by Rinelle Grey
Like now.
And like that morning, when he’d stopped by and Rowan had asked if he could go for a ride by himself and explore. Her father’s words did little to calm her now, just as they hadn’t convinced her then. She didn’t reply, just turned back to the washing up.
She heard her father leave, and her shoulders slumped as soon as he was gone.
Rowan was a sensible kid. She was sure he’d be fine.
She’d just be much happier when he was home.
“Mum!” A familiar voice floated on the breeze, and Rylee’s heart gave a leap. He was home. Safe.
And calling for her.
She dropped the tea towel on the bench, and hurried to the front door, pulling it open, only to see that her son wasn’t alone.
A man leaned heavily on his shoulder, looking exhausted and unwell.
Her heart fluttered nervously in her chest. Where had Rowan picked him up?
Usually her son brought home abandoned kittens or injured birds. Not grown men.
She hurried down the driveway, meeting her son at the gate. “Where have you been all day?” she demanded, looking him up and down to be sure he was all right, before turning her gaze on the man.
His presence hit her like a hammer, slamming into her and weakening her knees. Despite his obvious infirmity, his sea blue eyes stared at her, and for a second, Rylee almost felt like he was looking into her soul. Her breath caught in her throat.
He stumbled a little, and grabbed the gate post, releasing Rowan, who spoke excitedly. “This is Calrian, Mum. I found him in a cave in a canyon west of here. He doesn’t seem to speak English, and there’s something wrong with him, he can’t walk very well.”
His words were distant, faint. Rylee couldn’t look away from the man.
She’d never seen anyone like him outside of a movie or magazine. His body was bronzed and buff. And since he wore only skin tight leather pants, she could see plenty of it. It was hard to look away, in fact.
She gave herself a shake. She didn’t care what he looked like. Rowan had brought him home because there was something wrong with him. And the sooner she could figure out what, the sooner she could send him on his way.
“We’d better get him inside and call an ambulance,” she told Rowan, reaching out to help him. The man was far too heavy to keep leaning on her son’s shoulder. Her actions had nothing to do with the fact that she wanted to know what the muscles in his arm felt like.
To her surprise, he uttered something in a language she didn’t understand and pulled back with a suddenness that sent him tumbling onto his butt in the dirt.
Rylee felt heat flare on her cheeks at the look of almost horror as he recoiled from her.
She might not be the prettiest girl on the block, it had been a long time since she’d bothered to put on makeup or dress up, but she wasn’t ugly. What was wrong with him?
Maybe the sun really had affected him? It was a long walk back from the canyon that Rowan had pointed out to her on the drive out here last week, and even though it was technically winter, the sun in the middle of the day still had a fair bite.
She pushed away her discomfort, and knelt down next to him, holding out a hand. “It’s okay,” she said, trying to make her voice soothing, even if he couldn’t understand the words. “If you just come in, we’ll call an ambulance, and they’ll be able to help you.”
He pulled back a little, just out of reach, but those blue eyes certainly didn’t hold revulsion. Their intensity bored into her, and Rylee found herself holding her breath again.
He was the most confusing, fascinating man she’d ever met. For a moment, she stared at him, mesmerised.
Then she shook her head.
She wasn’t going there. She’d sworn she wasn’t going to get involved with another man again. Not after how Eric had treated her.
It didn’t matter how gorgeous this man was. She didn’t trust him.
And besides, they didn’t even speak the same language.
She just needed to get him inside and call an ambulance.
With that thought in mind, she reached for his hand, intending to pull him to his feet, but he pulled back again, trying to avoid her touch.
His movement irritated Rylee. He was the one who needed help, not her. Why was he avoiding her? He couldn’t possibly think she was any threat to him, could she?
She didn’t have time for this. Dinner would burn if she didn’t check it soon. She needed to get him out of here, before she allowed herself to hope that maybe all men weren’t bastards. She stepped forwards and grasped his hand despite his shrinking back.
The moment her fingers touched his, desire and need coursed through her, almost knocking her off her feet. She stared into his eyes, caught in their depths, unable to move, struggling even to breathe. She felt almost like she was drowning.
If this was what drowning felt like, she’d jump in the sea any time. It was the most amazing thing she’d ever felt. For just a second there, she felt a tie between them so strong it was like he was part of her.
“Mum?” Rowan’s uncertain voice broke the spell. Rylee pulled the man to his feet, finding it easier than she’d expected. For some reason, he seemed more sure on his feet than he had a few moments ago, though he didn’t release her hand, even when she made a move to pull away.
Not that she tried too hard. She felt a pleasant tingle where his skin touched hers. She would have liked to keep holding hands, but the concerned look Rowan was giving her broke through the haze.
She pulled her hand back again. He held for a moment, his eyes meeting hers. Another jolt ran through her, then to her surprise, he released her hand.
“Come inside,” she said, although she knew he wouldn’t understand the words. “And I’ll call an ambulance.”
He followed her in, despite not understanding what she’d said. Rowan trailed behind.
Half of Rylee was glad her dad had left earlier, and that she didn’t have to put up with his looks and comments about her reactions to this gorgeous stranger. The other half wished he was here, and she wasn’t on her own. There was something not quite right about this stranger, she just couldn’t put her finger on what.
