Sabrina out in the back yard or to the park to hunt for giant reptilian creatures with wings that breathed fire. Of course, they had never found any, and she had long since outgrown the idea. Still, it was hard to turn him down. He was crazy, but in a very likable way. “Maybe so. We’ll have to see. What are you coming to New York for, anyway?”

  “You mean you haven’t heard? There’s a big dragon hunters’ convention this weekend. I thought I signed you up for the email list. If you haven’t been getting them, I’ll submit your address again. It’s the only way to really get the word out there without letting the wrong people know about it.”

  Sabrina was hard-pressed to imagine what kind of people were the “right” ones. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy that. What exactly do you do at one of these…conventions?” She didn’t dare say the full phrase out loud. Someone was always listening around the office, and the last thing she needed was a rumor going around that she believed in dragons.

  “Mostly the usual stuff. We discuss the pros and cons of different weapons and equipment, and there’s information about recent sightings. The best part, though, is that we’re getting ever closer to finding a large flight of dragons. I don’t have all the details yet, but Leon told me there may be a group of them living right in New York City!”

  He sounded so excited, and Sabrina didn’t want to dash his hopes. Still, it would be hard to miss one dragon in such a populated area, much less a group of them. “Really? Well, that’s impressive.”

  “Yes, and we must be fully prepared for it. While I’m at your place, I’ll make sure I help you get it all ready to go. I don’t want to leave you defenseless if they go on a rampage.”

  She shuddered slightly as she imagined the type of preparations Uncle Wade would insist they take. He would likely stock her pantry with canned food that was supposed to be good for ten years, remind her how to shoot a cross bow, and insist that she buy fireproof armor. She’d heard from a distant cousin who had visited Uncle Wade’s house that he had it set up similarly. “That’s very kind of you. Listen, I’ve got to get going. The other line is ringing, and my new boss is pretty strict. I don’t want to get in trouble. I’ll see you when you get here. Bye!” Dumping the phone back on the desk, Sabrina slumped back in her chair and closed her eyes.

  “I didn’t realize I was so hard to work for.”

  Sabrina was so startled at the voice behind her that she nearly fell out of her chair. She straightened and whirled around to find herself face-to-face with Mr. Rockland. She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. Sometimes there’s just no better way to get off the phone.”

  The corner of his mouth tipped up, amusement shining in his eyes. “It’s okay. I don’t really mind being the fall guy. Maybe I should be a little bit more of a hard ass, just to make it more genuine.”

  She felt her face flush. “Yeah, you do that. Are you leaving for the night?”

  Lance shook his head and touched the thick overnight envelope he had just set on the front of her desk. “No. I just wanted to make sure this was out here for the UPS guy to get tomorrow morning.”

  There was a tiny voice deep down inside her that was screaming for her to do something crazy, to ask him out, to offer a tour of the city, anything so they would get to spend more time together. They worked in adjoining offices, but that was different. Instead, she said, “Well, I’m taking off. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Have a good evening.”

  In the elevator, Sabrina chastised herself. Maybe Uncle Wade wasn’t entirely wrong about needing a man in her life. It would be nice to have someone to come home to, but she had a terrible habit of falling for the wrong men, and she had no reason to think Mr. Rockland would be any different. He seemed nice enough, but he was still new. As soon as he got comfortable in the office, he would probably show his true personality and disappoint her just like everyone else. Besides, dating someone who worked for the same company was a mistake she didn’t plan to make twice.

  As she stepped out into the parking garage, her mind was focusing hard on that glass of wine she had been dreaming about. So much, she didn’t notice the large figure lurking near the front of her little black coupe until she was reaching for the door handle.

  “You didn’t show up last night.”

  With a squeal of fear, Sabrina leapt back and pointed her car keys out in front of her as a meager form of self-defense. She spotted the tall man who now took a few steps toward her. “Jesus, Max. You scared the hell out of me.”

  “Good. Now, why didn’t you come to the bar last night?” He took yet another step closer, his dark eyes menacing.

  Sabrina pressed a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart. “Because we aren’t dating anymore, Max. We’ve been over this more times than I can count. Why won’t you just let it go?”

  “We’re supposed to be together, Sabrina. I know it, and I’m sure you do, too.” A thick hand grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. She could smell the thick stench of his cologne, mixed with that strange metallic scent that always seemed to linger near him. “It’s time you stop playing games and just cooperate already.”

  She shoved her fists against his chest, but he was too strong for her. Sabrina didn’t consider herself a weakling, but Max was a formidable man. He spent most of his free time in the gym, and it showed. “It’s time you stop thinking you can talk me back into having a relationship with you. I don’t want to be with you, and that’s that.”

  “I don’t see why not. I’m good looking and you know I have a great job that pays well. And you can’t deny the fire between us—especially in bed. Don’t you miss those nights? Where you’d be screaming out my name? I can make you do that again, Sabrina. And again, and again, and again.” Max bent his head to nuzzle her neck, tracing his lips up toward her ear.

  “Damn it, I said no!” Sabrina pushed again, gaining just enough distance between their two bodies to bring the heel of her shoe down onto the toe of his. He staggered in pain, his macho façade broken long enough for her to rip the lid off her travel mug and chuck the last of her coffee in his face.

