by Lilly Wilder
“Let’s just say I’m good with money.” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “Of course, if you’d prefer, I change into my jogging outfit, I can do that too.”
“No!” I shook my head a little too hard and a strand of hair came undone from the bun that sat atop of my head. It framed the side of my face for a moment before Vern reached for it. His fingertips danced along my skin before he pinned the stray strand behind my ear.
A shiver went through my spine as our eyes locked together. I swear, my heart skipped a beat.
“Shall we? I wouldn’t want us to be late.”
“Y-Yeah.” I stammered. “Just give me a moment.” I rushed inside only to trip on the welcome mat. My ankle twisted and I was about to fall forward when I felt a strong arm wrap around my waist. A second later, I was pinned against Vern’s chest.
I forgot how to breathe.
He smiled down at me. “Careful,” was all that he said before he helped me regain my balance.
Get a grip, Ari, I told myself as I took a second to compose myself. Only then did I manage enough mobility to get my legs moving in the right direction. I grabbed my purse from my bedroom and was about to sling it over my shoulder when I reconsidered.
It was likely to get chilly at night so it was probably best if I brought along a light jacket. Becky had left one for me. I reached for it but it was already gone. “Huh?”
“Looking for this?” Vern was suddenly behind me, his words right against my ear.
I jumped slightly.
“Yeah,” I said when I saw he was holding the jacket.
“Let me.” He held it out so I could slip my arms through the sleeves. This guy really knew how to make a girl feel like royalty.
When it was on, he leaned down slightly and brushed his lips ever so gently against the skin of my neck.
I turned around and there he stood as if he hadn’t kissed me at all. Had I imagined it? There was no way he could have moved that quickly.
“Are you ready?” He asked as he handed over my purse.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good.” He held out his arm so I could hold onto it. “I wouldn’t want you to trip a second time.” We were almost at the door when he stopped. “By the way, it’s a pretty nice bedroom you’ve got here. It’s almost a shame that we have this gala to go to.”
A part of me wanted to suggest that we stay but I couldn’t summon the courage. It just wasn’t in me to be that kind of girl.
“Oh well, maybe another day,” he said in a whisper that I guessed I wasn’t supposed to hear. Nevertheless, I heard it, and they brought with them a vivid scene of Vern in bed with me. I had no doubt that underneath that suit and tie, he hid a wonderland of muscle. I could just envision myself running my hands all along them, feeling every bump and valley. “Ari?”
He said my name and I nearly moaned.
“Are you okay?”
Heat rose through my ears as I realized I had zoned off into a daydream. “Sorry.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment but did not say a word as he guided me over to his car. He opened the passenger-side door for me and made sure I was safely inside before he reached across and buckled me into place. By doing so, he had his body nearly pressed against mine. His scent invaded my nostrils. I breathed him in, growing intoxicated by the smell of his soap. It was subtle but pleasant. The hint of mint was a nice little touch.
“There we go,” he said as he turned his head. It was so close to mine that all I needed to do was lean forward and…
He pulled away and my shoulders sagged with disappointment.
Through the windshield, I saw him round the car and get behind the wheel. A second later, we were speeding down the street, as he got on the highway. Instantly, I felt a rush of adrenaline as he pressed on the gas. I didn’t need to look at the odometer to know we were going fast.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him looking my way. What was he thinking? Did he like what he saw or was he regretting his choice of date?
Suddenly, I felt his hand on top of mine. “You really do look quite stunning.” His hand then crept onto my exposed thigh. Under any other circumstance, I would have swatted him away but as a wave of excitement coursed through my veins, I responded by spreading my legs ever so slightly. What had gotten into me? I had never reacted this way before. It was like this man had unlocked some sort of primal instinct that had laid dormant inside of me. All I wanted to do was unleash it by pouncing on him and having my way with his sexy body.
My heart raced as his fingertips danced closer and closer to the thong I wore.
Then, rather abruptly, he pulled away and fiddled instead with the music. I nearly whimpered at the lack of intimacy. I didn’t want him to stop. Hell, I wanted him to go all the way.
The air in the car was thick with my desires. I felt constrained by the seat belt that kept cutting my cleavage.
I was about to say something to break the silence that had settled between us when he stopped the car in front of a grand looking building. It was one of the seaside mansions - the one I had always dreamt of living in one day.
The gilded gates were open and well-dressed guests poured through them. Most of them wore masks.
“I didn’t know this was a masquerade,” I said, feeling horribly out of place.
“Don’t worry.” He responded as he reached into the back seat. “I got us a matching pair. I didn’t want anyone to forget that you’re with me.” With a gentle touch, he helped me put it on.
“Thanks,” I said as I returned the favor.
Once that was taken care of, he got out of the car and quickened to open my door. He offered me his hand, and as soon as I took it, he gripped me with a certain quality of strength that made me feel safe and sound.
Together, we made it up the long, winding driveway while valet parked his car.
