Chromium Dragon Read online

  He set her down. “Where is your place?”

  She pointed, and he picked her up again and walked over to the door of her apartment. He set her down so she could unlock the door and then picked her up and set her inside.

  When he was done, he locked the door and faced her, putting his hands on his hips sternly. “How often are you threatened like that? Is it a common occurrence? Have you seen that man before? Tell me everything you know about him.”

  She looked up at him, shocked. She’d never heard that many words from him before; she was certain. “I… no. Never seen him. Sometimes customers just get rude. They think because they’re paying someone for dinner, they can order them around and demean them. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. It’s part of any service profession.”

  He relaxed slightly.

  She heard her phone buzz and opened it up to see a text from Steve.

  Ooh-la-la. Enjoy your rescue by lover boy. We’ll clean up.

  She sighed. Steve was… an interesting person.

  Thanks, she texted back.

  “Who was that?” Chromium’s eyes narrowed dangerously, and a little frisson of excitement when up her spine.

  “Steve. Why are you being so intense about this?”

  He put a hand on the door, trapping her there in front of him. He was close. Too close. She could smell an icy, clean, masculine fragrance. Maybe from the shower? As well as the delicious scents of her kitchen.

  And a little something that was pure man and made her knees slightly weak in response.

  “Why didn’t you stand up for yourself?”

  She flushed, remembering how she’d frozen when he’d grabbed her. Between the yelling and the threat of violence, he’d felt too much like her ex, and she tended to shut down when someone did that. She probably would have snapped out of it soon enough. “I just froze for a second. I appreciate you stepping in, though I’m not sure you should have done that.”

  “What?”

  “Dump lasagna on him,” she said with a giggle.

  “Nope. I had to. Though, it was too bad to waste the lasagna on a crap heap like him.”

  She smiled up at him. “I really am fine, though. I can go back.”

  He studied her intently, and she felt herself melting under the glow of those Caribbean-blue eyes. “Hm.”

  “I promise. My customers need me.”

  “They’ll be fine if you wait a minute more. If they’re customers like me, they know you’re worth being patient for.”

  She felt her flush deepen. Oh, this was so ridiculous. She had a schoolgirl crush on a man she knew almost nothing about.

  “I’m glad you like our food,” she said nervously. “Considering you can cook so well yourself.

  “I do. I can’t make your lasagna.”

  “It’s not mine.” She lifted her shoulders helplessly. “I mean, I keep the restaurant going, but I can’t replicate the recipes. That’s Mario’s job.”

  “Well, there’s more to the restaurant than lasagna. There’s also this really pretty owner who makes everyone feel welcome no matter what.”

  Did he just call her pretty? She felt as if she were going to sink down to the floor in front of the door. “Ah.”

  He leaned in, coming a bit closer. His height was so overwhelming this close. “I don’t know why, but I feel so odd around you.”

  “How so?” Her voice was shaky.

  “Warm. On edge.” He pushed her hair back. “I think it’s because I want you.”

  “What?” She heard herself let out a squeak as she put out a hand to push him back. “You want me?”

  He nodded, eyes solemn. “Do you want me? You said I was handsome.”

  “I don’t know.” That was bullshit, and she knew it. Of course she wanted him. Who wouldn’t? But the truth was… “I know hardly anything about you.”

  He cocked his head, sending his white-blond hair to one side. “Do you have to know much about someone to know if you want them?”

  “Generally, yes,” she answered. “It’s safer that way, after all.”

  He stepped back, folding his arms with a little huff. “Fine then, although I think it’s unnecessary. I think we both know what’s happening between us, but if it will help, I will tell you more.”

  She nodded.

  “You know my name, Chromium. I’m not from around here. I’m a professional bodyguard who wants to be a chef. What else do you need to know?”

  “Nothing, I guess.” A professional bodyguard? That made a lot of sense, but where was he from? And why was her body too turned on to listen to reason and acknowledge that doing anything with him would be reckless and moving far too fast?

  He leaned in again, bringing his lips down close to her ear, but not touching her. “Then after we close tonight, if you want to know more, come see me. We can see what this is.” He gestured between them, and her heart gave a little shudder of delight. “For now, I’ll go help with the restaurant. Come down when you’re ready.”

  He’d only been there one day and was already giving the orders, but for some reason, she didn’t mind.

  As she smoothed out her uniform, she tried not think about what he’d said about coming to see him, what it meant to explore the possibilities.

  He wanted her. At least, he thought he did.

  And he’d been so honest and forthright she had been swept off her feet without even realizing it.

  Surely, as a divorced woman, she should know better.

  Then again, as a divorced woman, didn’t she deserve a little fun? Deep in her heart, she already trusted Chromium, despite how little she knew about him.

  She’d known plenty about her ex, and look how that had worked out.

  She sighed, rolling up her sleeves and preparing to go back to the restaurant.

  Deep down, despite her reservations, she knew when the shift was over, she’d be headed to Chromium’s room, ready to take him up on his offer to see what this “thing” was between them.

  Chapter 6

  Chromium had headed back down to the restaurant to find himself hailed as a hero and smiled at the thought that the staff clearly thought very highly of Helen, as he did.

