The Dragon Tycoon's Bride: Billionaire Shifter Paranormal Romance

by Natalie Kristen

  The lawn was perfectly manicured with an ornate fountain in the middle. Flowering bushes were planted at regular intervals along the walkway leading up to the castle, and the red carpet had been rolled out to cover the front steps of the castle.

  This was a wonderful thing that Breene was doing for Teresa, she realized. He was giving her a wedding that every bride dreamed of, a wedding to remember.

  Breene didn't just open up the castle to anyone, so Teresa must be a very special employee. Teresa did mention that she was the personal assistant to the CEO of Magnum Construction.

  Simone huffed in amusement and exasperation. Breene had let her believe that he was just a humble builder. The guy was the CEO of a very large, very successful construction company.

  Simone pushed Breene out of her mind and looked around hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride. She hadn't had the chance to meet up with Teresa since she arrived in town. But that was because she'd only arrived in Redrock Valley on the day of the wedding itself.

  Even the most mild-mannered women were known to turn into Bridezillas on their wedding day. There was just so much to do, and so much stress, pressure and excitement. And she could imagine that Teresa would have a thousand and one last-minute details to see to.

  Simone was starting to regret not coming to Redrock Valley a week or even just a few days earlier. The original plan had been to just drive in for the wedding and drive out the next morning.

  But now she found herself wanting to stay in Redrock Valley for just a little bit longer.

  And maybe get to know that infuriating, intriguing Breene Magnus a little better.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Simone scowled at herself. She refused to think of Breene. She wasn't looking around for him, she told herself. She was looking at the guests and marveling at how amazing everyone looked. Everybody had taken the effort to dress up.

  The townspeople were all dressed to the nines. All the men were in their best suits and the women wore their prettiest dresses and gowns. The hairdressing and nail salons had been packed the whole day.

  Everyone wanted to look their best for this grand occasion. It was the first time that any of them had been inside the castle.

  Simone turned to smile at a group of giggling grandmothers who had just hopped off the bus. Those elderly ladies certainly pulled out all the stops.

  They were dressed in lush Victorian gowns and their silver hair was fashioned into towering hives held together by elaborate, glittering pins. One of them was even wearing a tiara.

  “We're coming to the ball as princesses,” they tittered to Simone as they fluttered past in a cloud of perfume.

  “Oh yes! What's the use of having a ball in a castle if you don't have blushing, virgin princesses?” A curly-haired little old lady giggled and batted her false eyelashes.

  “Ha! That's a laugh,” another tsked loudly. “We are no virgins, Gertrude!”

  Simone grinned as she watched them flounce across the courtyard. She smoothed her hand over her dress a little self-consciously. She was wearing a simple but elegant full-length dress that accentuated her lush, curvy figure. And she'd even pinned on her best brooch. The beautiful amethyst dragon sat above her breast, the crystals on its body twinkling in the light. She didn't look too shabby but compared to those enthusiastic grandmothers, she felt terribly underdressed.

  Valets were standing smartly around the grounds, directing the excited guests towards the castle. The catering crew was running around carrying humongous covered trays.

  Simone gasped as vans kept arriving to unload more food. She recognized the logos on some of the vans. Almost all the restaurants and eateries in Redrock Valley had been mobilized. Everyone was helping to make the wedding a success. They were supplying enough food to feed a whole town.

  Right, because the whole town was here.

  The lanterns swayed in the evening breeze, casting their gentle glow on all the happy faces. The lights around the castle came on as the last rays of the sun receded from the sky.

  Simone turned towards the gates and blinked. The gargoyle was scampering down the pillar and disappearing into the shadows.

  No. Way.

  She did not just see a statue come to life.

  Simone rubbed her eyes and stared at the top of the pillar again. The gargoyle was gone.

  She was pretty sure she had seen Lester on top of that pillar.

  Simone shook her head hard. Geez, she was even referring to his stone sculpture by name. Breene's weirdness seemed to be rubbing off on her.

