Tempting the Dragon (11 page)

“Are you able to tell me what kind of shape-shifter Libby is?” he asked. He wasn’t sure why the idea of a lake monster being a shape-shifter had never occurred to him, but now that he knew it to be truth, he sort of felt let down.

Suddenly he realized if he took photos, he had no idea what he would do with them now that Eve was no longer able to see them.

Jade flashed him an arch look. “No kind of shape-shifter I’ve ever heard of. Sorry.”

Normally a mystery of this kind would have intrigued him. As it went, every time his mind went to Eve being gone, he circled it back around to Libby and her Guardian.

When they pulled up at Dogs Off Leash, two parked cars already waited for them.

Jade groaned. “Dang it. I’m not
that
late. Come on, you can help me get the place opened up.”

The next several hours thankfully passed quickly. While he’d never had a dog, he’d always liked them, and he shepherded dogs from playrooms to outdoor play areas, where Jade’s employees supervised their activities. The dogs seemed to like him, which he considered good, since occasionally other animals sensed his inner dragon and were put off.

Once the steady stream of clients dropping off their pets slowed down, Jade told Sue that she and Rance would be leaving for a few hours. Surprised, Rance glanced at his watch. It was barely ten.

Curious, he followed Jade out to her car. Once she’d backed from the drive, she glanced at him. “I think we need to talk before we visit Libby.”

Usually, hearing those words from a woman was enough to make him shut down. This time, rather from sheer exhaustion or the basic human need to have someone understand his pain, he nodded.

Still, now that she’d given him the opening, he couldn’t seem to find the right words.

“Don’t shut me out.” Her soft voice nearly undid him. Even so, he must have opened his mouth five separate times before closing it.

She took a turnoff that promised to lead to a camping area. When she pulled off the road, killed the engine and turned to face him with an expectant look on her face, he shook his head.

“I can tell you’re hurting, and from more than just a headache. I can help,” she promised, placing her graceful, long-fingered hand on his arm. “Please let me help.”

“Why?” he finally asked. “You barely know me.”

At his words, hurt flashed in her eyes. “True, though I feel like I’ve known you forever. I...care about you, Rance.”

“Do you?” The harshness of his tone came from pain. Leaning toward her, he slanted his mouth across hers. At first, she didn’t move, and then she opened her mouth to his.

Passion exploded. He let himself fall into the kiss, suddenly craving her, needing more than anything to feel alive. To push away his sorrow with passion.

“Wait.” Even though her breathing sounded as ragged as his, she pulled away. “I don’t think...”

“Don’t.” He claimed her lips again. “We don’t need to think at all.”

Again, desire blazed between them. And for a few moments, rational thought banished; nothing existed but the drugging taste of her, the sensual warmth of her curves under his hands.

“No.” This time, she shoved him. Hard. “I get that you want me. As I want you. But I know pain when I see it. Tell me what’s happened.”

And just like that, reality came crashing down. Eve, her small flame snuffed out far too soon.

Something must have shown in his face. Jade watched him, the sympathy in her green eyes almost more than he could bear. “You aren’t alone,” she said.

“Ah, but I am.” The bitterness in his voice made him sound like a stranger. “You see, I was like you once. Always seeing the bright side of things. Once upon a time, I also believed in fairy tales.”

He maintained eye contact as he spoke, as if he could make her understand by the intensity of his gaze. “I was married, with a family. I had a wife, Violet. She had a little girl from her previous marriage. Even though she and her ex-husband shared custody, I loved my stepdaughter as much as if she was my own.” Swallowing hard, he hoped like hell he could get through the words without his voice breaking.

Past tense. He couldn’t help but realize that now he used past tense for all of them.

“I lost my wife to a horrible illness.” True to form, his voice cracked. He’d been expecting it, so he simply swallowed and went on. “Two years ago. I didn’t even get sick. At all. Yet it took her within hours. She died in my arms.” He looked down. “So fast and so deadly.”

She leaned over, wrapping him in her arms. “I’m sorry. Was your wife a shape-shifter, too?”

“Yes. Her ex-husband, Jim, he was human. Their daughter... Eve is—was—a halfling. Half human, half...” He stopped just short of revealing what he couldn’t. His species. “Half-shifter,” he said.

Nodding, Jade continued to hold him. She held on with just the right amount of strength, and he almost let himself clutch on to her as if he would never let her go.

Almost.

But he knew better. There were no such things as fairy tales or happy endings.

“What about your stepdaughter?” Jade finally asked. “Eve. Is she all right?”

He lifted his head, squared his shoulders and looked her right in the eyes. “I’m not looking for your pity.”

“And I’m not offering it,” she shot right back. “I want to know what happened to her.”

