Scientist Dragon's Assistant (Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers Book 9)

by Brittany White

  Immediately, Eli’s dragon reacted.

  Danger. Go, his dragon insisted, but Eli couldn’t just walk away from them. He also wasn’t willing to leave Ava.

  But something about them was off.

  He couldn’t put his finger on it.

  The investors were not human.

  He went through the possibilities. They were not shifters of any kind. He’d never met a wizard, but they did not feel like Nora did. They were not demons—demons could not pose as humans with such flawless precision. They reminded him of vampires, with their tall, lanky bodies and their smooth, clear skin.

  But he’d never met a vampire who was into subterfuge, and they did not care for mingling with humans. Most of the ones he’d met used blood banks for their food source, but they still avoided human company completely.

  These creatures were something else. And while the rational part of his brain was telling him that they weren’t a threat, at least not yet, his dragon, who was operating on pure instinct, was going crazy.

  A loud growl nearly escaped his chest. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to control it. If he wasn’t careful, his eyes would be glowing yellow as well. The last thing he needed was to start transforming in the middle of a conference.

  He made a show of looking down at his smartwatch. “I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse me. I have to take this call.” He rushed away from them, pulling his phone to ear his for the pretense while taking long, deep breaths.

  He ducked into the bathroom and checked his eyes in the mirror. They had just a hint of a golden shine.

  Fuck.

  He raised his fist and brought it down onto one of the porcelain sinks, cracking it.

  Goddammit.

  Eli wasn’t one for violence or for cursing. He left those traits to the other members of his clan. Now he’d need to tell the conference center he’d broken the sink. At least they wouldn’t assume he did it while narrowly avoiding turning into a large dragon in a fit of rage.

  He loosened his tie and splashed water on his face. He blinked a few times and checked again. Okay. Good. His eyes were back to their normal dark color, no yellow shining through.

  He left the bathroom. He scanned the room, looking for Ava.

  Oh, hell no.

  He immediately realized his mistake. He’d ducked into the bathroom and he’d left her alone in the conference room, right next to whatever these men were. He’d left her alone and defenseless. And now they’d seized on her, sensing an opportunity. And of course, Ava was listening. She was always poised and professional.

  Eli’s dragon roared, ready to shred the men—or whatever they were—to pieces.

  This was his fault. He’d left her unprotected. He moved toward her quickly, listening in on their conversation. They were telling Ava that they had millions of dollars to invest. This wasn’t how donors usually behaved, and yet, Eli had seen some people who networked a little differently in the past. Especially if they wanted something in exchange, like early access to research results.

  Eli was not going to let Ava take the brunt of whatever scheme they were dealing in. He politely but firmly stepped in front of her, shouldering her out of the way.

  He put his hand on one of the guys, guiding him away by the shoulder, herding the entire group.

  Ava let out a startled little sound, but he couldn’t worry about that now. Sure, it looked like he was being rude or that he thought she couldn’t handle talking to some investors, but every part of him wanted her away from them.

  Mine.

  Mate.

  Now he’d gone and really screwed up. His dragon thought she was his mate. But that was a problem for another time.

  “So, gentlemen, I heard you say you’d like to invest,” Eli said. His skin itched with the need to attack, but he controlled it better this time.

  The men responded, and he chatted with them for a few minutes until they told him they’d like a tour of his lab in Portland.

  Not a chance, he thought, but he nodded and clapped one of them on the back. “We’d love to host you there. I’ll get in touch with the director as soon as we get back.”

  He kept his answers mild and his tone moderate, because on the off-chance that these really were human investors, he knew the hospital would jump at the chance to have such a significant donation.

  But he was almost one-hundred percent sure that he was right, and those guys weren’t getting within a hundred feet of his lab, not if he could help it.

  And they sure as hell weren’t getting near Ava alone again, no matter what their credentials said.

  “We will see you again tomorrow,” one of them called out.

  12

  Ava

  Ava really wondered why Eli was behaving so oddly. He’d been fine all day, more than fine, really. During his keynote speech, he’d been spectacular.

  Sometimes, Eli was stiff and formal, and he tended to go on about the topics he loved. She adored those things about him, and of course, she’d seen him at his most relaxed during the night they shared after the gala.

  But watching him on stage was a real treat. He came alive while talking about the various cellular therapies he’d developed, and she could have listened to him all day.

  She wasn’t the only one. The entire audience was glued to every word he said, their faces rapt even as they took notes. She understood. She remembered clearly feeling the same way when she saw him speak for the first time. She still sometimes couldn’t believe she was lucky enough to work as his assistant.

  Last night had been somewhat of a revelation. As she’d told him, she’d had no idea he spent his free time researching astronomy and astrophysics. She hoped she’d get to see his lab at home someday.

  The same kind of fiery passion had been with him today as he addressed the packed room. He’d been mobbed afterward. Of course. Some attendees wanted to talk to him about his research, and some just wanted to be close to the hottest scientist in the world. Some wanted both.

