Gold (Date-A-Dragon Book 1) Read online

  But then he’d seen pain in her eyes, just a flash of it before she’d tried to hide it, and he’d felt terrible.

  He hadn’t even known he was capable of feeling guilt like that over someone else’s feelings.

  He sighed as he opened the door and looked down an empty hall. Had she already taken one of the elevators?

  His question was answered when the door to Citrine’s office opened and Citrine came out, clearly trying to talk Ella down as she shook her head and walked away from him, looking overwhelmed.

  A wave of protectiveness came over him as he saw Citrine reach out to take her elbow and she jerked away.

  In the flash of her eyes, he could see pain disguised by the anger. He felt his whole body go slack as his gaze rested on her face, and he realized he wanted to keep any pain from her.

  Wanted to shield her from everything.

  Wanted to get to know her, beyond her sharp words and her suits and the walls she put around herself.

  As he looked at her face, which was actually cute when she wasn’t purposely hiding it behind a tight smirk, he felt something like a shockwave go through him, emanating from his heart.

  He realized now why he was so irritable around her. Why he couldn’t resist looking at her despite her trying to hide any of her beauty. Why he was oversensitive to her insults and jealous of other men for looking at her.

  Somehow, in the midst of this ridiculous Date-A-Dragon situation, Dante had found his mate.

  Based on the look she gave him before heading toward the elevators, she absolutely hated him.

  He needed to fix this and quick.

  Three

  Ella felt annoyance wash over her as she saw Dante come out of the club room toward her and Citrine. She quickly made her exit, not wanting to talk to the arrogant jerk.

  She was almost to the elevator when she heard him call out.

  “Wait!”

  Damn, even his voice was attractive. Why did attractive guys always have to be so rude?

  She ignored him and pushed the button on the elevator to go down.

  He caught up to her, leaning on his knees to catch his breath, as he’d sprinted down a whole hallway to her in just seconds. “Hold on. Can we talk a minute?”

  She cocked a hip, letting her impatience overwhelm her hurt. Keeping herself from being vulnerable again. It was sort of validating to see a huge, beautiful man run down a hallway for you.

  Even if he was probably just trying to save his job.

  “What’s there to talk about? I could help the business, but I no longer want to if it means working with you.” She took out a business card and handed it to him with a sigh.

  “What is this?”

  “Give it to Citrine,” she said. “I’m still willing to help, but I’m not willing to be all hands on with you and the guys. I hate to see a business like this go down. And honestly, you have a beautiful product. But there is more to winning over women than looks.” She put her hands in her suit pockets and shrugged.

  “Wait,” Dante said, sliding the card into his pocket without question. “Just talk to me for a minute. I know you must have come here needing something. Why don’t we talk about that?”

  “You aren’t suitable for it.”

  “Why don’t you let me decide that?” he asked.

  “Look,” she said. “I’ve read the reviews. You were supposed to be the nice one. You’ve been cold to me from the moment I walked in. I think you can understand why I don’t want to sit in a room alone with you and talk.”

  He sighed, and she had a hard time not taking in the breathtaking beauty of his face as he pushed his hair back, making it stand in all directions. “I know. I know. I failed utterly. Please don’t leave. Please.”

  She sucked in a breath, her anger fading in the face of his begging. There was something in his eyes she hadn’t expected that made her pause in her mission to completely walk away and forget him.

  Desperation, or was it loneliness?

  How could a man that looked like him be lonely?

  “I don’t understand any of this,” she said, shaking her head. “Fine. Let’s talk.”

  “Citrine will let us use his office,” he said, walking with her. He quickly stepped in and explained to Citrine, who made himself scarce, walking to another room.

  She followed Dante in and was about to sit hesitantly in the chair she’d been in before when he shook his head. He walked around the desk and pulled out Citrine’s large, leather office chair and gestured for her to take it.

  When she raised an eyebrow, he grinned. “You’re the boss right now, so you get the desk. You can question me all you like.”

  She couldn’t help a smile crooking the corner of her lips as she let out a snort and took her spot behind the desk. “See, this is more the schmoozer I expected.”

  “I’m glad.” He sat in the chair across from her, crossing his legs at the ankles lazily and putting his hands behind his head.

  It displayed his arm muscles to amazing advantage, and she noticed with surprise he wasn’t even sweating.

  She was.

  Was this a different world or something? Had these men dropped here from another planet? What on earth was going on?

  She shook her head and leaned back, getting comfy in the chair. “Why were you such a douche to me?”

  “You caught me off guard,” he said.

  “Because I’m a shrew?”

  “Because you didn’t melt in my presence,” he said sardonically. “Because you didn’t melt in awe of my beauty.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “So you’re aware of it, then?”

  He made a sweeping gesture to himself. “This perfection? Keenly.”

  She laughed, feeling her muscles slowly relax. Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad after all.”

  “So if you did hire us, what would you want us for?”

  “A date to a wedding,” she said.

  “That’s not so hard.”

  “For a week,” she added. “In a small town, a few hours’ flight from here.”

