Steve was a nonstop tease about it, and Mario knew to mind his own business, but she could still tell he approved.
She felt her phone buzz as she went back out into the dining room and grinned when she looked down and saw it was a text from Chromium.
What color are your undergarments now?
She blushed, feeling as if his words were totally inappropriate yet hot at the same time. She typed out a quick reply and went back to what she was doing.
None of your business.
She was at the hostess stand a few minutes later, watching a waiter seat the first table of the night, when her phone buzzed again. She took it out and looked down.
That’s fine. I’ll figure it out when I see you tonight.
She nearly dropped her phone as she read it, her knees going so weak she had to grab onto the hostess stand to keep herself upright. She shook her head, hoping no one could see her blushing, but looked back to see Chromium peeking out over the serving window, his eyes gleaming with triumph at affecting her that way.
So what if this was all a little silly? So what if it felt like something out of a book?
Now that she realized how bad her nightmare of an ex had affected her, she knew something like this was exactly what she needed to get back to living again.
A flagrant affair with a hot, genuine man who knew his way around a bedroom and how to treat a woman right outside of it.
Hey, you! Focus on work, not my undergarments! She sent him her reply with a smirk and then put her phone in her pocket, vowing not to check it until work was done.
The night progressed swimmingly. It wasn’t particularly busy, but there was enough to do that she was distracted for a moment from her utter lust for Chromium. It was good to get back in the swing of things, just enjoy her restaurant and greeting customers to make sure everything was going all right. She was just finished checking in with the kitchen staff to make sure they were good on stock when she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Serena, one of her waitresses, was waiting with a puzzled but excited expression. Serena was a pretty girl in her twenties with sparkling blue eyes, dark hair, and the kind of figure that would make any man’s mouth water.
She was also a damn good waitress and a nice person to boot, and Helen really liked her a lot.
“Hey,” Serena said hesitantly. “Look, I don’t want to bother you, but someone requested you as their server.”
Helen smiled but bit her lip. “Sorry, Serena, you’ll have to tell them I’m not working the floor tonight.”
“No, you don’t understand. Um. Look who it is.”
A strange sense of curiosity pricked at Helen as she followed Serena out and looked into the dining room. Serena jerked her head toward a table in the corner, and Helen’s eyes widened as she saw who it was.
“Nathan Lancaster? What the hell is he doing at our restaurant?”
Serena shrugged. “No offense, but that’s exactly what I thought.”
She heard the ground vibrate as Chromium walked over to them, looking over Helen’s head. “Who is that?”
“Hey, you, get back to work,” Helen said, trying to suppress a shiver just at his nearness.
But Chromium was scowling, folding his arms as he looked out at the dining room. “I don’t like it. Who is it?”
Mario was there now, wiping his hands on a towel and scowling at the corner. “Holy hell, is that…?”
“Nathan Lancaster,” Steve said, now staring as well.
Helen quickly waved her hands, herding them back into the kitchen. “For Pete’s sake, we don’t want to make him nervous.”
“Oh my God,” Serena said, leaning into Helen conspiratorially. “What if he likes you? That’s the chance of a lifetime. He’s… everyone’s dream guy.”
“Hm.” Helen didn’t know what to make of Nathan Lancaster trying to blend in here in a small corner of her very small, unknown restaurant. He was trying not to be noticed, wearing expensive aviator shades even though it was already pretty dim light. He had a hat on, which shaded his face somewhat, but there was still no mistaking him, even in that casual tee shirt and jeans.
Nathan Lancaster had a presence about him, and from seeing him all over the news, she’d know that face anywhere.
As would anyone else.
So she needed to hurry and talk to him before anyone else noticed him and before paparazzi flooded her little establishment. Some places would like that kind of publicity, but Helen liked running a small neighborhood joint.
“I’ll handle it,” she said, putting a hand on Serena’s shoulder. “Don’t confirm it with anyone else, and try to keep a lid on it, okay?”
Serena nodded, heading back out onto the floor. The other workers went back to what they were doing, except for Chromium, who stood there watching Nathan with narrowed eyes.
She’d never seen him look that way at anyone before, so it confused her. It wasn’t jealousy—more like intense curiosity. Until she started making her way over to Nathan.
Then she could feel it was jealousy even without turning around. A quick glance over her shoulder confirmed it, as Chromium continued to glower.
But to her relief, the big handsome man walked back into the kitchen, probably not wanting to make a fuss.
She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to calm herself as she made her way over to Nathan’s table.
What did one say to a rich philanthropist who’d paid for the city’s entire hospital?
She took out her pad, trying not to let her fingers tremble as she prepared to take his order. “So what would you like tonight? Our special, as always, is the lasagna.”
Chromium stewed as he prepped more vegetables for tonight’s soup, rankling at how everyone in the kitchen seemed obsessed with this “Nathan” person who’d requested to work with Helen.
She wasn’t waiting tables tonight, so who’d be arrogant enough to claim her time like that?
Other than him, that was.
