Chapter 10 - Olivia
Panting behind the black and white bedroom door, I brace my palms behind me as I sink to the floor.
“Phew!” I breathe as if I'd been holding my breath all day.
It sure feels like it when I've spent the entire day around the dragon man, pretending it wasn't bothering me at all.
Bothering me in the worst way, every breath of his stifling my own as we breathed the same air. Wrestling with myself, I was so consumed in his mere scent, that I'll probably have to throw my panties away.
They were fresh this morning, a new pair laid out on the bed along with other clothes he'd brought for me into his bedroom. He'd gladly agreed to give up his room for me, along with his need to keep me locked in like a prisoner.
I know the shift in him comes from the terse confrontation between him and his lookalike yesterday. Still, I'm battling my thoughts, wondering if he's attracted to me in an intimate way.
It's foolish, I know. The whole situation is absurd, especially when I should exercise more decorum. If he was Luca Mancini and I was forced to be in his presence, I wouldn't allow my body to react the way it has all day.
Except, he's not Luca. He's Stryder Vulkan, the dragon shifter who thinks he'd saved my life and is adamant to keep me safe.
All my life, I'd been determined to pursue my own safety. Self-defense classes were handy to fight off unwarranted attention from men who churned my gut. It was an added advantage in the orphanage I grew up in, catapulting me into my career.
It's strange having someone else determined to protect me. Even if I had to wrap my head around his whole “inner dragon instinct.” It's not something I'm familiar with, but it feels nice to have someone else protect me for a change. I'm not sure if his instincts are valid, but I've dropped my guard enough to bask in his protection.
I just can't drop my guard entirely. Every other time I did, I almost lost myself to a man who didn't deserve me. That's why I haven't gotten past second base with a man. It's also why I probably never will.
Taking a deep breath, I get back to my feet and stare at the door, a part of me wishing he'd come knocking on it. A long moment passes, making me feel silly for standing there expectantly. If he didn't follow me, it only means he respects my privacy.
It's a win, but one that has me feeling so defeated, I trudge to the bed and fling myself on my belly.
Maybe I'm testing the waters, seeing how far his care for me stretches to allow me to drop my guard completely. It's always been test after test to prove myself in life.
Now, it's his turn, to see if he's worthy enough to be in mine. The senseless attraction I feel toward the otherworldly man doesn't mean I'll fall at his feet just because he's shown me his castle.
***
“Good morning,” I'm greeted with a brilliant smile when the bedroom door opens – as bright as the morning sun, but not the smile I hoped to see this morning.
I'd spent most of the night restlessly lamenting over the day I'd spent with Stryder. I'd acted the part of being indifferent so well, he hadn't come back for me last night.
I know I shouldn't be disappointed, but it's somewhat of a knock to my ego that he isn't here right now.
The man standing at the doorway is a carbon copy of the man who ignites a spark deep inside me. Except, his twin does nothing but allow disappointment to rear its uncouth head. Not because he's a replica of perfection, but because his presence doesn't affect me like Stryder's.
“Good morning… Stryker, right?” I offer him a curt smile as I slip my feet into sandals.
“Yeah, I'm the younger twin,” he states proudly. “And I'm your babysitter for today.”
“Oh…” A flicker of deeper disappointment tugs my heartstrings.
Had my running off last night really put Stryder off? My deflection of his charms? Did I bruise the dragon shifter's ego as much as he's dented mine by not showing up again?
Damn.
“Where's erm--where's Stryder today?”
“He had to take care of something in the mortal world. Asked that I keep my eye on you.”
I snort. “I don't need a babysitter. And I've gathered that there's no way for someone like me to leave the island.”
Stryker winces. “He said you'd say something like that. I'll be in the castle if you need me.”
“Thanks,” I nod curtly, waiting for Stryker to leave before leaving the room.
I have to admit, I'd been oddly interested in the monuments Stryder showed me yesterday. I feigned disinterest to keep up with appearances, though it piqued my interest. Learning that a foreign species of dragon shifters exists is interesting enough to capture my desire to learn more.
I spend most of my day in the museum, marveling at the beautiful paintings of the creatures on the walls. Dating as far back as the fifteenth century, the paintings elicit a tingling sensation in my fingertips with the need to pick up a brush.
