“Bronwyn, Bronwyn.” He loved how saying her name made his mouth move. Like tossing her kisses, his lips met to form the word. She stopped going on after the second time he called her name.
“Yes? Are you paying attention to me? This is about respect. You’re not very respectful. I can’t nor will I work with someone who isn’t respectful.”
“I agree, but I’m the most respectful person you’ll meet. Instead of pretending to want your services, I’ve come out and said what I want—you. I respect you enough not to try to trick or deceive you. That is the highest respect a person can give to another, the act of truthful appreciation.”
Her body relaxed again as her facial features calmed back down from the cliffs of outrage she’d been climbing. He continued to sit, allowing her to search him for any duplicity. As long as it took, he’d show her that he wasn’t like any other man she’d encountered. Mac would only be satisfied when she knew he was her man, Dragon, and mate. Hers alone.
“I don’t know how to take that, but I sense you’re telling the truth. The truth I’ll always appreciate and honor.”
“Then please, come back over and sit.” He patted the sofa next to him. “Here.”
“Not on your life.”
She plopped down into the chair she’d taken before. His laugh filled the room. Only she made him laugh so open and free.
“Well, at least you’re loosening up a bit.” Motioning to the high button of her starched shirt he said, “How sad it must be for you to have to exist in such confining garbs.”
Fingering the stiff collar of her no-nonsense white shirt, she made a face and licked her tongue out at him.
In shock, she said, “Oh! I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Done what? Act like the darling little brat that you long to be? Bronwyn, if you’ll allow me to show you more, I’m certain you’ll learn more about yourself than you’d ever dream, things wondrous and exciting. I see them yearning to escape the confines of your controlled and orderly life.” He could tell he was getting through to her when she released the tip of her collar. “Care to allow yourself a bit of exploration?”
He waited, allowing the words to work their meaning and magic. The quiet of the house acted as an additional cocoon of intimate privacy as he watched her work through what he could imagine were boundaries, defenses, and societal taboos.
“What do you mean—exactly?”
“What do you want me to mean—exactly?” He couldn’t resist. She was too ripe and ready to do more than gently usher her into her evolutionary awakening.
Brown eyes that rivaled the richest sable, flickered with tinges of excitement. Yes, she was the mate he’d waited for all these years. Bronwyn was ready to be her greatest self.
“Don’t play with me. I’m here when I could be doing things for my already paying clients.”
“I’ll quadruple what you would have been paid for your time here today.”
“No! Like I said, I’m not a concubine.”
“Haha, you can’t think I’ll ever be able to pay you enough for your time spent with me, do you?” he asked, refusing to let her look away from him. “Bronwyn, dear one, come into this arena we share. Trust yourself to see what is going on here.” Confusion bloomed on her pronounced features. When she bit her plump bottom lip in contemplation to his invitation, Mac allowed his Dragon senses to take over. “That’s it. We’re coming together. It’s perfectly normal to have this strong of an initial reaction to me. It’s a trait as old as time. I challenge you in ways no one ever has before. You do the same for me.”
She looked away, a gorgeous sheen of embarrassment blanketing her. He wanted to grab her up into his lap and hold on, but he knew the timing and trusted the process. It wasn’t every day a Dragon presented himself to his bond mate. Patience would do far more than lust and primitive need in the long run.
“Ten times what I’ve missed out on fees today and I’ll stay to hear you out.”
The impish grin she tossed over with that pronouncement had his dick twitching with arousal. There she was, his true mate.
“Deal, with one amendment.”
“Which is?” Her voice quivered ever so, waiting for what he’d add.
“One kiss. I want one real kiss, and you’ll have your fee plus the new van I promised.”
“A kiss! What is this? Some sort of bet you took with your boys? Nah, I’m not going to be used for whatever cruel fun you’ve got going on.” She looked around, craning her neck to look behind and up.
“What are you looking for?”
“The hidden cameras. You’re on some next level cruelty, trying to get me to kiss you during a business meeting.” He pointed to two areas, one in the hallway and another in the seating area. “What are you doing?”
“Pointing out the cameras as you asked.”
“You sick motherfu—”
“Now, now, Bronwyn, those are security cameras. No bet or other sick tricks are going on here. I want to kiss you, so I’ve included that as part of our deal today. As for this being a business meeting, that’s what you called it. I simply stated I needed you and asked to meet with you. This isn’t a business meeting for me, dear one.”
“Then what do you call it, then?” her arched and cocked eyebrow taunted him to come closer.
“I call it a meeting of confirmed destiny.”
“And that proves it. Without being crass or rude, I must say you’re being a bit on the weird side. I don’t know you. In the short time, we’ve spent together, you’ve driven me to curse, stick my tongue out at you, wonder if this is some sort of secret society hazing ritual, and consider the fact that you might be mentally unstable.”
“When you put it that way, I should think I sound crazy too, but, I’m not, I promise.”
He’d come on too strong. It was time to roll it back a bit. Standing to his feet, he extended a hand to help her stand as well.
