WInged Solution: Paranormal Dating Agency

by Roxanne Witherell

  “Wait,” Annette went down the line of dresses, picked up a silk gown. “This one is made extremely small. I think they put the wrong tag on it because I’ve never been able to wear it. I just haven’t gotten around to getting rid of it.”

  “It’s beautiful.” Braelynn took the silk gown from Annette. The deep blues, and purples were marbled.

  “It’s not for the prom, but it is elegant enough for a night out. Go make sure it fits.” Annette rushed her to the bathroom.

  All the fuss was making her feel young again. For the past few years, what little dating she had done had been more of a movie on the couch. Which always ended up in the bedroom. Other times it was her going to Heads n’ Tails to fulfil her needs.

  Slipping the sleeveless gown over her head, the cowl neckline and crisscross back made wearing a bra damn near impossible. The silk felt cool against her skin, hardening her nipples. At least the extra layer of material on top gave her some cover so everyone won’t know she was close to cutting glass.

  “You should take your panties off,” Annette suggested.

  “Oh, now that’s crazy.”

  “I was talking about your panty line.” Annette scrunched up her nose.

  Turning to the side Braelynn examined herself in the full-length mirror hanging on her closet door.

  “Maybe a thong,” Braelynn negotiated. “I need some type of barrier especially if his hotness matches his voice.” She didn’t need her first impression to be one marked by evidence of how ready to fuck him silly she was. Tonight, she’ll try to hold out the best she could. Maybe she could make it through one date without humping someone.

  “Where are you meeting him?” Annette asked.

  “At the bar in his hotel. He offered to pick me up, but I don’t think I want him to know where I live yet. We’ll meet for a drink before going out to dinner,” she explained.

  “Oh, I envy you right now.” Annette started pulling make-up from a bag.

  “Why?” Braelynn couldn’t fathom anything about her to envy.

  “Because you get to get all gussied up and go out to a fancy dinner. Guys I know just want to take you to a sports bar for wings and a club to get you drunk.”

  “Maybe you just know the wrong men. You should give PDA a call. Gerri’s bound to have more clients.”

  “Why don’t you just ask Ronan if he has a brother?”

  “I’ll see.” Braelynn smiled. “Why don’t you drop me off at the hotel?”

  “I should probably go in with you. You know, to check this guy out. I’d like to see what type of man Ms. Wilder set you up with. If we leave in the next fifteen minutes we can have a seat inside before he comes down,” Annette suggested.

  “Sure, we can have a drink while I wait. When he gets there though make yourself scarce I don’t need him thinking I had a babysitter,” Braelynn warned.

  “Don’t worry. You won’t even know I’m there.” Annette smiled as she touched up her own lipstick.

  Twenty minutes later, Annette parked in the hotel parking garage. The closer they got to the hotel the more nervous Braelynn became. She’d only dated and fucked humans. Gerri didn’t tell her what type of shifter Ronan was. Would he act like Mason? Hopefully like humans, no two shifters are alike. Walking into the hotel bar, she felt eyes on her. Looking around she felt completely out of place. Men looked up from their computers or paperwork to stare at her and Annette as they walked in. Business men having drinks after work before going upstairs to their rooms. Braelynn knew the hotel catered to business men, she just wasn’t expecting the bar to be this full on a Wednesday evening.

  “Let’s just grab a spot at the bar,” Braelynn suggested as she walked towards the bar.

  Ordering a glass of red wine Braelynn looked toward the entrance. Not wearing a watch, she checked the clock on the wall. Ronan still had five minutes before he said he’d be here. She tried to relax, taking a few sips of her wine.

  “I wonder where he’s taking me.” Braelynn turned back to Annette.

  “You better call me in the morning and tell me all about it. I do mean all about it,” Annette insisted.

  “You know it,” she assured her. Every couple of minutes she was looking back, watching for Ronan.

