Chapter 3
Keva smiled as her latest customer stepped outside her shop, the little bell jingling overhead as she left.
Her smile froze in place as a woman she recognized as part of Conall’s clan stepped inside—Conall’s mother, something Keva had figured out on her own. Though the woman looked to be in her thirties, she knew that shifters aged differently than humans.
Two newcomers she’d never met before were with Arya. Definitely dragons, given their height. Maybe they were new to the clan? Because Keva definitely would’ve remembered the two tall, striking females. She’d learned to recognize dragon shifters by their size alone, and all these women were tall, elegant, and okay, a little terrifying. But that was only because she knew they could shift into giant fire-breathing animals and burn her to a crisp if they so chose.
“Hello ladies, welcome to The Gallery, please let me know if you need help with anything.”
They all smiled politely at her but she wasn’t fooled by the civil smiles, especially from the two unknown women. They were tall, just shy of six feet—maybe. And when she looked into the silvery-gray eyes of the first one it was as if she was being watched by a predator. A very ancient one. She could be wrong though. It was impossible to know and her knowledge on shifters was limited to what her ex-boyfriend had told her and then what she’d gleaned in the last few years.
She fought off a shudder at the thought of her past, not wanting to go there. He was dead and out of her life. For a couple years after his death, she’d randomly used one of his credit cards so his family wouldn’t know he died. He was a loner by nature and would go years without talking to them. So she figured she’d be okay. But she’d wanted to be smart, to make sure that if they got curious about him, he had some sort of online trail after they’d “broken up.” It was pretty sneaky, but she was good at surviving. And she had a whole story for them if they ever came sniffing around about how they’d broken up and that she hadn’t heard from him since.
“Everything today is on me,” Arya said to the two females without looking up from a display case of rings.
The woman with the jet-black hair twisted at her nape simply snorted and went over to the display of necklaces featuring dragon wings. Most of her customers, the human ones anyway, assumed they were angel wings. But they were most definitely fashioned after dragon wings. Keva had always been into making jewelry, and after she’d witnessed Conall in his shifted form, the image of his wings had been seared into her brain forever. He’d saved her that day, given her freedom. She would never forget that. She’d wanted to honor him in some way and she did that through her jewelry.
“These are breathtaking,” one of the women said as she approached the counter.
Normally Keva interacted more with her customers, but these women put her a little on edge. It was silly to think that a countertop could actually stop these women if they wanted to attack her, but she was still using it as a barrier of sorts. After yesterday and that meeting with that big jerk from Conall’s clan, she was feeling edgy and annoyed in general. She knew she should simply call Conall and ask him what the deal was. If he wanted her building, she’d sell it to him. But only for a fair price. He might have saved her life, but he’d also given her a backbone in the process.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
The woman held the necklace up and eyed it curiously. “These wings really are intricate. You have a lot of talent. I was told you make everything by hand.”
Keva nodded. “I do, and thank you.”
“I would like this, and my sister-in-law is not purchasing anything for me.” She sniffed haughtily and looked over at Arya. “I have my own funds.”
Arya simply rolled her eyes and picked up a bracelet that Keva had handcrafted with platinum and glass she’d found on a long stretch of deserted beach in California.
By the time the women had gathered all of their choices, Keva had learned their names—Mira and Prima—and they’d racked up over two thousand dollars in sales. Which was an incredible day indeed.
Keva couldn’t fight the smile even if she’d wanted to as she tallied up all the sales. She swore the dragons kept her in business. Though the tourist season was always nice and definitely kept her afloat, the dragons had helped push her business heavily into the black. Something she liked very much. So did her bank account. There was a certain kind of security that came from having financial independence. After she’d been dependent on her ex—who’d burned through the money her parents had left her—nothing compared with being able to take care of herself. She would never go back to being the woman who’d been so stupid, so dependent on a man, so beaten down.
As the three shifters left, she froze as the man from yesterday stepped inside. He simply nodded at the women, barely glancing their way because his gaze was laser sharp on her.
She immediately stepped around the counter. Some intrinsic part of her, a part she barely understood, knew without a doubt he wouldn’t hurt her. That alone confused her—along with the fact that she was very much attracted to the big jerk with the insulting offer. His shoulders were wickedly broad, his dark hair close-cropped, making his cheekbones stand out even more. And there was just a hint of silvery-gray in his blue eyes, making them appear like flecks of ice. He wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, his biceps straining against the material. “Mr. Hunter.”
“It’s Dagen.” That sexy voice swept through her and she was glad she’d actually worn a bra today.
Because her nipples beaded tightly from that damn voice alone. “Okay.” Her tone was noncommittal. “Can I help you with something?”
“I came by to officially apologize for my offer yesterday. It…was just business for me. But I see why it was insulting.”
“Just business, not personal, right? I hate that phrase.”
He simply nodded, looking uncomfortable. Then he cleared his throat. “I should also tell you that I wasn’t authorized to make that offer by Conall. It didn’t come from him. I was just doing my job. But I was too overzealous.”
She wondered at his motives. “Is your Alpha making you apologize?”
He blinked once and she noticed he hadn’t walked very far into her store. “It’s strange to talk to a human who knows what I am.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I really don’t know that much.” But she wanted to know more. So much more.
He was silent for a long moment, then said, “No, he didn’t make me apologize. I came here on my own. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
For some reason, she actually believed him. It didn’t mean she was going to become buddies with the guy, but she nodded politely. “Apology accepted.”
He blinked again, looking surprised, but the tightness in his shoulders loosened and she absurdly wondered what he would look like naked—but only because she wanted to sculpt him. That was all. Oh my God, Keva, that’s the saddest lie in the world.