“What’s this? Our meeting is over?”
“Yes, I don’t wish to have a meeting with you.” Surprised chocolate drop brown eyes accused him of shenanigans. “Instead, I’d like to spend some time with you. Shall I show you around the house and then the garden?”
She stood of her own power, eyed his hand and laughed gently to herself. “If you think I’m touching you again, you’re delusional.”
“Fair enough.”
At that point he decided, not only would he get his kiss, he’d have her begging him for more before they parted ways today.
8
Bronwyn
“Your home is lovely and very welcoming,” she found herself saying in all honesty.
During their tour of his home, she’d purposefully stayed out of reach a few generous steps away from him whenever possible. The living room encounter had been too close for comfort. She’d come close to relenting and acting like a hoe too many times to count during his test. Today wouldn’t be the day she annihilated her reputation over a guy. Not even if the guy was the most interesting man she’d ever met. There was a lot about him that intrigued her to the point of fascination.
A niggling in the back of her mind warned that she was playing with fire with him, but it wasn’t enough to make her leave. If this meeting went south, she’d have no one but herself and the need to find out what his deal was to pinpoint as the reason. Mac Kelnar held her attention and mounting attraction in the palm of his hands with each word and gesture. As the tour continued, she learned more about his interests, travels, knowledge, and experience which were all vast and impressive.
Curiosity was the culprit she blamed for still being here. That and the fact that he lived too far out for her to get a reliable ride share to come get her. She’d have to play nice to get a ride back into the city. Thus, she’d decided on being cordial with him. Bronwyn had to admit she loved his home, and he’d been on far better behavior of recent.
There was no way Bronwyn believed for one moment Mac was interested in her. No, t
his was an elaborate ruse to test her. He wanted someone he could trust to behave like the person he needed for whatever it was he was eyeing her for. She refused to take the bait, no matter how convincingly he dangled the trap in front of her.
Intending to pay more attention to the tour than what Mac might be up to, Bronwyn admitted to herself that she liked his taste. She followed him around taking in the subtle elegance that tastefully decorated his home. The style and vibe of the home were one Bronwyn could see herself having in the future. Nothing was too much. Everything fit together seamlessly, offering an experience of comfortable luxury.
“Let’s go out to the garden through here.”
He guided her through a beautiful sunroom to stand on the far side of a deck. A brick path, decorated with sturdy pavers, led the way past an impressive infinity pool, regular pool, entertainment area complete with a fire pit and on to the start of his amazing garden.
“Your backyard seems more like acres than feet.”
“That’s because it is. I own seven acres here.”
“You say that like you have more hidden somewhere else.”
“You have keen hearing. Yes, I have homes, land, and property in various areas around the world. This home has been my mainstay for the last few years.”
He maneuvered them past the entertainment area to the open lawn that led to the garden.
“Here, in Atlanta, when you have the world at your feet?”
“Yes, it might be hard to believe, but I knew I needed to stay put to catch a treasure I was after.”
The way he said that had her fighting the squirm that snaked up her spine. There he was testing her again. She wouldn’t take the bait. Instead, she concentrated on the path. The last thing she wanted to do was fall face down trying to walk in these heels. Then it happened. One second she was walking and the next she was slumped over trying to break her fall.
Speed too fast to comprehend had Mac yanking her up into his arms and stepping away from the small hole in the ground.
“Gopher hole,” he said, looking down at the ground with disgust. Hoisting her up and tighter into his arms, he angled her leg to look at her ankle. “My sincere apologies. I can get one of my acquaintances who’s a doctor over to check you out if you like.”
“That won’t be necessary. I’m fine.” Bronwyn did what she could to pull at the hem of her skirt that had ridden up to show most of her thigh. “You can put me down. I can walk.”
“Not when there could be more gopher land mines out here. I’ll have my gardener deal with this hole and check for others. For now, let’s get you back to the house and clean up your ankle.”
His eyes traveled the length of her leg to stop at the hem of her skirt. This was the only suit she owned. It had been her interviewing suit and had become way snugger than when she’d first gotten it. More embarrassed than uncomfortable at his perusal of her too little skirt, Bronwyn wiggled to get free of his hold. He placed her on her feet with great care. Adjusting to balance her weight, the sharp pain that shot through her heel couldn’t be disguised.
“That’s it, back up you go,” he said and swooped her back up into his strong arms.
Bronwyn didn’t try to protest except to ask him to give her the shoe that dangled from her foot. Back inside and on the sofa, Mac disappeared to return with a large plastic tub of water and other stuff. Before she could launch any protest, he was down on his knees placing her foot in the water. She couldn’t deny that her ankle had begun to swell a little.
“You don’t have to do this. I can call a ride share to pick me up. I’m sure you have a lot more things to do with your day.”
“Hush and let me care for you.” His tone wasn’t mean. Firm command was how she’d describe it—and deep down a tingle of excitement bloomed. She liked how he took care of her.
“Okay, okay, not used to being on this side of the situation.”
