PARANORMAL ROMANCE: The New Couple in Town: Don’t Let Them In (11 page)

After Lila got dressed in a delightful sapphire blue sundress, she looked at the shoes that were also in her size. There was everything from perfume to shoes to clothes, and she was bewildered by why he’d have this in her closet.
How long does he expect me to stay?
She thought to herself. That’s when she thought she heard a scream, but when she opened the door, listening intently, she heard nothing. She frowned, trying to write it off, but something was nagging at her.

It wasn’t long before she started down the stairs, feeling a little better in fresh clothes, and she had to admit that they hugged in in all the right places. James was waiting for her, and his shirt was changed, but her eyes went to his hands. She saw blood under his fingernails, and her eyes widened slightly. His eyes looked down, seeing where she looked before he sighed. He ran his fingers through his hair.

“I just punched my brother a few times. Please don’t look at me like I killed someone. We have an understanding in the family, and he broke it. The same would happen to me if I did.” He said, and she nodded, wrapping her head around it.

“I guess so.” She said.

Mob type.
She thought to herself, but for some reason she knew she was wrong. Lila had no intention of running away. For some reason, she didn’t fear him. She didn’t fear for herself when she was around him. Instead, she felt safe, and she was certainly going to stick around to see what was really going on.

“You look wonderful.” He said, breaking her thoughts.

“Thank you. I don’t know how, but you and that butler of yours seem to know a lot about me.” She gave him a skeptical look, and for a moment it didn’t seem to register what he was talking about.

“James?” He asked before she nodded. “Oh… he’s not my butler.” He said, and she looked even more confused.

“Then who the hell is he? He was pretty rude this morning.” She exclaimed, making Adam grit his teeth.

“Rude, huh? He’s my bodyguard, and he’s getting pretty cheeky lately.” He sighed, running his fingers through his hair again. Lila was starting to recognize it as a nervous habit.

“Bodyguard? Are you going to tell me why you need one?” She asked, and he took her hand, placing it in the crook of his arm.

“Can I just promise to tell you later?” Adam said, whispering in her ear. She bit her bottom lip as a shiver of arousal went through her at his husky town.

“Sure.” She said, barely more than a whisper. He could tell her reaction, and he chuckled deeply, causing her to blush.

“Good. I’m glad we’re in agreement. Now isn’t there something a little more pleasant that you’d like to talk about?” He asked as they walked to the front of the house and out to the car. He decided to drive himself this time after what he had heard her say about James. He just wanted it to be the two of them for a little while, and his mind was already wandering to Daniel a little too much.

“How about why you have me a whole closet of clothing?” She said, and he smiled sheepishly at her.

“I like girls that stay with me to have nice things.” He said, and she just looked at him.

“Please tell me another girl didn’t wear this.” She said, astonished.

“No, no. I know how girls are about that, so I donate the outfit when a girl is done with it.” He said, waiving it off.
Richer than I thought.
She thought to herself, shaking her head as she slipped into the passenger seat.

“You are kind of wasteful.” She teased him, and he just looked at her, mock offended before putting pedal to the metal.

“I beg to differ. I just said I donate them. I don’t think that’s wasteful at all, but since you want to argue about clothes, how about I buy your own.” He said, and there was no hint of teasing in his voice. There didn’t seem to be a question either. Her head was already spinning.
This is just the third day.
She thought, astonished.

“Is there a question in that?” She asked, and he tilted his head back to laugh.

“No. No, I don’t think there was, and you seem all too okay with that.” He said, and they were driving off. She didn’t know where they were going, but it was obvious that he was intent on his goal. She just wondered when they’d be shopping.

“So why all this for me?” She asked as they entered a store that she’d never dream being at on her budget.

Her job couldn’t afford it. She didn’t even see price tags.
That probably means I couldn’t afford it
. She thought, and he swept her off her feet with purchase after purchase. She tried not to let it get to her, but Lila was impressed. The fabrics and everything was more than she had dreamed of.

“I guess I could let you in on a secret.” He said, tucking her hair behind her ears. She could feel fire where he touched her, but her eyes went to the slight bit of blood that was still under his fingernails. She looked in his eyes.

“Yeah?” She asked, prompting him to continue.

“I want you to be mine.” He said. He didn’t say girlfriend. He didn’t say lover.

It was so much more intimate than that.
Mine.
It echoed through her head, making her very core clench in arousal and excitement. Her heart pounded, and she leaned into his touch as he brushed her cheek.

“But you can’t say yes yet.” He continued.

“There’s something that you need to know first.” He added, and she looked at him expectantly. He glanced around, and shook his head before pulling out a credit card.

“Just not here.” He finished as he paid for the purchases, helping her into the car as they left.

“So there is something you need to tell me?” She prompted, and he shook his head.

“Not yet.” He told her, and the drive was silent and tense.

