by Lia Davis
“She seems like a very independent girl.”
“You have no idea.”
“Have some more wine. Try to relax. Sage will be fine.” As long as he kept her away from Liam. He poured the last of the wine between their two glasses. “A toast?”
She held her glass up. “To what?”
“To vacation.”
“To vacation.”
The dragon paced. Where was JoAnna? His eyes pricked with fiery tears, and he called for her. Why wouldn’t she come? She knew she belonged with him… Yet she hid, ignored his calls.
Liam would find her. She couldn’t run forever.
3
Owen waited at the door, ready to see his mate again. The evening at the lake had been peaceful. He hadn’t felt so relaxed and happy since… JoAnna. A pang of guilt shot through his gut. He pushed it away. Spending time with Nadia didn’t mean he had forgotten why he was at Coon Lake.
It didn’t mean he’d forgotten his sister.
He rang the doorbell again. His team hadn’t sent him any more information, and he hadn’t picked up any leads on Huff yet, though he’d looked over the documents again and tried to sense any dark magic around the water when he’d gone for a run.
No sign at all. If Huff was at the lake, he was doing a damn good job hiding out.
Sage opened the door, her pink and silver phone in hand. A wide smile brightened her features. “Hi! Come on in.”
“Thanks.” He followed her. The house felt much larger on the inside.
Bright and cheery, like Nadia and Sage.
“Naaadia,” Sage called. “Owen’s here.”
“I’m in the kitchen.”
“This way.” Sage pointed.
They wended through a couple unpacked suitcases in the hall.
Sage shrugged. “I didn’t get completely unpacked last night.”
“I see that.”
When they crossed into the kitchen, Nadia turned and her face lit up. He could feel happiness wafting off her.
“Hey, Owen.”
“How are you?”
“I’m good. You?”
He nodded. “Hungry.”
“Me, too.”
“I hate to break up the conversation,” Sage interjected. She directed her next words to Nadia. “Stephanie is having a get-together and sleepover tonight. I’m heading over there now. If that’s okay with you, of course.”
Did she wink at her sister or had he imagined it?
Nadia frowned. “Tonight? We have dinner with Owen.” She leaned against the countertop. “Can’t you meet up with her another night?”
“It’s been so long since I’ve seen her. Since her parents moved out here, it’s hard to get together. And we both go to different colleges in the fall.”
“But we have dinner plans.”
“It’s just one night. I’ll be back by tomorrow afternoon, I promise.”
Nadia rolled her eyes and sighed. “I expect to see you at some point during our vacation.”
Sage kissed her sister on the cheek. “You will. You two have fun.”
Owen followed her to the door. “Be careful.”
“Always.” Sage stared at him. “Why so serious?”
He followed her out the front door. “It’s nothing. I’m the cautious type.” He couldn’t tell her the truth. He had no evidence Liam Huff was at the lake, and there was no need to worry her.
“You and Nadia have fun.”
The young woman bounced off toward the lake where a small motorboat waited. Stephanie stood on the dock and waved.
Nadia tapped Owen on the shoulder. “Looks like it’s just you and me for dinner.”
His dragon pranced, wings quivering. He’d have his mate all to himself. Yeah, it was going to be a long night of trying to keep his hands off her.
He scented her. She was near. The sunlight streamed off her golden hair, and she turned to him and smiled. JoAnna…come back to me. The clouds swirled over the sun, blocking out the light. Rain began falling, and thunder ripped apart the heavens. He’d get her. Bring her home where she belonged…
Nadia chopped the tomato, carefully lining up the knife to make equal cuts in the fleshy, red fruit. Her coworkers teased her about her OCD, but her attention to detail was part of what made her good at her job. Technology required precision.
She glanced back over her shoulder at Owen. He shook the steak seasoning onto the meat with abandon, the salt and pepper going everywhere, including onto the counter and floor.
