Thane’s Firebird roared to life as he gunned it through a green light, heading to Dorothea’s place. Every morning she saved him a hot cinnamon bun and occasionally made his lunch. She made a mean meat meatball sandwich. But today he wasn’t racing like the devil for a sticky bun. His mate was here.

He hadn’t planned on seeing her so soon. However, his greedy-ass dragon had other naughty things on his mind. It was wrong, hiding behind the shrubs, staring at her like a peeping Tom. It wasn’t his style. Yet, once he tracked her scent, leading him straight to Dorothea’s, he couldn’t tear his dragon eyes off her.

Fuck yeah, she’s my mate!

When he’d returned home from his flight, the distance between them should have given him a chance to cool off. However, he’d paced the floors like a dog in heat with images of the stunning blonde standing on the balcony wearing a white lace bra and panties. He remembered the way her nipples strained against the lace when she realized she was being watched. Even now, he could still smell a trace of her arousal and didn’t that make his cock jerk to attention like a soldier. Sergeant Dick, stand down.

One look at her and his hormones were out of control like a teenager. The struggle within was real. The nature of his beast craved nothing more than to race up to her room, pin her to the wall, and wrap those long legs around him as he plunged deep inside her. The other side warned him not to soar off the deep-end and do something stupid. As she retreated inside, it gave him the perfect opportunity to take to the sky and fly home.

Thane pulled behind the B&B and cut the engine. Looking in the rearview mirror, he combed his fingers through his hair and took a minute to compose himself. Today was the day he’d welcome his mate into his home and start a family—that was how it worked for dragons. Each male dragon had a mate, and once together, they mated for life. A dragon never knew when his mate would be summoned by the elders. The dragon gods knew a dragon’s mate before they were born. Like it or not, when a prime she-dragon called, the male had to answer. There was no leave a message and I’ll get back to you.

To appease the gods and show them he was ready for a mate, he’d built a love nest for his queen and had claimed Serpentine Mountain as his own. This was the legacy he would pass down to his children. Yet his mate had never appeared. Tired of trying to tune in to dragon radio, Thane gave up and accepted his destiny—living alone.

Knowing the gods had a sense of humor, he accepted their torture. Then, when he wasn’t looking, the bastards had laid one on him like a kick in the face. Surprise, you have a mate.

Not that he wasn’t grateful. Dying a lonely dragon on top of his mountain wasn’t what he had envisioned for his future. He longed for a mate, and now all he needed to do was go inside and claim her. By tonight, they’d be wrapped up between the sheets. Fuck yeah!

Thane stepped out of the car, then walked inside Dorothea’s café. He surveyed the room and found his mate. She was sitting at a corner table reading a book and drinking coffee. The sun shined through the widow behind her, casting a golden glow over her. His mouth went dry when she innocently licked her lips. Steady, my man, don’t seem too eager.

Taking a deep breath, Thane made his way to the breakfast bar and sat down. Dorothea took a minute to smile at him as she took someone’s order three barstools down. He propped his elbows up on the table and clasped his hands together, his thumbs tapping nervously as he waited.

“Hi, honey.” Dorothea poured him a cup of coffee. “Where were you yesterday?”

“Busy.” Thane took a sip of coffee, then placed the cup back in front of him.

“Right.” Dorothea gave him a knowing glance as she took a cinnamon bun out of the case.

“What?”

“Don’t lie to me. I saw you here earlier this morning.”

Christ, the woman could read him like a book. There was no point trying to lie to her—she knew everything that went on in Ember Brooke. She was the closest thing he had to a mother. He leaned in and whispered, “She’s here.”

Dorothea whispered back, “I know.”

“What?” Thane’s brows creased in confusion. “How long have you known?

“A while,” Dorothea said nonchalantly.

“You could have warned me?”

She chuckled, “No, it’s against the rules.” Dorothea grabbed the coffee pot off the burner. Before she left to fill empty coffee cups at the other tables, she stopped in front of him. “She’s beautiful. Congratulations.”

Pride filled his heart and a fool smile spread across his lips. His mood dimmed when he felt a large hand clasp his shoulder. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jensen take the seat next to him.

“Hey there, Casanova,” Stone greeted him.

And here he sat—stuck between bust your balls and the laughing idiot sidekick. Wait for it…

Jensen piped in, “Evel Knievel has nothing on you.”