  She could hardly blame any of them, not when she felt the same way, and she’d done her best to keep the crowd moving along, interceding on his behalf.

  Then, the weird group of men had approached them, and Eli’s entire body had gone rigid. A look crossed his face that she’d never seen before, not even when he was at his most frustrated.

  Then he’d bolted.

  So, she took over, chatting with the men just as she had with so many of the other conference attendees.

  When he came back a few moments later, he’d looked right at her. Pure fury had flashed in his eyes. His jaw had locked, and he’d charged forward. But then, he’d morphed back into his usual self. He’d neatly stepped in front of her and led the men away. To anyone else, his voice would seem smooth and friendly. But she could hear the undertone. He was coiled tight, ready to spring.

  She watched him for a few moments, but nothing happened. The four businessmen seemed satisfied. Not one of them looked like they detected how close they’d come to being pummeled by a big, angry scientist. Or at the very least, tossed out of the building on their backsides and told not to come back, never mind the money they were offering.

  As far as she knew, Eli wasn’t a violent man. But she’d never seen him lose his temper before. She watched him maneuver the men until they were finally walking out the door. She was going to get to the bottom of why he was acting so odd. This was her career field, too, and she wanted to be aware of any landmines she might encounter with investors.

  When he returned to her, his eyes were still flinty and his expression was flat.

  “What was that all about?” she asked.

  He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll tell you later. But whatever happens, don’t speak to them again, not unless you’re with me. I don’t want you alone with them.”

  “I want to know why.”

  “I need to think about it some more. Give me some time.”

  She nodded. If he’d been a friend, she would have kept pushing, bu
t she trusted Eli. She didn’t like being told what to do in a non-work situation, but technically, she was here for work and he was still her boss.

  He closed his eyes for a brief moment and seemed to shake off whatever was bothering him. “Are you ready?” he asked, holding his hand out toward the door. “I’m sure you’re tired after all the glad-handing you did.”

  “I enjoyed it, but it was tiring.” She was grateful to get into the rideshare and go back to the hotel. Once they were there, however, she perked up.

  Eli hadn’t said a word, but he also hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. She could feel him watching her. He didn’t follow her into her room, but his eyes tracked her, still watching. The heat of his gaze sent a warm tingle to her core. She wanted him.

  She’d never stopped wanting him, but she’d been able to put it aside and focus on their work. But now…she didn’t want to put it aside.

  She pulled her jacket off, letting it slide from her shoulders. He took a step forward, holding onto the doorframe. Now, she let her eyes travel over his gorgeous body. She stopped at the bulge in his dress pants. He was aroused, and not trying to hide it.

  But even with her subtle invitation, he still stayed in his room. She was going to have to be the one to invite him in. Even though they’d already crossed the line and slept together, he was going to let her set the rules.

  “There’s a jacuzzi tub in this room,” she said. She moved over to the faucet and flipped it on.

  He licked over his bottom lip. “Is that so?”

  “Yes.” She began to unbutton her shirt, exposing her throat and chest to him. She could be seductive. Or she was at least going to try.

  He swallowed hard. Now he was gripping the doorframe so hard she could swear she heard the wood creak. But that probably wasn’t possible. Then, he shed his own jacket, and she could see his strong biceps straining from holding on. He obviously had great willpower, because she was ready to jump right on top of him.

  She finished unbuttoning her shirt and let it fall to the floor. Next, she unbuttoned her skirt and let that fall away, too. She stood there in her matching bra and panties. This set was lacy, and they were black. When she’d packed, she’d had the vague hope that they might go to bed together again.

  “There’s one problem, though,” she said, gaining courage as he let go of the doorframe and started unbuttoning his own shirt.

  “What’s that?” he asked in a low voice.

  His deep voice sent a burst of arousal to her sex. She could feel her black panties getting wet. He ripped off his undershirt, and at the sight of his bare chest and his firm pecs, her core throbbed with need.

  “I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

  “I can think of a solution to that,” he said.

  She lifted her hair up off her neck and twisted it into a knot on top of her head. “You can?”

  Now unfastening his pants, he took a step inside her room. “If you want me to sleep in my own bed tonight, tell me now.”

  “I don’t want that,” she said.

  He crossed the room in less than a second, sweeping her into his arms. “God, you’re beautiful. I thought you were beautiful at the charity event in that ballgown, but seeing you handle all of those people today, answering their questions…” He trailed off and kissed down her neck.

  She moaned, letting her head fall back. “So, my competence turns you on?”

  “God, yes.”

  “I understand.” Eli was a nice, likable person and he was sexy as hell, but his brains and his work ethic were what made him so insanely appealing to her.

  One of his large hands came to rest on her backside, squeezing her ass. “Do you still want to get in the hot tub?” he asked.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I want you naked for that.” He stepped back from her and turned her around so her back was to him. “And I want to be the one to undress you.”

  He took a moment to bury his face in her neck and inhale. “You always smell so good,” he murmured.

