by Sophie Stern
Cowboy Dragon
Sophie Stern
Copyright © 2016 by Sophie Stern
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Synopsis
Colton knows a lot about ranching, but not a lot about love. When his old friend calls him up to ask for a favor, he doesn't have any choice but to drop everything he's doing and go to Dragon Isle.
When he's greeted at the Nellenston harbor by a little human who begs him to take her along, he knows he's in for an adventure he hadn't planned on. Still, the woman is soft, sweet, and entirely submissive.
Will he find out her reason for coming to Dragon Isle before it's too late?
Will he be able to save her before he loses himself?
For the girls who love to be bitten
And the dragons who love to bite
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Contents
Cowboy Dragon
Mailing List
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Epilogue
About the Author
Red: Into the Dark
Prologue
1.
1
This was it for Colton.
This was it.
He was actually going to do it and he couldn’t quite believe it.
Dragon Isle.
After all this time, he was returning to the island.
He’d spent summers there as a kid. His grandparents had insisted on it. He was a dragon shifter, after all. He needed to be among his own kind. At least, that was what they said. That was what they told him.
Colton didn’t much care for being around dragons. He liked being on the ranch in Colorado. His stepdad and mom were incredible. Both of them human, they had taught him everything he needed to know about working the land. The summers at his grandparents’ house had taught him everything he needed to know about being a dragon.
He’d missed out on many shifter lessons, they thought, because his dad had died. Mom was amazing, Grams told him, but she wasn’t a shifter. There were some things only a shifter could teach you about your heritage, about who you were as a person and as an animal.
Colton wasn’t sure if he believed that.
His stepdad had taught him a lot. Gary was a good guy, one who hadn’t deserved being hated by his dad’s family. It wasn’t Gary’s fault his father had been killed by poachers. It hadn’t been anyone’s fault except the bastards who did it. Still, Colton’s grandparents didn’t like humans much. They were stuck in their ways and believed dragons should be among their own kind.
They hated knowing that Colton would rather hang out with bear shifters and humans than live on Dragon Isle.
They hated knowing that he dated women, human women, and he had no desire to hurry up and get married.
They hated knowing he wasn’t going to breed dragon hatchlings for them in an attempt to carry on the family name.
Sometimes, Colton wondered why he even still kept in contact with the old sourpuss couple at all. They certainly weren’t pleasant or fun to be around, but then, they never had been. Even his father, from what he could remember of him, had struggled to get along with the elderly couple.
Colton’s father, Brock, had been a good guy, a curious guy, and he had wanted to explore the world. In the end, it had gotten him killed, but the older Colton got, the more he respected that his father had lived his life the way he wanted to. Brock had cared little for the policies that dictated dragon life for years. He had cared little about obeying the rules or following orders or fitting in.
Now his son was the same way, Colton thought wryly.
After years of living in Colorado, after years of a quiet life spent working the land, Colton was returning to Dragon Isle, and he wasn’t happy about it.
Oh, he wouldn’t turn Anthony down. The dragon needed his help and he was happy to give it. The two of them went way back and he was happy to see how much his old buddy had changed – or not – since Colton stopped coming for visits.
It was simply that Colton knew he didn’t fit in.
He knew he was different.
He had a different lifestyle, different goals, and different priorities.
His grandparents would find out he was there and want to see him. Then they’d badger him about when he was planning on finding a nice dragonwoman to settle down with, and the short answer was “never.”
He didn’t have anything against women. Not at all. In fact, Colton loved women. He adored them. They were his favorite thing in the world, but he wasn’t a good boyfriend and he certainly wouldn’t be a good husband.
He liked his space too much.
He liked the silence.
In Colton’s experience, women liked to talk. They liked to chat and bounce ideas off each other and they liked to fuss about their feelings. That wasn’t him. He was quiet. He was thoughtful and he needed silence to sort his thoughts. Maybe someday he’d find someone who would put up with that, but not today.
Not this time.
He parked his car in the harbor parking lot and hopped out, grabbing only his small duffel bag. He could easily fly to the island, but then he wouldn’t have any clothes or supplies with him. Besides, the clan leader didn’t like dragons flying around unless it was through the center of the island. He didn’t like them flying over from the mainland.
Poachers, Emerson had said. He was worried about poachers. Colton understood why. For many dragon shifters, the idea of poachers was like the idea of the boogeyman. It simply wasn’t real. It simply wasn’t a threat.
Colton knew, though.
He remembered wondering why his dad hadn’t come home. He remembered his mother tearfully explaining to him what had happened. He remembered hating the people who had done this to his dear ol’ pops. He remembered the pain, the sadness.
He remembered grieving.
