by Lola Kidd
“I like these two for your couch. They would go with the rest of the office and not be too gaudy.”
“I was going to go with something colorful.” Jasper picked up a red pillow with gold embroidering on it. “What do you think about this?”
“I don’t think it’s that great. It’s really bright and busy for your office. Maybe keep that for your personal living space?”
“I do really like this one.” He tilted the pillow so the gold embroidery glittered in the light. “But you’re right. It might not send the right message during business meetings. Red is the color of passion after all.”
He motioned and the saleswoman appeared again. She took the pillows from Leigh and then they said goodbye before leaving the store.
“I thought you wanted to take all the stuff we found?” Leigh asked, confused.
“I do. I love everything you picked out.”
“Aren’t you going to pay?”
Jasper took his keys from the valet outside. “They have all my information. No money changes hands here, but everything will be charged to me and it’ll be delivered to the house tonight.”
Of course. That should have been obvious. It was a convenience to be able to go to the store without money. It wasn’t like Jasper couldn’t afford to buy the entire store.
“That was actually nice,” she said. “I’ve been curious about this place since I first heard about it. My cousin is going to be so jealous that I got to see the inside.”
“Thank you for your help. I know this wasn’t strictly something that had to do with the wedding, but I know your opinion is golden.”
“I guess I’m flattered that you think so highly of me.”
“I just hope that your organizational skills are as good as your taste in decor.”
The drive back was pleasant. Leigh was very shocked at how easy it was to speak with Jasper. When they got back to his place, Jasper put out his hand and shook hers professionally. “Thank you for all your help.”
“I’ll see you again soon,” Leigh said, shaking his hand. “I believe we have one more meeting before the last tasting.”
“If I need anything else can I call you?”
“Of course. I had a nice time today.”
Jasper nodded. “I did too. Pleasure doing business with you.”
Leigh was happy she had agreed to help him. It wasn’t what she had planned on doing for the evening, but it was more fun than hanging out in her room alone. Jasper had even resisted the urge to hit on her the entire time. Maybe she had misjudged the dragon shifter. Maybe now that he knew her, he did just want to be friends.
Ten
The last meeting before the final tasting was going well. Jasper had a new plan, and it was going perfectly. He had continued sending Leigh more articles, and she had even began emailing back. It looks like she had taken a healthy interest in the science behind all things shifter. It was nice having someone to discuss the nerdy side of shifters with. None of his friends were interested in the theories, and it was fun talking with other laymen about it. He’d met with many of the authors of the papers, but it wasn’t the same talking with people who were so technically adapted.
He was enjoying his email conversations with Leigh, but he had stopped trying to convince her to date him or that she was his mate. He didn’t believe in his dragon any less. There was less doubt every day. The more time he spent talking to her, the more he was sure she was the one for him.
His new strategy was to subtly convince her they were right for each other. First he would become her friend, then he would become her lover. This was not his usual way of doing things. He preferred to get to know girls fast and furiously. But he usually had relationships with his friends. Looking back, all the girls he dated were from his inner circle. They were girls his family had known for years, and sometimes even centuries.
Nearly all of them had been shifters, and that had made things easier. Shifters knew how to date and move on quickly. If Leigh were a shifter, he would never have to go through all of this. Her animal would know that they were mates and it would be done.
In some ways what he was doing now was more fun. He was going to have to work to win her over. In a lifetime of getting everything he ever wanted, it was nice to have a real challenge.
His dragon wasn’t as amused. It had been itching to get out again the entire meeting. He and Leigh had gone over all of the final changes to the menu and made sure that everything was where it needed to be on time.
Her aunt hadn’t even come to this last meeting. It was just the two of them, and he had been on his best behavior the entire time. She was totally at ease. Who would have guessed that not hitting on women was the way to get them to trust you?
Just as they were about to conclude the meeting, they were interrupted.
“Jasper are you in here?” his brother Max called from the hallway.
Leigh looked up at the clock and began gathering her papers. “I’m sorry the meeting ran a little long. I’ll get out of your hair now.”
“No need to leave on my account, pretty lady,” Max said, coming into the room. He was carrying a family favorite.
“Really? Monopoly again,” Jasper groaned. “As much as I love to see you unhinged, I’m not in the mood to deal with you sulking for the rest of the week.”
“I’m going to win this time,” Max insisted.
She looked from Jasper to his brother. “It’s fine. I can leave. It’s really no big deal.”
“Want to stay and play with us?” Max asked. “You’re the caterer’s assistant right?”
She nodded and put out her hand. “I’m Leigh Ganza.”
“Max Collins. Jasper’s younger and much more attractive brother.”
“Second-most attractive brother,” Sean corrected him, coming into the room. “Do you really want to kick Jasper’s ass in front of his girlfriend? We should wait for her to go before we wipe the floor with him.”
“She’s just the assistant,” Max explained. “You guys are working on the governor’s wedding, right?”
“At least one of my brothers listens,” Jasper scowled. All he needed was for Sean to mess this up for him. His middle brother could be a bit of a pain. Jasper knew he was only kidding. Those were the kind of jokes that might set Leigh on edge.