Or on why instead of making her feel nervous and like she wanted to get away from him, she wanted to stand closer. To hold his hand again and see if that spark had been her imagination.
Rylee gave herself a shake. What was she doing? She didn’t need more problems. Certainly not the drop dead gorgeous kind.
She reached for the phone hanging on the wall, then paused.
The man had walked into the house without any problems, as steady on his feet as she was. Yet a few minutes ago, she’d seen him wavering. Seen him leaning on her son as though he couldn’t support himself. Was it all a ploy? Was he trying to trick them?
And yet, when she stared into his eyes, she felt no trickery or no sense that he was hiding something.
His eyes were as open and honest as anyone she’d ever seen.
“What did you say his name was?” she asked Rowan. “And where did you find him?”
This time, Rowan’s eyes shifted away. “His name’s Calrian,” he mumbled, not meeting her eyes.
She remembered what he’d said now. That he’d found him in a cave out in the canyon.
A feeling of dread came over her. That canyon was a deep cut in the surrounding land, its sides sheer and steep.
“You could have been killed,” she scolded, tears welling up in her eyes at the thought. “What were you doing out there?”
Rowan shrugged, running his foot along the floorboards. “I’m sorry, Mum. I won’t do it again.”
No, he wouldn’t. She wasn’t going to let him go wandering off on his own again, even if her dad did think it was all fine. That may have been acceptable when she was a kid, thirty years ago, but it was far more risky now.
A hand rested on her shoulder. The warmth that emanated from it seeped into her blood, comforting her even though she knew she should
n’t let it. She swung around quickly and found herself chest to chest with the stranger.
His nearness made her both acutely uncomfortable and hot and bothered at the same time.
“Just who are you, and what are you doing here?” she demanded, frustration colouring her voice. How could she tell him to back off when he didn’t even understand what she was saying?
His eyes narrowed for a second, and he stared at her wordlessly.
“I… My name is Calrian, and… I was looking for you.”
Rylee’s jaw dropped. Looking for… her? The way the words rolled off his tongue, deep and rich, set her stomach fluttering.
Then their meaning sunk in. He spoke English. That meant he could understand her all this time, and had been tricking her, and Rowan, pretending that he couldn’t. To what end? She couldn’t think of any possible innocent reason.
Apparently she should be calling the police, not the ambulance. His weakness or illness had been a trick too.
“You speak English?” Rowan exclaimed. “What were you doing in that cave then? And why didn’t you talk to me before then?”
The man, Calrian, stared at Rowan. “I…” He turned towards her. Rylee’s expression probably looked accusing. His shoulders slumped a little, the expression surprising her. That wasn’t the expression of someone trying to manipulate someone.
It was the expression of someone lost. Someone feeling hopeless.
“That is a long story,” he said slowly. He suddenly looked tired. Very tired.
Despite her misgivings, Rylee waved him to a chair. “Sit down, and I’ll get you both something to eat. Then you can tell us all about it.”
Chapter 4
Calrian could hear the woman moving around in the next room. He was acutely aware of her presence, the Mesmer bond pulling him to her, urging him to get up and follow her into the other room. To touch her. Kiss her. Mate with her.
But she clearly didn’t want his presence.
He didn’t blame her. She had no idea of the existence of the bond and was probably completely confused by the way she was suddenly feeling towards him. When she found out, she would be furious about it.
He’d tried to avoid touching her, desperately wanted to ask her first, even though that had been impossible. They couldn’t even understand each other until the Mesmer bond had formed, so how could he have asked her anything.
That didn’t stop him feeling bad about it.
Maybe because from the moment he’d seen her, he’d wanted to touch her, and not just because of what it would mean for him. He would have felt the same whether he’d needed to bond or not. There was something about her that captured his attention and wouldn’t let go.
Calrian heaved a sigh.
He’d had no choice. Objectively, he knew that. He couldn’t find or help his clan in his current condition. And the thought of what might have happened to them in this time terrified him.
But the energy he felt returning with each touch felt wrong. As though tainted.
Then and there, he made the decision to keep his distance, as much as he could. His strength would return in time, so long as he remained near her. It would be hard not to throw himself at her, not to touch her every chance he got, the Mesmer bond was strong, but he could do it.
He owed her that much at least.
She bustled back into the room, seeming calmer now she had something to do, and placed a plate of meat and vegetables in front of him. The scent that rose from them was delectable, and his stomach growled.
Well, it had been a while since he’d eaten.
Rowan came in too, and sat at Calrian’s side of the table, a little cleaner and neater than he had been.
Rylee sat opposite them, on another padded chair, watching him and the boy eat, although she barely touched her own meal in front of her.
Calrian might have done the same if he hadn’t been so hungry. The desire pulsating between them was so strong, he was surprised he couldn’t see it. Resisting it wasn’t easy, although it was made easier by the excellent food.
The meat melted in his mouth, and the potatoes were just the right amount of crunchy. The food, prepared by her own hand, seemed to impart strength to him, even though she sat on the other side of the table.
