Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
brIA
After my set ended, Darius strode across the lounge toward me, his amber gaze bright with pride.
My panther sat upright and purred. There’s our mate.
“You look breathtaking tonight,” he said, his voice a low rumble that sparked tingles on my skin. “And your voice…” He dipped his head closer, eyes gleaming with more gold. “Spectacular.”
“Careful, dragon,” I teased. “Flattery might get you what I want.”
“I hope so, kitten,” he murmured with a deep laugh. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.” He leaned in and nuzzled my neck. “And what we could do all night.”
Heat ignited low in my belly. I placed my hand on his chest, feeling the warmth beneath the fabric. “Sadly, it’s going to have to wait.”
“Why?” he asked, brows lifting.
“I’m still working. There’s a North Pole–themed party on the pool deck, and I need to schmooze.” I cocked my head. “Come with me?”
“Only if you come with me to my suite again tonight,” he said with a sinful smile.
I tipped my head and said, “I’ll think about it,” with a sly smile. And think about it I did—vivid flashes of last night coming back to me and fueling the fire the dragon had stoked.
We walked out together, and the holiday party was already in full swing.
Ruby and emerald lights twinkled near the dragon-scaled pool.
Music thumped from massive speakers while the DJ mixed Christmas classics with pop hits.
Tipsy supernaturals tripped over each other as they line danced, including a wolf shifter who wobbled dangerously close to the pool’s edge.
Oversized candy canes lined the pool bar where staff—dressed as elves with pointed ears and curled shoes—handed out winter-themed cocktails.
The fun theme carried over into the pool, where a couple floated on an inflatable Santa sleigh while others struggled to stay upright on reindeer floats.
“Gargoyle ball!” Van announced from somewhere behind us before he ran for the pool and leaped in, his body curled up. He landed beside the gargoyle Caleb and water unfurled upward, splashing my dress.
I cursed under my breath. “Why don’t you get yourself a drink?” I told Darius. “While I get a towel,” I grumbled as more noise from the pool caught my attention. Caleb picked up a laughing Van, who sprawled his limbs uselessly in his leopard-print Speedo, and tossed him across the pool.
I exhaled. “Boys will be boys,” I muttered. Not like Darius, who was undoubtedly refined. I placed my hand on his cheek and arched a brow. “I hear there’s a delicious rum served at the bar.”
Overhead, dark-winged shapes soared across the nearly full moon, casting rippling shadows over the deck. Darius glanced up.
“Or go for a flight?” I suggested.
He lowered his gaze to mine, golden heat sparkling within his eyes. “Join me.” His velvety smooth voice rolled through me like lava.
My tongue went dry. “Sounds intriguing, dragon. Meet you upstairs in an hour.”
An hour later, I’d changed into black leggings and a fitted workout top—my short green dress was not suitable for flight. My pulse fluttered.
When I climbed to the upper deck, pale moonlight spilled across the Gargoyle’s Perch—and my breath hitched.
A massive dragon waited there. Deep green and amber shimmered in the low light. A familiar golden gaze turned to meet mine.
I stepped closer. “Darius?”
He nodded his giant head and bent down, as if an invitation.
I hesitated, nerves tangling with excitement. “Perhaps I didn’t think this through,” I said with a shaky laugh.
He huffed softly and lowered his head further, nudging me gently—encouraging. I remembered how he’d walked beside my panther earlier.
My cat cheered inside. Let’s ride the dragon!
I’d prefer a different way, I replied in a cheeky manner.
I raised my hand slowly as I approached Darius. “Okay…?”
He dipped his head in permission.
I touched his scales. They were smooth and warm—hard yet satin-smooth. He rumbled his approval, and I climbed up, straddling the width of his powerful spine.
I leaned forward and awkwardly wrapped my arms around his neck.
With a few powerful beats of his wings, Darius soared from the ship.
The night wind whipped through my hair, cool and exhilarating.
Below us, the Moonlight Siren glittered like diamonds on the dark sea.
Stars stretched wide above, with little light pollution to dilute them, and the moon bathed us in silver.
We climbed higher. It was breathtaking. Magnificent. I’d never felt so free, so unstoppable.
Several minutes later, Darius circled back toward the ship, landing with surprising grace. I slid off his back and wobbled, grabbing a rail to steady myself.
The dragon’s scales shimmered and light rippled as he reshaped. A heartbeat later, Darius stood before me in human form. Completely nude.
Liquid heat shot through me and I averted my gaze. Shifters didn’t blush over nudity, but this was Darius. Gorgeous, muscular, perfectly sculpted Darius with magic hands and…
He reached into a storage bin for his clothes and slipped into his pants. “I’d hate to put the suit back on.” He extended a hand toward me, head cocked in invitation. “Come with me to my suite so I can change.”
I bit my lip, then cocked my head with a slow, seductive smile. “I have a feeling you won’t need clothes there.”
He let out a low chuckle before his golden eyes burned me with hunger. “I hope not.”
My pulse fluttered wildly as we headed to his suite. He held my hand in his large one, and it still wasn’t enough. I needed to get closer to him. I wanted more. His touch. His fire.
He opened the door to his penthouse—pure luxury from the massive bed, full bar, and gorgeous view from his private balcony. I turned to him and raised my slightly trembling hand to touch his cheek. He curled into it and kissed my palm, then took my wrist and kissed up my forearm.
