LovingDragon Read online

  “My feet are killing me, and I’m pretty sure if that asshole over there sticks his hand up my skirt one more time, I’m going to slug him. But other than that, I’m doing great.” She laughed.

  “The feet thing is to be expected on your first night, but it will get better. As for the asshole, that’s Bennett, and he is one mean SOB when he gets to drinking. You just let Dragon handle him.”

  “Dragon?” asked Cat.

  “That gorgeous, hot, alpha man standing in the corner with his arms crossed over his make-you-drop-your-panties-chest, the one with those hunky muscles bulging, that’s Dragon, our protection. He hasn’t taken his eyes off you all night. Don’t worry he’s got your back. He’s a former MMA fighter and nobody, not even Bennett, is stupid enough to mess with him,” informed Roxie.

  “Hey, blondie, bring our table another pitcher of beer!” yelled Bennett.

  “Coming right up,” Cat called back as she smiled, rolled her eyes at Roxie, and turned to head back to the bar. “The asshole wants another picture of beer” she told Mia, who just shook her head in disgust and handed a frosted pitcher of cold beer to Cat.

  “Here you go, gentlemen,” Cat said as she leaned over to set the pitcher in the center of the table. The next thing she knew she felt a sharp pinch to her ass cheek as Bennett’s hand snaked up her skirt.

  “Bitch, get it here a little faster next time,” he chuckled, “and I might leave a bigger tip for you later tonight behind the building.” He turned to the rest of the men at the table and they all laughed as he rubbed his crotch.

  Cat didn’t know what came over her. Maybe it was the painful pinch that she was sure would leave a nasty bruise, or the fact that her feet were throbbing. But one thing was for sure— she had had enough of this jerk. She acted on instinct, before she had even thought about the consequences of her actions. Cat snatched the pitcher of beer off the table and dumped it over Bennett’s head.

  “Was that fast enough for you, asshole?” she asked sweetly. The whole bar seemed to gasp as one, then become quiet.

  “You fuckin’ bitch!” Bennett roared as he came up out of his seat. His chair turned over and loudly hit the floor behind him. It abruptly occurred to Cat that she may have made a serious judgment in error. Bennett was big, ugly, and suddenly mad as hell. He drew his hand back to slap her and Cat cringed as she waited for the blow. But instead a large hand wrapped around Bennett’s wrist and held him in place.

  “I know you weren’t getting ready to hit a woman, were you?” asked Dragon, whose eyes seemed to glow with an inner rage. “Do you have any idea what I do to guys that hit on women?” Cat watched as he leaned over and whispered something in Bennett’s ear, something that made the man suddenly go deathly pale. “Now, you’re going to apologize to the little lady and then you’re going to quietly exit the building, aren’t you?”

  “But she poured a fuckin’ whole pitcher of beer on me,” Bennett protested loudly.

  “Yeah, and it’s your lucky day because we aren’t even going to charge you for the beer. Consider it on the house, a going away present if you will. Now apologize and then get the hell out.” Dragon’s voice was low and deadly. Cat noticed the grip he had on the back of Bennett’s neck tightened.

  “I’m sorry,” mumbled Bennett. His mouth said the words but his beady little eyes told a different story. He was far from sorry. He was scared and mad as hell.

  Dragon frowned. “Your friends are welcome to stay as long as they behave themselves.” The three other men at the table nodded their understanding. Dragon escorted Bennett to the door. “If you come back in here again, you keep your fuckin’ hands to yourself. Is that clear?”

  “Yeah, crystal,” said Bennett as Cutman opened the door and he left begrudgingly.

  “Looks like your kitty cat has some claws,” Cutman pointed out with a grin.

  “Just enough to get her killed. Bennett left without a fight, but that doesn’t bode well for her later. She embarrassed him in front of his boys. He ain’t going to let that shit go.” Dragon groaned as he ran his hand down his face. “Why do I feel like I got my work cut out for me with this one?”

  Cutman chuckled. “You may be right, but it’s been my experience with women that the ones that are the most trouble give the greatest pleasure.”

  “Did you just make that shit up?” asked Dragon with a chuckle.

