Burn: Dragon Shifter Romance

by Ava Frost

  “Jacob,” I said.

  He smiled and took my hand, kissing the top of it. I tried not to cringe as his lips left a wet line on me.

  “Jennifer you look just as stunning as always. I must say, you get even prettier each time I see you. How long has it been?”

  His eyes darted back and forth between my mother and father. The introductions with me over, he moved onto my father and started talking about business.

  “Not long enough,” I muttered before turning to smile at the conversation politely.

  I stood there for a few minutes while Jacob and my father talked but it wasn’t long before I was bored with the conversation. Out of habit, I started to click my tongue. Normally it wasn’t something that others would hear, but in the hushed whispers of the room, it rang out like a bell. Everyone turned to look at me, my mother scowling as they turned away.

  “Sorry, old habit.” I said.

  “Don’t worry son,” said my dad. “You’ll learn to live with it.”

  Jacob laughed at his humor as they walked out onto the patio for cigars. I followed them out quietly, hoping they would just forget I was there. As they talked in the corner, I looked out over the balcony and thought about the biker from that afternoon. I wouldn’t mind standing on the balcony with him. If he had been there, I would have pressed myself against his body, kissing his neck.

  I looked down at the driveway, watching the help as they shuffled in and out of the kitchen. As if he’d heard my thoughts, I saw a motorcycle coming down the driveway. When he parked, and took off his helmet, I thought I would die. My heart was racing as our eyes locked together. Nothing else around me mattered, nothing but knowing everything I could about the mystery man that made my heart race.

  “Jennifer!” My mother hissed.

  I jumped away from the edge and looked at her, “Jesus, you scared me.”

  “Jennifer, what on earth are you doing out here? Jacob thought you were right behind him! They are already in the main hall.”

  “If he was a gentleman and held the door then he would have noticed.” I shot back.

  She glared at me, “Just one night, that’s all I ask. For one night, can’t you just behave? For my sake Jennifer?”

  “Mom,” I said, defeated. “This isn’t what I want, you know that.”

  “How do you know if you won’t give him a chance?”

  “Fine,” I whispered. “One chance, then I am done.”

  She smiled, knowing she’d won. “That’s all I ask, come on.”

  Chapter 4

  ~Michael~

  “Hey brother, I thought you were heading out for the night!” Said Carlos.

  “Yeah, I was headed that way but then I realized I wouldn’t get far without theses,” I said as I grabbed my keys off the counter.

  “Ahh,” he muttered.

  I could tell that he was in the middle of a big rush and I didn’t want to get in his way. I had to find the security office anyway. I needed some form to fill out to give to my client in the morning so they wouldn’t have to ask as many questions. His time was so important that he couldn’t even spend twenty minutes in an interview.

  “Don’t worry about me,” I told him. “Just point me towards the security office.”

  Carlos looked around unsure. “This place is a maze. Give me a second.”

  I watched my large friend looking around until a small, pale girl came breezing past. “Cassie! This is Michael, take him to security then come right back!”

  She nodded her head and smiled at me. The last thing that I wanted was a baby sitter. She was a pretty little thing, but I could tell she didn’t want to be showing me around. I’d forgotten that they had a whole party going on. Everyone seemed to be racing around, taking care of a thousand different tasks. Even as she stood there waiting for me to follow I saw her fingers fidgeting in an irritated manner.

  Carlos shrugged his shoulders, “Sorry brother, I would take you myself but I don’t have the time.”

  “It’s fine, get back to your party. I’ll be fine.” I told him.

  I followed Cassie out of the kitchen and into the main hall. She was such a fast-moving woman that I had a hard time looking around and keeping up with her. Before I knew it, I was whispering her name down an empty hallway, wondering where she had disappeared too. I started to look for the security office on my own after a few minutes but I had no luck. Frustrated, I stomped around a corner and came crashing into someone else.

  I grabbed her as she started to fall, wrapping my hands around her waist to stop her from tumbling down. She came crashing back against me and our bodies fell together into the wall. She looked up at me, her body pressed against mine. Even in the poor lighting I knew it wasn’t Cassie, it was the woman who I had seen earlier. I looked down into her eyes, her chest was heaving against mine. The long black dress she was wearing felt soft against my hands. I couldn’t move, she seemed to have me under a spell.

  “Are you okay,” She asked breathlessly.

  I nodded my head, “Yeah, but I’m twice your size. Are you okay?”

  She stood up and brushed off her dress, trying to straighten it. “Sorry about that, I should have been watching where I was going. What are you doing here?”

  I rolled my eyes, “Don’t worry, I’m not here to crash your party. I’m just looking for the security office.”

  She crossed her arms, “Why?”

  I bit my cheek, “I need to pick up some papers that are waiting for me.”

  “This seems a little late to be here on business.” She said, cocking her head.

  I could tell that she was enjoying herself. She liked being in control of the situation. I could tell that she wasn’t use to not getting her own way. Beneath her stunning exterior, she was just another spoiled brat.

  “That’s my business.”

  “This is my house, my business. Do you want to try again?” She asked with a smirk.