“Caterer’s assistant, nice to meet you,” Sean said. “I’m Sean Collins. And you should play with us.”
“Leigh.” She shook his hand too.
“We’re not hitting on you,” Max assured her. “We both have our mates already. We just want an audience for when we kick Jasper’s ass and he loses his mind. If no one sees it, it’s like it never happened to him.”
“You have never beaten me,” Jasper said.
“We’ve beaten him many times over the years,” Sean explained. “Every time we win, it’s just three of us. He can easily claim that we’re liars. If you are here, we have a witness. You have to stay.”
“You can go home, Leigh,” Jasper assured her. “Nobody likes playing Monopoly with us. We’re no fun we take it too seriously.”
“It’s okay if you lose,” Max told her. “We won’t make fun of you. This is all about Jasper.”
“Why do you think I would lose?” Leigh asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Whoa, we got a live one, boys,” Sean laughed. “Now you have to stay. I don’t know what’s better—if you beat all of us or if one of us wins. I guess either way we both win. Jasper will still lose his mind no matter what.”
“It can’t hurt to stay for another few hours,” Leigh said, kicking off her heels.
“Awesome,” Max said. They took the game to the living room and set up on Jasper’s coffee table.
Jasper had his butler bring an array of snacks and drinks to his living room. This is the first time Leigh had been in his living quarters, and he was nervous. He hoped she liked all the decorating he’d done. There hadn’t been enough time to get everything finished, but it was decorated very similarly to his
office.
It was warmer and had more accessories but not many knickknacks. He didn’t like the clutter everywhere. The coffee table was sleek, but still big enough to hold the game and their drinks and snacks. There were matching end tables next to the couch and between the chairs.
“These are lovely tables, and this lamp is so unique,” Lee said, running her finger over the gleaming stone. “What’s this material?”
“It’s dragons’ stone,” Sean said. “Our grandfather made that stone himself about three hundred years ago.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize you guys were so old,” Lee said. “Three hundred years ago? I can’t even trace my ancestors back that far.”
“Dragons live a very long time,” Sean explained. “You come from a shifter family too?”
“I do,” Leigh said hesitantly.
“That’s funny, because you don’t smell like a shifter,” Max said. “Skip a generation, or do you use a scent masker?”
“Skipped a generation.” Leigh said, settling back as she was handed her money. “Do you mind if I’m the top hat?”
“That’s usually Jasper’s piece,” Max laughed. “But I’m going to guess he doesn’t mind you using it just this once.”
Jasper snatched the piece from the box. “This top hat is my lucky charm. I’m not letting anyone use my piece.”
Leigh shrugged and took the dog. “I’ll take Scruffy. You’re going to need every lucky charm you can get your hands on.”
After his brothers picked their pieces, they got down to business. Jasper liked Leigh a great deal, but he wasn’t about to let her beat him at Monopoly. It was his reputation on the line after all. This was his game. Nobody ever beat him. No matter what his brothers claimed. They had only ever beat him once, and that was at Monopoly Junior twenty years ago.
For her part, Leigh didn’t hold anything back. She had a strange strategy that he should have seen coming. She didn’t buy many properties the first go-around. She let Jasper and his brothers buy up all they could and use up all their money.
By the third round of the board Sean was close to broke. That’s when Leigh stepped in. She offered to buy out all of his mortgaged railroads and utility companies.
In one exchange, she went from having nothing to almost running the board. By making a few more trades with Sean and Max, it was soon evident that she was going to come very close to besting Jasper. It only took two more rounds before Sean and Max were both out. They were cheering Leigh on and shit-talking Jasper the whole time. It didn’t rattle him. He’d been close to losing before and had come out ahead. He was going to do the same this time.
His dragon wanted him to let Leigh win, but there was no way he was going to let that happen.
“I really like you Leigh, but I gotta do this,” he told her. “Sean, hit me with the hotels please.”
Jasper changed in all of his houses for hotels in one fell swoop. It nearly bankrupted him. He knew it would pay off quickly. He only had to roll the die twice before Leigh landed on one of his big properties. There was no way she would be able to recover from the money she owed him.
She counted three or four times before Jasper patted her on the shoulder. “Give it up, Leigh.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to lose Monopoly,” she said grimly. “I guess I’m going to have to surrender.”
She gave Jasper the pile of money and they went on for two more turns. When she landed on another of his properties, she threw her hands in the air. “Well, I guess he wins again. Sorry boys.”
“Sorry? You almost beat him,” Max said. “It’s been more than a decade since someone almost beat him.”
“You have to come and play again after the wedding,” Sean begged. “You’re really good at this. There’s no way he can beat you again.”
“I’ll be back again.” Leigh put out her pinkie to Jasper. “When the wedding is done, promise I’ll get a rematch.”
Jasper locked his pinkie with hers. “You can bet on it. I won’t be going easy on you next time though.”
“You’re not gonna win this next time,” she swore to him. “Thanks for the game, fellas.”