“So, you’ve been to this even before?” I asked in a whisper. I couldn’t help but notice all the gorgeous women. Surely, someone like Vern would have no trouble asking any number of them on a date and yet, he had chosen me of all people. It brought a smile to my face to know that I stood a chance against all these gorgeous women because I was gorgeous too.
“Right this way.” A man dressed in a butler’s outfit ushered us inside.
And man, was it gorgeous. I had never seen anything quite like it. The ceiling was vaulted and etched in the plaster were baroque-type swirls that gave the place an added level of class. A few of the columned archways were held up by winged women. Whoever had sculpted them sure was skilled.
I didn’t have much time to admire them before I was whisked away into the ballroom. Vern held me firmly by the waist like he didn’t want to run off and get lost. “Are you hungry?” He asked.
“Not particularly.”
“Good because I didn’t think I could have waited to dance with you.”
In the blink of an eye, we were in the middle of the dancefloor. Vern had his hand on the small of my back while his other hand held mine at shoulder height.
Effortlessly, we glided across the floor, weaving in and out of the other couples. My dress fluttered around my ankles, catching the wind of my movements. The breeze it caused traveled along the length of my legs and settled between them. This only helped to highlight my current excitement. Were I to slip a hand underneath my thong, I would find a wetness unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
What was the man doing to me and why did I like it so much?
“Where did you learn to dance like this?” I asked as we eased into a slower pace.
“I took lessons.”
“You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?”
“One could say that.” We spun around and I stumbled on his foot. He was quick to stabilize me by pressing me even closer to his body. At this point, we were practically glued together.
I could feel the beating of his heart against my own. They were beating a
s one as he carried me through the movements. In his capable hands, it almost felt like I was weightless.
He smiled down at me and his lips parted as he said something but I did not hear him. I had caught sight of Lyle. Even though he wore a mask, I knew it was him. He radiated a sort of power that made everyone give him a bit more space like he had an invisible forcefield around his body.
In his arms was a pencil-thin blonde with bouncing curls. Her breasts were on full display but to my amazement not once did he look down at them.
Even so, jealousy festered inside the pit of my stomach. I could feel it growing there like a stone gaining mass.
Her flirtatious laugh sliced through the room and penetrated through my eardrums.
Why was I so upset? Why did it matter who he danced with? I already had a handsome man by my side. I didn’t need his arrogant ass.
And yet, deep down, I knew that was what I wanted.
Chapter 10: Lyle
The night was going just as planned. The decorations had been properly executed while the food expertly prepared. Each and every guest wore a smile. Champagne glasses clinked together as people indulged in merry conversation.
“May I?”
I turned and standing before me was Miss Belington, the daughter of one of my biggest investors. It was no secret that she fancied me but, in all honesty, I thought her rather dull and her scent was a little off. While other men drooled over her beauty, I was quick to look the other way.
Still, with her father watching from the buffet table, it would be rude of me to deny her request. “Very well,” I said without much enthusiasm.
She didn’t seem to mind because she flashed me that flirty little smile of hers as she attached herself to my arm.
Within seconds, we had joined the crowd. As a group, we flowed with the music. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the sound, focusing on the different instruments. When I was younger, I had learned discipline by picking up a violin. Since running my own company, I hadn’t found the time to pick it up again.
Suddenly, a shot of electricity stabbed through my chest. I sucked in a lungful of air as my eyes widened.
“Is everything alright?” Sidney asked when she noted my tension.
“Yes,” I answered as I resumed our dancing.
It didn’t take me long to find her.
My heart surged and my body felt like it was going to lurch forward on its own accord.
She was stunning.
Her neck, long and lean, was highlighted by the straps that wrapped around it. All I had to do was tug at those straps and her lovely chest would be mine for the taking. I narrowed my eyes. Was I imagining her nipples poking through the fabric or was she truly excited?
Vern and I locked eyes. I nodded but there was a stern look on my face. He knew my circumstances and yet he insisted on tormenting me with the woman I could not have.
The song we were dancing to came to an end and I excused myself from Sidney. The crowd parted way as I made my way towards the young couple. “May I have a word?” I said, addressing Vern. “Privately.”
Ari glanced my way. “Is there a problem?” She had a hand on her hip. “I didn’t know you played for the other team and that you wanted my date so badly. I thought I had to worry about the other girls but I guess I have to worry about you too.”
“Are you implying that I like Vern?” I spat.
“It certainly seems that way.”
Vern stepped between us. “There’s no need to fight. There’s plenty of me to go around.” He winked at Ari. “I will only be a moment.”
“Fine.” Ari didn’t look very happy but she nonetheless walked away.
I took Vern by the elbow and dragged him towards the balcony. The pair of security guards nodded at our presence and stepped aside.
Outside, the air was considerably cooler. It helped to clear my head. “What lies have you been feeding her?” I turned on Vern, nearly pinning him against the wall. “Why does she think –”
“I doubt she really believes that,” Vern interjected. “I mean, you pretty much scream heterosexuality.”
I took a step closer, my upper lip curling. “I am not here to play games. You know better than to engage with her. The Aetos have a claim –”
“Fuck the claim.” He pushed me aside. “They’ve had years to take her and yet she’s completely unmarked. As far as I’m concerned, she’s ours for the taking.”
