Taming the Dragon (Loved by the Dragon, #3) Page 3

“I do. Chloe is the one with the black thumb, though Leiv is teaching her how not to kill the garden he set up for her. Every time I visit I bring her a new plant.”

  “I have noticed. I paid my visit to Saul only a month ago and found her despairing over several dying plants. She did mention one came from you... Be still,” Teo said, staring at her.

  Marcy blinked. “Excuse me?”

  Teo stepped aside. “Look,” he urged. With the arrival of night, the garden’s glass windows had become mirrors. At first, her questioning eyes rose to Teo, but when Marcy caught sight of her reflection in the glass surface she saw a butterfly resting upon the red flower Teo had placed in her hair. Another one joined it, then a third descended to rest on the narrow strap of her dress, resembling the world’s most beautiful living brooch.

  Marcy held her breath, mourning the missed photo opportunity of the year. She was torn between marveling over the delicate creatures and irritation for her lack of a camera. “Shit,” she muttered under her breath. The picture would have looked amazing on her blog.

  “It is an omen.”

  “An omen.” She raised her eyes to Teo’s stoic features. He stared at her in return.

  “Yes. Even we dragons have our own beliefs.” He didn’t elaborate.

  After a few moments the butterflies abandoned her and returned to the greenery. Disappointed, Marcy watched them fly away. “I’ll probably never have this kind of luck again,” she said. “It would have made the perfect profile photo.”

  “Profile photo? What is that?”

  “I take it you don’t go on the internet often.”

  Teo shook his head. “For what reason do you require a profile photo?”

  “For my blog,” Marcy said. “My picture goes on it near my name.”

  “What is the purpose of this blog?”

  “Well, I write articles and post things I’d like to share with my readers. Sometimes I post cooking recipes or the art I make.”

  Teo’s impassive features never changed. “Do all mortals pursue such trivial internet hobbies?”

  Marcy’s improving regard for Teo evaporated. Trivial? My hobby is trivial? “Right. I should go join my actual friend.” She brushed past him to return to the banquet hall in search of Chloe.

  “Marcy, why do you leave?”

  “I need to pursue some other trivial matter,” she replied. The stunned dragon watched her exit the garden, an unmoving figure behind her.

  Serves him right. Nobody deserved to listen to his smug attitude.

  After coordinating their meeting by text, Marcy met Chloe in the restroom where the blonde had gone to hide.

  “How was your chat with Miss Stilettos?”

  “Let’s just say I met one of Saul’s oldest living admirers,” Chloe said dryly as she primped and checked out her reflection.

  “Huh?”

  “Remember how I told you he toyed around with humans but didn’t know what to do with them in the bedroom? Yeah... well. The old lady was a mountain of TMI.”

  Marcy’s mouth fell open. “No!”

  They were both in stitches by the time Chloe finished the sordid tale. Many years ago, as a dragon fresh to walking with humans, Saul had attempted to become intimate with women and often ended the act in frustration. Chloe was the first human woman with whom he’d ever finished sexual intercourse. Apparently, he’d left admirers hoping to meet him again.

  “So, where’d you get off to? I’m sorry for leaving you with Teo. Did you flee and abandon him after I was dragged away?”

  “No, not really. He showed me the indoor garden here.”

  Chloe’s mouth fell open. “So he was polite?”

  “For about ten minutes, then he said my hobbies are trivial.”

  Chloe winced. “Say no more. He does the same thing to Saul, if it makes you feel any better. You don’t know fun until you’ve seen two dragons rolling across the yard clawing at each other. I imagine it’s like watching two siblings putting each other in a headlock when mom isn’t looking, except there’s... fire. And claws.” Chloe frowned. “And acid pools on the grass.”

  “If it’s anything like your dragon duel, I’ll pass. Thanks.”

  They settled at a round table where small cards announced the seating order. Marcy admired the elaborate centerpiece and stroked her fingers down the glossy green leaves. Someone had arranged each one with love. “These flowers aren’t cut.”

  “Does it matter?” their dinner companion asked. A man settled opposite them with his wife. Neither seemed to be impressed by their surroundings.