“Oh, she got sick, too. And while she didn’t die as quickly as her mother did, her illness ran a different course in her small body.” He took a deep breath. Halflings were different than full-blooded shifters. Ordinary diseases could kill them. Ordinary diseases were not supposed to be able to harm shifters. But this one, targeting only his kind, had. Very few of the Drakkor women had been able to survive this illness.

“When she was four, she was diagnosed with leukemia,” he continued, unable to tell her the entire truth. “She had a bone marrow transplant and it seemed like she’d recover. She got too thin and weak, but she was a fighter.” He took a deep breath. “But she somehow managed to keep her joy. Her smile could light up a room.” Still, though he continued to use past tense, he couldn’t quite bring himself to say the words. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“After your wife died, who took care of her?”

Simple questions. Those he could answer. “Her father, my wife’s ex. His name is Jim. He’s a good guy. I’ve considered myself damn lucky that he let me see her.

“Anyway.” He forced himself to continue. “I made my little girl a promise before she died. She wanted me to take a picture of a lake creature.”

For the first time ever he wondered if Eve had wanted this because maybe, somewhere deep inside of her, she understood her heritage. Being human, Jim didn’t know that when Eve got older she’d begin to demonstrate the ability to shape-shift. And Rance would be the one to teach her. Or he would have been.

Another wave of grief hit him. He took a moment, willing it to recede.

“I’m sorry.” Jade smoothed her hand across his cheek. “You lost her, didn’t you? Was this recent?”

He blinked, startled to realize she’d wiped away a tear he hadn’t even realized he’d shed. “Yes. Yesterday.”

Suddenly he couldn’t breathe. Opening the car door, he got out. “Jade, she died before I could keep my promise. She was five years old.” His voice shook with the pain he tried to conceal. “And part of me died with her.”

Chapter 11

W
atching Rance stride away, into the woods, Jade wasn’t sure if she should follow or simply give him space. His grief had been palpable, his unconscious need for comfort making her entire spirit ache.

Tears stung the backs of her eyes. The magnitude of his loss made her wonder how he was even able to function.

Had she been wrong to push him away? She wanted him, in every way a woman could desire a man. She always had, from the very first moment she’d seen him in her dreams. But for her, she knew when she and Rance came together, it would have to be more than a rushed coupling in the car.

Still, everything inside her screamed that she’d made a mistake. Her body throbbed with need. They were both adults. And he’d experienced a horrible, life-changing loss. But he’d need comfort more than pleasure. How could she deny him this, when she cared so much about him?

He’d be leaving town soon. The knowledge squeezed her heart even harder. She had to wonder, now that he no longer had a reason to meet Libby, why he still wanted to. And she doubted he’d come back. No doubt he’d want distraction instead, to help him deal with his grief. He was a photojournalist, after all. He’d chase another story, somewhere exotic, something dangerous and fast-paced that would take his mind off his loss.

Restless, she got out of the car. No sign of Rance. Deciding, she took off in the direction he’d gone.

She found him on a bluff high above the lake. He stood near the edge of the cliff, and for one heart-stopping moment she thought he contemplated jumping. But then hearing her, he turned his head, his expression carefully blank. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good company right now.”

“That’s understandable.” She went to him, wrapping her arms around him from the back and just holding on tight. He let her, though she got a sense he wasn’t exactly participating, more or less tolerating her offer of comfort.

Again, she couldn’t blame him. She couldn’t even imagine how awful it would feel to lose a child. Placing her cheek against his back, she hoped whatever comfort she could offer would help him.

Again, as always happened whenever they touched, something changed. A peculiar catch in his breath told her he was no longer dwelling on his loss.

When he turned to face her, the intensity of his hooded gaze told her what he wanted. And she...this time she wanted it, too.

“Yes,” she whispered, right before his mouth claimed hers. “Yes.”

He touched her then, touched her in a way that made her feel both infinitely precious and desirable. Using his long and elegant fingers, he stoked the flames of her passion, until she quivered with need. When she went to return the favor, he captured her hands with his. “Not yet,” he told her. “Let me see you without your clothes.”

Nearly panting with desire, she nodded. “As long as I can see
you
.” His wicked smile was answer enough.

They undressed each other, him moving so slowly and deliberately she thought he might be trying to drive her insane. He laughed at the impatient look she gave him, quieting her protests with another deep and passionate kiss.

When finally she stood naked before him, wearing only her necklace and trying not to shiver in the crisp autumn air, he let his gaze roam over her, dark and full of heat. She’d never really understood how someone could
swoon
,
but now...now she did.