  I stepped up to her, getting dangerously close. I could once again feel her heart racing as her breast brushed against my chest. I tilted my head down closer to her, relishing the look on her face as her lips parted. I moved my head lower until I could just taste her hot breath. The world around us stopped moving for a brief second.

  Just as she was about to kiss me, I said; “Please take me to your father’s security team. I’m his morning interview.”

  I stepped back from her and watched her eyes jerk open. She started to turn a brilliant shade of red as her deadly glare pierced into me. I tried not to laugh, it didn’t matter if I got the job or not. Seeing her and knowing that I ruffled her high-flying feathers was all the payment that I needed. She was just about to start screaming at me, I was sure of it.

  Footsteps stopped her tantrum just as Carlos’ lumbering body came around the corner, “Shit Michael, that ditz lost you. I should have taken you myself. This damn place is a maze.”

  I jerked my head to the side and Carlos turned and looked. Seeing Jennifer, his face went pale. “Oh, Miss Jennifer, I didn’t see you there. I’m sorry about my language.”

  She cleared her throat, “No Carlos, its fine. Really, I was just about to show your friend here the way.”

  “Miss Jennifer that’s so kind of you, thank you for the offer. I will get him there. I know you have a party to get back to.” Said Carlos.

  Jennifer rolled her eyes, “I suppose your right Carlos. Thank you.”

  She turned to look at me, “I’m sure we will be seeing each other around, Michael.”

  I watched her as she walked away, her body swaying with each step. She hadn’t said anything to Carlos about our encounter. I was right, she liked being in charge, but she liked letting it go just as much. I wanted to follow her to wherever she was going, I wanted to run my hands along her body, to feel the silk of her skin. I turned to follow Carlos in the other direction.

  Before I turned back down the hallway I glanced back, she was watching me. A faint smile crossed her lips before she disappeared back into h
er own world. She was going to be the death of me.

  Chapter 5

  ~Jennifer~

  The morning after the Christmas party I woke up before my normal time. Something felt different. For the first time in a long time I wanted to be awake early and moving around the house. I spent extra time getting ready before practically skipping to the kitchen. Carlos was already busy making coffee for the house. He poured me a cup as I sat down at the staff table.

  “The last time I saw you out of bed this early was when I first started here five years ago. You were still drunk from the night before.”

  “Ah yes, the perks of being Hampton Royalty. I think that was the first time I ever got drunk.”

  “You seem pretty sober now, any reason for the early morning?”

  I looked around the kitchen, trying to think of an excuse that wouldn’t sound foolish. “Oh, no reason. I just slept great and woke up refreshed.”

  He didn’t look convinced, “Uh huh. This wouldn’t have anything to do with your little run in with Michael, would it?”

  “Who?” I asked.

  He rolled his eyes at me, “I don’t know, maybe my tall, dark, and handsome marine buddy who was lost in the halls?”

  I blushed, I could feel the color in my cheeks. “Oh. Right, I’d forgotten about him.”

  “Really?”

  I shrugged my shoulders. “Who is he?”

  “Michael and I go way back, we served in the Marines together and lived on the same block before that. I’ve known him all my life.”

  “He seems, rough around the edges.”

  Carlos laughed, “He is very rough but he has a good heart. He just got out of the service, I don’t think he knows what he wants to do with his life just yet.”

  “Is he dating anyone?” I asked casually.

  Carlos started to laugh. I didn’t like the sound of it, he was so honest with me all the time that I knew he wouldn’t set me up. Maybe Michael was already taken and he was just a playboy that liked to mess with girls on the side. That sounded like something a man would do. All the men in my circle did it. Of course, to be fair, the woman weren’t really faithful either. I didn’t understand why it was so hard for someone to just be in love. To be happy and faithful. I sighed, getting Carlos attention again.

  “Honey, if I told you any more about him your mother would have my job. Then how would I keep myself looking this fly?” He said with a wink.

  I laughed, “Alright, I won’t ask anymore. I just thought, I don’t know. I guess he just looked like he’d be a lot of fun.”

  “I’m sure he would be, but he’s not the type to play with. Michael has always been a heartbreaker.”

  “Thanks for the warning. I’ll stay clear, I promise.”

  “Good,” He muttered.

  “So I have a date with Jacob tonight,” I said, making small talk.

  “Good for you! I knew that you and him would hit it off once you gave him a chance. He is a good pick for you.”

  “What about you? Any hot dates?”

  He grinned and shook his head, “Nothing but a chair at The Raven calling my name.”

  I snorted, “Lucky bastard, I’ll trade you. You can have the date with Jacob and I’ll hit up the bar.”

  His booming laughter shook my coffee cup, “Get out of here girl before you cost me my job.”

  I winked at him before jogging out of the kitchen. I could hear the rest of the house starting to wake up around me. Suddenly the prospect of spending the entire day trapped in the house with them felt suffocating. I didn’t want to listen to my mother, I didn’t want to see my sisters despair, it was just too much. I backed away from the rest of the house just as my mother’s trill voice rang out above everything else. I winced at the noise, between her and Jacob, it was too much. I spun around and jogged to the garage, opening the automatic door and flipping open the key box.