  But even though she wouldn't admit it, the name felt right. That gargoyle did look like a Lester.

  But surely she hadn't just seen Lester move. Maybe the gargoyle hadn't been fixed properly and had toppled off. Was that the real reason why Breene was lugging the fallen statue around in the wee hours of the morning? Was he trying to find someone to repair his broken sculpture?

  Simone shook away her thoughts which were growing stranger by the minute. She was trying to justify Breene's bizarre actions, make him seem less odd and idiosyncratic.

  Nobody in their right mind would be wandering down a deserted highway so far away from town with a heavy stone gargoyle under his arm. And the way Breene carried Lester? He made it look as if that cumbersome sculpture weighed no more than a basketball.

  But she had felt really comfortable with him. She enjoyed talking to him, and she liked his easy-going, cheerful personality. But beneath his boyish charm and good looks, there was a ferocious, coiled power to the man. He was playful and energetic, but his emotions ran deep and fierce. She had glimpsed his anger when he sensed that she had been hurt before. He seemed to...care for her.

  Breene Magnus was an enigma, a puzzle, a tease.

  “Pfft! The Amazing Race indeed,” Simone said out loud.

  “What about the Amazing Race?” a deep voice said behind her.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Simone's breath caught even as she bit back a smile. She had known that Breene was standing behind her even before he spoke. She had mentioned The Amazing Race on purpose, hoping that it would provoke him to respond and reveal his presence to her.

  She seemed to be able to sense him. Her pulse seemed to speed up and her body temperature would increase at an alarming rate whenever he was around.

  And her entire body started misbehaving, throbbing maddeningly and making her ache deep in her core.

  Simone was almost afraid to turn around. No man had ever had this effect on her.

  Taking a deep, fortifying breath, she pivoted round to face him. Breene's smile widened as he stared at her, and the light from the lanterns danced and sparkled in his gray eyes. He was in a tuxedo, looking extremely dashing, debonair and delicious.

  As Simone's eyes trailed down the length of his tall, powerful frame, she found herself mentally undressing him. She could imagine his golden, tanned skin under his shirt, his powerful, muscular shoulders rippling as he moved.

  She could almost see in her mind's lecherous eye all the taut, defined lines and angles of his solid body. He was strong, big, hard...

  Simone forced herself to take a step back. She wasn't...herself. She had never, ever lusted after someone like that before.

  It was as if she had come down with a bad case of lust at first sight.

  And every time she saw Breene, her symptoms just got that much worse.

  His sexy, devastating smile seemed to be turning her to mush. Simone bet that smile had caused many starry-eyed ladies to swoon and tumble right into his bed.

  Well.

  Simone gulped and straightened up resolutely. She just hoped that the soft flowing fabric of her dress wouldn't reveal how hard and erect her nipples had become.

  Her body was betraying her. “Hi,” she said, relieved that her voice sounded much calmer than she felt.

  “You look ravishing tonight, Simone.”

  “Thank you. You look...good,” she managed. Good enough to eat.

  Breene grinned, displa
ying those panty-melting dimples. He looked genuinely happy and delighted to see her. “I'm so glad you came.” He gave a smug smile and added, “Alone!”

  Simone's brows furrowed slightly. “Yeah.” Of course she came alone. “Why...”

  “No plus-one,” Breene hooted.

  “No.” She let out a small laugh. “I'm all by my lonesome tonight.” And almost every other night.

  “No you're not. You have me,” Breene declared, offering her his arm.

  As Simone took his arm shyly, Breene puffed out his chest with pride. The look of utter joy, wonder and admiration on his handsome face couldn't be feigned. There were so many beautiful young women around who were desperately trying to catch his eye, but Breene only nodded politely at all the guests as he passed them.

  It was clear that there was only one woman he wanted tonight.

  Simone heard a group of women giggling and whispering as they floated past. Many of them were openly ogling Breene, giving him coquettish, inviting smiles.