  His wife, a slender living trophy half Chloe’s size, appraised the two friends with indignance in her eyes. “I was under the impression we would share a table with Saul Drakenstone and his wife.

  “I am Chloe Drakenstone,” Chloe said evenly.

  “Ah. I expected a younger woman.”

  Bitch, she’s younger than you, Marcy thought.

  “And who is this?” the husband asked. “We are Archibald and Helena Galway. I handle the financial aspect of Mr. Arcillanegro’s foundation. To whom do I owe this pleasure?” His eyes dropped to Marcy’s cleavage and remained there.

  Chauvinistic pig. Marcy wondered how Chloe put up with snobs like the Galways.

  “This is Marcy Vargas,” Chloe introduced. “She is a close friend of mine and my husband’s.”

  “So I gather from her presence that your husband was unable to attend? Such a pity. We had looked forward to a meeting with the elusive Saul Drakenstone,” Archibald said. “I must say, though, the change in company is rather pleasant.”

  Helena glared at her husband then turned her haughty eyes toward Marcy. “Are you anyone important, or merely a plus one?” she asked.

  “She is my honored guest.” Teo’s voice came from directly behind Marcy. His hands lowered to her shoulders, sending an electrifying tingle burning through every nerve until it reached the tips of her toes.

  Helena’s mouth fell open, and her husband managed to tear his eyes away from Marcy’s generous bust for the first time since the couple joined them.

  Chloe smirked. “How nice of you to finally join us. Teo is a close family friend, and godfather to our little girl,” she explained to the gaping woman. “He and my husband are practically brothers.” She then took Marcy’s hand and laced their fingers. “And Marcy is my sister. We’ve been best friends since childhood.”

  “I wished to remind you of our lunch plans tomorrow,” Teo said. His thumb made a single stroke over Marcy’s shoulder then he released her.

  Lunch plans? What the fuck is he talking about? Marcy thought. She tilted her head to gaze up at him with her mouth slightly slack. When her eyes lowered to their dinner companions, she saw Helena’s glare had chilled to Antarctic levels.

  “Lunch sounds great, Teo, thanks,” Chloe replied, smiling as she played along.

  “I’ll meet you both at noon by the cove. I think Astrid will enjoy the calm waters there,” Teo said.

  “We’ll see you then,” Marcy murmured. Her shoulders felt cold without his hands on them.

  After Teo’s departure, their dinner companions became more amicable. Marcy wasn’t fooled by their change in tune, but at least it made the time less uncomfortable.

  Charitable donors made speeches prior then servers visited each table with artfully arranged dinners. The expensive plates held succulent cuts of medium-rare steak, grilled asparagus spears coated with a layer of savory butter, and the cheesiest mashed potatoes Marcy ever sampled. The miniscule serving size of the creamy side dish was enough to fill her stomach. The night ended with a performance by talented dancers. For show, Chloe broke decorum and penned her check at the table, adding enough trailing zeroes to make Helena and Archibald stare.

  “Holy crap, that was intense. I didn’t know snobs could backpedal so quickly,” Marcy said as she and Chloe stumbled into the elevator, giggling crazily together. “I’ve now had my first taste of rich people wine. I wonder how much of the money they ra
ise went into supporting that shindig?”

  “Barely a fraction, girl. Which is why all of the portions are so tiny and rich. They fill you up with bite-sized morsels and microscopic steak filets so you don’t have room for a lot of their expensive wine.”

  “I really am full,” Marcy agreed. “Even though I think I had only a bite of food. I wish I had the recipe for those asparagus spears.”

  They rode to the top and entered their shared suite. Inside, they found Nuri curled upon the bed fast asleep. Astrid had cuddled against her nanny, clutching a blanket in one hand and burying her face against the wolf’s rust red pelt.

  “That is too adorable.” And too cute to pass up. Marcy dug out her camera and clicked a few photos with the flash off.

  “Nuri is a godsend,” Chloe whispered. “I had my doubts when Saul first told me he wanted to find a werewolf babysitter, but I’m glad to have her. She’s amazing.”

  “I still can’t believe she does it for free with no expectations of compensation.”