  “What are you doing?” Hissed my sister.

  I flinched, I hadn’t seen her come in. “Don’t worry about it okay? I just want to get out for a little bit.”

  “This early in the morning? There is no way mom approved this.”

  “Jesus Ann, you are an adult. Don’t you ever get tired of taking orders from her?”

  My sister looked stunned, “Jennifer, she’s the matriarch of the family, it’s just what we do. Someday it will be one of us in that position.”

  I laughed at how naive it all sounded. “Ann, you can have it! I don’t want any of this. What the hell is wrong with being a little wild?”

  “Jennifer! Where is this coming from? Is this just fear about settling down with Jacob?”

  “I’ve never even gone on a date with the man and already you and mom are planning my future!”

  “You are lucky,” she whispered. “You don’t know how lucky you are. Jacob is a good man; he will be kind to you.”

  “Ann, you are an adult. If you are unhappy, change!” I told her.

  She shook her head, “I don’t want too, I like my life. I like knowing that this family is moving up in the world because of me.

  I shook my head, “I’m sorry Ann, that’s just not who I am.

  I backed away from her, grabbing the keys to my personal car. It was just an old jeep that I had found and fell in love with. My mother hated it, another reason I was a fan. She hated it when I went driving on my own, but I didn’t care anymore. The wild streak had been set free inside of me. Even if this was the last chance I would ever have to be free, I would take it. Tomorrow there would be hell to pay, but for the next twenty-four hours, I was going to be wild.

  Chapter 6

  ~Michael~

  “Hey fella, you sure are in here early.” Said Mila.

  I smiled at her, “I have an interview. I was hoping for some grub before going in.”

  “You’re lucky you’re such a good tenant. Pancakes, coming up.” She said.

  I grinned at her as I sat down at the bar. I loved living above the little mom and pop dive. Mila had taken it over from her parents when they retired. I’d moved in two months ago to the apartment upstairs and I had no complaints. The bar was open till two, the food was served all day. It had everything I had in the marines except free rent and better pay. I rubbed my eyes, trying to get rid of the sleep as Mila flipped the sign to open and a few morning customers trickled in.

  “How are you Michael?” Asked one the regulars.

  I shrugged, “Another day, another dollar.”

  “Ain’t that the spirit.” He muttered.

  The door chimed and we both looked up out of habit, wondering if we knew whoever was walking in. The girl I saw walking through the door made my heart skip a beat. I perked up right away. She looked around and saw me, the same delicious blush from before covering her cheeks. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling at her.

  “Well, at least one of our days seem to be perking up,” he said before moving down.

  Jennifer walked over to me, the smile still on her face. She was wearing a short winter dress with black leggings, her black boots made her legs go on for miles. Every man in the restaurant turned to watch her walk. I couldn’t blame them; she was a sight to see. She slid onto the stool next to me, her eyes sliding in my directions.

  “Do you come here often?” I asked her.

  She laughed, it was an enchanting sound, “No. This is my first time.”

  “This seems a little bit out of your comfort zone. How did you hear about this place?”

  She shrugged her shoulders, “I’m not the princess you seem to think I am. I like places like this. They’re charming in a strange way.”

  “Charming? I’m pretty sure most of these guys haven’t showered in days. Mila is a great cook, but not the best and she can’t sell beer before noon. This place isn’t really the Brunch House.”

  She rolled her eyes, “I didn’t know you would be here, okay? A friend told me about the place and I had some time to kill. You don’t own the bar you know.”

  “Your right,” I
said, standing up. “I don’t own the bar.”

  I turned away from her, I needed to be far away from her. She had plagued my mind the night before, making it damn near impossible for me to sleep. When I did, she danced through my mind, driving me insane. I started to walk away from her, heading up the steps. I made it to the top step and slipped my key in the door before I heard her footsteps behind me.

  “Hey, I didn’t mean to scare you away,” she said, leaning against the narrow stairwell.

  I looked back at her, “You don’t scare me, that’s a promise.”

  “Then why are you running away.”

  I chuckled softly to myself before opening my door and going inside. I wasn’t going to feed into her fantasy of slumming with the help, I hadn’t even made it that far. I waived to her as I shut the door, walking into my own small kitchen. The knock made me jumped.

  I jerked open the door, “Jesus, are you trying to scare the hell out of me.”

  She held out her hand, “You left this at the bar.”

  My black wallet was resting on her palm. I quickly snatched it out of her hand. I wanted to kiss that smug smile right from her face. She had no idea the danger she was playing with. Ever part of my brain told me to send her away. I knew that even having a conversation with her was a bad idea. Yet there I was, gazing into her eyes and wondering if she felt the same way about me.

  “Do you want to come in for some coffee?” I asked in a hushed tone.

  She nodded her head and smiled, stepping past my threshold. Right away I wondered about my decision to let her in. She was looking around my small apartment. I knew how it must have looked. It was rustic and manly with motorcycle parts, marine memories, and old guns scattered all around. She ran her fingers along the counter before looking back at me.

  “It’s not really the Ritz,” I muttered.

  Jennifer shook her head, “No, it’s better. It’s so down to earth and warm.”