Chapter 2

Murtagh

Home.

That’s what she smelled like. I hadn’t caught even a hint of anything like it for hundreds of years, not since the days when I was back in my home world of Daconia, instead of this boring human one. Sometimes I missed it, but then I would pop open a bag of chips and drown my sorrows in the greasy goodness of a fried potato, God’s gift to this fine green earth, if you asked me anyway.

I took another deep pull in and thoroughly enjoyed the scent of her, like home in the springtime when all the wildflowers were blooming after a fresh rain. Honestly, it was absolute heaven, and I couldn’t let that go. I wouldn’t let that go. I refused.

Whoever she is, she’s mine.

I’d caught her scent from my office, and I was already on my way out the door when Sasha sashayed around the corner to come and get me. She’s always had an air about her that I didn’t really like, plus she smelled like just-baked rye bread, which I hated, but she was good at her job, and she made me a decent amount of money. The girl could sell her way out of a paper bag, and she knew it, which made her cocky as fuck, but deservedly so, I guess.

I ignored her seductive glance as she propped her hand on her hip and pushed her breasts out just so I could see the copious amount of cleavage she had on display, but I didn’t give her a second glance. I never did, but she still kept at it every day as if her chances with me had somehow changed.

I didn’t know why she tried. She wasn’t even close to my type.

I walked out into my shop, and stopped short once I met the dark stormy grey eyes of the woman waiting there for me.

Mine.

It was her. She was the one that smelled just like home.

She was a small little thing, standing at least a foot shorter than me. Her long, wavy chestnut hair fell just past her shoulders, framing her freckled doll-like face. Her full lips resembled delicate rose petals, and I wanted nothing more than to taste them. A blush painted her face, a delightfully beautiful rose color, and I yearned to reach out and brush my knuckles against her cheek. Somehow, I knew her skin would be velvety soft without even touching her, but that didn’t mean I didn’t want to.

“Zazie Henderson?” I asked, waiting with bated breath to hear her voice for the very first time. I’d been expecting her. I’d been conducting interviews all day, and when I’d gotten to Zazie’s application, there was just the slightest hint of her scent on the paperwork that had caught my attention. I’d hoped she would come just so I could see if it was real.

It was nothing compared to the real thing though. Words didn’t even come close to describing how it made me feel either. Goosebumps lit up against my arm like they hadn’t done in centuries.

I finally found my mate.

“That’s me,” she said, almost as if she was stumbling over her words. Was I making her nervous? She glanced to the side, and I slowly realized that Sasha wasn’t helping the situation either by having an overly hostile expression painted all over her face. It wasn’t a good look on her at all.

“She’s here for the interview,” Sasha drawled beside me, and I almost shot her a glare, but that would have meant looking away from the beautiful little treasure standing in front of me, and I couldn’t do that.

I wouldn’t do that.

“I know, Sasha,” I replied, my voice a tad bit shorter than I meant it to be.

I needed to get this woman into my office. That way I could have her all to myself. Sure, maybe it was my natural instinct to horde pretty things, but right now, that was looking like the most logical choice, so why the hell fight it?

“I’m Murtagh Rails. I’m the owner. Now, come with me. I’ll conduct the rest of the interview in my office,” I offered, knowing that I wouldn’t let this girl go if my life depended on it.

Mine.

I didn’t care what she said in the interview. She already had the job.

I turned and I didn’t look over my shoulder, knowing instinctively that she would follow, and she did. My dragon preened with expectation, and I had to remind myself to take it slow. This was the modern day, and women didn’t take nicely to being thrown over a man’s shoulder and carried off to be wedded and bedded.

Shame. I kind of missed those days.

Once we were inside my office, I motioned for her to take a seat. Leaning against the desk, I cut to the chase.

“Let’s skip the formalities. Why do you want this job, Zazie Henderson?” My tone was direct, a challenge that invited her to reveal more than the rehearsed answers I usually heard in interviews. I’d already seen three others this morning and none of them had worked out.

None of them were like her…

The air in the room crackled with the tension between us, and I leaned forward, mostly to get another whiff of her delicious fragrance now that I had her all to myself. I aimed to keep it that way.

Zazie hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around my office as if searching for the perfect answer to my unexpected question. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to spill the truth.

She was such a pretty little thing. I studied her face, memorizing the delightful little pattern of freckles smattered over her nose and the cute dimples on either side of her beautifully kissable lips. There was a coffee stain on her blouse, but it did nothing to dull her beauty in the slightest. In fact, it kind of made her a bit more human, which was positively delightful.

“Why do I want this job?” she repeated, a playful glint in her eyes. “Well, aside from the fact that your store is a glittering treasure trove of jewels, I figured I’d bring some much-needed charm to the place.”

I chuckled at her response. “Charm, huh? That’s a bold claim to assume I don’t bring it enough charm already,” I teased lightly.

She leaned forward, her storm-colored eyes locking onto a particularly dazzling diamond necklace on the display behind me. It was one of the most expensive pieces I had, and I kept it in my office for safekeeping. It was the kind of necklace reserved for only the most special of clients, and I hadn’t found the right one yet.

“I have a thing for jewels, Mr. Rails. Each piece tells a story, and I want to be a part of creating those stories for others. Plus, who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by sparkling beauties all day?”

“Fair point,” I admitted, a smirk playing on my lips. “But it’s not just about the jewels. I need someone who can handle the rest of the business. Can you?”

Zazie’s expression turned serious, the playful glint replaced with a sudden look of determination. “Absolutely. I might love the sparkle, but I understand the business side of things. Marketing, customer relations—I’ve got it covered. Your store deserves someone who can not only appreciate the beauty of the jewels, but also make them irresistible to others. That way, I make you money.”

Her confidence intrigued me. Her application certainly hadn’t suggested she had much work experience, but who really knew these days? Everyone had side hustles. Maybe she did too. Or she was lying and just really, really wanted the job. But in a way, wanting the job that much wasn’t a bad thing.

“I like the sound of that, but can you handle difficult clients?” I asked, raising an eyebrow expectantly.

She leaned back, a mischievous smile on her lips. “I’ve dealt with tougher crowds.”

“Have you now…?”

“Definitely,” she grinned wider.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I appraised her with a long look, pretending like I was considering her when I’d already long decided she would be working with me.

I’ve decided she’ll be writhing underneath me before long, too.

“Consider yourself hired.”

Her eyes lit up, and a genuine smile spread across her face. “Seriously? I—I wasn’t expecting it to be this easy.”

I smirked, enjoying the surprise and excitement written all over her face. “Now, when can you start?

Zazie blinked in astonishment, and then a grin broke out on her face. “Right away? I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

I extended my hand for a handshake, sealing the deal. “Welcome to Rails Jewels, Zazie. Let me show you around the place.”