He clearly didn’t have the same issue. She held back a grin. The scent of juicy, hot-off-the-grill steaks filled the room, and her mouth watered.
“Those smell divine. Thank you for cooking them.” She cupped the tomato bits and spread them between the two small side salads.
“I love cooking with fire.” His deep voice shook her to the core.
What is that supposed to mean? She dried her hands on the kitchen towel. “I’m glad we decided to eat on the screened-in porch. It’s a lovely evening.”
He caught her gaze. “It is. I’m ready to eat. How about you?”
She paused. The way he almost growled the words set her heart thrumming. What was it about this mysterious man that made her act like a smitten schoolgirl? She already felt like she’d known him forever, even though they’d only met yesterday. I’m being ridiculous. She smiled. Being ridiculous was fun.
“Yeah, the salads are ready. Bread’s on the table. If you can put the potatoes on the plates and bring them out, I’ll take the salads. Ranch dressing okay? I think it’s all we have.”
“Ranch is fine. I’ll be right behind you with the meat.” He plated the steaks and began unwrapping the baked potatoes.
She stared.
He’s bringing the meat. Oh yes, he is. She chastised herself. Maybe she was picking up some of Sage’s bad habits. “Let’s do this.” She moved past him, her arm brushing against his. A shiver sliced up her spine at the touch.
Get control of yourself, Nadia. She shook her head. It hadn’t been that long since her last date, had it? Her body betrayed her around Mister Tall-Dark-and-Handsome. Hopefully, he didn’t think she was desperate.
She wasn’t. It felt right being with him.
She set the salads on the table and took a deep breath of the cooling air. The candle flickered in the breeze, and the wineglasses sparkled with the last rays of the sun slanting over the water and through the trees. Maybe it was the fantasy world of being at the lake, away from work and responsibility, that made her let her guard down a little around Owen.
He was not her normal type, that was for sure. Usually, only the nerdy guys went for her. Most others were intimidated by her career. But Owen wasn’t nerdy. He was the opposite of nerdy. And here he was, having dinner with her. What would he think when she told him about her job?
She jumped when the screen door opened, bumping her from her daydreaming.
Owen smiled and held up two plates. “Let’s eat!” He set the plates on the table, hers first.
She watched his arms bulge in his tight shirt. He either went to the gym or had a physical job. Those muscles didn’t appear out of nowhere. She glanced up, and he put his hands on his hips. He knew she’d been staring, and he wasn’t embarrassed about it. His kind of dark-and-rugged handsome likely attracted all the women’s stares. Normally, that type of confidence would be a turn-off, but in Owen, it felt right.
“Thank you for joining me. I’d be alone tonight if you hadn’t, with Sage ditching me for friends.” She tucked her hair behind her ears.
Her hands shook. How was it possible to be comfortable and awkward at the same time? She didn’t know, but that was exactly how she felt.
He pulled out her chair and motioned for her to sit. “It’s my pleasure. Thank you for inviting me. Or should I thank your sister?”
She laughed. “I think she already had a plan to go out tonight and didn’t want me alone.” She sat and scooted her chair in.
Owen circled to the other
side of the table and sat. “Well, it’s worked out great for both of us. I’d be eating alone, too, if she hadn’t invited me over.”
She nodded, putting her napkin in her lap.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, Nadia not daring to look up at Owen for fear she’d stare. Again.
“How long have you been coming to the lake? I know you said you came a lot. Since you were a child?” Owen asked. “This is my first trip and it’s beautiful. Like an undiscovered country.”
“Yes, since childhood. I was maybe six or so when we first came. It’s gorgeous here. I love the sound of the wind in the trees and the water lapping against the dock.” She glanced at him, then gulped her wine. “This was my parents’ favorite vacation spots.” She’d probably said too much.
“Do they still vacation here? I can see why they love it. It’s one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been.”