  With a sudden, inexplicable stab of irritation, Simone linked her arm tightly through Breene's and pulled him closer to her as they walked up the carpeted steps of the castle.

  She didn't know why she was feeling so possessive all of a sudden. Breene wasn't hers. He wasn't even her date for tonight. He was just being a gracious host and escorting her into his castle. And he had singled her out because...she was from out of town. Right. That was all there was to it.

  Simone's jaw fell when she entered the castle and saw the humongous, glittering chandeliers and gilded mirrors. There were beautiful paintings on the walls, and pretty pink and white ribbons were wrapped around the massive columns. Artful sculptures and fresh flowers lined the long corridor leading to the grand ballroom.

  She gaped at Breene. “Wow. Just wow. You...you live here?” she breathed. “For real?”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Yes,” Breene answered simply.

  “And all these waiters and butlers…?” Simone gestured at the smartly dressed staff who were busy directing all the guests to the grand ballroom and rushing around with trays and trolleys.

  “They don't live here, if that's what you're asking,” Breene said, quirking a lopsided smile. “They're from an event management company that I use pretty frequently.”

  “So you live in this big castle all by yourself?”

  Breene hesitated before giving a shrug. It didn't escape her notice that he had chosen not to answer her question.

  Simone's eyes narrowed. Was there a woman? Was he secretly hiding a lover in his castle?

  “Mr Magnus,” she said stiffly, pulling her hand away.

  Breene instinctively reached for her but stopped himself just before he grabbed her hand. Instead, he took a deep breath and let his arms fall to his sides.

  “What is troubling you, Simone?” he asked, searching her face anxiously.

  “Are you living with someone?”

  Breene winced. That was undoubtedly a yes to her.

  Simone bit her lip, swallowing her hurt and disappointment. “You have a partner, a girlfriend,” she mumbled, turning away.

  Breene grabbed her arm and said hotly, “Lester is not my girlfriend.”

  “What?” What was he talking about?

  “To answer your question,” Breene said in all seriousness. “I am living with Lester.”

  “Lester? The gargoyle?” Her raised voice caused a few heads to turn.

  “Yes. Lester is my friend, but he's not a girl, so he's not my girlfriend,” Breene said primly.

  Simone opened and closed her mouth, completely at a loss for words. This wasn't what she was expecting.

  She dragged her hand across her forehead and took a long breath. “Lester,” she repeated. “...is your live-in friend.”

  “Yes.”

  “Your answers don't make a lick of sense to me. But just...just answer me this.” She closed her eyes briefly to compose herself. “Where do you normally put Lester?”

  “Put? No one can put Lester anywhere...”

  “Did he break off the top of your pillar by any chance?” she rushed on so she wouldn't get sidetracked.

  “Which pillar?”

  “The pillar beside the gate.”

  “Ah, is that where he's been the whole evening?” Breene smiled. “Yes, I would expect that nosy gargoyle would want to see what everyone is wearing.”

  “We're talking about the same gargoyle that you were carrying around this morning, right?”

  “Yes. Who else?” Breene looked confused.

  Simone pinched the bridge of her nose. “You were carrying a stone sculpture, Breene.”

  “Well...” Breene looked around and lowered his voice. “Lester is a gargoyle so he turns to stone during the day. But now that the sun is down, he can move around freely.”

  Simone stared at him for a long moment and saw that he wasn't pulling her leg. “So where is Lester now?”

  “Somewhere around the castle, watching the festivities from his perch,” Breene said with a wave. “And making sure the hired staff don't make a mess of the place and leave stains which can't be removed on the walls and carpets. He can be rather fastidious and fussy about housework.”

  “So...Lester is your housekeeper,” Simone deadpanned.

  “Yup. He can cook too, so he's also my chef and butler. He likes being in charge of the castle,” Breene said brightly.

  Simone stared at Breene, her mind reeling. He seemed to be telling her the truth.