  Six

  Ronan grabbed the bouquet on his way out of his penthouse suite. He’d rather pick Braelynn up from her place like a true gentleman. Gerri said she didn’t trust shifters, so he understood if she wasn’t comfortable with it. Making his way down to the hotel bar, he wondered what she would look like. He forgot to ask her what color dress she would be wearing. Come to think of it, he didn’t know what she looked like at all. How the hell did he get roped into this? Wings, he reminded himself. If he wanted to keep his wings he had to find his mate.

  Stopping just inside the entrance of the bar, Ronan glanced around the room. Most patrons there were businessmen so it was easy to spot the only two females in the place. Sitting at the bar, a woman in a blue backless dress faced away from him talking to another woman who was clearly not his date. Standing at the hostess podium, he watched the two women for a moment. He had hoped he’d arrive first but it looked like she was eager as well. As the hostess made her way to him, he waved her off. He knew exactly where he needed to go. The woman in jeans and a t-shirt caught him looking. Her mouth opened slightly as she got the attention of who he’d assume was Braelynn. Turning his way, he was able to take in her beauty. Eager to fill the seat next to her, he left the hostess’ podium.

  “Braelynn.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “Hello, Ronan.” Her voice was just as sweet as it was on the phone. “The orchids are beautiful.”

  “I heard you don’t like roses.” Ronan handed her the bouquet.

  “You heard right,” she agreed.

  “I’d ask if you’d like a drink but I see you already have one.” Ronan nodded to her wine goblet.

  When the bartender came over, Ronan ordered a scotch to have while Braelynn finished her wine.

  “Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?” she asked, turning towards him.

  “No, but I must say you look ravishing.” He watched her blush as she sipped her wine. Looking up for a moment he caught Braelynn’s friend’s gaze.

  “Ronan, I’d like you to meet Annette. She’s kind of like my sister.” Braelynn turned to her friend.

  “Nice to meet you Annette.” He shook her hand and escorted them to a more private table. “It’s a good deed of you to come check me out with Braelynn.”

  “I didn’t come to check you out,” Annette started. He raised an eyebrow and inclined his head. “Okay, I didn’t only come to check you out. I couldn’t let Braelynn wait in a bar alone for a man she’s never met.”

  “And a good friend you are,” he stated.

  “I try.” Annette smiled and finished off her wine. “Now, I don’t want to be a third wheel. I’ll let you two get to your date.” She stood, and Ronan could see a slight panicked look on Braelynn’s face.

  “Why don’t you stay until Braelynn finishes her wine? We’ll both walk you to your car on our way out,” he offered.

  “I guess staying a few more minutes won’t hurt,” Annette commented, and Braelynn smiled again.

  Ronan could tell that Annette meant safety to Braelynn. What could have happened to her for her not to trust him? Then again, what had he done to deserve her trust? By the end of the night, he was sure she’d be more open to him.

  “Ronan, what is it that you do?” Braelynn asked.

  “I’m an investment broker,” Ronan replied.

  “What type of investments? Like stocks and bonds?” Braelynn asked as she sipped her wine.

  “No, you’re thinking on human levels. There’s much more out there then just the Earth. Beings come from different worlds, realms, and planets. I’m someone the newcomers can come to and get what they need for life on Earth.”

  “An international broker,” Annette s
uggested.

  “More a galactic broker.”

  “Wow! That has to be interesting. You get to meet all types of people or beings, I guess.” Braelynn replied. “Do you get to travel to these different worlds?”

  “I can. I just prefer to stay on Earth. Every place has different qualities. Earth suits me better.” Ronan explained.

  “You’re not from Earth, are you?” Annette asked, then looked to Braelynn.

  “I was born on Earth, yes.” Ronan smiled at the relief that washed over Braelynn.

  “Oh.” Braelynn blushed and finished her wine in a quick gulp. “Before we leave, I need to freshen up a little.”

  Ronan stood and helped Braelynn with her chair. He was surprised that Annette didn’t follow her to the restroom. Instead she sat at the table glaring at him. When he made eye contact with her she looked towards the restroom where Braelynn had gone through the door.

  “Give me your driver’s license.” Annette stuck her hand out.