  “Oh,” he said, taken aback.

  “Do you not do that?”

  “We can do anything for the right client.”

  “Anything?” she joked, winking.

  To her surprise, he flushed slightly on his high cheekbones. “No, not everything. Uh…”

  “Good,” she said, making a spin in the chair and catching herself again. “Because romance is off-limits. I’m not looking to date someone.”

  His expression in response to that was dubious. “Why not?”

  “Well, first, you don’t expect romance when you’re hiring someone to perform a service. And second, I gave up on it a long time ago. I’m just not the kind of girl who needs it.”

  He scoffed. “How did you decide that?”

  “You don’t need to think about that,” she said, placing her hands on the desk and leaning forward. “All you need to think about is if you’d be willing to play my fiancé in front of my family for a week.”

  He smirked, his full lips turning up. “I’m an excellent actor and quite charming, despite my embarrassing display today.”

  “I suppose I could give one of the other men a chance, too,” she said.

  He jolted upright, rattled. “No,” he said. “I’m the only one for the job. I guarantee that. Hopefully, with some time and help, the others can improve. But I’ve known them almost all my life, and I can say authoritatively that I’m the one for this.”

  So he did have pride in something. She studied him, finally feeling she was getting beneath the pretty boy facade to the person beneath.

  She no longer felt like the frump at the mercy of the popular guy, but just a woman talking to a man who was willing to work for her. With her. However, it worked.

  As long as he was this charming, she could probably handle it.

  “Besides,” he said. “I need to get out of this place. I could use the vacation.”

  “Hanging with my family in a n
osy small town isn’t going to be a vacation,” she said.

  He wrinkled his nose. “I don’t care. I need some fresh air. New scenery.” He grinned at her, and she cursed herself for being caught off guard by the sheer attractiveness of his smile. Such white teeth. Such pretty lips.

  That huge body that loomed over her in any situation.

  “Fine,” she said. “I’ll give you a chance. I’ll send Citrine more of the details. Study up.”

  “Sure,” he said, standing and walking with her to the door in a gentlemanly manner. She felt herself flushing and was glad her blushes never showed on her tanned skin.

  “Oh,” she said. “And I’m going to include something prohibiting physical contact.”

  “What?” he asked, pulling back in surprise. “Why?”

  “Look, I said I’m not into romance, and this prevents both of us from being caught up in a weird position.”

  He folded his huge arms, making the muscles bunch. “And you think a piece of paper makes you safer from me?”

  “You’re not helping,” she said, frowning.

  “No,” he said. “I mean I’m not a monster. I’ve never had to force an unwilling woman. What is the point of that? Do you mean not even a hand on a shoulder or the small of your back? How am I supposed to act like your man?”

  He had her there. She bit her lip. She didn’t want to be an idiot who got carried away with a hot guy being nice to her, and she also didn’t want to feel nervous or afraid in his presence.

  “I don’t know,” she said.

  “I won’t touch you without asking. Or you telling me to, okay?” he asked.

  That was surprisingly decent, and she was shocked by how safe she felt next to him as he led her to the elevator and pushed the button for her.

  “Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad you chased me down.”

  “I behaved abominably. Thanks for giving me a chance to make it up to you.” He almost seemed as surprised as her by the way things had turned around.

  It would still be awkward, but she thought it was the best option she had, and she felt she could trust him. She wasn’t sure why, and it wasn’t a feeling she had often, but she did.

  On the other hand, if he wanted physical contact, she was sure he had his pick. She’d been silly for thinking he’d be desperate enough to hit on a girl like her.

  “I think this is going to work,” she said, sticking out a hand to shake his.

  He took her hand in both of his, enveloping it in warm strength. She almost felt her legs give out beneath her. “I think so, too.”

  She pulled back reluctantly and was relieved by the ding of the elevator.

  She needed to get out of here before this “dragon,” as they were so weirdly named, could do more to her.

  Dante was wowed by the scene of the airport in front of him. He followed Ella around in a state of disbelief at the crowds, the lines, the moving stairs, the humans in odd uniforms. And outside, the giant flying machines called airplanes that creatures who couldn’t fly had to use.

  Like him until he got his dragon wings back.

  When he was seated next to her on the airplane, in the front with the big seats (due to Ella saying she felt bad for anyone getting stuck next to his big body in coach, whatever that was), he looked out the tiny window at the other planes taking off with loud rumbling.

  He couldn’t wait to win Ella over and show her how much better it was flying with a dragon.

  He smirked as he reached in bag for the book he’d been reading. How to be a Gentleman and Win over Your Woman.

  Ella was working on something on her computer and apologized to him that she’d be busy for most of the trip, finishing something for a client.

  It was obvious she was determined to keep him out, keep things professional, but it wasn’t going to work.

  He was a dragon and used to getting what he wanted. And ever since that conversation in Citrine’s office, where he’d been utterly charmed by her, he’d been excited to figure out more about why fate had picked her as his mate.

  He also wondered why she hid her beauty, wondered why her thick hair was pulled out of the way, why she wore large reading glasses even when not reading.

