Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
DARIUS
The ship swayed slowly beneath my feet as I left my luxury suite to explore the decks of the Moonlight Siren.
Might as well find some entertainment while I set my plan in motion for the week.
If I could land the deal I wanted, it would be even more lucrative than the existing one I had with a smaller cruise line.
I had to make it look like I was on board for pleasure, not business. Although I didn’t see any reason why I couldn’t pursue both.
Stepping outside to cross the deck, I glanced at the pool and smirked. It was designed in a dragon theme with colorful tiles.
They clearly have good taste, my dragon said, smug.
A few dark clouds lingered after the rain earlier tonight, and wisps masked the bottom half of the moon.
I could still feel the charge of the storm in the air.
The scent of rain mingled with the salty tang of the sea.
The deck above, dubbed the Gargoyle’s Perch, was designed for supernaturals like me who’d go for a flight, but that would wait. I wasn’t here for that.
The cruise line already served my rum, but we could partner on much more.
With a routine excursion, they could dock at my island not far from their route here in the Caribbean.
Passengers would come ashore, spend their time on the beach or tour my distillery, and spend their money on cocktails, cabanas, souvenirs, and more.
They’d leave happy. I’d be richer. Win-win for everyone.
Then I heard her.
A woman’s voice—sassy, sultry, with a low edge that curled through the air and stopped me cold. I searched the waves first. Siren? No, it came from the ship, accompanied by the low sound of a piano.
My dragon edged up with interest.
Her voice drew me toward the Celestial Lounge. The moment I stepped inside, the world narrowed. Lights danced over a woman on stage, gold sequins gleaming as she shimmied to a playful, jazz-laced version of “Jingle Bells.” Her velvety smooth voice brushed across my skin, and my instincts sharpened.
Enchanted snowflakes drifted from the ceiling, glowing faintly blue before melting into the air. Their reflection haloed her dark hair in silver light.
And her curves—gods. My gaze roamed each one in that slinky dress that revealed smooth, bare shoulders I had the sudden urge to touch. Attraction hit hard and fast, every muscle tightening as I struggled to maintain control.
When her gaze swept the room and found mine, it lingered. She looked away, but not before I caught the flicker of heat in her eyes and the slight hitch of her breath.
She’d felt something too.
I watched, utterly entranced by this woman with the whiskey voice. My pulse pounded as if I’d flown through a gale. I had to meet her—but not like this, not while struggling for control. I forced my breathing even and schooled my expression back to neutral ground.
When her performance ended and the applause swelled, I made my way to the bar.
I introduced myself to the bartender with blue streaks in her hair and a nametag reading Kylie.
“Welcome aboard. What can I get you, Mr. Morand?”
“Please, call me Darius,” I said, not needing the formality. After pointing to the rum on the top shelf, I mentioned it was from my distillery and my recent partnership with the cruise line.
She nodded. “A popular choice.”
While she fixed my drink, I watched Bria receive her applause. She sparkled brighter than the snowflakes still melting midair.
“She’s got quite a voice, doesn’t she?” Kylie said, sliding my drink across a Moonlight Siren coaster.
“Indeed,” I said, taking a slow sip. The familiar taste of smoke and vanilla rolled over my tongue. “Who is she?”
“Bria Vidal,” Kylie said.
“Is she a supe?”
“Yes, black panther shifter.”
Ah, that explained the feline grace.
“Introduce me?”
“Sure thing.”
Kylie made another drink, pouring my rum into it, and brought it over to Bria. Soon after, she looked up and caught my eye.
This was it.
I stood, grabbed my drink, and walked over to her, my feet heavy like I was treading through molasses. Her scent reached me before I had a chance to speak.
The scents of the rain forest danced around me—wild rain, lush forests, and feline musk. Undeniably female.
The air vibrated with something heavy.
My dragon went still, then surged forward with a roar that shook my chest.
Mate.
The word slammed through me. Like colliding with a cliff mid-flight. I nearly dropped the glass in my hand. Time froze for a sliver as my world narrowed to her. Heat coiled beneath my skin.
No. Impossible.
When my human wife had died three decades ago, I’d buried my fire with her—the part of me capable of love. There were no second chances.
So why did every instinct in me call this woman mine?
Kylie introduced us, and Bria’s bright green eyes met mine. Wild. A little scared. She knew. She felt it too.
My composure cracked for two long heartbeats while Kylie mentioned my rum in Bria’s pina colada. Then I found my voice. “Bria,” I said evenly, “what an absolute pleasure to meet the siren behind the voice.”
I took her hand. Energy arced up my arm like lightning. When I kissed her knuckles, the taste of her skin and the warmth of her pulse hit me like fire. My dragon murmured mate again, this time softer, almost reverent.
I forced myself to focus. You’ve got a deal to land, Morand.
Bria withdrew her hand slowly, arms crossing as if she could contain whatever she was feeling. “Chilly in here, isn’t it?”
Not remotely. She was radiating heat.
“You felt it,” I said before I could stop myself.
Her lips parted, then curved faintly. “Felt what? The ship moving?” She gave a mock shrug. “You get used to it.”
“No,” I said quietly, leaning closer. “Us.”
Her gaze held mine, steady and defiant. “It’s a mistake. It’s not real.”
“Why not?”
She motioned toward the air where the last flakes still shimmered. “The snowflakes—it was a spell. Must’ve caused…whatever this is. The witch who cast it either messed up or she’s messing with me. Either way, I’m not falling for it.”
I bit back frustration. “You’re certain?”
“Positive.”
My dragon snorted. She’s wrong. Tell her she’s our mate.
No, that couldn’t be right. It had to simply be chemistry. A strong reaction.
My dragon countered, Don’t be naive.
Bria sipped her drink—my rum. “Delicious. I’ll give you that.”
My gaze tracked her pretty little mouth on the rim of that glass, sipping my rum.
Focus. Business. Think.
I wouldn’t let her dismiss this instant and intense connection between us without exploring it further. And since I had a deal to land… Ideas spun like gears. I was a businessman, good at problem-solving. Surely there was an optimal solution here.
An idea clicked into place. Yes, it was perfect.
“I have a proposition for you, Bria,” I said, leaning forward slightly.
Her brow arched. “Like I’ve never heard that before,” she drawled and glanced away.
“I’m trying to land a business deal this week.”
“Oh, how thrilling for me,” she deadpanned and took another slow sip.
“Hear me out. It could help us both.”
“I’m listening, dragon.” She slowly turned back to me.
“It will give us time to figure out if this thing between us is real or not.” I motioned between us, heat curling in my chest.
“Ha! It’s not real,” she scoffed, but her gaze flicked to my mouth. “Just a little spell misfire.” She straightened. “Besides, I’m not interested in a mate.”
That rejection stunned me. A gut punch—but not a knockout.
“I’m not asking you to move in with me. I’m talking about a week. Seven days. I’ll treat you well, make it worth your time.”
She tilted her head slowly in a distinctively feline movement. “What are we talking about here, dragon?”
“Darius,” I said, voice dropping. “My name is Darius.”
She gave a low, dangerous laugh. “Okay, Darrr-ee-usss.” She purred it, and the way it rolled over her tongue lit every nerve ending in my body. “What do you want from me?”
Time to play my cards. If she said yes, I’d have a better chance of landing my deal—and an opportunity to explore this craving for her.
She’ll say yes, my dragon declared, assured.
I tipped my chin up. “I want you to pretend to be my girlfriend.”