And it was. Strangely enough, the paparazzi seemed to have disappeared. Maybe they’d found other, more interesting people to follow, Ryan didn’t know. At least Maria had gotten her wish.
On the weekend of the second week, he found himself back at the Sea Dragon nightclub. Taking a deep breath, he went inside, unable to keep from hoping Maria might be there. If he could get her to talk to him, maybe she’d give him a second chance. He’d come up with a plan so simple he couldn’t believe he hadn’t thought of it earlier.
But though he searched the crowd, she wasn’t anywhere to be found. He drank his beer slowly, keeping an eye on the entrance in case she came in, but eventually he admitted defeat. The repetitive noise had given him a headache, so he hurried back outside, down the concrete seawall and back to the sand. There, he breathed a sigh of relief, briefly considering kicking off his flip-flops but keeping them on, instead, when he realized even this made him think of Maria Miranda.
What the heck had happened to him? He hadn’t come to Galveston looking for a hookup, but then he hadn’t expected to see a woman as gorgeous as Maria. Not only that. There was something else about her, an elusive quality that fueled his need to explore all her secrets. Though he hated to admit it, the attraction seemed to be more than simply because he found her beautiful. Which so wasn’t like him. He preferred his life uncomplicated, without attachments or ties. Work and play, nothing serious. Ever.
Because he enjoyed his own company, he never got lonely; in fact, part of the appeal in coming to Galveston had been the idea of complete privacy. But since meeting her, he felt her absence keenly, as if they’d been together for years rather than hours. Which made no sense whatsoever. Especially since he had no faith in intangibles like destiny or fate.
The ocean soothed him, however temporarily. Since buying the beach house, he’d learned how much he loved the gulf. He’d expected to find the solitude relaxing, the salt-scented air healing. What he hadn’t expected was missing a woman he barely knew. Yet he did. Every morning he carried his coffee out to his second-floor porch and watched the sun rise above the water. He ached to have Maria there, to turn to her and draw her close to him, to talk to her about trivial, everyday things. As if they’d been together forever.
While he didn’t claim to understand how this could be so, he knew enough to recognize something wonderful when it came his way.
The longer he walked, while the surf roared ashore in the background, the more focused he became. Once he’d cleared his head, he did what he always did when he wanted something. Figured out the best way to go after it.
Ryan Howard hadn’t become a successful businessman by giving up. He had to convince Maria to give them a chance, at least, and see what this thing between them could become.
He’d call her instead of showing up in person. Hopefully she’d find that less threatening.
The next morning, he took his morning jog and swam in the ocean, then returned to his beach house to shower. Once he’d dressed, he made a cup of coffee and carried it out onto his patio. There, he relaxed and let the sun and the sounds of the crashing waves and screeching seagulls fill him. When he judged the time had come for a wedding chapel to be open, he searched for the number online and called.
As soon as he told the woman who answered the phone his name, she became flustered. “Let me see if M-Mizz Miranda is available,” she stuttered. When she placed him on hold, the overly sweet and sappy romantic music made him smile. Perfect for a wedding chapel.
Unfortunately, instead of Maria, the receptionist returned to the line. “I’m sorry, Ms. Miranda is not available right now,” she said, sounding regretful and slightly puzzled. “May I take a message?”
Since he knew if he simply left his number, he’d never hear from Maria, he decided to leave a detailed message instead. “Do you have a pen and paper?” he asked. When she replied in the affirmative, he took a deep breath. “Then write this down. The other night when we met, we had an instant connection. I felt it and I know you did, too. I’m sorry the paparazzi ruined what might have been something beautiful. I’m asking for one more chance. Just one. No cameras, no reporters, just us. One night, the water, the stars, and us. Don’t take the risk of losing what could turn out to be something special. Call me, please.” And he left his number.
Sounding awestruck, the receptionist promised to pass the message on.
Satisfied that he’d done all he could, Ryan ended the call. He’d told her the truth, from his heart, and come as close to begging as he ever had.
His phone rang a half hour later. Maria. Unbelievably, his heart skipped a beat from pure joy.
“What are you doing, Ryan?” Exasperation colored Maria’s voice. “You know as well as I do that we didn’t have any kind of magical connection....”
“What would you call it then?” He found himself grinning.
“Sexual attraction,” she drawled, the erotic rasp in her voice making his blood heat. “I wanted you, you wanted me, and if I hadn’t found out who you were, we’d have spent a couple of days in bed and gotten that out of our system once and for all. Then I’d never have heard from you again. I’m well aware of how that works.”
“You wound me,” he teased, even though he knew she was probably right. Such had been his previous method of operating. “But I honestly still think that spark is worth exploring. Give me one more chance.”
The silence stretched on for so long he wondered if she’d set the phone down.
“Maria?” he prompted.
“I’m thinking.” She sighed. “Giving this the serious consideration it deserves.”
His heart actually skipped another damn beat. At least she hadn’t immediately brushed him off.
“Ryan, I’m sorry,” she began. “While I agree the sparks flying between us were combustible, I’m not the type of person who can live her life in the spotlight. Nor am I content with being one of many. So my answer is—regretfully—no.”