  “Hell, yeah. I should write this stuff down,” bragged Cutman. Dragon shook his head and went to find Cat. He needed to talk to her before she got herself into trouble again. He found her apologizing to Bubba.

  “I’m really so sorry. I promise it won’t happen again,” said Cat.

  “Make sure it doesn’t or you’re out of here. Oh, and that pitcher of beer is coming out of your first check,” muttered Bubba as he stomped back to his office.

  “I wouldn’t pay much attention to Bubba. If he didn’t like you, you would already be gone,” Dragon said. She turned those green eyes on him, along with the sweetest smile he had ever seen, and Dragon knew right away that he was lost. The girl was a knock-out, plain and simple. Way out of this Tennessee boy’s league. The thought of that brought back childhood memories of living in a trailer on the wrong side of town. His words came out harsher then he attended. He had promised himself that no one would make him feel inferior again. Yeah, his old man had been a worthless drunk who never worked more than two days a week his entire life. His mother, who had tried so hard to compensate for the lack of a father, had worked herself into an early grave.

  Girls like Cat had just wanted to fuck him in high school and college. They never wanted to date or take him home to their parents. Dragon sighed. When would he learn? He was always attracted to the girls who would find him beneath them. What the hell, he was a glutton for punishment.

  Chapter Five

  Catherine smiled. “You’re Dragon, right? Hi, I’m Cat. It’s nice to finally meet you. I wanted to thank you for coming to my rescue. I’m afraid I lost my temper and well…if it hadn’t been for you, I guess I could have been in big trouble.”

  Catherine looked up at Dragon, and never had she seen such a gloriously hot man before. He wasn’t handsome in the traditional sense—more like rugged, dark and brooding handsome. He was tall, with a flat stomach and wide shoulders. His black t-shirt hugged every muscle. His tight jeans sat low on his hips and hugged a fine ass. His hair was dark. Dragon’s eyes were milk-chocolate brown, the all-day stubble along his chin and jawline just added to his sex appeal. The man was walking, talking straight-up fine! Sex on a stick to go, please, she thought with a smile he was the corndog version of a sexy man.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a deep rumble of concern that seemed to resonate all the way to her tingling lady parts.

  “Yes, I’m okay, thanks to you of course,” Catherine answered.

  “That was a damn stupid thing to do. I wouldn’t advise you to try such a stunt again. Someone could get seriously hurt. The men in here are bikers, not Sunday school teachers, and they don’t take to kindly to be made fools of, especially in front of all their friends.” And just like that he turned and walked away, back to his corner where he crossed his arms over his chest and proceeded to glare at her from across the room.

  Catherine frowned. “What the hell? Well I guess everyone has their flaws, and his is clearly personality—or should I say a lack thereof? What a waste of a gorgeous man,” she grumbled to Mia who had witnessed the whole exchange.

  Mia looked pensive as she watched Dragon walk away. “Believe me, Dragon does not lack personality. He may be a former MMA fighter, but he doesn’t like to fight. He was just afraid you would be hurt, I’m sure. He’s always very protective of all the women. I’ve actually never seen him like this before. He was almost scared for you, I think. It could be he has a thing for you. He has spent the night looking at you like he could just eat you up and then some.”

  “A thing for me? Well he has a funny way of showing his thing,” snorted Cath
erine as she made air quotes.

  “I’ve worked here two years and he has never dated or even shown any interest in any of the women here, employees or customers,” Mia noted. “Believe me there have been many who have tried, including Janet, over there, who won’t leave the man alone, but he always goes home alone.”

  Catherine shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe he doesn’t swing that way.”

  Mia’s response was a sharp bark of laughter. “Dragon gay? Oh hell no, no damn way. For one thing, did you not just see how he was looking at you? Gay men do not look at women like that. You might as well be naked, because that man is fucking you with his eyes. You just watch and see if I’m not right.”

  Catherine turned and looked at Dragon, who in turn stared her down. If that was being ‘fucked with your eyes,’ she definitely preferred the old-fashioned way, because the whole eye thing didn’t do it for her, even coming from Mr. Fire-Breathing Dragon.