  According to Chloe, some shapeshifters like Nuri were born as animals, only they learned to walk as humans at some point in their adult lives. Nuri lacked appreciation for technology and had simple desires. Family. Peace. Belonging. She lived as part of Saul’s pack.

  Quiet as thieves, they moved into the neighboring room and used the sink to wash the makeup from their faces. Afterward, they changed from their finery into pajamas and settled on the couch in front of the television.

  “Why didn’t you warn me you made lunch plans with Teo?” Marcy asked, interrupting their movie with her abrupt question.

  “I didn’t,” Chloe laughed. “I think he was only trying to put Helena in her place. Did you see her expression? She looked like she’d sucked on a lemon.”

  “What if he was serious?”

  “Trust me. Teo has better things to do than to hold our hands at his resort,” Chloe assured her.

  Chloe was right. The next day passed without Teo’s presence for a shared lunch by the cove. Despite her disdain for the arrogant dragon, Marcy couldn’t help but feel let down by the ruse.

  Chapter 3

  Waves crashed against the white sand shore as Marcy captured the foaming tide with paint. At first, she’d sat beside Chloe with a collapsible watercolor easel while Astrid made castles in the sand. The child made the perfect artist’s subject until she’d passed out. While Marcy finished the painting, Chloe sat nearby beneath an umbrella with a sexy paperback novel in her hands.

  “Ugh. Hey, Marcy? I’m going to take Astrid back to our room. I’m feeling a little tired myself. Watching her run around wore me out.”

  “All right. I want to finish this painting first. Guess I’ll see you guys for dinner?”

  “Sure.” Chloe gathered Astrid into her arms and plucked their blanket from the sand. With them gone, Marcy had no distractions from the creative scene coming to life on her easel.

  Astrid is such a beautiful little girl. Smart as a cookie, too. Marcy had been taking pictures of the child since her birth, saving the couple any need to hire a professional photographer. It was only another of Marcy’s hats: artist, plant enthusiast, blogger, candlemaker, and financial whiz. She had her own mother to blame for it by sharing a love of all things artistic.

  A shadow fell over Marcy and her work. When she glanced up to her left, she saw a man standing over her with his hands in the pockets of his loose, white linen pants. A small, startled shriek rose in her throat until she recognized the chiseled features and intense green eyes.

  “You scared the shit out of me!” Her heart pounded in her chest, a wild and frenzied rhythm

  “My apologies. I did not wish to interrupt your work.”

  “Well, say something next time. It’s kind of creepy to just stare at a woman.”

  “I apologize again.”

  Marcy tilted her head and raised one hand to shield her eyes from the sun shining over his head. “You’re full of apologies today. I guess you felt like an asshole?”

  “Indeed. I came to ask if you have seen my aviary.”

  “No, I haven’t seen the aviary,” she said in a clipped tone. Another place where he’d no doubt attempt to rub his immense wealth in her face.

  “You wish to be alone,” Teo said. His words were as much an observation as they were an inquiry.

  “I wish to know why the hell you’ve hovering by me,” she mocked him, only to feel like a bitch when the words left her tongue.

  “I would like to make amends for the poor impression I have made.”

  I’m going to regret this. He’s hot, but all of the good looks in the world won’t change the fact he’s an asshole, Marcy thought sadly. Or a dragon. Not like I really have a chance with him anyway.

  “Marcy?” Teo spoke in a soft tone.

  “Why now?”

  Five years ago, meeting Teo had seemed like an outrageous, impossible dream. Her best friend had fallen in love with an amazing dragon shifter who worshipped the ground beneath her feet, and the arrival of his friend Teo seemed fated until the black dragon opened his mouth.

  “Chloe tells me you own a camera. You will want to bring it with you,” Teo told her. “Meet me inside the hotel lobby in thirty minutes.”

  He left Marcy staring with her mouth agape while he walked away.

  The nerve of him, ordering me to meet him. Fuck that. I’m not going. She turned back to her watercolor, determined to blow Teo off. Five minutes later she packed her materials and stalked across the sand.

  “Fine,” she muttered to herself. “I’ll go, but not for him. I want to see the birds.”