  “Excuse me?” Ronan was taken back by her demand.

  Seeing as how she looked serious, Ronan didn’t see the harm. Taking his license from his wallet he handed it to her. She took out her phone and snapped a picture of his license. Ronan couldn’t help but laugh. What is it with these humans?

  “I’m not going to kidnap her,” Ronan insisted. “Does she have a curfew?”

  “No, she can do whatever she wants.” Annette handed his license back. “If harm comes to her in any way I know who to come after.”

  “Harm? Annette, I’m not a violent man. I would never harm any being. I’m a peaceful creature unless provoked.”

  “Then we shouldn’t have a problem. Just know that if anything happens, I will be on you quicker than piranhas on a dead carcass.”

  “That’s a disturbing thought. Fast but disturbing.” Ronan admired the loyalty Annette had for Braelynn. “As I said, you’re a good friend.”

  “Eh, I try.” Annette shrugged.

  “Try what?” Braelynn asked as she took her seat.

  “Try to keep your butt out of trouble.” Annette laughed. For a moment, he thought a look of horror flashed over Braelynn’s face, but it passed too quickly to be sure.

  “You ready to go?” Ronan asked Braelynn, trying to get her mind off whatever was going through that pretty little head of hers.

  “Sure.” She smiled. Her smiled warmed him. He was caught in her beauty again as her lips tugged at his heart. She was stunning.

  “I need to go pay our bill.” Annette motioned towards the bar for check out.

  “Don’t worry about it. It’s already on me,” he assured them.

  “Thank you, but you didn’t have to. After all, I’m not part of your date,” Annette said.

  “But you are a part of Braelynn’s life, therefore, to treat you to a drink is a pleasure,” he replied. Braelynn looked at Annette for her reply, but there wasn’t any. When she nodded and smiled, he knew he had her approval.

  He offered Braelynn his arm as they walked Annette to her car. Braelynn was quiet as Annette asked questions about his work and the places he’d seen. If all these questions helped in making Braelynn more comfortable then he’d go along.

  “This is me,” Annette announced when they came up behind a Buick Enclave. “You want me to take your bouquet? I can put them in some water at your place.”

  “Yeah, that would be great.” Braelynn took another sniff of the orchids before giving the bouquet to Annette.

  “Beautiful,” Annette commented, taking a sniff.

  Ronan smiled knowing he did well picking them out. Annette gave Braelynn a quick hug.

  “It was nice meeting you, Ronan.” Annette nodded to him as she got in her car.

  “You too, Annette.”

  “Have fun you two,” she hollered out the open window.

  “You have a good friend,” Ronan commented.

  “Yeah, she is. We’ve lived next to each other for the last ten years. I say next to each other but it’s actually just the same floor of the apartment building. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister. What about you? Any siblings?” she asked as they began the short walk to his car.

  “Sadly, I don’t have any blood siblings,” Ronan answered. “Here we are.”

  Going around to the passenger side of his Jaguar, he opened the door for Braelynn. He closed the door behind her and went around to the driver side. Finally, his date could begin and he’d finally figure out if Gerri Wilder really did have the magic touch when it came to her match making skills.

  Seven

  Braelynn couldn’t get over how handsome and attractive Ronan was. Though she’d never met an unattractive shifter. Even Mason was attractive, but he was arrogant and a narcissist. It wasn’t his looks that turned her off, it was his attitude. Ronan was a different story. He was a gentleman as far as she could tell. He was handsome and respectful. Everything about him screamed sex appeal. At the hotel lounge she had to excuse herself. She couldn’t stay around him or she would have embarrassed herself. A time out in the restroom with a little cold water on her neck subdued the urges.

  Now as they rode to their next destination, Braelynn couldn’t help but look at him. His lips curled up in a smile. He knew she was watching but it wasn’t going to stop her from looking. If Ms. Wilder was as good as she thought she was, then she shouldn’t have to hide.

