made it blend better with the ocean. The expression it wore also seemed ominous, somehow. Still, he figured he would be safe as long as the dragon didn’t spot a human.
Damn. This was the second time he’d seen such an unbelievable sight. After the first incident, he’d almost managed to convince himself he’d imagined it. Now, he could no longer do that. Who knew such creatures even existed?
He made a quick mental note to do some research once he got back to land and kept his eye on the dragon, just in case it decided to come for his boat.
Luckily, the beast took off, flying toward open water with its prey still flopping in one claw. Ryan stared in the direction it had gone, long after it disappeared.
“Ryan?” Maria’s voice was husky with sleep. “Where are you?”
“Out here.”
A moment later she appeared, wearing only his T-shirt, her dusky skin illuminated by moonlight. In reaction, his body stirred. “Couldn’t sleep?”
He shook his head, debating whether or not to tell her what he’d seen. Ultimately, he decided against it. Though her aura told him she was some kind of Shape-shifter, neither would be inclined to reveal their true nature, not without a committed relationship.
And he didn’t do committed relationships.
According to Maria, neither did she. Which meant this would work out perfectly, right?
“I find the sea peaceful,” he said, rather than answering her question. “Also, I’m always trying to see a whale. So far, I haven’t had any luck.”
She tilted her head, considering. “I know there were actually two orca sightings in the gulf. But to see the large whales, you’d need to go south, closer to Mexico.”
Knowing he couldn’t ask her about dragons, he nodded. “I take it you’ve researched this.”
“Actually, I have. I love the ocean and all of its inhabitants. At one point I was going to A&M in Galveston to become a marine biologist.”
Fascinating. “I didn’t see that coming. How’d you go from that to a wedding chapel owner?”
“Simple. I wanted to own my own business. And there are way more limitations on marine biology than I realized. So I quit school, one year short of getting my degree, and here I am.” She eyed him. “What about you, Mr. Billionaire Playboy? How’d you get to do whatever it is you do?”
“You really don’t know?”
Her chuckle was answer enough. “I take it I should.”
“Didn’t you even read the magazine after you found out who I was?” Strangely he felt equal measures of hurt and amusement.
“No. I didn’t think I needed to. I’d much rather get to know someone in person.”
He couldn’t help but pull her in for a kiss then. “I like you,” he told her, meaning it.
“I like you, too.”
At her sweet words, he felt a small premonition of warning. Things were going too well. She was his ideal woman, everything he could want, including claiming not to want a relationship. Why then did he feel as if the hammer was about to come down?
* * *
The idyllic time on the boat went way too fast, as good times often do. All too soon they pulled back into the harbor and toward the marina.
Maria knew enough about herself to understand that once she got home, she would have regrets. Tons of regrets. Almost the way a junkie repents the first time trying a drug, she should never have explored Ryan Howard. One taste of him had potentially ruined her for everyone else.
Not good, especially for a woman who felt as though she always had a ticking clock hanging over her and needed to find her mate soon.
But she refused to feel regret that their time together was over.
After Ryan had parked the boat back in his slip, she went below and grabbed her bag. Rejoining him topside, she accepted his hand as he helped her onto the dock. This time, she ignored the immediate tingle the contact brought and summoned up her friendliest smile.
“Thanks for an amazing time,” she told him, her tone a bit too bright. If he noticed, he gave no sign.
“Do you have a ride home?” he asked.
Holding up her cell phone, she shook her head. “I’m about to call now.”
“Don’t. I’ll drop you off.”
Briefly, she considered declining, for the foolish reason that she wasn’t sure she wanted him to know where she lived. But, she realized, he’d agreed to the parameters they’d set and wouldn’t be dropping by unannounced or anything. “Thank you,” she said. “I’d appreciate that.”
When they pulled up in front of her modest home, she realized belatedly she wasn’t sure how to say goodbye. Should she kiss his cheek or his mouth, or only shake hands? Since this had been a one-time, casual encounter and she’d never done anything like it before, she had no idea what would be acceptable.
So, instead, she did nothing. As soon as he put the car in park, she opened her door and hopped out. “Thank you so much,” she began, but Ryan wasn’t looking at her. He stared past her, his expression suddenly thunderous.
Turning to look, she saw a man climbing out of her bedroom window.
“Do you know him?” Ryan asked, his voice low and urgent.
“No. I think I’m being robbed.” She dug in her purse for her phone so she could call 911.
But Ryan didn’t wait. Pulling out a pistol, he took off running after the intruder.
As she watched, her heart pounding, the man shape-shifted into a dragon. Ryan squeezed off a few shots, but they were too late and did nothing to stop the dragon from launching himself into the sky.
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