  Marcy traded her art supplies for her camera bag, took a quick shower, and pulled on her favorite sundress. The burgundy color flattered her tanned skin and dark hair. She considered it her armor, boosting her self-confidence so she could withstand Teo’s aristocratic bullshit for another day.

  She peeked in to see Chloe and Astrid snuggled tight on their bed, then she left the suite to embark on her day. As promised, Teo waited for her in the lobby where he stood out like a sore thumb. Female tourists took appreciative glances at him, clearly unaware the hunky specimen was the resort’s owner. No man should look as good in white as he did.

  “So where is this aviary? I didn’t see anything on the map,” Marcy commented. She adjusted the strap of camera case, aware of Teo’s eyes drifting over her legs. If she had to pick any part of her body to take pride in, it had to be her legs — her tits a close second. Marcy’s legs were thick but strong, her calves perfectly shaped when worn with heels to boost her height. Four inches would only nick the surface of the height difference between her and Teo.

  “Of course not. Only attractions belong on the map. My private aviary is a sanctuary,” the mysterious dragon said. He offered his arm to her, which she took with dwindling reluctance.

  They took a dune buggy down one of the private dirt roads leading away from the resort grounds. Teo drove, offering another surprise. Marcy had expected him to summon a servant. The thirty minute drive took them deeper into the natural jungle, where Marcy spotted monkeys in the trees and wild capybara wandering beside the road. Teo slowed the vehicle long enough for her to take photos and to point out the animals she missed along the way.

  The aviary took up a large tract of land. The metal frame gleamed in the light and supported the wire mesh stretched between each section. Semi-translucent glass composed the lower five feet around the entire structure.

  “You may wish to remove your shoes. The heels will sink into the soft soil here.”

  After heeding his warning, Marcy padded on her bare feet behind him over cool ground with dense patches of grass and growth. It felt good beneath her naked toes. Teo unlocked the door and held it open for her like a gentleman.

  Inside, brightly plumaged parrots perched on branches with thick foliage. Long legged pink birds strutted beside a small river, accompanied by a few native ducks. A trio of hyacinth macaws nested above a man-made pond located near t
he back of the structure.

  “There’s so many.” Her eyes became as wide as saucers when she noticed a rare, blue macaw preening its feathers on a low branch. “You have a Spix!”

  “Two,” Teo murmured. “The fate of their kind angers me, and so I have spent some of my fortune to put an end to smuggling. From time to time I acquire a bird long past its prime and unable to survive in the wild. They are rehabilitated here and given a home. We buy them from irresponsible pet owners who would put them in tiny cages.”

  It wasn’t what she had expected from him.

  “That’s wonderful, Teo. I mean it. Are your pair mates?”

  Teo shook his head. “Not yet, but I hope they will change their minds. I try my best to give them a good life while here, but...”

  “It’s no substitute for the wild,” she finished.

  “No, it is not,” Teo agreed sadly.

  An umbrella cockatoo worked his way closer to them and studied Marcy from afar. She hung back while Teo reached out to caress its feathered fringe. “Why are you standing there? Come this way. They wish to meet you.”

  “I can touch one?”

  “If they desire it, yes.” When Teo turned to face her, a large macaw with ruby wings landed on his outstretched arm. The blue and green feathers accenting the red made for a striking contrast.

  “Why don’t they fear you? Chloe once told me animals can tell Saul is a predator. I’ve seen some give him a wide berth.”

  “They can. Most animals recognize me for what I am, but many adapt to my presence over time. I visit these creatures often and have gained their trust,” he explained.

  “But how? I’d be afraid you planned to eat me.”

  Teo shook his head. “Does a lion not eventually earn the trust of his human handler?”

  “I always considered it to be the opposite, that the human earns the lion’s trust.”

  Teo’s quiet but brief chuckle almost escaped her notice. “No.”

  “Does he have a name?” She trailed her fingers down the soft feathers.

  “This one I call Bailador.”

  “Dancer?” Marcy’s brow shot upward.

  “It suits him,” Teo replied with a shrug. “When my servant tends the plants here, he often plays music. This one likes to bounce to the beat.” Teo brought the bird close to his face and lowered his voice to a whisper, as if in conversation with the creature.