was good at her job and wouldn’t let a potential customer get away without being made aware of all they had to offer.
“I’m here to see Maria.”
The sound of the familiar deep voice sent fire through Maria’s body. She froze, hands on her keyboard, wondering how on earth he had found her and what he wanted.
“Do you have an appointment?” Kathleen asked, sounding slightly breathless.
“No, but I don’t need one. She’ll see me.”
Exhaling, Maria stood. “That’s okay, Kathleen,” she said, pitching her voice loud enough so she could be heard. “I have a little time to talk to Mr. Howard.”
At the name, Kathleen let out an audible gasp. “I’m so sorry,” she gushed. “Forgive me. I wasn’t entirely sure it was you. Of course, let me show you Ms. Miranda’s office.”
Before she could, Ryan appeared in Maria’s doorway. He looked so rugged and masculine, so out of place in the pointedly delicate decor, Maria had to suppress a smile.
Instead, she put on her best professional face, praying he couldn’t tell how her heart practically pounded in her chest. “What can I do for you?” she asked.
Stepping into her office, he closed the door. His sheer size made the space feel three times smaller. “Why’d you run away?” he asked. The quiet question felt much more dangerous than it would have if he’d showed anger.
Again, she couldn’t help but marvel at the clean-cut lines of his face and the self-confidence he radiated. Her heart jolted, her pulse hammered, and her mouth went dry.
Nope. Not going there.
Carefully, she shrugged. “I changed my mind. And I have to say, the fact that you’ve shown up here, at my place of business, confirms I did the right thing.”
He glowered, his dark eyes still far too beautiful and seeing way too much. “I’m not stalking you, for Chrissake. You told me you owned a wedding chapel. There are only two on the island proper—yours and The Wedding Chapel on Broadway. I figured this one would be yours, and I wanted to talk to you, so here I am.”
Crossing her arms, she carefully titled her head. “And, again, what can I help you with?”
Her impersonal tone had him coming closer, dragging a hand through his hair, which only made him appear sexier. “I like you,” he said, his expression serious. “And I thought the feeling was mutual. How about this? Go to dinner with me tonight. No strings. Just a nice meal and some conversation.”
She didn’t have to feign her horror. “No, thank you. Wherever you go, there are cameras and paparazzi. That’s not my thing. At all.” She flashed him her most detached smile. “I’m sure you won’t have trouble finding someone else to accept your invitation. At least, judging from the admirers following you around the club last night.”
His mocking smile sent a shudder down her spine. “I don’t want anyone else. I want you.”
Instant heat. Right there, in between her legs. Her entire body, in fact. Still, she held her ground. “I’m sorry, Mr. Howard. The answer is no.”
She thought he might argue with her at the very least, or maybe say something charming, in the hope of coaxing a smile. After all, if one believed his press, he was a player of the highest degree, used to getting what he wanted, when he wanted it.
Instead, he crossed the distance between them, cupped her face with his large hand and kissed her.
Stunned and shocked, she froze. Truth be told, she didn’t resist. In fact, as he slanted his mouth over hers, kissing her as if she were a precious treasure, she went with it and opened her mouth so she could properly kiss him back.
Desire spooled low in her belly, and dimly she registered there was a reason Ryan Howard was good at getting women.
That thought had the effect of ice water dashed on her. She gasped and jerked away. “Out,” she ordered, her voice shaking. “Get off my property right this instant.”
Hands up, he backed away, nearly to the still-closed door. “About dinner...”
“No.” Sucking in air, she let a trace of her anger show in her eyes, which should have been a warning. Even though Ryan was a Shape-shifter, when he saw the red glow in her eyes, he should realize he’d better stay away. To most other Shifters, the Drakkor were only legends. Few knew they still existed. Her people had formed an alliance with his, the Pack Protectors, in order to help keep the Drakkor safe. She didn’t know how many of the Pack had been informed. At this moment, she didn’t actually care.
“You have a fiery temper,” he said softly, the intensity in his gaze telling her he knew his comment would be like throwing kindling on the embers. When she didn’t respond, he dared to prod. “Dinner?”
“Out.”
Nodding, he turned to go. As he grasped the door handle, he glanced back over his shoulder and tossed a business card on her desk. “Here’s my number in case you change your mind. I would never have pegged you for a coward, Maria Miranda.”
And with that, he left.
More shaken than she’d like to admit, even to herself, Maria dropped back into her desk chair. Coward? Had he known he’d just issued the worst insult one could to her kind? Had his choice of word been intentional, just to draw her into his sensual web?
If so, well played. She nearly ran after him. Only Kathleen’s breathless appearance in her doorway stopped her.
“Oh, my goodness, how do you know Ryan Howard?” Kathleen gushed. “I couldn’t help overhearing—you know how thin these walls are, and it sounded like you and he had already met. Are you going to be in the tabloids? What do you think about him? He’s every bit as sexy in person as he is on TV.”
“Stop, please.” Maria wearily interrupted her employee and friend. “I just met him in a bar last night and we went for a walk on the beach.” She carefully omitted everything else, including the fact that they’d spent the night together. “I took off when the paparazzi showed up and started taking pictures.”
“Paparazzi! Oh my goodness, you are going to be in the tabloids!” Kathleen squealed. “I don’t believe it. I can tell all my friends I’ve met Ryan Howard, Persons Magazine’s Most Eligible Billionaire Bachelor.”
Maria groaned, sinking lower in her chair. “I can’t believe I...” Luckily, she caught herself in time.
Unfortunately, Kathleen had a sharp mind and good ears. “Oh, my! Did you really?”
“No.” Well aware her color was high, Maria gritted her teeth and held her ground. “No, I didn’t. Let’s talk about something else, please.”
“But—”
“It’s nearly ten. The first wedding party of the day should be here soon. We need to make sure everything is ready for them.”
Taking the hint, Kathleen nodded and returned to her desk.
Alone again, Maria opened her email and tried to concentrate. Her rapid heartbeat finally slowed and she gathered her scattered thoughts and made herself focus.
Who knew Ryan Howard would have such an effect on her? She’d never been one for the pretty men. However, Ryan was more than easy on the eyes. He radiated masculinity, something her dragon side required. Masculinity, sex appeal and confidence. Everything she wanted in a man.
Except Ryan was entirely too famous and popular. And a playboy as well, she reminded herself, just in case she weakened. As if she could. Anyone who dated Ryan Howard would be immediately thrust into the spotlight. She couldn’t afford that. Not only would it endanger her, but her future unborn child, as well.
She laughed at herself. As if. She couldn’t get pregnant with him. The other thing she needed was a man who would love her. As