  The man had a gargoyle for a housekeeper. He lived in a castle, and he spoke with a slight accent she couldn't quite place but which suggested that he could have lived in another time and place.

  But before she could articulate her next question, Breene took her hand and hurried her towards the ballroom.

  “Quick! The bride is about to arrive,” he whispered.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Simone jostled with the rest of the guests and craned her neck as the bride and groom entered the ballroom amidst thunderous applause. Simone gasped and clapped wildly. Teresa looked so beautiful. Her friend was beaming and waving at all the guests, her face glowing with happiness. Her groom, William, walked with a spring in his step, and he abruptly turned to give his beautiful bride a kiss on the cheek.

  The guests cheered and whistled as Teresa kissed her husband back. They had solemnized their marriage a week ago, and this was just their wedding celebration. They had taken care of the official part last week, so tonight was all about having fun and partying with their friends, families and neighbors.

  Music began to play, and some of the guests proceeded to the dance floor while others made their way to the buffet tables. Breene was engaged in conversation with some of his employees but he kept looking up to smile at Simone. Simone gave him a jaunty wave as she squeezed her way towards the bride and groom.

  “Teresa!” she called.

  Teresa turned around and squealed. “Simone! You came!” She gave Simone a big hug and pulled her forward. “This is my husband, William. Simone and I used to go to school together,” Teresa cried excitedly.

  Simone shook hands with William and congratulated the happy couple. “I wasn't sure you'd come,” Teresa said, slipping her arm around Simone's waist. “You never came back to Redrock Valley. We all missed you.”

  Simone sighed. “I know. I shouldn't have stayed away for so long. I was...” She swallowed, her voice trailing off.

  “You're here now. That's all that matters,” Teresa said, holding her shoulders firmly. “And since you're here, you're going to enjoy yourself. Yes?”

  “Yes. It's a great party,” Simone agreed wholeheartedly.

  “It is! Breene's been so great! He's a really great boss,” Teresa gushed.

  “How long have you been working for Breene?”

  “Oh, since he set up the company here in Redrock Valley. He started with just a few staff, and I was one of them. I've been his personal assistant since the very beginning,” Teresa answe
red proudly. “William works for Magnum Construction too. That's how we met.”

  Breene managed to extricate himself from the group and strolled over to them. He kissed Teresa on the cheek and shook hands with William. Both the bride and groom thanked him profusely for hosting their wedding party, but Breene smiled and heaped praises on Teresa instead. “You and Teresa is two of my best employees,” Breene said to William. “Magnum Construction wouldn't be what it is today if not for the hard work of my staff. This is just a token of my thanks and appreciation.”

  Teresa arched a brow at Simone when Breene snaked his arm around Simone's waist and pulled her to his side. Just before her bridesmaids dragged her away for a group photograph, Teresa gave Simone a wink over her shoulder and mouthed: You go, girl!

  Simone blushed and glanced at Breene. He was talking to a group of shopkeepers who wanted his opinion on a marketing campaign they were embarking on.

  More people came to join their group, and they began to talk about the plans for the town. There was talk of rejuvenating the town square and building some new playgrounds and parks. Redrock Valley used to be a sleepy, remote little town, but now it was filled with a sense of purpose and excitement.

  Things were happening and changing in the small town of Redrock Valley.

  And Magnum Construction was at the center of it all.

  It was no wonder that all the townspeople regarded Breene with an equal amount of awe and affection. He was giving the town a brand new lease of life, providing them with good jobs and bringing the community closer.

  As Breene roared with laughter at the jokes that the rowdy groomsmen were tossing around, Simone saw a small puff of smoke burst from his mouth. She gasped and started, but the rest of the townsfolk seemed unfazed.

  Did they not see that?

  Or did they know something she didn't?

  Simone stared hard at Breene and her eyes widened when she saw a thin trail of smoke rising from his shoulder. But with a guffaw, a rotund, ruddy-faced man stepped out from behind Breene, and waved his cigar around animatedly.