When I developed the alias of “Vanessa the painter” to seduce Luca Mancini on my mission, it wasn't a persona that was entirely fake. Apart from learning how to defend myself as a child, I enjoyed putting colors on a blank canvas.
Being an artist wouldn't have paid the bills and given me the freedom I desperately sought to leave the orphanage and forge my own path in life.
Still, the arts bring me a type of solace I can only ever find in places like these. Finding myself drawn to a particular painting of a dragon with emerald crystals brilliantly glinting against its creamy white scales, I absentmindedly trace the course of its water-colored outline while it comes to life in my mind.
Just as it came to life right before my eyes that day when I stole onto Stryder's balcony. The corners of my lips lift into a smile that seems to breathe more life into the picture while breathing life into my own heart. It's almost as if I'm drawn to it – the creature painted there – naturally becoming drawn to the protection he offers.
“Gah!” I gasp, quickly pulling my hand to my chest when it feels like my fingertips have been scorched by hot, molten lava. The awareness courses through me, leaving me perplexed at how inexplicably real it feels. I frown at the piercing green eyes of the dragon in the painting, once again feeling drawn toward it as if it's Stryder himself.
I can't seem to get the dragon man out of my head. Luckily for me, I haven't seen him all day, but that feeling of longing leads me outside the museum and onto the picturesque island.
My breath is taken away by the marvelous, vivid colors all around. The island is almost unreal, with flowers and greenery in pastel shades that are unknown to man. Walking through the lavender fields, my fingertips brushing along the soft petals, I find myself drawing toward the mountain. I decided to hike to the top, where I'd be able to get a better view of the island.
Besides, I have nothing to lose except the time it takes me to reach the mountaintop.
It's there, beside the waterfall, as its soothing waters calm my nervous system, that I feel ignited to paint once again. Hugging my arms across my chest, I stare out at the view of the island below, the brilliant canopies of palm trees across the forest where a ravine runs through, and I'm suddenly inspired.
Maybe I'd been so caught up in my everyday life to appreciate the little things. Being brought to this remote island by the dragon shifter is a breath of fresh air that gives me the space to reconsider my life. The hustle and bustle of an FBI agent has made it difficult to take a moment for myself. Ever since I'd been hauled into a field mission, I've barely had a moment to breathe.
In fact, I haven't lifted a paintbrush in months. My quest for a promotion was the only thing I was working towards, and I'd somehow lost my truest self in the process.
Sighing, I begin to wonder if that's all life has to offer. Bills, promotions, hot pursuits. This island right here – Aurora Island, home of the Aurora Dragons – brings a sense of calm. Even though Stryder had locked me away, it was with good intentions.
For my own sake. He's someone who puts my safety first, even if he's mistaken. Someone who wants to protect me, for a change. I no longer need to be in survival mode, and it's a breath of fresh air I didn't know I needed.
Giggling to myself, I'm reminded of last night, when I giggled wholeheartedly for the first time in a very long time. All because Stryder didn't want me to get burned by the boiling pasta water. Such a small thing, but I can't remember being so unguarded… so free.
It actually feels… nice.
Inhaling the crisp air that washes over me with that calmness I desperately needed in my life, I know it's the dragon shifter I have to thank for this. Even if he sometimes vexes me, in hindsight, maybe I've been the difficult one. The rebellious human who couldn't see the light. Now that I see it, I wonder if there's more to just the physical pull I feel toward him.
When I open my eyes again, I scoff at myself. There's no way the dragon shifter could find me attractive. I'm just an ordinary human, with no special abilities that could ever appeal to him.
Shaking off the silly thought, I spot a group of men in the distance making their way to a field just beyond the forest. Curiosity draws me to the edge of the cliff, watching as the males remove their shirts to wear the vests of their rugby teams.
All I'm interested in is spotting Stryder, stepping closer to the edge as I squint my eyes to get a closer look. My need to find him has me ignoring the crumbling of stones under my foot until it's too late, and the rocks under me give way. My arms flail out above my head just as I lose my footing, and gravity wraps me in the fall.