“It’s your turn,” she whispered, her tongue thick in her throat. “Let me undress you.” Not surprised to see her hands were shaking, she tugged at his shirt, wanting to taste the bare skin of his chest. He helped her, pulling his T-shirt over his head. She gasped at the sight of an ornate dragon tattoo, long tail and elegant head wrapping around his heart. “I love it,” she breathed, spreading her fingers over the design, loving his sleek skin and hard muscles.

“I want more,” she declared, and she undid his belt, aching to touch the bulge of his arousal.

Again he stopped her, catching her wrists. “Not yet,” he growled. “I want to make this last. We need to slow down.”

Frustrated, she shook her head. “I don’t want
slow
. I want fast. Hard and heavy, hot and deep.”

His answering groan told her how her words affected him. Still, he continued to hold her hands. “Patience, little one.”

Then, releasing her, he eased his zipper down over his engorged body as she watched.

Nearly panting, she tried to contain her need. Seeing this, he gave her a wolfish smile before pulling her to him.

The instant their bodies came together, she shuddered in ecstasy. When he slid his fingers into her moist heat, her tenuous grip on control shattered.

“Now,” she urged, arching her body into him as she rode his hand. “I need you inside me. Right. Now.”

When he finally entered her, the raw act of his possession brought tears to her eyes. The hard length of him filled her, and as her body clenched around him and she shuddered in ecstasy, he began to move.

With each stroke, electrifying waves of desire throbbed through her, searing her. For the first time in her life, Jade realized every sense had been awakened, and she let herself surrender to the storm, riding him to the height of passion, crying out with each deep stroke.

She let her hands explore his body, greedy to know the feel of him under her fingers. His muscular hardness, the perfect counterpoint to her curves.

And then, when her release came, pure and explosive, she shattered into a million stars as the world spun. He continued to push into her as her body clenched around him. And then, a few seconds later, he poured his essence into her.

Making her realize she’d somehow completely forgotten about protection. She’d never been this careless.

As a shifter, she didn’t have to worry about disease. However, she made babies the same way as everyone else.

Horrified, she attempted to push him away. He held on, his expression fierce. “No regrets,” he said, the rasp of his voice skittering along her sensitive skin.

“We didn’t use protection.”

At her words, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. “I’m sorry. We both got carried away.”

Truth didn’t make it better. She swallowed. When he placed a soft kiss on her cheek, she exhaled.

“What’s done is done. If anything comes of this...”

“It won’t,” she interrupted, furious for no reason. “You have enough to worry about right now. Come on, let’s get back to town. I’m sure you have some packing to do before you leave.”

“Leave? No. I’ve got to go meet Libby first.”

She’d started shaking her head before he’d finished speaking. Not only did Libby’s wise gaze see everything, but Jade wasn’t sure how the cloud of grief enveloping him would affect her charge. “Not today. We’ll reschedule. You go back to Texas and take care of Eve’s service. We aren’t going anywhere. We’ll be here when you get back.”

Though he nodded, something flickered in his eyes, making her realize he hadn’t intended on returning. Hurt stabbed her, which she promptly shoved deep inside, refusing to allow herself to feel regret. Reflexively, she fingered her necklace, though this time the simple action didn’t give her any comfort.

Turning her back to him, she got dressed. Judging from the sounds behind her, he did the same. “Are you ready?” she asked, jingling her car keys in her hand.

“Yes.”

Odd how such a simple word could break her heart.

* * *

The instant he stepped out of the airport terminal in Houston, Rance felt the heat and humidity like a slap in the face. Ignoring this, he caught the airport shuttle to long-term parking, where he’d left his pickup truck just one short week ago.

It seemed like it had been much longer.

As soon as he reached his vehicle, he paid the lot attendant and turned the AC up to blasting. While autumn had come full swing to upstate New York, here in Houston summer kept a stubborn grip on the weather. His dashboard thermometer read ninety-four.

Habit almost made him take the exit for the hospital. Instead, realizing Eve’s body would have been removed already, he drove to Jim’s house off the South Freeway.

The instant he pulled up in front, he knew something was wrong. The house appeared deserted, and not just recently. Rance counted back, trying to calculate the last time he’d been here. It had been well over a month; once Eve had gone to the hospital, he’d visited her there instead.

Worried, he tried the door anyway. Locked. He walked across the lawn, through the unkempt landscaping, and tried to peer in the dirty front window. As he’d suspected, the house was completely empty.

“Can I help you?”

Turning, Rance saw the next-door neighbor, a feisty elderly woman named Betty. She stood in her driveway, hands on bony hips, and watched him.

“Hi, Betty.” He knew remembering her name would count for a lot. “I’m looking for Jim.”

She continued to eye him suspiciously. “Are you a bill collector?”