  He knew from the way she moved that she had luscious curves and what he suspected were outstanding breasts, but he couldn’t wait to confirm it.

  Still, he had to be patient. He’d promised no touching without her invitation. The first time a woman had ever asked that.

  He narrowed his eyes at her, wondering what made her say that. Had someone taken liberties? Had someone dared to accost his mate? He cracked his knuckles. If the knave was still alive, he’d kill him.

  He’d had no tolerance for abusive men in his day either. The women in his town had been under his and the other noble dragons’ protection.

  She eyed him warily. “You okay over there?”

  He stopped cracking his knuckles and reclined his seat. “Sure. Yes. Fine.”

  She cracked a smile. “You can’t do that, though. Not until we’re in the air.”

  He reluctantly returned his chair to the upright position. It wasn’t at all comfortable either way. The seats were barely made to fit large humans, let alone dragons. “So many rules.”

  “I know,” she said. “It seems stupid, but I’m sure there are reasons.”

  “Then you have more faith in humanity than I do,” he said.

  She raised an eyebrow, tucking a stray, frizzy curl back into her bun. It popped immediately out and she blew it out of her face exasperatedly. “Why do you say that?”

  “Nothing,” he said, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

  He heard her shut her laptop.

  “I’m being rude,” she said. “Here, we can talk about what to expect when we get down there.”

  “I read the briefing,” he said. “Anything else I should know?”

  “Well, I guess one thing is that my sister is beautiful. I don’t want it to catch you off guard.” She removed her stuffy suit jacket and used it as a pillow behind her neck.

  Was she uncomfortable? It was somehow important to him that she wasn’t.

  “Why would I care if she’s beautiful?” he asked. “I am here only for you.”

  “Yeah,” she said, smoothing her hair back on top, taming a few frizzes. “But I mean she’s perfect. I’ve had to hear about it my whole life. I don’t really want to hear it from you.”

  “Why, jealous?” he teased, turning toward her with a grin.

  She shifted irritably. “No. Because I’m hiring you to support me. Not annoy me.”

  “Right,” he said. “Got it. Perfect sister. Contact set to ‘ignore.’ So tell me about the rest of the family.”

  So she did, and as the plane took off and ascended into the sky, he listened about her parents, who seemed nice, and things to do around town.

  “What about your sister’s fiancé?” he asked when they were both comfortably reclined in their chairs and holding sweet cocktails the flight attendant had brought.

  She froze at that, looking down at her drink. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

  He sat up straight. “Wait. What?” He tamped down the anger rising inside him. “Did he do something?”

  “No, he didn’t, but… I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Why do you really want an escort home?” he asked. “Are you afraid of someone?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. “There’s nothing wrong with my sister’s fiancé. I just… want to talk about something else.”

  He could sense her discomfort and decided he wasn’t going to get more info from her now either way. “Do your parents know you’re bringing home a boyfriend?”

  She nodded. “But they’re going to be so shocked when they see you.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Because I look like this and you look like that.”

  “Pish posh.”

  She giggled, despite the tension. “No one says
that.”

  “I just did. But what I meant is, despite your attempts to hide it, you’re beautiful.”

  “I know it’s your job to lie, but there’s a limit,” she retorted, turning away from him.

  He crowded over her without touching her. “Now wait a minute before you call a guy a liar.” He looked over her, not hiding the heat in his gaze. “You’re curvy and soft, and I wish I could get a look under that suit.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  “Stop it—” She was flushing and pushing herself back against the window to get away from him, but she didn’t seem displeased by his comments.

  “And I suspect you have beautiful hair,” he said, reaching up for a curl and then stopping himself. “I’d be tempted to touch it if I hadn’t promised I wouldn’t.”

  “Damn straight,” she said, tucking her hair back quickly.

  He looked over her again. “You have a cute face. Pretty, soft skin. A perfect little nose. And those eyes. Huge. Smart. Sharp.”

  “Right,” she said with an eye roll. “What every girl wants to hear.”

  “Sensual,” he said, leaning in closer, speaking in a quiet voice for only her ears. “‘Fuck me’ eyes.”

  She gasped in shock and shoved on his chest, pushing him back. She couldn’t suppress her giggle. “Gross. What does that even mean?”

  He put his hands behind his head. “You call a man a liar and he’s allowed to defend himself.”

  And as a dragon, he couldn’t allow his mate not to see how much she lit his fire.

  As she was still staring at him, agog, he decided to show mercy by changing the conversation. “So what are your plans to save Date-A-Dragon?” he asked casually.

  She sat back in relief, pulling out her laptop. “Finally, something I want to talk about. I have a lot of ideas, and I’d love to hear your input.”

  He cocked his head, surprisingly pleased. He wasn’t used to people caring for his opinion, and he found he liked it. “Sure.”

  “Well, first off, we need a manager,” she said. “Someone to help Citrine. A woman.”

  He frowned. “I’m not sure about that.”

  “Come on. Citrine is too nice,” she said.