She couldn’t tell why she was on edge, but she kept glancing at him. There was something that had changed in his stance, and she was dying to understand what, but it didn’t look like he was going to tell her anytime soon. He gave her a charming smile, but it seemed almost predatory. She ached for him in a way that she didn’t expect, and so blushing, she looked away.

Adam told her that he’d be back when they could get dinner, and that it’d only be a few hours, but there would be guests. He went to see his brother who was locked in his room. His face looked better, but his lip was still busted. Not even dragon level healing would fix that just yet.

“What is it?” Daniel asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Did she turn away from you?” He asked, laughing, and he shook his head.

“What are you doing then?” Daniel asked, trying not to grit his teeth. It was obvious he was now suffering from a hangover as well.
You deserve it.
Adam thought to himself.

“I’m going to take her as my mate.” He said, and Daniel just laughed.

“You’ve only known her for three days.” He shouted, clearly amused.

“Yes, but at the same time you know as well as I do that dragons know their true mate quickly.” He countered with aggravation dripping from his voice.

“Yeah, but she’s human. It’ll freak her out.” He said, and Adam gritted his teeth.

“Well, I don’t think so, and I plan on you being there for dinner. Try to take care of that bleeding before then, hmm?” He said before turning to walk away, locking the door afterwards. He wasn’t going to give his brother a chance to interfere in his plans.
Not this time.

“Mate, huh?” James said, and before Adam could yell at him he decided to continue with what he was going to say.

“Just do yourself a favor, and tell her before you actually say it at dinner.

She is human. She may be your future mate, but you need to give her time to wrap her head around it.” He said, and James walked away. Adam begrudgingly realized that his old friend was trying to help him, but it didn’t make him want to really take his advice.
Not after all the aggravation that he’s put me through.
There may be something in what he’s saying though.
He told himself, and that’s why he went to go find her before dinner was ready.

Lila had shimmied into her new little black dress, and looking at her, he wished he hadn’t called his family so soon. He wanted her, and he wanted her now. The dragon inside of him roared as fire was set in his veins.

“You look stunning.” He said huskily, and she smiled at him as she put down the hairbrush.

“With how much you paid for this dress, I’d truly hope so.” She said, laughing a little.

“Now do I get to know that secret or not?” She asked, keeping her tone light, but he could tell that it was starting to bother her.

“Yes. My family is coming, and I want to tell them that you’re mine, but I can’t yet.” He said, and she patiently waited for him to continue. Adam stepped in, closing the door behind him as his fingers ran through his already messy hair.

“I think it’ll be easier to show you. You might not believe me otherwise.” He said, and she nodded.

He could tell that she was waiting, and there really would be no better time. There was something inside of him, dying to take her. To claim her, but he knew that he had to get through this first. Lila felt her heart hammering in her chest, threatening to pop out altogether. Every second that passed seem to be too much.

There was something in her mind telling her to run as he got that gleam in his eye again, but something glued her to her spot. That’s when something began to happen. The man that set fire to her every time he looked at her in that intense way of his was changing right before her eyes. She never thought they were real. She could hear her blood rushing in her own ears.

“You…” She started, and there was a huff as his nostrils flared.

Lila was once again caught in that fierce gaze of his as she stared at the black dragon before her. There was a part of her that was afraid for her life, and yet another part told her it’d be okay. It was the second that she listened to with a hammering heart until he changed back into the naked man that she had grown to know.

“Am a dragon shifter.” He finished for her, waiting for her to process it. Her breathing was shallow, and her breasts heaved with every inhale. He bit the inside of his lip, trying to hold back a groan. He stepped closer to her, ignoring his own nakedness as he cupped her face, forcing her to look up at him.

“Can you handle that?” He whispered seductively, and she nodded a little. Her eyes were still caught in his own.

“Good.” He said as his lips crashed down on hers, and he knew that there was no waiting his time.

He started to kiss her with a passion when he had held back before. She moaned, kissing him back as he pushed her back into the chair. He hiked her leg up as her dress worked over her hips. Adam started to kiss down her neck, making her moan as she rolled her head to give him access as he nipped and licked his way down to her cleavage. His hand darted out to rip the dress, exposing her breasts. He could smell her wetness as his mouth went to her nipple. His tongue traced around it, making her moan again.

“Say it.” He whispered against her flesh as his cock started to rub against her.

“Say that you’re mine.” He said, starting to move up and down. His head bumped her clit, and she groaned, arching back as her nails dug into his back.

“I’m yours.” She whispered, beside herself with lust as he started to push into her.

She could feel him moving inside of her, pushing her closer to the edge with each primal thrust. Her heart hammered and she clenched around him. She moaned loudly, mixing with his own groans of pleasure. He growled, pushing into her harder as her back dug into the chair and her nails dug into his shoulders.