  The brown liquid dripped off his eyebrows as they creased. “What the fuck is wrong with you, Sabrina? I’m trying to give you everything, and all you do is reject me. Well, I’ve had enough.”

  Hope rose in her chest, thinking this would finally be the time when Max walked away. He’d been chasing after her for two months since she broke up with him, and no matter what she said or did, he’d never been willing to give up the fight.

  But he grabbed her once again, his fingers digging into the flesh of her arm. “You’re going to see, Sabrina. You belong with me, and I’m not going to let you go.” He raised one massive fist in the air.

  “Hey!”

  The shout rang through the parking garage like the peal of a bell. Time stopped for a moment as Sabrina looked toward the elevator, seeing a handsome dark-haired man running toward them. He let go of his briefcase and let it crash to the concrete floor, and his face was a fierce mask of anger that made her tremble inside.

  When Lance reached them, he pulled Sabrina behind him with enough force that it broke Max’s grip. He was a good head shorter than Max, but he didn’t seem to notice. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “This isn’t any of your business,” Max gritted out through his teeth. He slicked back his hair with one hand, the same one that had been destined for the side of Sabrina’s face only a moment ago. “Just a little lovers’ quarrel.”

  “I might be new here, but I’m pretty sure there’s something in the company handbook about harassing your coworkers. Perhaps I should call Human Resources and ask them if you’re up to date on your sexual harassment and workplace violence training videos.”

  Sabrina could just see Mr. Rockland’s profile, and she couldn’t stop sta
ring at it. His jaw was firm, and the slope of his nose suggested an ancient Roman warrior in his lineage. He had thrown his shoulders back and crossed his arms, making a shield in front of her. An electric thrill shot up through her stomach and out to her fingertips. If she reached out to touch her car, she was sure blue sparks would fill the air.

  “Perhaps you should just stay out of it,” Max retorted. “Like I said, this is between me and Sabrina.” His eyes were liquid ink as they turned to her, barreling into her soul and making her shrink back against her boss once again.

  “Look, asshole, you can either get in your car and go home, or I can call security. I’m pretty sure the CEO won’t want to hear about his marketing director getting hauled out of the building.” Lance’s voice was calm but firm; he meant business.

  Max glanced back and forth between the two of them. “Fine.” He turned to her, pointing his thick finger toward her face. “But this isn’t over. You will listen to me, Sabrina. I’ll find a way to make it happen.” He stormed off across the garage. A few moments later, his cherry-red sports car went squealing toward the door.

  When Max was gone, Lance turned to her. “Are you alright?”

  She felt completely frozen in place, unsure of what to think or do. This wasn’t the first time she’d had a man threaten her, but it was the first time she had someone step in to protect her. Lance had quelled the situation with little more than words, and it was very impressive.

  “I…I think so.”

  “He didn’t actually hit you, did he?” His eyes were wild as they checked her over for damage, indicating he had been ready to do far more than talk or call security had the situation warranted it.

  She shook her head. “No. No, he didn’t get that far. Thank you.” Dazed, Sabrina retrieved his briefcase from where it had fallen and dusted if off before handing it back to him. “I really appreciate it.”

  “I’d like to imagine anyone else would have done the same thing.” He pressed his lips together as though he wanted to say more.

  “Well, maybe.”

  But Max had argued with her here before, and there had been other executives on their way to their cars who hadn’t done anything but avoid eye contact.

  “You said you’re heading home, right? Get in your car, and I’ll follow you. I don’t trust that guy, and I want to make sure you’re safe.” He opened her car door.

  She shook her head, suddenly ashamed of the fact that her boss had to come to her rescue. “You don’t have to do that. You’ve already gone to so much trouble—”

  “Sabrina,” his voice was commanding, “it wasn’t any trouble, but if it was, then I should at least have the satisfaction of knowing that I actually did something for you. Sending him away isn’t going to do any good if he just shows up at your place.”

  Biting her lip, she got in the driver’s seat and fired up the engine. Max knew exactly where she lived, and his parting words still echoed in the back of her mind.

  Lance was right.

  She checked her mirrors constantly as she twisted through the streets, but his Lexus was always right there behind her. It made her feel safe and nervous at the same time. Why would Lance stand up for her like that when he barely knew her? Was he just that gallant of a gentleman? Did he have something else in mind? Either way, she knew she had to find out more about him. He had kept himself so reclusive since he’d come to Carlton and Corbin, and he was definitely not like other men.

  Finally, she swept into the parking garage under her building and parked in her designated space. Each apartment was given two parking spots, and Lance pulled immediately into the second one. He got out and came around to her driver’s side door, opening it before she could gather her things together and let herself out.

  “I’ll walk you up,” he said. “Just to be safe.” His face still bore that hard, solid attitude of anger and authority. A vein throbbed in his neck; the drive hadn’t given him enough time to calm down.

  Sabrina didn’t argue. Just because she hadn’t seen Max’s car in the garage didn’t mean he wasn’t around. He was a tricky man, and he would do whatever he had to if he was determined to get to her. He had even gone so far as to follow her to the mall on a weekend when she had wanted to do a little shopping.