But she was his mate. It was right that he claim all of her time—if she let him.
He castigated himself, knowing he was going too fast, but he’d always been like a train with no brakes. Once he knew what he wanted, he went for it quickly, ruthlessly, without any sign of stopping until he had success.
He’d had to fight for everything he wanted in his life, and it was fine if this was no exception.
But that also meant he didn’t feel like sitting in the kitchen while another man tried to win over his mate.
“You can’t go out there,” Steve said calmly, shaking his head at Chromium’s agitation. “Look, I know there’s something going on between you two, but right now you’re at work, she’s at work, and she won’t want you interfering.”
Chromium shrugged at that, trying to tell the same things to his dragon who was pacing agitatedly at the whole situation.
There was something odd about that man out there, but he wasn’t sure what. He just had a peculiar feeling about him, and he’d always been good at sensing when things were off.
He couldn’t say the man was good or bad or if he was even a man or not, but he knew that he was no regular person.
From where he’d stood, he couldn’t scent any kind of shifter, so that was reassuring. But he also knew from his work in the human world that humans could be very harmful as well.
He folded his arms and grunted, drawing Mario’s attention. “Who is that?” Chromium asked.
Mario looked out at the floor, then shook his head in response. “Just a super-rich guy. Girls go crazy for him.” He shrugged his massive shoulders. “No idea why.”
“Cuz he’s hawt,” Steve said with a little sigh. He put a hand on Chromium’s shoulder. “But so are you, buddy, so don’t worry.”
But Chromium was indeed worried. Helen looked nervous as she greeted the man, and it was hard for him to focus. Why was the guy taking off his glasses and leaning forward seriously? Why wasn’t Helen writing anything on her pad? Shouldn’t she just take his order or so
mething?
He set down the knife he’d been using to cut veggies.
“I really wouldn’t interfere if I were you,” Steve said. “Helen can handle this. You have to trust her. Besides, I hear Nathan is a really nice guy. On the news, I mean. He built our hospital, donates to a lot of causes. Everyone likes him.”
Great, his mate was out there being requested by a man who apparently all humans admired. Well, as a warrior, it was his job to protect his woman, not control her, so if she wanted to talk to this apparently good, handsome, rich human, then Chromium would have to stand back and let her do as she wished.
Even if the dragon in him threatened to tear out of his skin.
“What is he doing here, then?” Chromium asked. “If he has so many places he could be.”
Steven frowned. “Why not for our lasagna? We’re getting more known for it, you know.”
Chromium shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it. Why request Helen, then?”
“Rich people,” Mario said darkly. “They always think they can get what they want. People think they’re nice, but they’re always trying to get favors. He probably thinks only the owner could serve him.”
“Or he’s interested in Helen,” Jenny piped up.
All three men turned to her in various states of alarm.
“What?” Steve asked.
“Helen’s a great woman. Maybe he saw her and wanted to get to know her better.” Jenny walked out, arms folded, eyes on Chromium. “I mean, I don’t think he’s a jerk, but I don’t think we can rule out hitting on her.”
Chromium glared darkly back out at the dining room. Like hell he’d let that man make a move on his mate.
“Maybe it’s something about the building,” Mario said. “The neighborhood has been gentrifying. Rich people buying up real estate and building fancy hippy joints. Maybe he wants to buy our place and do something like that.”
Chromium’s glower continued. Like hell he would let someone try to buy Helen’s place out from under her.
He took a deep breath. It was painful, but he had to remind himself that she was human. As far as she was concerned, he had no hold on her yet.
And that sucked.
He’d watched his friends struggle and fight for their human mates, but it had always looked different from the outside. Now that he was on the inside and his heart was involved, he just wanted to scream to the world that he was a dragon and tell her she was his to protect for all time.
Well, he’d sort of told her the protecting thing earlier, but she hadn’t really understood.
But wait…
“You say he might want to buy the building?”
“Other people have asked,” Mario said. “It’s a valuable location. We’re one of the last available properties. We barely make it on rent.”
Chromium’s eyes narrowed as he thought for a moment. The men who’d come to rob this place hadn’t been planning to hurt anyone if possible, only to scare them. Were they related to someone who wanted to take her property?
Maybe to this man?
He knew it was a long shot, but that combined with the odd feeling he got about the guy made him fairly suspicious.
And even if it made Helen angry, he’d rather make sure he was close enough to have her back if things got ugly.
He wiped his hands on a towel and headed out into the dining room, eyes glued on the human who was becoming his entire world.
Chapter 12
Nathan Lancaster removed his glasses and looked up at Helen slowly, clearly expecting recognition in her eyes. He was handsome; that was certain. Everyone always made a huge deal of his intense blue eyes and olive skin and dark hair, not to mention his striking features.
She also supposed that to most people, he was intimidatingly muscular, but compared to Chromium, she didn’t think so.
He was a little leaner and a little less tall, though still big compared to most people’s standards.
And while most women probably melted for those sultry blue eyes, she felt nothing at all when she looked at them.