“Wait, don’t go.” Talking rapidly, as he sensed she was about to hang up, he outlined his plan. “Just us and the water. No one will be able to interrupt us.”
Again she went silent while she considered. When she spoke, the hint of interest in her voice told him she would agree. “For how long?” she asked. “Are you talking a few hours or an entire day?”
Though he originally had planned for one night, he realized he wanted more than hours. “This weekend,” he said. “Saturday and Sunday. Just the two of us.”
“I can’t. The weekends are the busiest time for me at work. I could do Monday, if we come back Tuesday.”
He’d take what he could get. “Sounds perfect. Meet me at the marina at 7:00 a.m. Monday morning. And, Maria? Pack light.”
* * *
Hanging up the phone, Maria wondered what she’d just impulsively agreed to do. Ryan had been right about one thing. The chemistry between them had been fantastic.
She hadn’t actually ever met a man who made her melt like that. Try as she might, she hadn’t managed to get him out of her head, even though the better part of two weeks had passed.
She felt a twinge of guilt. She had been given an important task and her clock was ticking. Ryan met none of the bullet points on her list. She knew she needed to be focused on her objective, but she also knew she’d never forgive herself if she let Ryan Howard disappear from her life without even giving him a chance. Even though he represented everything she didn’t want and couldn’t have.
As if on cue, her cell phone rang. Her father.
“How’s my princess?” he asked, his cheerful voice, as usual, making her smile. “Any luck finding Mr. Right?”
She sighed. “I’m trying, I promise. I’ve actually met someone I like, but I don’t think he’ll be a candidate.”
While most women might feel a little weird discussing such things with their father, she only felt tired. Her search for a mate was all they talked about these days. And she couldn’t blame him. After all, his hopefulness echoed
that of all of their kind. The Drakkor depended on her, and the other remaining three females, to carry the future of their dwindling race. Especially since Doug Polacek had gone crazy and tried to attack the remaining females.
Maria had never met any of the others. The remaining small group of Drakkor had been purposely dispersed to opposite ends of the earth. When Maria had wanted to move from Green Bay to Galveston once she graduated high school, it had practically required an act of congress.
“Do you want to go over your list again?” her father asked kindly. “We can see if there are any bullet points we can discard.”
“No.” If she had to review that list again, she thought she might scream. “I know it by heart now anyway.”
“Okay. Just thought I’d ask. You know, sweetheart...” He paused. “I know you’re organized, but have you ever considered you might be going about this the wrong way? Love doesn’t happen because of a list.”
Pushing back a twinge of defensiveness, she inhaled. “I don’t know what else to do. This is too important to simply leave to chance.”
“That’s what love is,” he said. “But you’ll need to find that out for yourself.”
“I know.” Immediately she thought of Ryan. If only.
“Tell me about this someone promising you met.”
Suddenly, the idea of even discussing Ryan Howard with her father made her break out in a cold sweat. “Let me give it a bit more time,” she said. “I haven’t even gone out on a date with him.”
Holding her breath, she waited for him to question her. In the past, the two of them had discussed each and every man she’d dated.
But, then again, Ryan wasn’t a date. He was just someone she was going to have a short, sweet fling with.
The instant the realization occurred to her, she felt relief. Until that very second, she hadn’t actually decided how she would approach this. But yes, she was going to actually take a break from her exhaustive search for a mate and allow herself to have fun with a man who rang every chime she possessed.
For once.
And furthermore, her father didn’t need to know about it.
“Are you sure?” Her dad sounded hurt. “I might be able to help you decide if you even want to date him.”
“No, I’m fine. So what’s been going on with you?” As changes in subject went, it wasn’t graceful, but she didn’t have a choice.
To her relief, he followed her lead. They chatted a few more minutes about the weather in Green Bay, and then ended the call. But not before he reminded her to keep him posted if anything changed.
As always, she agreed, well aware her father had to make reports to the Drakkor Council on a monthly basis.
Before he hung up, he told her good luck on meeting someone who met the criteria on her list. As usual, she wasn’t sure if he was teasing.
Thinking of her list gave her a headache. Thinking of Ryan made her entire body ache.
Her cell rang. Rhonda Thepault, Maria’s best friend. They used to go out once a week together, but since Rhonda had gotten married, Maria only saw her about once every couple of months.
“I saw you TMZ,” Rhonda gushed. “Why didn’t you tell me you went out with Ryan Howard?”
Crud. Maria sighed. “We didn’t actually go out. We met in a bar and went for a walk on the beach.” Amended, but factually true.
“That’s all?” Rhonda practically shrieked. “The Most Eligible Billionaire Bachelor and you didn’t even think to call me?”
“Nothing happened. The paparazzi showed up, and I ran away. End of story.”
“You what?” Rhonda sounded dumbfounded. “Ran away, like jogged? In high heels?”
“No I took them off. I ran barefoot. We were on the beach, after all.”
Silence while her friend digested this. “Let me get this straight. Ryan Howard wanted you to walk with him on the beach and you bailed because of paparazzi?”
“Yep. That about sums it up.”
