Chapter One

Magnus

James, my business partner on one of the biggest financial deals of our lives, leaned over to me and whispered, “Hey, Magnus, we’re all going to the hotel bar afterward. You coming?”

The meeting, which had run late, was nearly over. We’d been crunching numbers all day. My dragon was restless, but all I really wanted to do was go back to my room, have a hot shower, and prepare for tomorrow morning’s final meetings. We had a flight home to catch in the afternoon.

My dragon nudged me hard. It was like being possessed. I heard myself say, “Sure. I’ll come.”

Ugh. That meant I’d have to be on a bit longer tonight. In full play mode. Drinking and making sure everyone saw the powerful alpha inside me, how put-together I was, how strong and successful.

I was those things. And sure, I loved the nightlife. But this day had kept me on my toes. My eyes were burning, my back stiff. I usually planned my recreation for when I was between deals, or on weekends. I liked to have a clear mind for my work.

“Great.” James packed his laptop away. He looked up at the room. “Folks, are we done here for the night?”

He was answered by a lot of yeses.

The people in the meeting room dispersed. When we stood, our assistants and several others from the company we were contracting with gathered around. They’d already planned drinks? Why was I the last to know?

I leaned over to James. “You could have told me sooner.”

“Sorry. Forgot until just now. And sometimes when you’re in work mode you can get a little, um, stuffy.”

I glared at him. “What the?”

“You know what I mean.”

“Not sure I do.” Just as I thought maybe I’d change my mind and leave James dangling, my dragon nudged hard, as if he’d just smacked his tail against my insides. It was all mental, but the jolt of his attempts at control affected my physical body. He wanted me to go, and that was that.

I straightened my tie and ran one hand over the side of my head to make sure my hair was still in place. Stuffy indeed!

James clapped me on the shoulder and laughed. “No need to preen. You look great, as always. I’m glad you’re coming. Let’s go.”

James had a way of making compliments sound like insults, but he was one of the best accountants I’d ever met. I might have wanted to shake him a time or two, but our team worked well together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My eyes adjusted well to the softer lights of the bar. Being under fluorescents all day sucked. Now, soft music played, glassware clinked, and people laughed. I took my time looking around the place, at the clientele. A tickle edged the back of my neck. What could that be?

Wait.

Unusual. My dragon didn’t talk much. But, when he wanted something, he got his way. And right now, he was determined.

I grabbed a martini and joined my cohorts at a table by the entrance. Someone had already ordered what looked like every appetizer on the menu for the group. Probably James. I’d go over the business expenses with him after the trip, but I didn’t actually care about the money. It was about being informed. We could afford this.

Conversations devolved to jokes and laughter. My body relaxed. I joined in with all the talk, when my dragon forced his presence again. What I was about to say dropped from my mind, I forgot about the people at the table, and my gaze slid to the entrance. A pink filter fell into place. I watched through dragon eyes now.

The entrance was empty.

What was going on?

Wait.

The sound of my dragon’s voice in my mind was like a deep, echoing gong.

Wait for what? There was no one else coming in at the moment. Nothing happening.

James kicked me under the table. I turned toward him and pretended to laugh at a joke I hadn’t heard. I picked up a tortilla chip and dipped it in some guacamole, crunched slowly.

“Good choice,” I said.

“Here.” He shoved another dish at me. “Try the hot wings.”

I nodded but instead took a sip of my martini, peering again at the entrance, everything still pink-toned, dragon on alert.

A group of three walked up to the entrance. Two women, one man. I almost glanced away, but a flash of green in the man’s eyes caught my attention. Shifter.

Then, like an alpha in a rut, I lifted my chin and sniffed the air. To humans, it meant nothing. But, to shifters, it was a blatant display. We dragons were trained from an early age not to do it unless we meant business.

I breathed in wild sweet grass, sage, and a hint of the beach. A deer, maybe? No. A gazelle.

The shifter turned and met my eyes. His head tilted. One side of his mouth quirked up.

The two women on either side of him went ahead into the bar and got seats at the counter.

The man held my gaze for longer than merely a curious moment. Finally, he turned to join his friends, showing me the nice way he filled out his jeans.

His casual attire enhanced his natural good looks. His pullover shirt had the sleeves rucked up to the elbows, revealing graceful but strong forearms. Thick locks of dark hair hung nearly in his eyes.

I hung out at the table a little longer to be polite then quietly excused myself. Without looking back, I made my way to the bar. This was what my dragon had sensed all the way from the upstairs meeting room? I had to admit he had good taste.

The man’s female friends were sitting close together and looked to be having an intense conversation. I sat at the empty stool next to his.

He didn’t turn right away. Of course, he sensed me. I stared straight ahead, watching the bartender make his way over to us. Finally, the shifter swiveled to face me.

“Hello.”

His voice danced through my blood.

“Hello.”

The quirk of a smile returned to his lips. “Buy me a drink?”

“All you want.”

“Excellent. Because it’s been a long day, and I could use a drink. Or three.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Let’s get you a drink right away.”

I waved at the bartender, and he ordered a mai tai to start.

“My name’s Ayelet.” He held out his hand to me.

“Magnus.” I took his hand in mine and rubbed the back of it with my thumb. I wasn’t slow. I knew what was happening between us.

He grinned. “Nice to meet you.”

“Why was your day so long?”

He shrugged. “Meetings.” He took a long drink, his lips glistening. And distracting. “It’s no big deal. A few disagreements that will be resolved tomorrow.”

As we talked, it was as if I’d known the guy for years. The pink tinge did not quite leave my vision. My dragon had a definite interest, as well.

I plied him with liquor, but only because he loved it. He was already amenable. He held my gaze. Our knees bumped. He touched my thigh.

Finally, I blurted, “I’m only visiting. Leaving tomorrow.”

“And?” he prompted.

This felt like something bigger than a one-night stand, but it was all I could offer for now. “Would you like to come back to my room with me?”

“If you don’t mind me being an alpha.”

“I don’t mind. Do you mind?”

He leaned in, words soft. “I love omegas. But I love to bottom for alphas, too.”

That was all it took. I settled the tab, hooked arms with Ayelet as he said goodbye to his friends, and tapped James on the way out.

James looked up, one eyebrow raised. “See ya tomorrow?”

“Yep.”

“Have a good night.”

“I intend to.”