Jasper walked her out and was surprised to see his brothers waiting in the living room. They’d picked up the game, but they were waiting for him. He was sure they were going to run to their mates as soon as Leigh was gone since they’d lost.
“We like her,” Matt said. “For a human, she’s pretty awesome.”
“Don’t let this one get away,” Sean said. “Even if you guys just stay friends, she’s really cool.”
“I’m hoping to do better than that, boys,” Jasper assured them. “My dragon is very fond of Miss Ganza. Don’t tell Mom that though.”
Sean crossed over his heart. “I swear. Cross my heart and hope to die and everything.”
“Same,” Max promised. “Just treat her nice.”
“I will. I’m not going to let anything spoil this one.”
Eleven
Leigh splashed cold water on her face. The dinner was about to start in a few minutes, and she was jittery.
There were two dining rooms in Roger’s mansion. They were utilizing the smaller of the two for this dinner. The larger was already being staged for the reception, which was only six days away. Leigh couldn’t believe how much they’d gotten done in such a short time.
She’d been feeling strange all day. She didn’t understand why she was so nervous. They were more than prepared for this event. It wasn’t that big a deal. It didn’t matter how often she repeated that to herself; her body refused to cooperate. She was a bright red, sweaty mess. It was embarrassing.
“Leigh? Ms. Ganza? Are you in there?”
One of her aunt’s assistants was at the bathroom door. They probably needed her to tell them how to breathe in the mansion. Those two were making her job much harder. She had begged her aunt to take them off the project, but Auntie Melly had said it would be unkind at this point. They had done all the foot work before Leigh got involved. It was only fair that they got to attend the festivities too.
“What do you want?” Leigh called through the door. She wasn’t coming out until her face and arms were less red. She felt like she was on fire.
“Which of the trays should we use for the appetizers?”
“The only ones that are available.” Leigh gritted her teeth. “You can only use the ones we brought with us.”
“Oh…okay, then.”
She had been gone for maybe three minutes, and there was already a problem. Those two were so useless, she wanted to snap them in half. Didn’t they know how important this was for her aunt’s business? If they messed this up, they wouldn’t just lose their jobs; her aunt would be humiliated. Leigh had done all she could to minimize their involvement in the actual work. They were two more guests as far as she was concerned. Unfortunately, they were both in top form that day and wanted to help everywhere they could. They were only making her nerves worse.
She looked in the mirror and tried to force a smile. She’d been so irritable today. She didn’t like Melly’s assistants, but she had never wanted to harm them before. The scowl on her face was so ugly that she had to stop herself. These thoughts had to stop. She needed to get ahold of herself before she lashed out at anyone.
It had been such a trying week that it was a miracle she hadn’t done major damage to her relationships. She had made her mother promise that she wouldn’t let Fabia come and visit that week. Leigh knew that would be too much to handle. Only Aunt Melly and her mother knew that she was working on the wedding. If Fabia knew, Leigh would never hear the end of it. She had only just gotten over her annoyance that Fabia had signed her up for that stupid app.
She didn’t really blame her cousin. She should have told Fabia sooner about her plan to marry a human man. She would have never gotten caught up in that stupid app if she had been more clear. That little mistake had almost blown over.
She wasn’t really Jasper’s mate. Even Jasper seemed to underst
and that at this point. He’d been so nice the whole week before. She’d had so much fun spending time with him and his brothers. They barely even fought. It was more like how she and Fabia were than her mother and her aunts. They were more inviting than she’d expected, too. Sean and Max didn’t have the best reputation in the press, but the reports were all wrong.
The Collins brothers were all different than the media painted them. She was so glad that Jasper had dropped the whole mate thing. He was turning out to be the best part of her job. If she’d seen him, she knew it would have soothed her nerves. His calming presence always helped. She would be embarrassed for him to see her in this state, though.
That’s why she needed to calm down and get out of the stupid bathroom. She took deep breaths until she was able to center herself. She was ready to go out again, she decided. She could handle herself. This wasn’t forever; it was one party that had to end. She could do this. Just a few more days and all of this would be over. She could get back to her regular life.
She stepped out of the bathroom and almost ran into Jessica Kern.
“Oh! I’m so sorry.” Leigh could feel her face heating up again. Only one second and she was already making mistakes.
“No problem,” Jess said, bouncing her baby from one hip to the other. “But could you do me a favor? Alec just ran off, and I need someone to hold Todd.”
She held the baby out to Leigh and smiled. Little Todd put his hand in his mouth and gurgled a hello.
“Sure.” Leigh hadn’t held a baby in a long time, but it couldn’t be that hard. This was a task even she couldn’t screw up today.
“Thanks a million,” Jess said, handing over her son. “If Alec gets back, feel free to run off. I’m sure you’re super busy tonight.”
She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Leigh and Todd alone.
Leigh didn’t know if she should talk to him or just bounce him. He was already being better than the last child she’d had to spend time with: her distant cousin’s son, who had started screaming the moment he’d been handed to Leigh. Todd just continued to babble in his own baby language.