  He ran his hands over her skin a few times and then went for her bra. He undid the clasp and tossed the fabric away, bringing his hands up to cover her bare breasts. He kneaded her flesh, rolling her hard nipples in between his fingers.

  She gasped, knees nearly buckling.

  He held her up, supporting her with one arm as his free hand continued to explore her chest. He rocked his hips against her backside, letting her feel his hard erection.

  “I love how you react to my touch,” he said. “I can’t get enough of it.”

  She pushed her backside further back, rocking her hips harder against his cock.

  He put his hands on her hips, stilling her. “If you don’t stop, I won’t make it into the hot tub.”

  She exhaled, panting, and quit moving. She wanted him in that second more than she’d ever wanted anything.

  The jacuzzi tub was going to have to wait. She switched the water off. “I won’t make it that long either,” she said.

  He groaned. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

  He pulled back a little and went after her panties. He pushed them down, taking time to rub his hand over her backside as her panties fell to the floor. “I could stand here and rub your sweet little bottom all day.” He turned her back around toward him and kissed her. “But I want to be inside you even more.”

  “I want that, too,” she said.

  He shed his pants and his boxers, pushing them down over his strong thighs and his rock-hard cock. He moved to the suitcase and grabbed a condom, quickly rolling it on.

  “You have no idea how much I want you,” he said. He pushed two fingers into her dripping wet core. He thrust them in and out, stretching her.

  “I feel the same way.”

  He removed his fingers and positioned his straining cock at her entrance. Her pussy throbbed, needy and ready for him. She arched, urging him on, and he obliged, pushing his cock into her in one swift move.

  “Oh, God!” she cried out. She’d thought the first time was good, but having him behind her, filling her up from this angle, felt like heaven.

  He kept one hand on her hip, holding her in place. The other hand went back to her breast, tweaking her nipples, one and then the other.

  She bucked, feeling every inch of him.

  He began to thrust, hard and steady, hitting her g-spot each time.

  “I won’t last long,” she panted.

  His fingers left her breast and went straight to her clit. He rubbed his fingers in circles. “Neither will I.”

  She jerked as he rubbed her in exactly the right spot. She grabbed his arms, holding on tight as her orgasm hit her hard. “Eli!” she screamed as her pussy pulsed.

  He groaned behind her, letting go just as the last waves of her climax rolled through her.

  He held her up as she came back down to earth, kissing all over the side of her face and neck.

  Once they were both done breathing hard, he sat her on the bed and flipped the water back on. He got rid of the condom and brought over a warm washcloth to clean her up. They kissed for a few minutes while the water ran, and then he lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the jacuzzi tub. He stuck one hand in, testing the water. “It’s perfect.” He hit the button to turn the jets on, and then he held onto her and helped her step in.

  She sank into the tub, sighing as the bubbling water settled over her body. She kept her eyes open, though, not wanting to miss a second of Eli with his clothes off.

  She smiled as he climbed in, sliding in behind her and cradling her body against his. “I like having you right here. Lean back against me and relax.”

  She was a little too wound up to completely relax, but she felt really good, and she liked the way Eli held on to her.

  “I’ve been thinking,” she said. It was hard to think while being this close to him, but it was important.

  Bringing this up was a risk, but she knew Eli would never broach the topic himself. He likely felt that he couldn’
t since he was her boss. And maybe it was wrong for her to bring it up, but she wasn’t going to waste this chance she’d been given with him.

  She’d reached the point with him that she’d rather leave her job than pass up an opportunity to date him. She’d already admired him when she started, but getting to know him had only increased how much she wanted to be with him.

  Until this trip, she’d tried to deny her feelings. But after she’d seen his enthusiasm for space research and watched him deliver his speech, she could no longer deny it. She wanted to date him. She wanted more than dating, actually.

  She wanted to be his.

  She just had to let him know.

  “Yeah?” he asked, nuzzling her neck. “What are you thinking about?”

  “Us.”

  “What about us?” he asked.

  “That I’d like there to be one.”

  He drew back a little. “You want us to be together?”

  “If you’re interested,” she said.

  “I am. I’ve been thinking about it, too.”

  “But you wouldn’t have brought it up?”

  “No,” he said. “Not as long as you worked for me.”

  “I’ve thought about that, too. I could leave the lab if you think it would be too difficult for us to work together.”

  “No. Don’t leave the lab. I need you.”

  She was surprised at the tone of his voice. “There are other assistants. You can’t possibly need me that much.”

  He lifted a piece of her hair that had escaped from where she’d pulled it up. “You’re wrong about that. Very wrong. You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had. You care about the work just as much as I do.”

  “I do care about the work,” she said. She didn’t want to quit, but she wouldn’t be giving it up forever. Just until she found another place. But if Eli thought they could make it work, then she was willing to try.

  “Yes, and it shows.” His arms came around her, holding her tight. “You belong there. It’s not just me that needs you. The lab does, too. Once you graduate, a permanent position will be waiting for you.”

  She snuggled back against him. Some of the urgency had faded, but she needed to have this conversation.