Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
brIA
Five days before Christmas
I faced the next morning with a long shower and a strong cup of coffee. Then I rushed up the stairs to the spa, which now held a faint scent of eucalyptus.
Charlotte, a fae with lavender hair who worked at the spa, said, “Maribelle’s busy with a client.”
Grr. “When will she be done?”
She looked at the clock. “Forty minutes or so?”
I tapped my fingers along the side of my leg. “All right, I’ll get some steps in. Tell her I’m looking for her and will be back.”
One podcast and thousands of steps later, I returned to the spa and waited at the reception desk. I tapped my foot on the floor while I waited.
Maribelle finally breezed out, her signature silvery curls surrounding her like a halo. “How did you like the snowflakes last night?” She grinned, clearly pleased with her work.
“Oh, those were wonderful,” I said, trying to keep my voice from rising. “One teensy problem.” I squeezed my forefinger and thumb together.
Maribelle’s brows drew closer. “Oh no, what happened?”
“Me.” I pointed to myself, circling my hand in front of my chest before bringing it up to my temple. “Something went wrong because my panther thinks we found our mate.”
Maribelle clasped her hands together and beamed. “How wonderful!”
“No.” I shook my head. “Not wonderful. It’s a mistake.” I gestured toward her. “Your little jingle spell had an unfortunate side effect.”
Her mouth dropped open. “So I had one spell-gone-wrong that tethered me to my mate, and you think I’m casting love potions across the ship like ocean spray.”
“Wait—what?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “What spell-gone-wrong? You tethered yourself to Roan?”
“Never mind.” Her cheeks tinged slightly.
“I know about the little prank you played on Van. Is that what this is?”
“Now, really, Bria. Would you really think that of me? Why would I play a prank on you?” She planted her hand on her hip. “So I played one little prank on a shifter to teach him a lesson, and you think I’m casting pranks across the ship like—”
“Maribelle!” I cut her off. “This is serious. I need to know if your magic was involved because not only is it my panther who thinks we’re mates but”—I took in a deep breath and exhaled—“his dragon.”
Her eyes gleamed. “A dragon. Talk about hawt.” She fanned herself and flashed a sly smile. “But none of this is on me, Bria.” She tapped my upper arm. “You found your mate. Congrats.”
See? my panther said smugly.
I grimaced as I left the spa. As I took the stairs down, I continued to deny it. You’re wrong. Why get all wrapped up in something that’s only going to cause us pain?
Why do you think that it would? He’s our mate.
Because look at him. He’s gorgeous. Rich. A total playboy who only wants to play. Even tonight, our arrangement—it’s all make-believe.
And maybe agreeing to play this game was a mistake.
* * *
Wreaths and white fairy lights draped over marble in the atrium.
The scent of cinnamon and cider perfumed the air.
A massive pine fir tree took center stage, glittering with ornaments and seashells that fit the Caribbean setting.
Passengers dressed in an array of styles, from red gowns to jeans and green sweaters, gathered around with drinks in hand, waiting for the big lighting.
And then I saw him.
Darius.
My pulse jumped, like a thief caught pirating through jewels.
But he didn’t see me. He was talking to an older couple, his back facing me, but I caught the edge of his profile.
His dark golden hair gleamed beneath the twinkle of lights draped across the space, looking lighter against the dark of his charcoal suit, which fit his broad shoulders to perfection.
Even from this distance, I felt the pull. The heat. The awareness of his proximity.
He was danger dressed in an expensive suit.
My panther stretched inside and purred, There he is.
Behave, I warned and straightened, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my red satin dress. We’re here to perform.
In more ways than one. Not only did I have a song to sing, but a dragon to flirt with. Just part of another act.
Sure, my panther drawled. I don’t know why you keep pretending you don’t feel it.
Darius turned and saw me, and when he caught my eye, the rapid beat of my heart drowned out the thrum of the crowd. One side of his mouth curved up, slow and mischievous, as if he could read what was on my mind.
He walked over to me, each stride unhurried and deliberate. By the time he reached me, my hands were fidgeting and I forced myself to drop them to my sides.
“Bria,” he said, his voice a low rumble. His scent of warm spice and smoke hit me, triggering strange flips in my stomach. “You look stunning.”
“Part of the job,” I said, forcing a smile.
“Great. I’d like to introduce you to the investor I’m trying to impress. Ready for Act One?”
“Ready and willing,” I agreed with a conspiratorial smile.
He offered his arm and I slipped beside him. Heat danced along my side where we touched. His vibrant energy hummed, heightening every sense. My panther arched inside, leaning in closer.
Darius led us through the crowd, a dizzying mix of supernaturals with various scents. He stopped in front of the gray-haired couple he’d been talking to near the tree.
“Cedric, Marlene,” he said, “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Bria.”
Cedric was tanned, polished, old-money. Marlene appeared elegant in a silver gown and black stole.
“So this is the vivacious woman you told me about,” Cedric said, shaking my hand.
“Yes, I couldn’t stay away,” Darius said. “Had to see my love over the holidays.” He bent over and kissed my temple, sending a brushfire shivering through me.
“How romantic,” Marlene said, placing her hand over her heart.
“That’s the idea,” Darius said, searing me with a look so feral and hungry, it could have melted my microphone stand. A blink later, it was gone, and he was back to suave smile and business charm.
The countdown for the lighting began, and Cedric and Marlene moved in closer with the crowd. Above us, sprigs of enchanted mistletoe floated overhead, and one drifted toward us.
The crowd chanted the final numbers for the countdown. Darius leaned closer to me. Countless twinkling lights burst to life on the tree.
The crowd cheered. The mistletoe settled right above our heads.
“Oh, wonderful,” I muttered.
“It’s perfect,” he murmured, his voice a husky rumble, as he bent his head down toward me. “You ready?”
I sucked in a breath and exhaled. “Yes,” I said, sounding breathless.
It seemed as if he moved in slow motion. My heartbeat zoomed to thunderous levels while I forgot to breathe.
When his mouth met mine, all the lights overhead tilted. His heat flooded through me—fire and smoke and something deeper, primal. My panther stilled, then purred with such satisfaction the sound vibrated through me.
A thousand years, or maybe just a second later, we broke apart, both of us breathing heavy. I stood upright, struggling for composure. The crowd’s applause echoed around me, until I snapped out of it and realized it was for the tree lighting, not our kiss.
Performance, I reminded myself.
“Convincing,” Darius said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Right. It was just an act.
“Dangerously so,” I agreed.
Deep inside, my panther purred without any hesitation. Mine.