  They passed by familiar buildings as Ronan navigated the streets. She knew exactly where they were, seeing as how she was there last night. With his blinker on, Ronan turned into a parking garage around the corner from Heads N’ Tails. A ping of disappointment passed over her. Was he taking her to Heads N’ Tails? They didn’t serve food there, only drinks. She held in her disappointment as Ronan got out of the car and ran around to her side to open the door.

  “Thanks,” Braelynn said when he offered her his hand.

  Walking out of the parking garage, Braelynn was relieved when they turned right instead of going left into Heads N’ Tails. Slightly confused, she looked around at the other buildings. She didn’t realize there were any restaurants on this street. They were still walking beside the building in which Heads N’ Tails was located when they came to a set of double doors much like the ones on the other side of the building. Braelynn had never noticed the doors before. Of course, she had no need to come down this way. Ronan opened one of the doors and ushered her inside. Walking up to the front desk, Braelynn noticed Kiya sitting behind the counter.

  “Kiya? You work here too?” Braelynn asked as they approached the counter.

  “She doesn’t. I’m Tyra, Kiya’s twin. She’s working on the other side tonight.” Tyra stuck her hand out to shake Braelynn’s.

  “Sorry, I didn’t know Kiya was a twin.” Braelynn felt her cheeks blush with embarrassment.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Tyra waved it off. “We don’t announce it because we like to trick people with it at times. Makes for good fun.”

  “I bet it works too.” Braelynn smiled. They looked exactly the same, even down to the same hairstyle. “This place has two sides?”

  “This is the main side actually. The other side caters mostly to humans that like to stay blind to paranormals.”

  “I don’t remember being given the option.” Braelynn tried to remember any conversations where it was mentioned. Looking over at Ronan, his amusement was obvious.

  “That’s because you weren’t asked,” she said firmly. “It was part of the membership application questionnaire. A few questions worded right, and you’d know who is ok with what.”

  “Ohhh.” Braelynn now got why her membership card would only let her go to one floor in the building. “So where are we going?” She turned to Ronan.

  “You’ll see.” He handed Tyra his membership card for her to swipe.

  Braelynn took a deep breath as they made their way to the elevator. Not knowing what to expect she felt too exposed in the silk backless gown. Ronan stepped onto the elevator, but she paused. They wouldn’t be go
ing to a place surrounded by humans, instead she’ll be surrounded by shifters, vampires, and who knows what else.

  “It’s okay. You’re okay.” Ronan held out his hand. “I won’t let any harm come to you.”

  His reassurance had her taking his hand. Holding her breath, she stepped onto the elevator as if it was a giant leap into an endless abyss. Ronan swiped his membership card, then she heard him press buttons. Letting out her breath, she opened her eyes to look around the elevator. It looked the same as the one they use on the other side, but this one had floor buttons.

  “Hey, we don’t have buttons on the other side,” Braelynn exclaimed.

  “That’s because that elevator only goes to one floor.” Ronan laughed. “This side is where all the fun is.”

  “We’ll see about that,” she challenged. “What’s on all the floors?”

  Ronan tilted his head toward her. He wasn’t going to tell her. The curiosity was going to kill her. Looking at the buttons she couldn’t help it. She was dying inside to know what was on the other floors.

  “I’ll show you some tonight.” He smiled.

  “That will do, for now. Where to now?” she asked as the elevator chimed.

  “Dinner,” he said, taking her hand and stepping off the elevator.

  Ready to see what was beyond, she stepped off easily. There was a short hallway before opening up into a beautiful rooftop restaurant. The glass ceiling let them dine under the stars no matter the weather. Braelynn was in awe staring up at the evening sky. Soft music played as couples chatted at their tables. If she didn’t know any better, she wouldn’t be able to tell these people weren’t regular humans.

  “Each floor of this building caters to a different individual style, I’d say.” Ronan draped his arm over hers as they followed the hostess to their table. “This particular floor caters to those of us with a romantic side. We’ll go down for drinks afterwards, if you would like.”

  “To another floor? Of course, I’d like that.”

  “I wouldn’t get too curious. There are floors here that you have no business going to. Eventually maybe, but right now you couldn’t handle it.”