It had been two days since she’d holed herself up in her ratty little apartment. Two days where all she could think about were a pair of brilliant blue eyes and sinfully kissable mouth. The more she thought about it, the more she was convinced that the man was a dragon. There was something about him that screamed strength and power. Too bad the moth balls had eroded her ability to smell him when she’d run into him. She’d tried to get his scent from her shirt again, but all that was left was the noxious smell that hid her from the enemy.
She’d seen dragons circling high above the town a few times in the past few days, but she didn’t recognize any of them. Whether or not Adrian was in town, she had to make her move. Mothballs or no, if she didn’t find a way to take care of her heat, they would find her. Her scent would draw the dragons like beacons in the night. Her best bet was to find a willing male, take care of her needs, then make her escape.
The old lady who owned the building had been kind enough to let her use her washing machine and dryer. At least, she wouldn’t be going out looking for a man smelling of mothballs. She packed her bag and left it by the door, ready, so that at the end of the night, she could leave Glen Farley, and the bastards chasing her, behind.
She waited until the sun had finally set before heading out to the one and only bar in the village. It wasn’t much of a bar, but if she wanted to pick up a willing male, it would be the place to do it.
The loud music pounded against her as she made her way to the bar and ordered a coke. No sooner did she have her drink that a man sat beside her. His breath smelled of beer and stale smoke, making her want to gag.
“Hey, sugar. Care to dance?” he asked.
“Sorry, I just got here. I think I’ll wait a bit before I hit the dance floor. Thanks, though,” she shot him down without even thinking about it. Damn, she was supposed to find someone to make her come, not be picky about his looks or his smell. She was about to give him an encouraging smile when inside her, her dragon snapped. She barely contained the beast’s growl.
Okay, okay. We’ll wait for someone else, she soothed it. Whatever it was about that man, the beast wanted nothing to do with him.
When another man came up to her a few minutes later, this one smelling fresh, and clean, she tried once more, but a growl rumbled free. The man stopped in his tracks, then without even speaking with her, turned away.
You’re the one making me crazy with lust, and you won’t even look at them, she scolded the dragon. We need to get this done fast unless you want to be mated to Adrian.
The waitress who’d been serving customers at a nearby table cast a weary glance her way. She gave the woman a small smile and turned to face the dance floor. Maybe if she could get her body close enough to a man, the dragon would be more amenable.
She put her coke on the bar and took a couple of steps when the door opened. Fresh air breezed in, bringing with it the scent she’d been dreaming of for two days. Her heart raced as she watched him stride in. His gaze scanned the room, not stopping until he’d rested it on her.
Tall, well over six feet, with wide, strong shoulders, and a brooding stare, the man shoving his way through the crowd to get to her should have had Charlotte running in the opposite direction. He was huge, and imposing, and so sexy. Her memories of when she’d crashed into him were nothing in comparison to seeing him standing there in the flesh. The contrast between his black hair and pale eyes made him all the more commanding. Like he could—and would—bend her will with one look. His gaze never wavered as he almost dared her without words to go ahead, and do it, to take off so he could give chase.
Excitement rushed through every cell, making every nerve ending sing in anticipation. He was coming for her, and this time, she wouldn’t get away. Oh, she could try, but his whole posture told her he was ready. And he wouldn’t give up until he had her.
Charlotte took a step toward him, then another. His eyes widened a smidgen. He might have thought she’d flee, but not this time. What she wanted—what her dragon needed—was him. Naked. Now. She had to get out of the bar. Not to get away from the hunk of a man eyeing her like he owned her, but to be away from the throng of people who would make it impossible to have him naked in less time than it took to introduce herself.
She took another step closer. His nostrils flared, and a muscle ticked in his jaw. If she could scent his arousal, he could scent hers, and that was fine by her. She was done running, at least for the night. She was finished being the victim, and he, he was her prize, her reward for enduring the endless months of torment at the hands of her clan. For the anguish of being bought and sold as though she was nothing more than chattel.