He continued to stand there for a long moment, looking unsure of himself, and she wasn’t sure what to say either. He was…ridiculously sexy.
“Did you need help with anything else?” she finally asked.
“Baby shower,” he blurted.
She blinked once. “Excuse me?”
“I’ve been invited to a coed baby shower. I need help shopping for something.”
She looked around her store and suppressed a grin. “I don’t think I have anything appropriate for a baby shower gift here. Unless you’re planning on buying jewelry for a woman who is not your mate?” Because even she knew that was a big no-no in the shifter world. Shifter males in particular could get very possessive. At least from what she’d seen. Heck, that was pretty much a no-no for humans too.
He frowned as if the thought had just occurred to him. “That is true.” He shifted from foot to foot as he glanced around the store, his expression curious. Then he strode over to a sculpture she’d made of a beautiful dragon with bluish-gold wings that looked as if they were on fire themselves. The beautiful animal was in the middle of breathing fire the same color as his wings. In the sunlight, even more colors glittered through the glass and gems. That piece had taken her ages to finish and she almost hated to sell it.
“This is incredible,” he breathed, awe in his voice. “You made this yourself?”
She felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment. “I did.”
“I’ll take it.”
“Ah…it’s fifteen hundred dollars.”
He didn’t even blink as he gently picked it up. “It’s worth more.”
Now she was the one to blink in surprise. Even more heat rushed to her cheeks but she simply put on her “store-owner’s smile” and said, “Thank you. Just give me a second and I’ll get a box and some stuffing so I can wrap it properly.” Today had turned out to be a very good day indeed. And it was only a little after lunch, so it was very likely that she would still see more customers.
For some strange reason, she was glad this virtual stranger was the one who’d purchased the piece. It was clear he valued it.
* * *
Dagen steeled himself and stepped inside Keva’s shop the next morning. Just like the first time, seeing her—and scenting her—nearly knocked him on his ass. He tried not to be obvious but all he wanted to do was inhale that rich, sweet, wild scent. Fuck. He needed to get it together.
She was clearly surprised to see him but smiled politely. It was nothing like that original smile she’d given him—before she’d known who he was. The smile that stole his breath and much more.
“Good morning,” she said softly.
The little bell jingled overhead as he stepped fully inside and let the door shut behind him. “Morning. I brought you some pastries from the shop a few doors down.” It was owned by the clan and Isobel ran it. Arya had told him what Keva’s favorites were, though he was still unsure how the ancient female even knew that. But she seemed to have a wealth of knowledge.
“Why?” she blurted. Then she seemed to wince and said, “I mean, thank you. But also…why are you bringing me pastries?”
“To be nice. And because I wanted to ask you out to lunch. Or dinner.” Basically he wanted anything she would give him. Which felt a little sad and desperate, but his dragon apparently had no pride or shame when it came to her. He just wanted the chance to get to know her more. To see if this insane connection he felt was real, and could be reciprocated.
Her delicious lips pulled into a thin line. “You mean like a date? Or is this some plan to get me to sell?”
“I do not want to buy your property. I don’t care about that. I…just want to ask you out on a date.” God, he wasn’t some untried dragon barely out of his youth. He was a fucking sentinel, part of the team that kept their borders secure. But right now he felt out of his depth, as if he was drowning.
“Oh.” She bit her bottom lip, the action adorable. But when she crossed her arms over her chest, the move protective, he knew she was going to say no before she said it. Sighing, she continued, “Look, I completely accept your apology. But I’m not looking to date anyone. Especially not…a shifter. And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I’m just not looking for anything at all—with anyone.” There was such a finality in her words, but also a hint of regret.
His dragon definitely picked up on the regret and clung to it. “Are you looking for a friend?”
“I guess,” she said, then laughed lightly. “I mean, if you really want to be friends, sure, but I’m making it clear right now that I am not looking for a relationship. Or sex either.”
He perked up at the word sex but kept his expression neutral. That was hard, especially when he scented more than a trickle of lust roll off her. He went completely still for a moment, inhaling the turbulence of her mixed emotions. She wanted him. Even if she didn’t want to want him. “Okay, then. Would you like to go out to dinner as friends?”
She snorted softly again, a hint of amusement lighting up her eyes. “Somehow I feel like you’re not hearing anything I’m saying.”
He lifted a shoulder. “I hear everything you’re saying.” And not saying.
“I can do lunch on Saturday. I’ve got extra staff working that day so I can get away.”
Saturday seemed an eternity away, but he would take it. Moving closer, he was careful not to crowd her space as he set the bag of pastries on the countertop. “I’ll need your phone number.”
“You should have my phone number from the files for the real estate offer.”
“The number is in there, but I didn’t want to invade your privacy and save it in my phone.”
She blinked in surprise but then smiled, one of those real ones that he couldn’t get enough of. Then she rattled off her phone number. He quickly put the numbers in his phone and texted her once so she had his.
“Saturday, should I pick you up here?” he asked.
“Sounds good. How about eleven thirty? There’s usually a lull around then and I won’t feel bad about leaving my shop.”
He nodded. “I’ll see you then.” And he’d likely be counting down every second. He wasn’t sure how mated males, or females for that matter, ever got anything done. All his focus was on Keva. And if she wanted to be just friends, then fine. Well, not fucking fine. But he wanted her in his life. He wasn’t sure how things would play out if his attraction grew even stronger but he was going to take it one day at a time. Hell, one step at a time. He needed to prove to her that he was a worthy male. The only thing he knew was that he got to spend time with her on Saturday. That made his dragon very happy.
He was a predator by nature, but his dragon half thought in very simple terms. And right now, one hurdle had been crossed. Convincing his future mate to spend time together was complete. And he’d gotten to give her food. Yes, this pleased him very much.