Taming the Dragon (Loved by the Dragon, #3) Page 4
He’s like a whole different person in here, she mused, intrigued by the change that had come over him.
Bailador hopped from Teo’s arm to Marcy’s instead. The sudden weight surprised her and she remained still as the bird sidled up her arm and settled on her shoulder. His claws tickled her bare skin, but she didn’t dare to utter a complaint, even when he used his beak to groom through her hair. Bailador nibbled at the small clip pinning her bangs back from her face, but quickly lost interest when Teo placed a handful of large shelled nuts in Marcy’s palm.
“Nogal,” the bird called in its croaky voice.
Marcy giggled. It made sense the bird would speak Spanish rather than English. “You want this walnut, hmm? Here you go.”
The green-winged macaw took the offered treat in one claw and went to work on cracking the thick shell. Teo stepped back around the corner.
“Where are you going?” Marcy called to him.
Teo reappeared with a full-length mirror and tilted its angle on the stand until Marcy and the parrots on the perch came into view.
“I do not know the first thing about taking photographs with your device. I asked my servant to bring this for your use.”
Marcy stared at him initially, then the laughter spilled out of her. “Teo, my camera has a folding tripod and a timer. I’m not a girl taking selfies in the bathroom for Facebook.”
“Oh.”
Once Marcy set up the stand, she made a few adjustments of the lens and deactivated the camera flash. She posed for at least a dozen pictures of herself and her new friend. Bailador cooed and rubbed his feathered cheek against her face.
“Will this do for your profile photograph?” Teo asked, his voice soft and genuine, catching Marcy by surprise.
“Yes...” She stole a peek at him. “Thank you. But... my camera does have a timer. Aren’t you going to take a photo with me?”
“You are very welcome, but I do not take photographs.”
“Why not?”
“I prefer paintings. It is a lost, forgotten art often set aside in the digital age due to the ease of using technology.”
“Forgotten art? I’ve spent years taking photography classes to develop my skill. It’s not as easy as point and shoot, Teo.”
“I mean no offense,” the dragon said, his prompt reply making her wonder how much she had frowned. “They are simply not my preference.” His spine became stiff, and he froze like a wild animal under scrutiny by a hunter.
“Relax, Teo. It’s okay.”
“I did not mean to insult you this time.”
This time, she thought. If his apologetic features didn’t touch her heart, she would have teased him mercilessly and brought the implication to his attention. She didn’t. Instead, she stepped close and raised her face to his smooth jaw for a quick kiss to his cheek.
“I forgive you for how you treated me.”
“Thank you.”
The discomfort didn’t return between them. They chatted about his efforts to bring awareness to animal smuggling, his donations for environmental protection, and the purpose of the banquet she’d attended. While Teo didn’t have Saul’s awareness of technology, or share in his friend’s love for it, he was willing to grant large amounts of cash to the people who ran his foundation.
“So how do you know they don’t squander your money? I thought it was against a dragon’s principles to give away cash. Lord knows Saul scrutinizes his accounts.”
“My servant assists me with keeping up with the foundations expenses, but I will admit it is baffling at times. I can tell you the worth of my horde, every coin, every gemstone, but I do not understand digital money. ”
“Why don’t you let me look at the books and see your accounts.”
“You will do this for me?”
“Yes. You’re doing a good thing, Teo, and if someone is taking money from you, you deserve to know. It shouldn’t be lining someone’s pockets.”
“Why do you suspect someone has stolen?”
Marcy bit her lower lip. “Well, it happens sometimes with big foundations like this. People embezzle once they’re trusted and realize their theft may go undiscovered. You’re dealing with millions—”
“Hundreds of millions,” he corrected her.
“Exactly. Would you notice a few thousand missing here or there?”
He shook his head.
“Exactly. But I’ve been trained to look for this kind of thing. Let me into your files, if you trust me, and I can at least let you know if the people you work with are honest.”
“I trust you. We will discuss this over dinner in full. Afterward, my servant will grant you access to the resort’s administrative offices. He is overworked and will appreciate the assistance.”
Is that how a dragon asks someone to dinner? Marcy sighed. “Sounds good to me.” Her tummy rumbled noisily.
“I have been a poor host to you. I should have fed you at the cafe prior to this excursion. Come. We will go dine now.”
As if on cue, Bailador abandoned her shoulder and flew up into the trees. Marcy watched after him sadly. She would have loved to keep a parrot for a companion, but her active career wasn’t conducive to caring for a time-consuming pet. An animal so intelligent deserved more than neglect.
“I love birds,” she sighed. Marcy brushed off bits of shell from her dress and hair.
“He seems to favor you as well.” The gentleman dragon held the door for her and they returned to the dune buggy where Marcy stepped into her shoes before climbing back in.
“So,” Marcy began during the drive back to the hotel, “you’re this big acid-spewing dragon with a soft spot for butterflies and birds? I thought they would be bite-sized snacks for you. Like chicken nuggets.”
Teo chuckled. “No. I may be a dragon, but I do not make a meal of every creature smaller than me.”
“But Chloe told me you and Saul enjoy hunting together.”