She much preferred an exotic pair of creamy, blue-green jade ones.
Nathan studied her face, seeming puzzled and then relieved when he didn’t get a reaction. “You’re the owner?” He looked at her nametag. “Helen?”
She nodded.
“What’s the best thing here?” He opened and looked at the menu as if he hadn’t so far.
She chewed the inside of her lip. If not food, what exactly did this guy want? “I would say our special, the lasagna. We’re pretty known for it.”
He folded the menu. “I’ll have that.” He handed it back to her and clasped his hands, eyes gleaming calmly as he looked up at her. “Anything else you’d suggest?”
“An Italian soda, if you like those. And…” She trailed off, unable to pretend things weren’t awkward when they obviously were. “Look, why did you request me as your server? I don’t know you at all, and—”
He simply stared at her calmly, and she got the feeling that nothing in the world really ruffled this tall man. “I’ve seen you around.”
She raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“You go to the salon on Third?”
She nodded.
“I do, too.”
“You go to my cousin’s salon? When?”
“After hours. I don’t go when it’s crowded, for obvious reasons.”
She shook her head. “You could go anywhere. Why—”
“She’s good,” he said frankly. “I’m allowed to go wherever I like. I’m rich, but I’m no snob.”
She relaxed slightly. “That’s good to know, but I don’t see what this has to do with me.”
“Like I said, I’ve seen you around. I asked about you, and your cousin said you owned this place. I was wondering if you wanted to go out sometime.”
She felt her mouth pull down in a frown and was surprised when he laughed, leaning back in his chair and shoving his hands in his pockets.
“That’s a reaction I’m not used to.”
“Sorry,” she said. “But… yeah. I don’t know you, and I’m sort of… seeing someone.”
“I can see that.” Nathan’s eyes rose to something behind her, and she realized her heart was pounding so hard she hadn’t even heard someone walk over.
She looked over her shoulder to see Chromium towering nearby, glaring down at Nathan like he was a pea on the ground that Chromium wanted to squish.
“Is this your bodyguard?” Nathan asked glibly, but there was intense curiosity as he settled back in his seat.
“No,” she said.
“Boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Then why can’t you go out with me?”
“Because she doesn’t want to, dipshit,” Chromium said with a snarl.
She winced at Chromium’s bluntness, but she’d never known him to mince words. “Sorry, he’s—”
“Do you always ask women out when they’re serving you? Seems kind of rude to me.” Chromium’s arms were tightly folded as he stepped out to the side of her.
“Not always,” Nathan said calmly. “Only when it’s worth it.”
“Hmph. Get out.”
Helen put a hand on Chromium’s chest. “It’s not your restaurant.”
“I ordered lasagna,” Nathan said indignantly. He and Chromium were now staring at her as though their eyes could battle with laser beams, and she didn’t think she’d ever seen this much intensity between two men in her life.
Chromium put his hand on the table, leaning in to glare into Nathan’s eyes. “It’s my lasagna.”
Except it was clear he wasn’t talking about lasagna anymore.
Nathan glared back, the first person she’d seen who wasn’t cowed by Chromium. “You can’t have all of it.”
“Oh, I intend to. Every last bite.”
“Excuse me,” Helen said, grabbing Chromium by the arm. “I need to go have a word with my… staff member.”
Chromium let out a
little growl but let her pull him toward the kitchen, pouting and stiff.
“What was that?” she asked when they were in the kitchen and out of sight of the floor. “Look, he’s still a patron. Besides, I turned him down on my own.”
“I saw that.” He relaxed slightly. “I still don’t think it’s appropriate for him to ask you out.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to interfere.”
“Why? Aren’t you seeing me?”
She blushed as he used her words. “I don’t know what we’re doing. Look, I like you.” She pushed him to the corner where they could talk without being seen. “But I mean, you don’t get to be possessive like that. Yes, we’re doing things, but you aren’t my boyfriend. We haven’t even been on a date.”
Chromium huffed. “How do we do that?” He let out a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry, I got jealous. I had to hear everyone talk about how awesome he is.”
She put a hand on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, shocked by how fast it was racing. She was surprised because it always seemed he was the calm one, and she was always getting caught off guard. “Look, you’re all I can think about. Do you really think I can look at another guy with you around?”
“You were looking.”
“You know what I mean. Really look.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m sorry. I really am. I can apologize to the guy if you want.”
She sighed. “I don’t know if that’s necessary.” They walked back into the main area of the kitchen, and she peeked into the dining room. “Oh, he’s gone.”
They both stared at the table, and it was as if he’d never been there.
“What a weird person,” Serena said, walking up to them. “He just told me he’d changed his mind and strolled out of here.” She shook her head. “Wish I could have gotten his number first.”
Chromium cocked his head, and Helen wondered what on earth he was thinking.
“Hey. You said we haven’t gone on a date. Let’s go on one tonight.” Chromium turned his attention to Serena. “Can you manage the front tonight? Helen deserves a night off.”
Chromium Dragon Page 7