“Nope. Just a friend.”

“Hmmph. You mustn’t be much of one. Jim moved out the night before last. He took off in the middle of the night, which usually means he owes money to somebody. I only know because I couldn’t sleep that night and I was sitting out on my front porch.”

This sounded so unlike the Jim he knew that Rance could only stare. “I just talked to him yesterday,” he managed. “He didn’t mention anything about this.”

She cocked her gray head, her ancient eyes wise. “I don’t imagine he’s proud about what he’s done. Especially pulling that sick little girl out of the hospital. Listen, when you see him, don’t mention that I told you. I don’t think he knows anyone saw him.”

Immediately, Rance took a step toward her. “He had his daughter here? Eve?”

“He sure did. And that child was so ill she could hardly walk. He carried her from his truck to the house, and then back out again. He must have already moved the furniture, or he didn’t have much to begin with. What he brought out that night didn’t even fill up his truck bed.”

Rance’s head spun. Maybe the old woman had grown delusional. That would be the only explanation. Especially since he’d talked to Jim and, as far as he knew, Eve hadn’t left Texas Children’s Hospital before she died.

“Thank you, ma’am,” he said, heading back toward his truck. Once inside, he called Jim. The call went straight to voice mail.

What the...? Suppressing the urge to kick something, Rance headed to the small apartment he rented. Halfway there, he changed his mind and drove to the hospital instead.

After parking, he strode into the lobby of the west tower, bracing himself for the antiseptic smell he’d always associate with illness. He rode the elevator to the ninth floor, aware he’d been a regular enough visitor that several of the nurses would recognize him.

In fact, the first nurse he saw appeared shocked to see him. “Mr. Sleighter? You do know Eve isn’t here any longer, right?”

He found her choice of words interesting. Also the fact that she hadn’t offered him her sympathy for his loss.

“Yes. Do you know where she is now?”

Slowly, the heavyset woman shook her head. “Her father took her out against the advice of her doctor. Simply picked her up and carried her off. We called security, the police and CPS, but he was gone before anyone could reach him. That little girl needs around the clock medical care. I’m really afraid she’ll die if she doesn’t get it.”

Rance tended to agree with her. “Maybe Jim—her father—transferred her to another hospital?”

If anything, that statement made her look even more distressed. “Not in Houston. MD Anderson Cancer Center would refer a pediatric patient here, I believe.”

Thanking her, he headed back to his truck. What the hell was Jim up to? Rance couldn’t help but wonder if, in his worry and fear for his daughter, the other man had completely lost his mind.

Rance knew he had to find them, before it was too late and Eve really was dead.

* * *

Once Rance had driven off in the rental car, Jade prepared to settle back into her ordinary life. The one she’d been craving ever since he’d disrupted it with his arrival.

Yet something—everything—had changed. Not just because they’d shared amazing, transcendent, extraordinary lovemaking, but something else. She wasn’t sure what exactly. She only knew she felt like a different person these days.

She went to Libby to see if the other woman had insight. When she’d postponed Libby and Rance’s meeting, Jade had only said he was called out of town unexpectedly. It had taken her a full three days to be able to even say the reason why he’d left without breaking into tears.

“I don’t understand how I can miss him so much,” Jade said, pacing. “We barely knew each other. A few kisses don’t make a relationship.” No way did she plan to mention that she and Rance had shared a lot more than a few kisses.

To her surprise, Libby laughed. “Don’t they? Stop pacing and sit down. I’ll make a pot of tea and some snacks so we can eat while we discuss.”

Jade nodded. Too restless to sit, she followed her friend into the kitchen. “Let me help.”

“Okay. You put the teakettle on while I make little sandwiches.”

The two worked together in silent harmony, which soothed Jade somewhat, to her surprise. When the kettle whistled, she poured the boiling water into a heavy china pot and added tea bags. Today they were having Irish breakfast tea and some kind of finger sandwiches.

“What are those?” Jade asked, eyeing the yellow-gold filling.

“Pimento cheese,” Libby answered. “It’s a Southern thing. Your man would probably like them.”

Her man.
A stab of wild longing filled her. Instantly, she pushed it away. “He’s not my anything.”

“Except you wish he was,” Libby responded.

Since that was pretty much truth, Jade only shrugged and followed Libby outside. They settled in their usual chairs on the deck with the lake glinting in the distance. The vibrant colors of the changing leaves never failed to fill Jade with pleasure. Except this time, she found herself wishing Rance had stuck around long enough to see their glory in the peak of autumn.

Libby poured the tea, just as she always did, and Jade eyed the sandwiches, not sure if they looked appetizing or not. The bright yellow color didn’t make it look edible.