Tears pricked her eyes, and she set her wineglass down. “No, they don’t. They died in a car crash a few years ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” His voice cracked. He glanced out over the lake. “Life is precious. We don’t realize how precious until someone we love is gone.”
“Yeah. I’m not going to lie. It’s been hard. I’m Sage’s caretaker, and now that she’s heading off to college, I’m not sure what I’ll do with myself.” She took another gulp of wine. “I’ll be alone.”
Pull it together, Nadia. You don’t need to further embarrass yourself by crying in front of him.
Owen stared at the water, a faraway look in his eyes. “I know what it’s like to lose family. And to be lonely. It doesn’t ever get any easier, does it?”
“No, not really.” She set her empty wineglass down. The conversation had taken a grim turn. “Tell me more about why you’re here all alone.”
He sighed. “I guess you could say I’m a loner. I needed to get away. Would you like more wine?”
“Sure, half a glass, please.” She took another bite of steak. “I understand needing to get away. Sometimes, the city stifles me.”
Owen was closing off, she sensed it. Family and loss were something dear to him, and she’d struck a nerve. He set his napkin down and poured her wine. “Is that enough?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You’re fortunate to have spent time here growing up. I love the openness of the lake and the deep green glades around it. Even though there are a lot of houses, I still feel like you and I are the only ones in the world.”
“I do love it here. It’s probably my favorite place in the world.”
The last rays of the sun spread across the water, setting everything aflame in reds and oranges. Coming to the lake with Sage had been a great decision, and now, after meeting Owen, who knew how much better the trip would be?
Liam clutched her to him, reveling in her presence. JoAnna…mine…
4
Owen leaned back on the screened porch swing. The wood creaked as the swing moved, and the metal hooks groaned where they met the ceiling. The evening couldn’t have been more peaceful.
Nadia.
With Nadia beside him, his dragon paced inside, puffing and scratching to get to their mate. He took a deep breath. She had no idea how much she teased him just by being with him.
Gotta control it. Having a human mate wasn’t anything he’d ever considered, and now that he knew, he wasn’t sure how to proceed. Would she be afraid of his dragon? Repulsed?
What human wouldn’t?
Only humans who mated with dragons knew of their existence, and there were plenty of horror stories about them freaking out when finding out their mate was a large fire-breather with wings and talons.
He didn’t need to tell her yet. Besides, he had a job to focus on.
Thankfully, the DSD hadn’t contacted him while he was at Nadia’s. He’d need to check his security feed after he got home and start planning his search for Huff. But now, a little time with his mate couldn’t hurt. He was still on alert and his team could reach at any time if Huff was spotted.
He inhaled and breathed in her essence. She smelled of wildflowers and wind, and rain on warm rocks.
Just dinner and a little talk. Even dragons had to eat. Courtney was always reminding him he shouldn’t be on the case 24/7. Recharging was good. It allowed the mind to see things it might have missed before.
He peeked over at her.
Nadia clasped her hands in her lap. Her white T-shirt hugged her curves, and her jean shorts showed off long legs. He wondered what those legs would feel like wrapped around him as he pushed into her. He rubbed his face. He had to stop thinking like that or he was going to have some awkward moments.
She kicked the floor, setting the swing in motion again. Darkness had fallen over the lake, and the night insects sang in the woods. She’d flipped on the strings of fairy lights that draped over the ceiling of the screened porch, and the soft glow lit the area in a magical haze.
Perfect.
“So, what do you do for a living?” Her soft voice broke the silence.
“I work for the government.” Acid pooled in his stomach. It wasn’t a lie, exactly, since he did work for the Council, but he was misleading her. “Secret stuff.”
“Like searching-for-aliens-and-flying-saucers secret, or more like detective work?” She grinned, her eyes catching the sparkle from the lights.
He laughed. “No, not aliens. More like detective work. What about you?”
She turned away. “You don’t want to know.”
“Yes, I do. That’s why I asked.” He scooted closer and put his arm around her.
