Chapter 1

Sloane sat facing one of the biggest, meanest looking men she had ever seen, yet all she could think of was how much she wanted to see him naked. She lifted her cup, taking a sip of the scalding coffee, meeting his gaze as she did. He didn’t turn away. Not for a second. Part of her wanted to rush out of the shop to escape his intensity, but the other part, the one that wanted her mate, kept her planted right where she was. He was it—the other half of her dragon’s soul. They both knew it. So why sit there and stare at one another? Because she wasn’t a fool—not all dragon shifters were kind.

Her phone vibrated on the table, and she picked it up, tearing her gaze from the man long enough to glance at the screen. You’re late. Again. Don’t bother coming in. You’re fired. Did Montgomery think this would upset her? Waitressing jobs in sleazy bars and restaurants were a dime a dozen. She could work for the next greasy spoon down the street just as easily as she had at Big Steve’s Family Restaurant. The fact that Big Steve gave her the creeps just made it that much easier for her to walk away.

When she peered up again, the hulk arched a brow and tilted his head toward the door. Her heart thudded, then sped. As much as she wanted to get to know the man whose heavenly scent had her dragon panting inside her, she wouldn’t. Not yet.

Sloane pursed her lips and shook her head. She could do this all day. It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to be. The truth was, she didn’t need her job. She used it more to be around people and stave off boredom than to earn an income.

Nothing and no one was more interesting than the man sitting there looking right back at her. If he didn’t like her denying him, he’d learn. She made her own way—always had.

Sloane stroked her tongue over her lips. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup, but she’d put on a bit of gloss before heading out this morning. She didn’t mind using her looks to get what she wanted. Especially on this man. If he was a decent dragon, they would spend the rest of their lives together, after all. If he wasn’t, she’d leave him in the dust whether he was her mate or not.

His gaze dropped to her mouth, and the knuckles of the hand holding his coffee cup turned white. She might not want to go outside with a strange dragon, but she wasn’t ready to throw in the towel, either. She stuck her phone in her pocket before grabbing her purse and her coffee. His eyes widened—only a touch, but she noticed. She stretched a little as she stood, smiling when he took a deep breath and looked around to see who else was watching.

“Mind if I sit?” she asked when she reached his table.

He inspected her from the top of her head to her pink runners and up again. “I’d rather you come outside with me.”

His deep baritone tingled all the way through her, igniting her. Even his voice was sexy. “I’m Sloane,” she said as she sat and crossed one leg over the other. He didn’t stop her, but his scowl deepened.

“Mateo.”

“So, Mateo… What’s a big, sexy dragon like you doing in a place like this?” She grinned, hoping to shake his grave expression. It didn’t work.

“I’m meeting someone.” His gaze slid to the door and back again.

“Someone in particular, or will I do?”

“She won’t be happy to see me sitting here with another woman,” he said with a bit of a growl.

Sloane blinked up at Mateo. She half expected him to smile, or at least say he was kidding, but none of the interaction she’d had with him so far had indicated that he even knew how. Who said shit like that to their mates? Asshole dragon jerks, that’s who. She’d been right not to go outside with him.

She shook her head. “Well, then, I guess I won’t keep you. I’d hate to upset your woman.” She grabbed her purse, leaving her coffee on the table. As much as she wanted it, she wasn’t going to take the time to get a to-go cup so she could bring it with her. She’d made it two steps before he reached over and grabbed her wrist.

He was still scowling at her as he brought her arm to his face and sniffed her. When his tongue darted out of his mouth and licked the tender skin, she gasped and jerked it out of his grip. Of all the nerve. If you think you can have your cake, and eat it, too, you’ve got another thing coming.

She heard his low growl and gave him one of her own before she turned and walked out the door. It wasn’t until she was on the sidewalk that she took another breath. An annoying ache settled in her chest, and for some stupid reason, she had to blink to dry the moisture in her eyes. It was ridiculous. She’d barely met the man. In fact, she wouldn’t have met him at all had she not gone over there and pushed herself on him.

She should march back into the coffee shop and give him a piece of her mind. But that would mean humiliating herself further. He didn’t want her. That much was obvious. Lifting her hand, she gave a sharp whistle. When the taxi pulled up in front of her, she looked back at the coffee shop. Mateo sat there—still scowling at her through the window.

She was about to get into the cab but then thought better of it. Had Mateo not wanted to get to know her, he wouldn’t have tried to get her to go outside, would he? “I’m sorry, I’ve changed my…” she was halfway through telling the cabbie she’d decided she didn’t need the ride when a gorgeous blonde woman approached Mateo’s table. And for the first time, she saw her would-be mate smile as he stood and took the other woman into his arms.