“We do. The thrill of the hunt sates our inner dragon and allows us to be who we are. But we are not beasts. The time of hunting for sport is long past, an age put behind us when our ancestors blended into human civilization. When I hunt, I take no pleasure in the suffering of any animal. I seek only to feed myself.”
Marcy nodded. Biting her lip, she glanced away from him and toward the passing scenery. “Sounds noble, I guess.”
“No. It is right.”
“What about Brigid? She seemed to really get off on hurting other people. She wanted to kill Chloe and Astrid.”
“Brigid was an exception, a bitch so cold even her own father failed to grieve her death for more than an evening. Could you imagine, Marcy? Held with such disdain your own parents would not mourn your passing?”
She shook her head. “No. Chloe and I were afraid for a long time her dad would come for revenge, but then Saul assured us it was okay. He never said why.”
“Now you are aware. She was his daughter, but he did not condone her actions. She took us back to a time when we were not as... civilized.”
Marcy picked Teo’s brain further about dragons during the rest of the trip and he gave honest, candid answers to each question. When they arrived to the seaside restaurant, the hostess’ eyes grew saucer-wide and she stammered when he walked past her.
“Mr. Arcillanegro, you didn’t call ahead as usual. Your usual table isn’t ready and—”
“Any table for two will suffice. Thank you.”
“Yes, yes of course. Please follow me.” She led them to a table outside in the fresh air beneath the shade of many trees. Fragrant blossoms perfumed the tiled deck, which was bordered by several examples of wild flora native to the area. An ocean bird lingered near, waiting for the chance to steal morsels from unattended plates.
Teo drew her chair from the table and seated her. Marcy stared, expecting him to sprout a second head.
What is going on here? He’s not even the same dragon anymore. Is he really sorry about being a dickhead? Did Chloe change his opinion of humans?
Marcy sputtered on her water and coughed until she was red in the face. “How did you know about my job?”
“Chloe told me she brought you to unwind after turning in your two weeks’ notice.”
“Oh.”
“Why do you wish to leave?” Teo pressed.
“If you’re into dull dinner conversation, then fine.”
“I am interested.”
“I’ve been with Burke’s for years. So long I feel like I never really leave work. Even when I’m at home I’m always fielding calls, checking bank records, and writing up reports. The last time I visited Chloe in California I spent an entire day in my room because an ‘emergency’ popped up.” She made quotes with her fingers.
“Does he not pay you well?”
“He does, but not well enough for all the work I do.”
Dinner arrived soon after, including a bottle of white wine which Teo poured himself after dismissing the waitress.
“Are you going to eat all of that?” Marcy eyed the large, whole fish on Teo’s plate. It still had its tail and head. Including the eyeballs.
“Would you like some?”
“No, I’m good with my scallops. It’s only... Nevermind, I guess it makes sense in a weird way. You, uh, must have a bigger appetite.”
Teo grinned.
They finished their meal with friendly conversation focused on Marcy’s experience on the island so far and young Astrid. Teo suggested a boat ride and promised to have a personal tour set up for the girls the next day.
“You could come with us...” Marcy ventured after they’d left the restaurant and walked down a fern-lined path.
“I have business matters to attend to tomorrow.”
“Oh. Okay.” She sighed, silently berating herself for getting her hopes up.
Teo led her into the administrative building to a huge corner office. It was sparse and unappealing, its barren walls driving Marcy to make one conclusion: Teo spent little time, if any, inside the room.
“You must forgive me if your task is difficult, Marcy.”
“It can’t be too bad. If you and your employee keep orderly records, I should be able to make this quick. It might take a day or two.”
Marcy overestimated Teo’s diligence in maintaining his financial records. Unlike Saul who enjoyed monitoring his online bank accounts, Teo’s were a disaster. With two resorts and a charitable foundation in his name, she’d expected to find some crossover of funds. What she didn’t expect was to find a complete clusterfuck consisting of multiple accounts used for different purposes, shuffling money back and forth in large and small quantities.
“This is going to take days.” Marcy sighed.
And she’d already given her word she would do it.
Chapter 4
Marcy and Chloe treated Astrid to a glass bottom boat ride the next day. As promised, Teo had one arranged for their personal use. Once the trio descended to the lower level of the boat, they watched schools of fish swim beneath the clear viewport in its bottom. The little girl clapped and grinned each time she spotted an underwater creature. The large sea turtle followed along beneath the boat for almost a half hour had been her favorite.
The following afternoon, Nuri occupied Astrid while the two women donned flashy dresses and danced at a beachside party. A live band played music while vendors operated a market with regional favorites. Later, as the sun descended below the horizon, they enjoyed a special indoor performance consisting of Latin music and outfits in vivid colors. The days passed in a haze of exhaustion, divided between family-centered activities for Astrid and adult fun for the two friends. Somehow, Marcy found the time to return to Teo’s office early each morning where she crunched numbers and traced bank transactions prior to her outings with the girls.
Two days after they visited the aviary, Teo popped in before lunch and leaned over the desk to gaze down at her. “I wish for you to paint me. Take a break from your labors at my computer terminal.”
Marcy let out a laugh at the incredulous request. “Paint you?”