  They’d told him to take the rest of the night, and since he knew he needed to check in with Cobalt and Mario had assured him he’d keep an eye on things, Chromium had agreed.

  When he got to his room, he checked his phone and saw several urgent texts from Cobalt.

  12:53—They are getting suspicious about you not showing. I think they’re too used to your cooking.

  2:30—Arsenic is complaining they are going to starve, but Cadmium saved the day by ordering takeout.

  5:17—Zinc wanted to check and make sure you were still alive, but I told him if someone wanted to disrupt the most elite warrior in Drakkaris when he’s specifically asked not to be bothered, that’s their prerogative.

  Chromium smiled at that last part.

  8:43—I don’t think I can hold them off much longer.

  Chromium sighed as he called up Cobalt, knowing his cousin was right. He had good friends, far too good not to worry about him if they didn’t see him. But he needed a little more time.

  Cobalt answered, sounding relieved to get the call. “I’m so glad you’re done.”

  Chromium raised an eyebrow. “Who said I was done?”

  Cobalt’s tone turned nervous. “Why are you calling, then?”

  Chromium hesitated. “I need more time.”

  An aggrieved sigh was heard on the other side of the line. “Dammit.”

  Chromium let out a snort. His cousin wasn’t one to use such language frequently, considering it coarse. “I’m sorry, Cobalt.”

  “It’s fine,” was the terse retort.

  “I think she’s my mate.”

  “Ah, so it’s not just a rescue mission now?”

  “I mean, it is. She’s in trouble. But…”

  “But?”

  “It’s not resolved. I can’t leave. So you�
��ll just have to use that big brain to figure out a way to keep them out of my room.”

  There was a short silence, then a rough exhale. “I’ll try.”

  “Thanks, Cobalt.”

  “If I have to, I’ll just tell them the truth and hope they don’t tell the oracle.”

  “They all ignored her rules when it came to getting their mates, so I would hope they’d be fair about it.”

  “Worried but fair.” Cobalt agreed. “But anyway, you be safe out there. Are you sure you don’t need backup? You know I’d do anything for you, and that’s before you helped me with my mate.”

  Chromium shrugged. “I’ll be fine. I sense only humans here.”

  Cobalt laughed. “Piddly humans.”

  “Hey. I’m becoming quite fond of humans.”

  “Of course. I meant the bad ones.” Cobalt’s tone grew serious. “As you well know, the most important person in my life is a human. No offense, Chromium.”

  “None taken,” Chromium said. “There is no feeling that compares to having a mate. I understand it now.”

  “I’m glad, but be careful. You never know what’s hiding around. But I trust you as one of the greatest fighters of Drakkaris.”

  “Your trust means a lot. Thank you for doing this for me.”

  “Of course.”

  Chromium sort of didn’t want to hang up. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he missed seeing his friends, missed his mansion, liked hearing Cobalt’s familiar voice.

  But he wasn’t ready to go back there. Not without winning Helen. “Good-bye, Cobalt.”

  “Good night.”

  And then Chromium was just sitting there in the darkness, wondering how to proceed in winning his mate. When he would be able to go home.

  What if she didn’t even show up tonight?

  A knock sounded on the door, and he slumped in relief as his lips curved into an excited smile.

  He knew just what to do next.

  Helen felt nervous as she waited for Chromium to open the door.

  Sure, he’d told her to come see him, but how would he react to her actually being there? Perhaps it was spur of the moment and he had changed his mind by now?

  She had brought lasagna and cannoli with her, just to see if he was hungry and to sweeten the deal, but now she felt stupid standing here on the porch with food in hand, waiting for a guy to maybe sleep with her.

  How did she get herself into this situation?

  He opened the door, and she felt her jaw drop as she realized he was only half dressed. Or half naked. Cup half empty or half full depending on how you thought about it.

  And it was hard to think at all with rippling muscle upon rippling muscle overwhelming her view. She tried to remember how to talk while her hands wanted to drop the lasagna and roam over the most perfect abs she’d seen in her life, including in any magazine or movie.

  Her mouth was watering, and it had nothing to do with food.

  Then she looked up at him and saw him watching her with amusement.

  She straightened slightly. “Is this a bad time?”

  “No.”

  She gestured to his chest. “I mean, you’re not dressed.”

  He grinned. He actually had the nerve to grin cockily, as if he were perfectly aware of his effect on her. “I’m simply displaying what I have to offer as a warrior.”

  “Warrior?” She looked at him curiously.

  He frowned. “Bodyguard?”

  “Ah.” Well, she wasn’t going to complain, even if it was hard to think with him like that. Who needed to think anyway? Thinking was clearly overrated and—

  “What’s that?” He looked at the sack in her hand.

  “Oh, I brought lasagna and some cannoli and—”

  He stepped back so she could come inside. Then he shut the door behind her. She felt her heart racing in panic and anticipation as heat coiled tightly inside her.

  He set the bag on the table and turned back to her, pinning her with a hand on either side of her head.

  “I thought you might be hungry,” she murmured nervously.