  When Bubba’s shut down at two a.m., the employees exited out the back door. Dragon and Cutman stood guard as Mia, Cat, Roxie, and Janet made their way to their vehicles. Catherine noted that Janet lingered, leaning into Dragon, who just shook his head no. He was barely glancing down at Janet as his eyes scanned the dark parking lot. Catherine was exhausted and so ready to get to the apartment and get a quick shower before falling into bed. And damn if these shoes weren’t coming off her feet as soon as she hit the apartment door.

  “Do they always watch over us to make sure we get out of the parking lot safely?” asked Catherine as she looked at Dragon and Cutman quietly telling the girls ’bye and standing watch as they went to their cars. Catherine liked how it made her feel safe and protected.

  “Yes, every night,” said Mia as she once again tried to start her car, which only made a whiney noise before not starting for the second time. “Damn it!” exclaimed Mia, striking out at the steering wheel. “You piece of sh…”

  “Problem, ladies?” The one they called Cutman stood at the driver’s side door, and Dragon stood to his left. Catherine did a quick scan of the dark parking lot and noted that they were the only ones left.

  “My car isn’t starting. It’s such a piece of shit!” groaned a frustrated Mia.

  Cutman smiled at Mia. “Come on, hun. You’re tired. We’ll give you ladies a ride home and I’ll come back tomorrow in the daylight and have a look at the car.”

  Mia hung her head in defeat.

  “It will be okay, I promise.” Cutman pulled her door open and helped Mia from the car. Catherine was too drained to protest, so she climbed out from the other side and followed them. She watched as Cutman mounted a motorcycle and started it. Mia joined him on the back and off into the night they went. Dragon threw his long leg over another motorcycle and kick-started it.

  “Here, put this on.” He handed her his helmet.

  “What about you?” Catherine asked. “You won’t have a helmet.”

  “Mia lives close by, so I’ll be fine. Just get on and hold tight,” Dragon said with a smile. It was one of those smiles that invited you to smile back. A smile that made a girl wonder what those lips would feel like on hers. Catherine pulled the helmet on and was engulfed in him. Dragon’s scent was captured in the helmet and it was like having his essence surround her.

  Catherine went to throw her leg over the bike, but had a problem. Her skirt wouldn’t let her. When Dragon turned to look back at what was causing her delay, his eyebrow rose in a question. Catherine gave up the modesty fight and pulled the skirt up higher until it was almost indecent, but it was the only way she could mount the bike. There wasn’t much room on the seat and her body rubbed against Dragon’s back as she made a slow slide down his body and onto the seat. Her breasts pressed flat against his back as she wrapped her arms around his waist and the bike surged forward smoothly.

  Catherine had never ridden a motorcycle before, but soon found it exhilarating. The cool air against her skin, the rumble of the powerful bike between her legs, and the feeling of being unrestricted and one with the starry night sky left her with such a feeling of freedom that she never wanted it to end.

  Too soon they arrived at Mia’s apartment. When they pulled up, Mia was giving Cutman a kiss and the twosome didn’t pull apart when they heard the other bike arrive. When they came to a stop, Catherine climbed from the back of the bike and Dragon followed. He discreetly looked away as she wiggled her skirt back down into place.

  “You don’t have to walk me to the door. It’s late and I’m sure you’re tired,” said Catherine.

  Dragon ignored her and walked her to the door anyway. “My mama raised me better than that. I’ll walk you to the door. It’s no big deal.” By this time Mia had gone inside of the apartment, leaving the door slightly ajar for Catherine. Cutman was climbing back on his bike as they walked by.

  “Good night, Kitty Cat,” he said as they passed. He chuckled and Catherine couldn’t help but smile back at him.

  “Good night, Cutman, and thank you,” she replied.

  When they reached the door, Dragon turned to face her, and they both glanced at Cutman, who quickly made a great show of studying the straps on his helmet before sliding it over his head, starting his bike, and riding off.

  Catherine offered her hand to Dragon. He smiled. “You don’t have a pitcher of beer hidden on you somewhere, do you? I wouldn’t appreciate a beer shower right about now.”