Thane shook his head, waiting for Stone to make his move, because it was coming.

“So, was I right?” Stone asked in his signature smartass tone. Thane knew he was holding back.

“About what?” He shrugged him off.

“Come on, you almost wrecked my car because your dick was in overdrive.”

“Your obsession with my dick is really disturbing.”

Stone didn’t look happy that he was skirting around his question. “So, did you find what you were looking for?”

“I did.” Thane nodded toward the table where his mate sat.

Stone and Jensen looked in her direction.

“Shit man, that’s her?” Jensen asked.

“Yep.”

Stone sobered. “She’s beautiful.”

“Yes, she is.” Unsure of his dragon’s impulsive behavior, Thane didn’t dare look at her. He didn’t want to screw this up.

Stone turned, resting his arms on the table. “So, what’s the plan? I can go over and do the introduction. You know, pave the way for you.”

Thane’s dragon roared. Hell no, he didn’t want Stone or any other male near his mate. Thane snapped his attention to Stone. “No, I’ve got this.” He motioned for Dorothea to come over.

“Need more coffee?” she asked.

“No, but I need another cinnamon bun. The freshest one you have.”

Dorothea tossed him a curious look before reaching into the case. “There you go, honey.”

“Thanks.” Thane grabbed the plate and stood. “Watch and learn, boys.”

Thane set off in his mate’s direction. Still absorbed in her book, she didn’t see him coming.

“Is this seat taken?”

She looked up at him from the top of her glasses. The most stunning hazel eyes he’d ever seen stared straight through him. Her lashes swept across her eyelids like delicate angel wings. She shook her head and returned to her book. Thane set the plate on the table and sat down across from her. He pushed the plate in front of her. “Have you tried Dorothea’s cinnamon buns?”

Without taking her eyes from the book, she shook her head.

“Oh, you have to try them. They are the best in town.”

“No, thanks,” she replied casually.

Shot down and spiraling fast into a crash landing—this wasn’t what he’d anticipated from his mate. He expected her to be more accepting or at least smile at him. Why was she giving him the cold shoulder? Could he be wrong; was she not the one?

He spared a glance at the dastardly duo, and yep, they were watching his every move. Jensen had his hands wrapped around his neck signaling Thane was choking under pressure while Stone blew him a kiss. Fucking assholes.

Thane rested his elbows on the table, glancing at the blonde. Stray tendrils framed her face and neck, her hair pulled back into a loose braid. Beautiful.

His dragon growled as she shifted in her seat to cross her legs. She pulled her sweater across her chest, hiding her breasts. Fuck yeah! Thane sensed she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Now we’re getting down to business.

Thane reached across the table and removed her glasses. A bold move to gain her attention, but hell, she was playing hard to get. She immediately glanced at him, then laid the book on the table. She crossed her arms. Their gazes locked. “Thane.” He reached out to shake her hand.

“Bex.” God, he could feel her heat.

“So, what brings you to Ember Brooke?”

“Vacation. How about you?”

“I live here.”

“Ah, a local boy.”

He wetted his lips as he watched her pick a piece of icing off the cinnamon bun and taste it. Male dragons thrived on feeding their mates. This was a good sign; she was accepting him. Thane relaxed.

“So, what do you do here?” she asked.

“I’m a hang gliding instructor. I take people on guided tours of Ember Brooke from a sky perspective. It’s our biggest attraction here. You should join me.”

Bex tore a hunk off of the bun, then placed it back on the plate. She wiped her hands on a napkin. “Look, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but I’m not interested in hooking up.”

Wait, what did she mean by that?

She grabbed her purse and stood. “I almost forgot.” She reached across the table, her breasts inches from his face, and grabbed the cinnamon bun.

Still baffled, Thane didn’t know what to say. Didn’t she know he was her mate? Shouldn’t she want to spend time with him? She was treating him like any other guy trying to hit on her. This was no fling…this was the real deal.

“I’ll give you an A for effort, Dragon.” He looked up at her as she smiled back at him, then walked away, leaving him speechless.

She walked out the door, her hips swaying seductively. He scrubbed a hand down his face. Perhaps he should have brushed up on his courting skills, because it was going to take more than one encounter to gain his mate’s attention. If she wanted to play hard to get, he’d play along.

He smirked when he discovered Bex’s book on the table. Until we meet again, she-dragon.