“Maria, I need to come over there and talk some sense into you.” The exasperation in Rhonda’s voice made Maria smile. “You’re single, you’ve tried several online dating sites, and you’ve been visiting nightclubs. All of this for the purpose of meeting a man, right?”
So far, her friend was absolutely correct. Except she didn’t know the whole story. She had no idea of the reasons Maria needed to find the right man so quickly.
And since Rhonda was human, she never would.
Instead, Maria figured she’d make Rhonda happy when she told her the rest. “Yes, that’s true. So I guess you’ll be happy to know he’s been calling me. He even stopped by at work.”
“What?” Rhonda went really quiet. “Tell me you are going to go out with him. Please?”
“I am.”
“Oh, thank goodness! When?”
Since Ryan wanted privacy and Rhonda really liked to talk and post to Facebook, Maria decided not to tell her specifics. “Monday, I think.”
“Where is he taking you?” Rhonda’s hushed tone meant she was in awe. “Off the island, or are you staying here?”
“I’m not sure,” Maria lied. “But whatever we do, I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”
“Of course you will. How could you not?”
Maria had to laugh at that. “I promise I’ll fill you in on all the details after, okay?”
Mollified, Rhonda agreed. They chatted for a few more minutes about Rhonda’s job and how business had been going at the wedding chapel, and finally Maria let her friend go.
Her phone rang the second she ended the call.
“Maria, I saw you on TMZ tonight.” Lourdes Rivera had been Maria’s friend since kindergarten, up in Green Bay. Once they’d been close. These days, not so much, at least not since Maria had moved to Texas and Lourdes had gone out to conquer the world as an investigative reporter. Their lives had gone in different directions and they’d drifted apart. It seemed dating a famous person brought everyone out of the woodwork.
The instant she had the thought, Maria winced. Swallowing hard, she tried for a lighthearted tone. “You haven’t called me in months and that’s all you have to say?”
“Hey, I’ve been busy.” Lourdes traveled all over the world for her job. “And now I learn you’re famous and you didn’t even tell me.”
Maria opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Lourdes continued.
“I can’t believe you gave them the scoop,” Lourdes complained. “I could have done so much more with it.”
“First off, there is no scoop.” Maria couldn’t contain her flash of anger. “Secondly, you should know better than anyone that the gossip shows and magazines are rarely even accurate.”
“TMZ is pretty darn accurate.” Lourdes sighed. “And if you’re dating a billionaire, then you could have at least called me.”
“Where are you?” Maria asked. “Most times, you’re not even in my part of the world.”
“As it so happens, I’m in Mexico. Which is not all that far from Texas. Now tell me what’s going on with you and Mr. Sexy, Ryan Howard. He doesn’t seem at all your type.”
“He’s not,” Maria reassured her friend. “He’s something I wanted to get out of my system.”
“Ah, I get it.” Lourdes laughed, the sound confident. “I’ve had a few of those myself. How’d you meet?”
“Are you asking as my friend or are you interviewing me?”
“Hey, that’s harsh.” Lourdes sounded wounded. “Come on, Maria. Dish.”
They spent the next several minutes catching up. When Maria had told her friend everything she could think of about not only Ryan, but work and her family. Everything, that is, but the way the pressure kept increasing to have a child and complete her destiny. Maria had never discussed that with her friend since Lourdes wasn’t Drakkor. There were some things she didn’t need to know.
Finally, Lourdes wound down with a request that Maria promise to let her do the interview if anything were to come of the relationship with Ryan.
This was easy enough to do, since Maria knew nothing would.
By the time she’d finished all the telephone chatting, Maria’s headache had worsened. Glancing at the bright blue sky, she realized she needed to get away from everything human, and let her dragon out to play. Soaring over the ocean never failed to lift her spirits.
Out of habit, she checked the planner she kept on her desk.
Yes. Her instinct had been right. According to the careful calendar she kept, the time had come for her to release her dragon. As usual, she’d drive to the most secluded place around Galveston, Corps Woods.
Morphing into a huge, scaly beast wasn’t something she could just do anywhere. She could imagine the panic if any humans were to see. Especially since she’d been told her scales glistened all the colors of the rainbow.
She drove west on Seawall, turning right at the light onto Ferry Road, then right again at the sign that read US Coast Guard. Corps Woods was about a half mile on the right, along a narrow waterway outside a levee.
The tourists rarely came here, except for the occasional bird watchers during the spring migration.
After parking, she got out of her car, satisfied no one else was around. She walked out into the woods, taking care to move quietly so not to frighten the creatures who lived there.
The sun had reached the edge of the horizon. She always had to wait until full dark to avoid being spotted. That was okay, especially during a full moon when she flew out over the ocean.
Dragons’ eyes saw the world differently than people’s. Everything was lusher somehow. More vibrant and colorful, almost as if the world glowed. Though history had made them into fearsome monsters, in her dragon form Maria felt nothing but pure love and full of joy at being alive.
And the tingling of the ever-present magic, fueling her flights, lifting her wings as she climbed higher and higher into the sky.
Legend held it that this magic was the reason the other Shifters feared the Drakkor and the motive for the near extermination of their kind back in humanity’s dark ages.
Billionaire Wolf (The Pack 17) (Nocturne) Page 4