“It’s time you experience what I wish to offer you then.”
She couldn’t help herself. “Which is?” Curiosity once again made her its bitch.
“You allow me to show you how great it can be between us. I want you and I want you to stay here with me, or travel with me, whichever you prefer.”
Her insides vibrated like when she was in the initial stages of an upset stomach. Odd mixtures of disbelief, hope, arousal, and apprehension swirled within wreaking havoc with her usually even temperament. Bronwyn found herself swallowing a lot to keep a tap on whatever might spew in projectiles. Unable to accept that he might be serious, disbelief won out. Was this man trying to Pretty Woman her in his home at eleven in the morning?
“Uh-uh, nope, not going there. You don’t know me or what I want.” She pulled her foot out of his hands, placing it down a little too hard in the water. Through the wince she managed to get out, “I’m going to say this one last time, I’m not a slut, whore, concubine, professional escort, courtesan or any other word for the type of woman you must think I am. That scenario you’ve got set up,” she pointed back and forth between them, “isn’t going to happen. I have a reputation to keep and grow. This town is small, and I’m not going down like that. I don’t know what else I need to say or do to let you know I’m not out here to advance my business by sleeping with you or making a money grab of any sort. I do honest work. I want an honest interaction. No games, tests, or tricks. Oh, and I expect to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Eyes the color of the calm before the storm peered deep into her.
“I’ve heard you every time you’ve said that. Since I don’t want your services, I’m speaking to you man to woman. Complete honesty, I have no games, tests, or tricks in mind where you’re concerned. I want you as the woman you are, not the services you provide. I couldn’t give less than a fuck about what other men want from you. I only want what I want, which is you.”
Now it was her turn to huff in continued confusion. Confusion that wouldn’t release the disbelief that shrouded her thoughts.
“You expect me to believe that a guy like you would call me out of the blue, bring me here and make a proposal for me to have sex with you in a day? Just like that?”
“Have sex? If that’s how you’d like it to transpire, then yes, I won’t refuse sex. If you require more time to get to know me, then that’s fine too. We need to spend time together. Can’t you feel anything here? Do you want me in the least?” His look held a hint of vulnerability she wasn’t prepared to witness. “Dear one, I’m not interested in simply having sex with you. You’re more to me than you’ll ever fully comprehend. I’m interested in having you—everything that comes with being you. Yes, mind-blowing sex included, of course, but more importantly, being with you. Bronwyn,” the way he said her name was enough to make her melt on the spot. “One way or another, we end up together, if you open your eyes to see who we are together. I promise we’ll be extraordinary.”
“Now, I know you’re off your rocker. I’m not the type of woman you need in your life. I’m at a time in my life where there’s no room for a relationship. I have a business baby I’m trying to raise, feed, and cultivate. You already have your business established. I need the time to build mine. That doesn’t allow me to flirt with the notion of having the type of interaction you’re suggesting. I know me, I’d get too involved and lose myself in you if that were to happen.”
“So, you are attracted to me then?”
She wanted to box his ears in. “Is that the only thing you heard out of what I said?”
“Pretty much. I know that you and I work. I know that what you want to do, you can do it as part of we, and I promise to give you space to make it happen. I’ll even help where you want me too.”
“You’ve got all the answers, do you? You’re like a deity in that you know everything I need. Is that, right?”
“Well, in some cultures, my kind are considered gods and worshiped.”
“Huh? Stop being flippant.”
“I’m not. Never you worry. I’ll explain what I mean or
show you soon enough.”
Bronwyn knew they were having conversations on different levels but the moment was too full of skepticism of what he wanted from her to make much sense. Pausing to watch as he picked her foot back up with a tenderness she didn’t think possible, she watched as he placed a thermal cream on her foot and ankle and began to massage it in. Placing a towel over his lap and then putting her foot there, he took his time rubbing her foot and ankle. Warmth emanated from his massive hands to combat the cooling effect of the cream. Everywhere he rubbed tiny twinges of electricity seared her skin boring down into the bone to do something to her tender ankle. The experience was surreal. When he began to rotate her foot to test the range of motion, it was clear the pain had decreased tremendously. What had been sharp, shooting pains had been rendered slight thuds of muted discomfort.
Bronwyn had to put a stop to this. She was at the doorway of no return. To allow him to go on would mean she’d given into his request, as ratchet as it was.
Large hands encompassed her ankle and foot, gently massaging and moving her foot to loosen up the stiffness. Despite trying not to concentrate on what he did or how much better her foot felt, a soft sigh left her like a renegade vote for how he caressed her skin. She could hope and pray he ignored it.
“Does that hurt?”
Or, she could pussy up and be a woman about what was happening.
“No, it actually feels much better. Thank you.” She attempted to pull her leg away and again met with gentle but firm resistance.
“Stay still. You’re wiggling too much. I’m not finished” The easy smile that emerged, rode his face like a comfortable garment.
“I’d stay still if you weren’t tickling me, with all that rubbing.”
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