“Yes. Why does this amuse you?” Teo asked.
“You’re serious?”
“Why would I lie? I have watched you paint and desire a portrait for the upcoming charity auction.”
Marcy bit the inside of her cheek. “I only paint nudes for charity,” she quipped with a grin on her face, joking. And then she remembered he was a man, and not only a man, but a shifter and completely at ease with nudity and likely to take her seriously. Shit.
“Excellent. I look forward to seeing my likeness crafted by your own hands. It will be an amazing piece of work.”
Marcy inhaled a breath. He was a dick for calling her bluff, but she wouldn’t back down. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze head-on. “I need to return to my room to get my supplies.”
“We will meet again here.”
***
“Where ya goin’?” Chloe asked. “God, I’m tired. I feel old and crusty today. Just plain exhausted.”
“You can’t get pregnant again, right?”
Chloe hurled the pillow at her. “No! Geez. I can feel bad without being pregnant.”
“Hey, I’m returning the favor for all of those times you tormented me, chica. It’s okay to be tired and to rest on your vacation. Why don’t you call Nuri to watch over Astrid and get some undisturbed rest for yourself?”
“Good idea,” Chloe murmured. “I need a vacation from my vacation. We hit the tourist spots so hard in these first few days. So where are you going?”
“Uh. A guy saw me painting down by the shore and wants to sit for a portrait.”
“You do portraits now? He must be hot.” Chloe whistled and sprawled across the bed with her phone.
“I guess so.” Marcy smiled. If only she knew.
Marcy returned to the office to find the room transformed. A few laborers were on their way out the door as she entered to find paintings hung on the walls, sheer curtains over the windows, and new furniture. The old desk had been replaced with one of gleaming wood, a chaise upholstered in black silk brocade with burgundy throw pillows sat against the western wall, and a trio of flowering plants were clustered in a corner. The pots holding them were as beautiful as the plants themselves, glazed in bold colors.
“What the hell happened while I was gone? That was only like thirty minutes!”
“An hour,” Teo corrected. “Is it not to your liking?”
“It’s... wow. It’s great, really. It surprised me a little, is all. So um, give me a second to set up.”
Male nudity wasn’t anything new to Marcy, but Teo’s delectable body stole her breath. Hard muscle composed his torso beneath a layer of brown skin with only a few flaws. And even those flaws seemed to enhance his appearance. A few thin, narrow scars stood out upon his perfect back as upraised lines, reminding her of animal scratches. He tossed his shirt aside on the desk, pushed his thumbs into the waist of his shorts, then pushed them off. They tumbled to his bare ankles and Teo stepped free. Apparently dragons went commando.
Marcy tried to play it cool while she set up her easel and prepared her paints. His half-hard cock thickened, threatening to rise toward his navel.
Holy crap, he’s huge. How the hell was he hiding that?
“Am I to your expectations?” he asked when her eyes lingered.
Marcy jerked out of her thoughts. “Did you have a pose in mind?” she countered, ignoring his question. The Latina leveled her voice to a neutral, professional tone and plastered a smile on her face. It was a job. A job for charity. Some bitchy old snob like Mrs. Valance would buy it for her personal collection for a cool couple of million.
“What would you suggest?” Teo’s eyes never left hers as he asked the question.
How about in my bed? The wild thought flitted across her mind and left her feeling breathless for a moment. “Um, well, how about here. You’re too tall to sprawl out seductively, but if we w
ant to do something more manly how about...” Marcy guided him to the chaise and instructed Teo to sit with his side profile exposed. With the window beyond him, sunlight highlighted his features and gleamed over every ridge.
Marcy wet her mouth with a sip of water then began. She mourned that the tasteful pose obscured his cock. She’d wanted to touch it, to run her fingers over the sinewy length, and to taste him while watching his stoic features contort with pleasure. Her insides clenched.
Charity, she reminded herself. I’m helping the... “Hey, which charity is this for? Your foundation, or another?” Even as she reminded herself to maintain her own professionalism, her sharp eyes picked up his quickened breathing. He studied her closely with hunger in his green eyes then resumed facing forward.
“The Natural Earth Wildlife Fund.”
“Ohhh. Nice choice. Is the auction soon? I can’t finish this in one day, but I can get a good start on it.”
“It is to be held on the final day of your vacation. Will you attend?”
“Sure. I don’t have serious auction money, but it’ll be neat seeing how high a price this goes for. ”
“You will be paid for your work, Marcy. I do not expect you to donate your time as freely as I donate my money. This is a vacation for you, a holiday to rest and unwind. You have given generously to me.”
“Okay.” She didn’t argue. If Saul had taught her anything, it was to accept gifts from dragons when they were offered. They did not give them easily and took offense when denied the opportunity.
A few hours later, a text from Chloe indicated the end of their session. Her friend wanted to know where she’d gone.
“Wow, the time flew. That was actually kind of fun. Usually the guys we’d get in life drawing class were...” Usually ancient grandfathers with saggy balls and not as fucking attractive as you.
Teo approached her for a look at her progress. “This will be an excellent portrait. I have not sat for a painting in nearly a century.”