She pursed her lips together. “Well, I am, and I think that this pretty much makes us even.”
“Ms. Williamson, I regret to inform you that your tally is slightly off. You owe me much more. In case you’ve forgotten, there have been many occasions when my assistance has been necessary.”
“Like when?” she gasped, holding back a smile.
“There have been too many for me to count.”
“Liar,” she said breathlessly. “There’s no need to fabricate things that aren’t true.”
“Really?” he quipped, and his sexy laughter washed over her again. “Trust me---I have no reason to lie.”
As he stepped behind her, a sliver of awareness trailed down her spine.
“What about last week when I carried that extra shopping bag into your apartment?” he asked, his warm breath fanning her nape. “Or how about when I fixed that leaky pipe? And don’t forget the day before when I---”
Laughing, she stepped away from him. “Alright, alright---I get your point.”
“Well, well,” Leslie drawled, “it seems that the two of you have grown quite chummy.”
Nicole started.
For a moment, she’d forgotten her friend was even there!
“We have become quite acquainted,” she said stiffly. “Aren’t most neighbors?”
She frowned as Leslie snickered.
And she could almost hear her ‘yeah right’ comment.
As a matter of fact, there was no telling what Leslie would blurt out next!
“Leslie, you better hurry off. They’re probably waiting for you, and you don’t want to be late,” she said quickly.
“You’re right. I really must be going, but don’t you need a ride? I’ll drop you ---”
“She’s coming with me,” Xander interrupted. “If nothing else, she owes me, especially since I’ve been forced to wear a tux all evening.”
She laughed again. “And how is that my fault?”
Then, she sobered.
She was literally flirting with him!
And how could she be alone with him?
Was she being too obvious that she wanted more than friendship?
And there was no point in making an even bigger fool of herself!
“Leslie, there’s no point in you waiting around. I’ll be fine,” she muttered. “Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay, love,” Leslie said, embracing her tightly, and then whispered at her ear, “Don’t screw this up!” With a smile, she stepped back. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Nicole. Xander…goodbye.”
Xander nodded. “Goodbye.”
As he faced her, she felt the heat of his stare.
She cleared her throat. “And that also includes you, Xander. You can go as well. If you’d just help me hail a cab, I’ll be out of your way.”
“Can you stop being so stubborn?” he asked, humor lacing his tone.
“No,” she said, hiking the coat’s collar up.
“By now, don’t you know that I’m more stubborn than you are?”
“Try me,” she challenged him softly.
“I just might,” he retorted back, pure sexiness lacing his tone.
She shivered again.
The man was a deadly lethal weapon.
And she wanted to be his victim.
Heat stained her cheeks again as she raised her head loftily. “If you’ll just assist me to a cab, you’ll have my highest gratitude.”
It was time to come back down to Earth, and realize that he was completely out of her league!
“And I insist that you allow me to take you to dinner.” he said. “You have to be famished, especially after a performance like that.”
She hesitated.
He did have a good point.
After all, he was headed her way.
And what could dinner hurt?
It’s not like the guy was proposing marriage.
And they’d shared one another’s company times before.
But, why did this potential dinner seem more intimate?
In these last weeks, instead of waning, her interest had grown, and he fascinated her beyond any measure. And still, he was a sensual mystery that she desperately wanted to explore.
For the first time in her life, temptation beckoned her.
She needed to be touched….wanted…loved.
She started guiltily when he spoke.
“Nicole, we’re two rational adults, and there’s no reason why we can’t enjoy a simple meal together.”
Well, she was famished.
“You’re exactly right. There’s no reason why we can’t,” she admitted breathlessly. Electricity jolted her as he grasped her hand. And she held on. Still, it was difficult to ignore the euphoria as it washed over her.
“Where’s Macy?”
His sexy, masculine scent trailed up her nostrils, and she was surprised that her speech was coherent. “She took ill, earlier today, and she’s with the vet. Unfortunately, I’ll be without her for the next few weeks.”
“Will you get a replacement until she returns?”
“They offered me one. But, Macy and I have a bond. She knows and respects me while I do the same.”
“How will you manage?” he asked, purposely slowing his long strides to match hers. He nodded to the guard before leading her through the swiveling, glass doors.
The sounds of Atlanta’s busy nightlife greeted them as they stepped onto the sidewalk.
Anger surged through her as other pedestrians brushed by them.
She certainly didn’t need a pity party!
“What kind of question is that? I’m going to manage just like every other human being out there. What makes me so different from the rest?” she retorted angrily, and moved to pull away. But, he held onto her hand firmly. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after---”
“How much damn clink do you carry in that armor suit of yours?” he asked, not relinquishing his hold as he continued walking. “Is this your usual, well-played strategy to keep people at arm’s length? Your little, tough girl act is too thin, and I can see right through it, sweetheart!”
Her face flamed hot. “Your manners are simply unacceptable! How dare you!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll gladly take your dare,” he answered crossly, his own anger escalating. “No one is trying to hurt you, believe it or not! Please climb down from that ridiculously, high defensive chair of yours, if only for a moment!”