  His eyes gleamed, and a lock of white fell over his forehead. “I am, but not for lasagna.”

  She reached nervously into the bag and grabbed a cannoli, bringing it up to his lips. “This, then?”

  He snorted and took it out of her hand. He stared for a moment, then took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. “Mm. Good. But not what I had in mind.” He finished it and took the bag from her, walking over to set it on the table.

  She stayed where she was, worried that if she moved, the magic spell over the room would be broken.

  When he came back, there was a cannoli in his hand. He brought it up to her lips. “You now.”

  She shook her head, pressing her lips together. “Thanks, but I’m watching my weight.”

  He let out a snort, then seemed to realize she was serious and frowned. “Watching your what?”

  She felt her cheeks redden in embarrassment. Why was he making her say this? “My weight. Making sure I don’t get too… curvy.”

  He laughed. “A woman trying to be less curvy. That’s a new one.” He laughed again, and she felt something shatter in her at his mocking. She tried to push him out of the way, but he quickly trapped her against the door, his look now one of concern.

  “Get off me,” she said, hoping she wouldn’t cry in front of him.

  “What did I say wrong?”

  “You made fun of me. You don’t think I can lose weight, and—”

  He raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely shocked. “I what?”

  “You laughed at me.”

  He leaned in, trapping her again, and his eyes roamed slowly over her. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I simply can’t believe you’d be trying to change when you have the perfect body.” He held up the cannoli to her lips again, and she looked up at him in pure shock.

  “What?”

  “You’re perfect.” His look was instantly hungry, and he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her against him, letting her feel the delicious contrast between his hard thighs and her soft ones. “Sumptuous, plump, soft.” He nudged the cannoli toward her lips, and her mouth watered. She’d denied herself for so long. “You should deny yourself nothing.”

  He was right. She didn’t want to hold back anymore. She bit into the cannoli and groaned at how good it tasted. How long had she been holding back from things she loved, believing her ex when he’d said she didn’t deserve it because of her weight or any other factor?

  She loved food. She always had. She loved sex, too, and hadn’t had that lately as well. She tried to stay healthy and work hard and be a good person. Perhaps she deserved good things now, just as she was.

  At least maybe she could tell herself that, just for this evening.

  She licked cream off her lower lip and looked up at him, finally acknowledging her hunger for much more than the rest of the cannoli. “I know what I want. What do you want?”

  His eyes flashed, going slightly darker as the pupils seemed to change marginally. Perhaps it had just been a trick of the light.

  “You,” he said simply.

  Then he claimed her lips with his in a kiss that tasted like sugar and sin, his skillful tongue darting in to stroke her mouth as his strong arm wound around her waist, pulling her in closer.

  As she felt herself melt like chocolate on a stovetop, she knew she was in for the night of her life.

  Chapter 7

  Chromium pulled back for a second and tossed the cannoli aside as he prepared to give his mate exactly what she was asking for.

  He still didn’t understand his mate’s reaction, but since she was wanting to move past it, so would he.

  He stepped in closer, trapping her tightly between him and the door, enjoying the way her curves pressed against his bare skin as he claimed her mouth again, entwining their tongues, flicking and stroking and making Helen give out little moans of muffled arousal as he did.

  She was so soft. So yiel
ding. The perfect little human for a warrior like him to protect and pleasure.

  That was all he cared about now. That and tearing apart guys like the one in the restaurant for even looking at her.

  He bit down lightly on her lower lip, making her gasp, then moved to her earlobe, playing with it between his tongue and teeth. She struggled against the sensation, writhing against his touch, and it gave him an excuse to hold her even more tightly against him.

  While his mouth moved freely across her jaw and neck, with his now-free hand, he pulled her blouse up, feeling along the delicious curves of her belly and hips, spreading his fingers across her skin so he could feel her even better.

  He needed to know more of her. More of his mate.

  Chromium deftly began to undo each button of her shirt, starting at the bottom and moving up one after the other. Normally, he would have torn it off completely, but the last thing he wanted to do was leave Helen without a shirt after they were finished here.

  “I don’t know if… maybe we should just…” Helen’s voice was husky, and she hesitated as if nervous about being disrobed. But Chromium knew there was no reason for her to be, so he simply continued undoing her shirt and pulled it off her shoulders, leaving her in just a black undergarment that supported her ample breasts.

  Even in the dim light of the apartment, it was easy to see how delectable she was.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said, raising his head to look into her eyes. “I want this. But if you don’t, tell me right now.”

  She bit her lip and then shook her head. “I want this.”

  Chromium grinned. With each inch of newly revealed skin, Chromium felt the desire to claim her as his own. He kissed along her cute little shoulders, then down to her collarbone. Helen arched her neck back, giving him access to continue his conquest, and he moved lower to the swell of her soft breasts.

  He loved where she was, pressed between his body and the door. She watched nervously as he undid the clasp of her undergarment, but didn’t try to escape. Her skin was darkened by a blush across her cheeks and chest, and when she looked up at him, vulnerability and arousal warred in her eyes. Chromium could feel his heart swell to bursting for this magnificent woman that just had to be his forever.