  “Alright.”

  At her door, she turned to him and smiled. “Would you like to come in for a drink? It’s been kind of a rough evening already.” Her mouth said the words without her permission, but she couldn’t pull them back now.

  His face softened slightly for the first time, and he nodded. “Sure. That would be great.”

  She led him inside, glad that she had cleaned the previous evening. Her apartment wasn’t a big or luxurious one, but she was happy in it. The landlord was content to let her paint and decorate to her heart’s content, and the deep purple walls contrasted nicely against the white leather couch and the walnut floors. Several soft throws were cast over the back of the couch, and a larger stack of books rested on the coffee table.

  “What would you like?” she asked as she set her purse on the side table and headed toward the kitchen. “I’ve got wine, beer, whiskey, vodka…you name it.”

  “I didn’t know you were that much of a drinker,” he replied with a sly smile.

  She turned away from him, embarrassed. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. I had a friend’s engagement party here last month, and there was plenty left over. Not that I never get into it myself.”

  “I’ll have some whiskey, if you don’t mind. Neat.”

  “Coming right up.” As she buried herself in the kitchen and fetched glasses from the cabinet, she wondered what kind of a place Lance lived in. As a high-ranking exec, he probably had some lavish apartment that made her place look like a hovel. She knew she shouldn’t care what he thought, but she suddenly did.

  When she returned with the drinks, she found him examining the floor-to-ceiling shelves near the dining area. “Most of those came from my Uncle Wade. He likes to travel, and he always sends something back to me. I keep them, no matter how hideous they are. He’s pretty much what I have left when it comes to family.” She took a long drink to shut herself up. Her boss didn’t need to know her entire backstory.

  “There seems to be a theme here,” he said as he sipped his whiskey and touched the base of a jade dragon sculpture. “I see a lot of mythical creatures.”

  “Yeah, that’s kind of his thing. I hate to admit it, but he’s convinced some of these are real. Especially dragons.” She smiled as she admired a tiny stone dragon that he had sent her several years ago and told her it would come to life at night.

  “And why is that?”

  Sabrina shrugged. She’d said enough, and divulging her crazy uncle’s whole scheme about dragons who lived as humans was a bit much. Nobody wanted to hear about a secret society of dragon hunters, and that the tradition was expected to be handed down from generation to generation. If Wade had his way, he would have done an official ceremony when Sabrina turned fifteen, where he would hand down some of his most prized weapons. “I don’t know. He just finds them interesting, I guess. He made a lot of money in stocks when he was younger, and he likes to spend it looking for proof of fictitious beasts.” There she went again, saying too much. She buried her nose in her wine glass.

  But Lance nodded appreciatively. “And has he ever found this evidence?”

  “Of course not. He’s just a crazy old man, and I’m too nice to tell him he should settle down and get a real job.” She moved away toward the living room, ready to find something else to talk about.

  “Tell me about Max.”

  Except that. “I’m not sure what there is to tell,” she replied stiffly. She sank down on one end of the sofa, suddenly dizzy as she remembered her encounter with him. Max had never been particularly kind, unless he wanted something, but he had never before gone that far. If Lance hadn’t shown up, there was no telling what would have happened.

  Her boss seated himself as well. It wasn’t a big
couch, and she could feel his body heat. “It might not seem like it’s my business, and maybe it isn’t, but it’s disturbing to find a scene like that.” His face was stern once again, and his voice sounded almost like he was scolding her. “He shouldn’t be treating you that way. I take it the two of you are dating?”

  “Were. We were dating. And that was the stupidest thing I ever could have done. I was in a bit of a slump when he asked me out, and I thought, ‘What the hell?’ I didn’t think it would really go anywhere, and I was right. But he isn’t the kind of guy who takes no for an answer, and he keeps insisting that we never should have broken up.” She rolled her eyes to clear the images of Max from her vision. “It’s the kind of thing that would just be kind of sad if he was handling it differently. At first, it was even a little flattering. But now it’s just…scary.”

  Lance’s elbows rested on his knees, his glass held out in front of him. He stared at the amber liquid as he swirled it around. “May I ask what happened?” His voice was quiet.

  Either the wine was going to her head, or this guy was just that easy to talk to. He had already seen her in her most vulnerable moment, and Sabrina found it effortless to explain the situation. “A little bit of everything. He was nice enough, at first. But he’s the kind of guy who can never be wrong. No matter what the subject matter was, he always knew more. He didn’t think I could possibly know anything because I’m a secretary. I knew he was confident, but it was just a little too much.”

  “Sounds like an ass.” Lance set his drink down on a coaster and looked at her. “Was that all?”

  She shifted uncomfortably on her cushion. “That’s the only thing that I can really explain. There’s just something about him that makes me nervous; ‘unsettled’ might be a better word.” She frowned. As low as her expectations for Max had been, she’d never imagined him stooping to the level he had that night.

  Lance tipped his head to the side, interested. “I had a bad feeling about him from the moment I met him, but I can’t really explain it either.”