But Colton remembered other things, too, things that had helped him get through the darkness and move forward. He remembered his dad’s laugh and his dad’s stories and his dad’s easygoing personality. He remembered a lot of things that helped him focus on the idea that even if there were poachers, there were other things, too.
There were good things.
The world wasn’t all bad.
Still, it didn’t hurt to be cautious, and Emerson definitely was. So Colton couldn’t fly to Dragon Isle, but he could boat, and that’s what he was going to do now. He marched over to the guard shack where a human man stood leaning against the outside.
“Can I help you?” The man asked. He was tall for a human, but his eyes were kind, and Colton had a feeling this was the man Anthony and Emerson had told him about. He had talked with them both on the phone several times in preparation for his trip to the island. He was going to be doing some construction work with his buddies and needed to know exactly what was in store for him.
Now, he eyed the human who stood before him. He was dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans. Any human who wandered into the harbor would think this was just an ordinary guy running a boat rental business, but shifters knew the truth.
They knew this guy wasn’t what he seemed. He was a guardian, of sorts, for the dragons. He ke
pt curious bystanders away and redirected tourists to more appropriate places. When people wandered into the Nellenston harbor and asked about the island in the distance, the harbormaster could give them some bullshit history lesson and send them on their way.
He respected the dragons and their need for privacy.
They all loved him for it, according to Anthony.
“Liam?” He asked, taking a chance. “Anthony told you I was coming, I presume.”
At that, Liam’s eyes lit up and he nodded, grinning. His youth shone through with his bright smile, and Colton couldn’t help but smile back. Liam was obviously all man, but he was still a kid at heart. Colton would guess this guy had a good heart and a brave soul.
“Colton!” Liam surprised Colton by wrapping his arms around him. Colton was bigger, wider, and older than the man, but Liam didn’t let that hold him back. “Good to see you, brother. They’ll be so happy you’re finally here. Anthony and Gabriel have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”
“They have, have they now?” Colton knew Anthony and Gabriel lived together. They’d been best friends for years and it made sense they would be roommates, as well. He liked knowing Anthony had someone who was there for him. Colton lived alone, but he’d be the first to admit that being on your own really could get lonely.
He sometimes thought about getting a roommate. There were plenty of single lads in Honeypot and even single females who wouldn’t be opposed to a man for a roommate, but then he thought about his privacy, and the silence, and how living alone gave him his own space, and he pushed thoughts of finding a new friend aside.
Maybe it was time to reconsider.
“Oh yes. I’ll let them know you’re on your way and they’ll meet you at the Dragon Isle docks.”
“Thank you for all of your help,” Colton said. “Seems like you’ve got everything under control.”
“All in a day’s work,” Liam waved nonchalantly, letting him know it really was no trouble. “Besides, any friend of Anthony’s is a friend of mine.”
“You like working with the dragons, do you?”
“This is my home,” Liam said solemnly. “The former harbormaster taught me everything I know, taught me how to care for the dragons, taught me how to meet their needs. Perhaps it’s me being a bit of a control freak or maybe just a nerd with a big heart, but I like knowing I can help people. I like showing them their value.”
“You sound like a good man, Liam. I don’t say that lightly.”
“All a matter of opinion,” Liam said, but he didn’t sound sour. He sounded matter-of-fact. Colton wondered who in Liam’s past might not think he was a good man, but it wasn’t his place to ask, nor was it any of his business. He didn’t really know the man at all and being such a private person himself, he didn’t feel comfortable prying.
Not with something like this.
Not when Liam was already helping him out.
“So, you’ve boated before, I take it?” Liam grabbed a set of keys from a rack inside the guard shack, closed the door, and started striding toward the row of little boats.
“Been awhile, but yeah.”
“Any questions?”
“When do you need her back? I’m not sure how long I’ll be, but I can have someone bring her back to you tomorrow if you like.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Liam shook his head. “Anthony took care of payment for the duration of your stay.”
“If that’s the case, I’m guessing he’s going to want me to stay awhile.”
“No idea,” Liam shrugged. “He said a week at least, maybe more.”
Colton wanted to get back to his ranch. His employees could handle things in his absence. His ranch manager was incredible and his other cowboys were all great, but he didn’t want to spend a week on Dragon Isle. Hell, he didn’t want to spend a day there, but he was already on the docks and staring at a boat and he couldn’t very well back out now.
He sighed, but nodded. What else could he do? He didn’t want to be stuck on Dragon Isle at all.
“Can I offer up some friendly advice?” Liam said, looking the dragon up and down. Colton stared at Liam. The guy was thin and tall, but he looked like he was trying to put on some muscles, and he filled out his shirt. His jeans were worn and faded: signs that he worked hard and didn’t waste money on fancy clothes or new things just to impress people.
Colton could respect that.