  Catherine shrugged. “As long as you don’t pinch my ass hard enough to leave a bruise, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

  Dragon frowned as he took her small hand into his own. “I didn’t realize that he had hurt you.” Dragon looked concerned. “I’m sorry I should have gotten to him sooner. Promise me that in the future, you will come to me if you are having a problem. I’ll take care of it. Don’t put yourself in danger Cat. I don’t want to see you get hurt.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the inside of her wrist, where the pulse beat.

  Catherine felt the rough touch of his whiskers and the warmth of his moist breath a heartbeat before she felt the softness of his lips as they briefly brushed across her sensitive skin. Goosebumps spread across her flesh and she shivered. She was momentarily breathless. Deep down somewhere in her core, a drumming began it was somewhat tribal and instinctive. It was something she had never experienced before, and it spread to all parts of her body, heating and leaving them throbbing.

  “Okay, I promise I will.” She managed to get out. “Will you promise me something too, Dragon?” Cat asked sweetly.

  He seemed surprised by her request but answered with a nod. “If I can.”

  “Promise me that you won’t be a grouch toward the woman that you saved, especially when she is trying to thank you.”

  “Did I do that?” he asked with a wicked grin. That sent her heart into flutter mode.

  Catherine nodded. “Yes. I was starting to think you had saved me from Bennett so you could pummel me yourself.”

  For a moment Dragon seemed lost in thought as his hand reached out and he captured a lock of her hair as it lay across her shoulder and down around her breast. Cat got the feeling that for a moment he would have brought it up to inhale before he realized what he had done and quickly released it.

  “Point well taken,” he whispered his voice husky and warm. “Sweet dreams, Cat.”

  Dragon’s lips brushed her cheek. His warmth, his manly, spicy smell shrouded her like a soft quilt. She wanted to wrap herself up in this man, but instead turned to go inside, aware of the fact that he watched her until she was safely locked into the apartment. It was an odd feeling for her, this feeling of being protected …secure… watched over. Dragon was such an enigma. Mia said he didn’t like to fight. A former MMA fighter who didn’t like to fight? He wasn’t all he appeared, meaning that he was keeping secrets too. Dragon was so hard and tough on the outside so seemingly fearless, yet he had just kissed her wrist with so much tenderness. Did he have a soft spot? A place where maybe she could find and make her way into? A chink in hi
s armor protected heart? Dragon was no prince charming. He was too edgy, too dark. No doubt Dragon was a man who made his own way and took no prisoners. He would accept no less from her than her everything. Could she surrender her all to the smoking-hot Dragon and not be burned in the process?

  Chapter Six

  “Gone! What in the hell do you mean she’s gone? I thought I told you to lock her up in her room!” yelled Douglas Washburn. His watery blue eyes narrowed and pinned Howard to the navy winged chair in his opulent office.

  Howard squirmed. “We think she may have climbed out the window.”

  “Idiot! I’ve been to your house. I know how high her window is! Do you think I’m fucking stupid? The girl would have broken something. She’s not actually Rapunzel. Someone had to have helped her escape. That lush of a wife of yours, maybe?”

  Howard shook his head. “No, not Virginia she was…well, indisposed that night.”

  Douglas stared him down. “In other words, she was drunk again. Need I remind you we had a deal? I gave you two hundred thousand dollars and my unwavering supports to help you get elected in the last congressional race and in return you promised me the girl for my wife. I have to have time to groom her to stand by my side in two years when I run for the Senate. Now you listen to me. You get your lard ass up out of my chair and you go find the bitch, and when you do, you bring her right to me. I know how to teach a woman her place.”

  Howard gulped. “But, how are you planning on making her marry you? Catherine said she doesn’t want to. You aren’t going to hurt her, are you?”

  Douglas narrowed his eyes. “You let me worry about that. I know how to teach a woman what is expected of her. Get the fuck out of my office and go find her. You will not renege on our deal! Or have you forgotten your little indiscretion with Lola?”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.” Howard rushed from the office, sweating profusely through his clothing and thinking he would not want to be Catherine when she was found. He had a brief moment of conscience that she might be hurt, but in light of the fact he had made a deal with the devil himself, he knew better then default on that deal. Douglas Washburn had some very damning pictures of him and a call girl that he had employed on a business trip to Vegas. Douglas had even set him up with her. Releasing those pictures would be the end of him and his political career. He had to find Catherine, and he had to find her fast.