“Promise you won’t think I’m a freak?” Her eyes pleaded with him.
“Why on earth would I think you’re a freak? Are you a circus clown or something?”
It was her turn to laugh, and the gentleness of her voice echoed in his heart. His dragon wailed to claim their mate. So did Owen. He couldn’t remember a time he was more at ease, yet strung so tightly, needing release.
“No, I work in cyber security. Programming, that sort of thing. But not for the government.”
“That’s impressive. Do you enjoy it?”
The swing creaked as he pushed it into motion again.
“I’m good at it. Sometimes. Especially when I’m trying to crack code. I love puzzles.” She shivered.
“Me, too. Seems I’m always working on one, too.” He pulled her close. “I’ll keep you comfortable.”
She put her hand on his chest and lay her head on his shoulder. “You’re so warm.”
“I’m hot-blooded.”
She giggled.
His dragon nearly ripped out of him. If he didn’t appease it soon, it was going to tear him up inside. He closed his eyes and listened to the insects, focusing on calm and quiet. He wondered if she heard his heart thumping. She had no idea what her closeness was doing to him.
“You don’t think I’m a freak?” she asked.
“Of course not. I think we have a lot in common.”
“Sounds like it.”
Their conversation over dinner had made him want her even more. He admired how she took care of Sage after their parents’ death. How hard it would be to lose two people you loved at once—then have to carry on with life with all the changes. Losing Jo had almost broken him. Nadia showed a strength and grace that pushed him to ease her burden.
Share their losses and overcome them.
He’d never guessed that having a mate would cause such a strong connection to form so quickly. He couldn’t lose her.
Mine.
He turned toward her, and she lifted her head off his shoulder, her eyes half-lidded and lips parted slightly. He tipped her chin up and lowered his mouth to hers, pressing his lips softly against hers and savoring the velvety smoothness and dark sensuality of her. She met his advance timidly at first, her tongue darting out and touching his.
That was all his dragon needed. Owen captured her head in his hand and tugged her to him, his mouth seeking out every
bit of hers, then nipping at her chin and kissing the soft spot under her ear.
She yielded to him, meeting his fevered mouth with her own. When she ran her hands over his chest, he tightened. He had to have her.
He took her by the hand and led her to the outdoor sofa. No one would see them on the porch—the nearest lake house was his own. He looked into her eyes. “Do you want me as much as I want you?”
She nodded, her eyes rounded.
“Say it then.” He growled.
“I don’t normally… I mean, there’s something about you. I mean, YES. I want you. Now. Please.”
He didn’t wait a moment more. His dragon pushed him. MINE. He had her on her back and both their clothes off within seconds. Her body lay still underneath him yet thrummed with need. He sensed it. His dragon cried out.
“Hold on a sec.” He grabbed his wallet and pulled out the condom he carried—something the DSD required but he’d never expected to use. Dragons couldn’t contract STDs, but he didn’t need a pregnant mate without her even realizing she was his.
Condom on, he moved toward her. Her soft body was inches from him, and he had to restrain himself from taking her like a dragon would. He craved her. His dragon ached, hissing and panting. But he didn’t want to frighten her, so he held back and moved slowly.
He kissed her, holding his body above hers. She shivered under him.
“Are you cold?” he whispered.
“No. Just a little shocked at myself.”
“I’ll stop now if you want me to.” His dragon roared in protest.
“No! I want you. I don’t understand why I’m craving the touch of someone I just met, but I feel like we know each other on a deeper level. I realize it sounds weird.” She pulled him down onto her. “Please take me, Owen. I need you.”
The touch of his body against her curves set him aflame. He had to calm down, slow down. But the way she held him, asking him to take her… His dragon was on fire.
“I want you, Nadia. I want to be inside you.” He bent and kissed her neck, nipping at her chin and then her collarbone. “I don’t care that we’ve just met. I feel like we’ve known each other for ten lifetimes.”