He was also in the habit of letting his clothes wear out and only replacing them when he really needed something new. He didn’t like to waste time, energy, or money on shopping. He didn’t like to spend money on new things when the old ones worked just as well. That was another point of contention between himself and his grandparents.
They were dragons through-and-through, and that included everything. They valued money, they valued possessions, and they valued gold. As shifters, they were only half-dragons, but Colton had no doubt they’d be lying on a pile of gold in a cave somewhere if they thought they could get away with it.
“Go for it, buddy,” Colton said.
“Try not to be too disappointed with how you’re spending your week,” he said. “A lot has changed in the past few years: most of it for the better.”
“Oh yeah?” Colton asked. “No offense, buddy, but how would you know?”
“My sister’s married to the clan leader,” Liam chuckled. “Trust me. She keeps me informed.”
“Married to crabby ol’ Emerson?” Colton had heard all about the bitchy-ass new leader of Dragon Isle. He’d spoken with him on the phone and though Emerson seemed polite enough, Colton had heard plenty of stories about the guy. Apparently it wasn’t a good idea to cross him.
Apparently, that never ended well.
Emerson wasn’t really new to the island anymore. He wasn’t new to his position as clan leader. He’d been there a few years now, but that didn’t mean Colton had to like him or respect him. Respect was something you had to earn: not something you got just for having the right title.
“He’s quite the softie when it comes to Janae,” Liam said. “I like to think she’s been a positive influence on the whole place.”
“I’ll have to see it to believe it,” Colton said. “I have quite a few dark memories of this place,” he admitted.
“Don’t let the past color your impression of the future,” Liam told him, and Colton was caught off-guard by how wise the young man seemed. How old was Liam? 30? Maybe?
“Good advice for all of us,” Colton nodded. “Thanks for the boat.” He tossed the keys up in the air and caught them. “Hope you don’t mind me leaving my truck.”
“I’ll keep an eye on her,” Liam nodded solemnly, and Colton thanked him again before heading over to the little motorboat he’d be using to get himself to Dragon Isle. Seriously, he wanted to just be done with this and fly, but he knew that wasn’t an option. Emerson had strict rules about flying to the island and Colton would have to honor that.
He didn’t like it, but he’d honor it.
He got to the boat, dropped his bag in, and climbed inside. He turned the key and started the motor, then took a deep breath.
“All right,” he said. “Come out, come out, wherever you.”
2
Holly shouldn’t be here.
She shouldn’t be here in this boat, hiding like it was the right thing to do. It wasn’t. There were other, better ways to get what she needed, to do what she needed, and hiding wasn’t one of them.
She was better than that.
She knew better than that.
Still, she hadn’t quite counted on the strong nose of the dragon shifter who climbed into the boat. The whole thing rocked with the dragonman’s weight and she ducked further back beneath the tiny tarp. She had been hiding for hours, hoping to go unnoticed until they got to Dragon Isle. She wasn’t sure how long she’d have to wait, but the boats in the harbor only ever went to one place.
And that was where Holly needed to go.
She held perfectly
still. Maybe if she didn’t move, he would forget he had smelled her. If she was very still, perhaps he would brush it off. He’d justify the smell in his mind and try to convince himself it had been something else entirely, like a bird or a large fish or something. He hadn’t really smelled a human. His nose was playing tricks on him.
Holly heard his heavy breathing and wondered what the man looked like. It was a dragonman for sure. That much was obvious. The boat had wobbled so much when he got in. She knew he was heavy and probably muscular, but that wasn’t the only thing that had given him away.
He had smelled her.
She knew it.
Dragons had these incredible senses. It wasn’t just their sense of smell that was amazing, either. They could see things in the dark. They could hear almost anything. They could hear heartbeats.
Oh, shit.
They could hear heartbeats.
Holly’s was racing with anticipation and nervousness. She knew this wasn’t her smartest idea. It just wasn’t. She should have stolen the boat and gone to the island herself, but she knew the harbormaster would have alerted the dragons immediately and they would have been waiting for her.
Somehow, she thought becoming a stowaway would be a better choice. She thought it would be a better option. Now, though, there was no doubt in her mind that the dragon wasn’t going to talk himself out of looking for her in the tiny motorboat.
It was tiny.
He was probably no more than a few feet away from her and she bet he really could hear her breathing. He could hear her heart getting ready to explode. It was pounding in her chest, threatening to rip itself right out of her skin if she didn’t calm down.
She needed to calm down.
Right now.
She needed to breathe, but that would be noisy. For some reason, she still wanted to be quiet. She still wanted to prove that she could be quiet, but it was too late.
“I’m waiting,” the voice said again. It sounded meaner this time. “You have three seconds and then I’m going to get angry. You won’t like that. Trust me, doll.”