“If she’s willing,” he added. “And only if she’s willing.”
“So, you agree that the Aetos have lost their chance –”
“No,” I answered. “That is not what I said.” I leaned against the railing and looked into the distance. There, my clan resided, safe and sound thanks to the peace treaty between the two different fractions of dragons. If I angered them by taking Ari as my own, there was no telling the repercussions I would face. “It would put our people in jeopardy.”
“But don’t you feel it?” He turned me around so I was forced to look at him. “That inner tug of our instincts telling you that she’s the one.”
“Don’t tell me about that tug.” I hung my head. “I felt it ten years ago when she was a teenager and she thought I was one too. It was a torture to know that I was forbidden to have her. That’s why I pushed her away and that’s why she resents me now.”
Vern frowned. “But do you not think there is a way to remedy that?”
“I do not know,” I admitted. “I can see it in her eyes that she does not trust me. It will take a miracle for her to accept our dragon lineage or that she is destined to mate with us.”
“So, you’re just going to give up?” Vern punched my arm. “I refuse to accept that. Whenever you want something, you always find a way to get it. Ari shouldn’t be any different.” He squared his shoulders and held his ground. It was the first real time that he had stood against me. “I am not letting her slip away from us.”
I sighed. “You’re right. As much as I want to avoid fighting with the Aetos, I cannot keep repressing my instincts. I must have her.”
A wild grin flashed across his face, “Now that’s the Lyle I know and love.”
“But first we must be certain that she is strong enough to carry our offspring.”
“Have you seen her hips? Those are child-bearing hips if I’ve ever seen them.” He glanced through the glass door, eyes wandering over her body.
I couldn’t stop myself from doing the same. She had the body of a goddess and I could see myself worshiping every inch.
“Let me talk to her. Keep Sidney off my tail. She likes to hover around me like a gnat.”
“Leave it to me.” Vern sauntered through the doors with a certain swagger. He had no trouble finding Sidney and engaging her in conversation.
Meanwhile, I made my way over to Ari who stood by one of the open windows.
I cleared my throat so I wouldn’t scare her but she stared all the same. Doing so, she accidentally spilled some champagne onto her chest. She gasped.
Without thinking, I swiped a napkin from a nearby table and wiped her down.
A second later, I felt a slap against my cheek. My skin prickled with pain as I reeled back. The entire hall descended into silence as everyone looked our way.
“What do you think you’re doing, you pig?”
“I was trying to help you!” I protested with a growl. “Do you really think I would grope you like that?”
“I wouldn’t put it past you.”
“Funny for someone who accused me of liking men a few minutes ago.”
She groaned. “Ugh, why are you such a pain in my ass?”
“Look, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was simply trying to get the champagne off before it stained your nice dress. I don’t understand why that’s such a crime.”
“Because I’m not some blonde –”
“Are you jealous of Sidney?” I scoffed at the idea.
“So, Sidney’s her name,
is it?”
“Yes. And if you must know, I only danced with her because her father is one of my investors. If he wasn’t here, I wouldn’t have given her the time of day.”
Ari crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you want to tell me why you’re here? Clearly, you want something from me.”
I held out my hand. “I want to dance.”
She parted her lips and for a second, I expected her rejection. I could almost hear it but then she placed her hand in mine.
“This better be one hell of a dance to make up for the fact that you stuck your hands down my dress.”
“I never aim to disappoint,” I said as I whisked her away. Our very first dance was one with a quick tempo. I held her tightly and practically lifted her off the ground as I stepped in time with my fellow dancers.
When it came time to change partners, I held her even closer so that every inch of her body touched mine. This disrupted the flow of the dance but I hardly cared. Now that I held her in my arms, I couldn’t fathom letting her go.
My hand dropped to the lovely fullness of her ass. To my surprise, she didn’t push me away like I thought she would. Instead, I felt her press her hips forward, like her body had taken control and it was begging for mine.
The steps quickened but I kept in pace. I twirled her around and bent her back until the top of her head grazed the floor. To keep her steady, my hand found a hold on the top of her thigh. The skin there was silky and smooth. Oh, how I yearned to explore her every secret.
I pulled her back up and our faces nearly crashed together. She did not breathe as she looked into my eyes. Turmoil brewed there, I could sense it. If I had to guess, her past was fighting the current attraction she felt. “Let go,” I whispered against her ear before I spun her around and caught her during the very next beat.
Her chest heaved with the marathon I was putting her through, but I wanted to see her sweat. Better yet, I wanted to hear her screaming my name.
My dragon surfaced and for a second, my eyes shifted to their natural form.
Had she noticed?
The song ended.
Ari panted. “Whoa… Okay, you surprised me there. I didn’t think you’d be such an amazing dancer.” Her hairdo had come partly undone, leaving her with a rather messy look. It was sexy as all hell. That, combined with what she was wearing. All I wanted to do was pounce on her right then and there.