Her mouth opened wide in a gasp.
His words stunned her, but she stayed silent.
No one had dared stand up to her, especially since the accident, and he certainly didn’t sugarcoat anything where she was concerned.
A new, deep feeling washed over her.
Finally, someone was seeing her for once.
Immediately, their trek ended, and his keys jingled as he pulled them from his pant pocket.
The car beeped twice after he pressed the alarm. As he pulled the passenger’s door open, the cool night air whooshed by her thigh. But, a new awareness closed in as he stepped behind her. The pure heat radiated from his body. A shiver ran along her spine as he demanded softly, “Get in.”
She raised her chin stubbornly. “And if I refuse?”
Not that she planned to refuse.
The man had carefully woven his sensual spell around her.
“Well, you’ll leave me with no other alternative, but to resort to caveman tactics. I’ll haul you over my shoulder ---”
“You wouldn’t dare!” she interrupted, and then they both laughed. “Forget I even said that because you most definitely would. I’ll put up no further arguments, at least not right now, anyway.”
“Thank goodness. Watch your step. I’m not in the SUV tonight.”
She turned towards him with a smile.
Inhaling sharply, he stared down into her upturned face.
Her brown eyes shone with exuberance, and they were almost black under the streetlights. Right now, he was drowning in them, he mulled
, assisting her, and then slammed the passenger’s door shut.
As he crossed to the driver’s side, he realized one crucial fact: there’d never be another woman like her.
***
The warm blast of air hit her face as they entered Milano’s, an upscale Italian restaurant on the last block of 43rd Boulevard Drive. Tantalizing aromas pervaded the lively space, ranging from freshly baked parmesan bread to spicy, tangy tomato sauces.
“Benvenuti a Milano’s,” the hostess said graciously as they entered. “Dinner for two?”
“Yes, thank you,” Xander replied in his husky timbre, and then turned towards her. “Here let take your coat.”
“Thank you,” Nicole murmured and allowed him to help her with her coat.
“Now, was that so hard?” he teased. “Accepting my gentlemanly charms?”
She smiled shyly before grasping his elbow. “I don’t suppose it was.”
The conversations carried about the restaurant as they made way to their waiting table. Carefully, he led the way, pulling her closer to him as they maneuvered around the other guests. “Did I tell you how exceptionally beautiful you look, tonight?”
“I know you’re trying to flatter me.” A warm blush spread from her nape to her face. “But, you don’t have to say such things. I know that you’re just used to seeing me dress casually.”
“That’s not flattery, sweetheart,” he muttered, stopping at their table, and the chair hardly made a sound as he pulled it back. “I’m stating an obvious fact.” His tone was serious. “You’re absolutely stunning.”
She took the seat that he offered. “Thank you,” she said, sounding out of breath. “…for the compliment.”
“You’re welcome.”
His smooth, sexy baritone washed over her again.
Why did he have to be so irresistibly sexy?
A female, opera singer’s voice exuded a sorrowful, love tune, lending an intimate quality to the setting. The clinking noises of silverware and glassware blended with the soft music as it played in the background. The conversations varied, with some being clipped and short-tempered while others embraced the tranquility the place offered.
She sensed life.
And for the first time since the accident, she was embracing it again.
She wanted to pinch herself.
Was she actually here with Xander on a date?
Not that it was a date, she quickly reminded herself.
The maître d' arrived at their table. “Welcome to Milano’s,” the man said, and his Italian brogue rolled the words perfectly. “Sir, what shall it be for you and your lovely lady? We serve the finest of wines straight from the California vineyards.”
“We’ll have a bottle of your fine Costa d’Amalfi,” Xander said without hesitation. “Preferably chilled.”
“Certainly, sir,” the maître d' said with the utmost politeness. “You have chosen well. I’ll be back with your drinks shortly.”
“How did you learn to play so well?” he asked, and surprisingly, his tone held real interest. “Did you study professionally?”
She relaxed.
This was certainly a topic that she could relate to.
“I’ve been playing since I was six years old. While other girls were happily tying a ribbon in their doll’s hair, I was too busy pounding away on my grandmother’s piano,” she admitted while smiling. “My first, professional lessons began when I was awfully young, and my passion just grew along with the ages.”
“Any brothers or sisters?”
“No,” she said shortly, and that wasn’t entirely true. But, there was no point in dredging up unpleasant memories. “It’s just me.”
“So, how old does that make you?”
“Don’t you know that it’s impolite to ask a woman’s age?”
“What can I say? I’m a curious guy.”
“I’m twenty-five.”
She was officially on the ‘shelf’, especially in this day and age; and she didn’t even sport a steady boyfriend.
Not to mention the fact that she was still a virgin.
Yes, she was one in a million alright.
“I guess that I’m not robbing the cradle, then?”
Her face flushed hotly.
If she didn’t know better, she’d think that he was being flirtatious.