Almost involuntarily, he stretched out his legs under the table, towards hers, drawing short of actually touching her. The nearness was enough.
At least, that’s what he tried to tell himself.
But he had to admit, he wasn’t upset when her own feet moved forwards a little to just brush his. The response was overwhelmingly satisfying, even though he knew it was just a product of the Mesmer bond. They didn’t know each other well enough for this attraction to be anything but that.
“So,” she said, breaking the silence. “What were you doing in a cave, and why did you pretend not to be able to speak English? Was that some kind of trick?”
Calrian winced. He supposed it probably looked like one from where she was sitting. He didn’t blame her.
Trouble was, how was he supposed to explain this?
He looked from her to her son. Rowan watched him eagerly, trustingly. He was sure he must have a good explanation.
“This is my mum, Rylee,” Rowan said. “You can trust her. She’s the best.” The boy looked at his mother with an adoring expression.
Calrian looked at her too, and he suspected his own expression wasn’t too different.
Rylee. Such a pretty name. Right now though, she looked wary. When Calrian didn’t answer right away, she pulled her feet back from where they touched his. He keenly felt the loss of both her touch, and her trust.
Despite his desperate need to win back both, or perhaps gain her trust, since he’d never really had it in the first place, he hesitated over telling her the truth.
Dragons didn’t fraternise with humans. They hadn’t in centuries, and the last time they had, it had brought nothing but misery. His clan had feared and distrusted humans. Had fled half way around the world to avoid them.
It was almost ironic that humans had come to mistrust them in turn.
But right now, he needed her help. He was alone and far from home, and it was clear things had changed drastically in ways he couldn’t even begin to understand.
He couldn’t expect her to trust him if he didn’t do the same.
Taking a deep breath, he admitted the truth. “I’m a dragon.”
Rowan’s eyes widened, excitement and doubt mingling on his face. “That’s… that can’t be true, right?” He looked at his mother, seeking her opinion.
The woman though, gave a harsh laugh. “Good try.”
Her reaction threw Calrian. It hadn’t even occurred to him that she might not believe him. While it had been some time since dragons had shown themselves to humans, surely they couldn’t have forgotten completely?
Rowan glanced at his mother, at her hard, angry face, then back to Calrian. His eyes held doubt now too.
How could he prove to them that he spoke the truth? He didn’t have the strength to transform yet. Wouldn’t for several days at this rate.
He stared into the woman’s eyes, trying to will her to believe him. To trust him.
Her breath caught, and he could see her eyes widened a little. She swayed, ever so slightly towards him.
It wasn’t really fair for him to use the Mesmer bond against her like this. Under ordinary circumstances, he wouldn’t even consider it. But these weren’t ordinary circumstances, and he didn’t have a lot of choice. He needed to convince her to trust him, just until he’d regained his strength.
In case his pleading expression didn’t work, he kept talking, as though more words, more details, would help. “My clan was in a big battle against our enemy, and it did not go well. We each entered our Mesmer chambers.” He glanced towards Rowan. “Mine was the cave where you found me, and entered the Mesmer sleep to heal our wounds. I should have been woken, mere days later, by my clan. But obviously something went wrong.”
“Obviously.” The woman’s voice held easily recognisable sarcasm. As soon as he’d broken eye contact with her to look at the boy, she’d pulled back, and she didn’t meet his eyes again.
Calrian floundered. He had no idea how to deal with this. How to convince her.
If only he had pointed out the dragon sleeping on the ledge to Rowan. Then he, at least, might believe. And perhaps he might have been able to convince his mother.
Since he had no recourse to proof, he would need to convince her in other ways. Once he explained why she felt this mysterious pull to him, a desire she couldn’t be unaware of, that might convince her. But because of Rowan’s presence, he hesitated to explain the true nature of the Mesmer bond.
Perhaps the woman was having similar thoughts, because she turned to her son and said, “Go and get cleaned up. You know you need to be dressed for bed and finished your homework before you can watch TV.”
Calrian had no idea what she was talking about, but the boy obviously did. He hesitated for a moment, torn between the wish to know what was going on, perhaps the thrill of wondering if Calrian really was a dragon, and the appeal of whatever this ‘TV’ was.
Then Rowan heaved a sigh. “Yes, Mum.” He turned and headed to a door at the back of the room.
Calrian suspected his obedience had more to do with the stern look his mother gave him than with the lure of the promised reward. Either way, he was glad to have an opportunity to speak to the woman alone.
This was his chance. He just worried that telling her the truth might just make things worse.
Chapter 5
Rylee waited until the door closed behind Rowan, and she heard the bath running, before she said, “So what’s the real story?”
He stared at her, his gaze sending a shiver down her spine. Not the kind of shiver that denoted fear. It felt closer to anticipation. Whenever he looked like that, she wanted to forget everything else and climb into his lap and fasten her lips firmly to his, and not move.
Rylee gave herself a shake, and deliberately broke eye contact. What was she doing, thinking like that? She wasn’t that kind of woman. She never threw herself at men like that. The only one she’d even been involved with was Eric, Rowan’s dad, and look how badly that had gone.