She cried out in pleasure as he kissed back to her neck, sucking on the sensitive skin there. Her nipples hardened against her chest as she moved back against him, causing him to twitch inside of her. Finally, pushing her over the edge as she cried out his name and he pulled out. His cock throbbed between them as he stroked himself to completion as his lips danced across her own.

“God, you drive me wild.” He said, and she nodded. Too breathless to speak.

“I guess I should go down and make up a reason while you’ll be late for dinner.” He said, getting up gently as he pulled out another set of clothes from one of the bottom drawers.

“That would be nice. I’m still trying to tell myself all of that just happened.” She said, finally getting her wits about her. He chuckled, and another rush of arousal went through her, causing a soft moan.

“We can enjoy ourselves more later.” He said before disappearing with a wink.

She was left to clean up. Looking at her neckline, she knew she’d need another dress, and she started to look for one. Thankfully we bought more than enough. She thought as she changed. She could still feel his warmth as she slipped the dress on to cover her body which seemed all too cold without him there.

Those eyes flashed through her mind, both on him and on the dragon’s face. It still made her heart pound to think about, but for some reason there wasn’t any fear. Instead, she walked out with her head held high, and James broke out in a grin as he watched her. She just kept her chin up before she heard Adam arguing in the next room.

“There’s no way she’s not freaking out in there.” She heard an obnoxious voice say a little too smugly.

“I beg to differ.” Adam replied, clearly trying to hold back his anger.

“Do you need escorted back to your room, Daniel?” He asked his brother just as Lila walked in.

“I think he’ll be fine.” Lila piped in before crossing the room to take Adam’s arm. Daniel seemed infuriated, and she recognized him as Adam’s brother.

“What were you saying? Now how about you just run off. You aren’t taking over this family yet, little brother.” Adam said before walking them both closer to the dining room. That’s when he stopped for a moment, and Lila looked up at him with worry written all over her face.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“Well…” He trailed off, trying to figure out how to put it as clearly as he could. “I did forget to tell you something.” He finally finished.

“It can’t be more astonishing than ‘hey… I’m a dragon’.” She teased him, but the look on his face turned mischievous.

“Oh? Should I let you just figure it out then?” He asked.

“Please don’t.” She groaned.

“Fine. I run the entire family clan, and so that makes you pretty much a queen. Get used to it.” He said, and before she had a moment to respond, she was ushered into a room full of dark, calculating eyes that made her believe everything that he just said.

Some smiles were friendly, some skeptical, and some calculating. She didn’t know if she could trust anyone, but looking at Adam, she knew that she’d be okay. He kissed her before introducing her as his mate. The word seemed startle her, but she tried not to show it. She took a seat beside him at the head of the table with James standing behind them. This time, he gave her a wide smile, and she dared to smile back.

“He likes you now.” Adam said, finding her expression funny.

“I see.” She said, whispering just like he was.

“So, you were serious, weren’t you?” She asked, and he chuckled.

“Deadly.” He answered, and that’s when she realized that she was just thrown into a world that she had no idea what to do in.

She didn’t know where to start. What to do. Who to trust. All she knew was that she needed to stay by Adam.
Then I’ll be fine.
The meal was served, and it was rack of lamb with grilled asparagus and rice pilaf. Her mouth was already watering, and she couldn’t help but to giggle.

“What’s so funny?” He asked.

“Dragons and lambs. It’s just hilarious.” She said, and he just looked at her before realizing it was a joke.

“You have an odd sense of humor.” He said as he placed his hand on her knee reassuringly. His brother was glaring at her from down the table, and so was an older woman.

“Who’s that?” She asked when her glass of wine was being poured.

“My mother. Good luck with her.” He chuckled, and she nodded. For a while, they all had a nice dinner, but she knew it’d only be a matter of time before people started to quiz her. She didn’t know how to tell them that she had only met him three days ago. It was still hard to wrap her head around it all.

“So.” His mother finally said. “My name is Delilah, and I’m sure he’s already told you who I am. You’re the human, hmm?” She asked, clearly annoyed by it.

“Yes.” She replied, and Delilah looked directly at her son.

“Really? Why not a nice dragon lady? There’s many nobles to pick from. Other clans are more than interested in uniting.” She continued, and that’s when it hit Lila.

“Fuck.” She exclaimed a little too loudly, startling them all.

“What’s wrong?” Adam asked.

“I have work in the morning.” She said, eyes wide. Everyone around the table started laughing, and Adam looked his mother directly in the eyes.

“That’s why. She’s amusing, beautiful, and delightfully adorable.” He said. Lila still looked worried, and he chuckled.

“I’ll take care of it. You don’t even need to worry about it. You’ll be living a life of luxury now.” He explained, and she knew there would still be yet another thing to wrap her head around. His hand resting gently on her knee was the only thing that made her feel that no matter what happened, she could handle it.