“I studied the performing arts at Kennesaw University,” she rambled on, steering their conversation to safer territory. “And in the beginning, I studied dance along with my music.”
“You know what? I can actually envision you in a cute, pink leotard practicing your moves,” he added huskily.
“You’re teasing me,” she broke in, breathless. “But I found that I really didn’t have a passion for it, and nothing could surpass my love for piano. It’s my one true love, and it will never let me down.”
At that moment, the maître d' returned, sparing them from further comment. “A nice, chilled bottle of Costa d’Amalfi at your service, sir,” the man stated, placing the bottle down. “And our house’s special, Bruschetta, topped with a crispy, mouthwatering tomato salad. Enjoy.”
“It smells delicious,” she murmured, helping herself to one of delicate appetizers. As she sank her teeth into it, she closed her eyes in appreciation. “Oh my goodness---it should be a crime against something tasting this good.”
He filled the goblets with wine, and then carefully passed one to her. “Milano’s is the number one restaurant in Atlanta for a reason. Their reputation supersedes them.”
She tasted the wine. “I must admit that your taste in wine is impeccable.”
“That among many other things.”
Just what did he mean by that? Of course, her little dirty mind was implying too much from that innocent statement!
“Kennesaw University, huh?” he asked, returning to their earlier conversation. “Do you mean to tell me that you surpassed Georgia State, home of the Bulldogs, the national football champions? Shame on you.”
She laughed. “Actually, I had originally planned to do my graduate studies there. But, my accident changed all ---”
Frowning, she ended her words abruptly. Their conversation was heading into forbidden territory now. But, a part of her wanted to share the horrible details of that fateful evening. That was surprising to her since she never wanted to discuss it with anyone. What was it about this man that made her want to divulge all her painful secrets?
That very thought scared her.
Stiffening, she raised the goblet to her lips.
“Nicole, what happened the night of your accident?” he asked with concern.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” She blinked furiously as the tears welled in her eyes. She was not about to turn into a slobbering idiot, especially not before him. “That’s enough about me,” she said, placing the glass onto the table. “Tell me some things about you.”
******
The cold, harsh reality slammed into him with brutal force. In these last weeks, had he foolishly gotten caught up in this illusive fantasy that there could ever be anything between them? And where he was concerned, nothing was more damaging or brutal than the truth.
He was a lie.
In the earthly world, he was considered a monster or an enigma. While Hollywood depicted his kind as elusive romantic heroes, it couldn’t be further from it. In truth, he was nothing but a bitter and cynical creature with little hope of having a real life or satisfaction.
And this is the real world, he reminded himself regrettably as he stared into her upturned face across the table. Interest gleamed in her dark brown eyes while the faint glow of the light made her seem angelic-like. Still, she couldn’t mask her nervousness as she plucked at the embroidered napkin.
Princeton’s strong voice echoed in his mind again. You are not a normal man, but you are dragon. You must find a human bride to save your world. They are depending on you…
No, she would never be a part of those plans, he vowed silently.
For
once, why couldn’t he appease his own selfish needs and desires?
With one fast gulp, he downed the wine, and then, resisted the urge to hurl the goblet across the room like a petulant, irritable child. Now, even the opera music in the background was grating his nerves.
At the nearby table, the elderly couple stared at him openly, not bothering to disguise their keen interest. And it was only then that he realized that his body was as rigid as granite, and anger emanated from him like a burning firecracker.
Was his disdain that obvious?
Arching his brow arrogantly, he returned the elderly couple’s disapproving stare. The woman muttered under her breath unintelligibly before they both turned away.
“Obviously, you’re determined to be a man of mystery,” she whispered, not hiding her disappointment.
Like a jagged knife, her hurt look pierced through him.
Wasn’t she already dealing with enough, he fumed inwardly. And he certainly had no right adding to her problems or worries.
Pushing the unsettling thoughts away, he leaned back against the chair. “What do you want to know?” he asked seriously, giving her an intense look. “I’ll warn you now. You may not like the specifics.”
Even he couldn’t push away the stab of fear. Would she turn away in disgust if she knew the awful truth about him?
A warm blush stained her cheeks. “I seriously doubt that,” she murmured shyly. “Just tell me a little about yourself. Just say anything. I mean, you can’t have that many secrets, right?” Though she said the last statement half-teasingly, her tone still held a serious note.
Oh, you don’t even know the half of it, he thought humorlessly, frowning.
“Before you mentioned that you’ve just moved here recently. Where are you originally from?” she asked, sipping the wine.
He grimaced.
How about Vale, a world filled with vampires, lycans, dragons, and half-breeds like him? Instead, he said, “I’m from a small rural area in Paulding County.”
Well, he had lived there after he’d been exiled from Vale a century ago.
“Paulding County?” she speculated, tapping a painted fingernail against her chin. “I think that I may have some distant relatives in that area.” Then, she shook her head before smiling. “What made you become interested in law?”
Dragon Reign: A Paranormal Love Tale Page 21