“Bria,” he said with that slight roll of the R, which affected me.
I swallowed. “I’m right here.”
He lifted his smoldering gaze and fixed it on me. “Don’t leave.”
God, no. The air was already so thick with heat, charged with energy, that it threatened to ignite.
My heart thudded once. Twice. And then we came together hard—mouths crashing and hands exploring.
I let out a breathy gasp as I threaded my hands through his hair and he kissed my neck.
His bare chest pressed against me and we worked together to quickly shed my clothes.
While we moved toward his bed, we shed our clothes as if they affronted us.
By the time I dropped my head onto his pillow, I breathed hard, staring up into his intense eyes.
“You’re so beautiful,” he uttered, his voice as smooth as whiskey. “I want you so bad.”
He bent down and kissed me, moving his body over mine.
“I want you, Darius.” I sighed, pulling him closer. “I want this.”
A low groan vibrated from his chest, sending another wave of need to my core. He moved down my body, kissing and caressing me as if he’d already memorized every curve and response. My desire grew urgent. Terrifying. I’d never wanted anyone more than this shifter.
As he snaked his tongue up my inner thigh, I sucked in a breath and waited, breathless with anticipation.
And then he tasted me and I moaned. He played me, slowly, deliberately, skillfully, using both his mouth and hand to bring me to an exquisite height, and I cried out as I shattered with the stars.
And when he finally settled on top of me, sliding inside where I desperately needed him, I wrapped my arms and legs around him, never wanting to let him go. He was my one and only, my mate.
My teeth sharpened as I grew desperate to mark him. To claim him as mine.
But how could you claim someone when you knew they would soon leave you?
Two days before Christmas
I was on a high the next day.
With Christmas almost here, the joyful energy from passengers and staff buzzed throughout the ship. Garlands seemed to have multiplied overnight. Laughter floated across the deck. And after another night with Darius, I felt incredible. Buoyant. Optimistic.
We’d had breakfast together and then we’d gone our separate ways. I’d just left the gym where Maribelle’s mate, Roan, a physical trainer, tried to get me to sign up for a boot camp class—again.
“No, thanks, bear.” I was happy with my routine, which included alternating between machines or free weights followed by getting my steps in circling the outdoor track while I listened to a podcast. I had to stay in shape to fit into the slinky dresses I liked to wear onstage.
We can burn calories with our mate again tonight, my panther suggested with a chuckle.
Good plan.
After walking for a couple of miles, I headed back down to my tiny room to take a shower. While crossing the deck full of people in line at various desks—customer service, restaurant reservations, excursions—I heard a familiar voice and froze. I leaned in like a love-struck kitten to hear more.
“We could easily add an excursion to your selections,” Darius said.
My heart spiked. I held back and listened as he presented more details.
I peeked from behind a potted pine, decorated with garland of course. Darius sat at a table near the dark polished bar. Across from him was Cedric. They each had a glass of what I’d guess to be rum.
“Right, I said I’d look at your proposal after the holidays,” Cedric replied.
I half-listened to their discussion as a spike of heat pierced my chest.
My breath stuttered. It all came crashing down. The hurt wasn’t just sharp—it was crushing, a familiar heartache tightening around my ribs. I’d been here before, tricked by empty words and promises, which was why I’d kept affairs fleeting, never letting anyone get too close.
But I’d slipped. And this time it was much, much worse. Because deep down, a naive part of me had believed him. How foolish.
Business. This was all pretend.
I’d agreed to play a part in Darius’s make-believe production to help him seal a deal with Cedric—which was exactly what he seemed intent on doing.
Darius was negotiating a lucrative deal, one that would make him infinitely more money.
And me? I’d gotten so caught up in the fairy tale of us being mates.
About the leisurely meals with us getting to know each other better and the hot nights continuing to do so in his luxurious suite. About the holiday celebrations…
I was so immersed in the whirlwind that I’d forgotten that our entire arrangement had been negotiated, just as Darius was doing now with Cedric. It had all been fabricated for financial gain.
Not real.
No, my panther protested. He’s our mate.
But I couldn’t listen to her, not when she’d push that ridiculous agenda.
He’s no different from any of the others—rich, suave, emotionally detached, I told her. Better to leave him before he leaves us.
A slow, aching hollowness spread through my chest. How stupid I’d been—to think the way he touched me, the way he held me, meant something more. Silly, foolish Bria.
Before I could second-guess myself, I stepped forward. “I almost forgot I was part of your deal,” I spat.
Two surprised faces turned to me—Cedric’s with furrowed brows and Darius with wide eyes.
“That this was all pretend.” My voice trembled. I swallowed and it felt like my throat was lined with shards of broken glass.
“Bria—” Darius shot to his feet.
“The deal’s off,” I declared and strode off. Because my heart couldn’t take it. I’d played this game before and knew how it ended—they disembarked and I sailed on alone. But this time it would hurt so much I wasn’t sure I would recover.
“Wait,” he called after me. “Let’s talk about this in private.” When he reached for my arm, I yanked it away.
“No.” I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear to see his eyes, which could make me crumple when I had to be strong. I took a deep breath. “Game’s over, dragon.”
I rushed into the elevator and frantically pressed the close button before I broke. What felt like a thousand heartbeats later, the elevator doors slid shut as my vision blurred and the tears crashed down.