The predator’s scent hung in the air, a direct contrast to carefree party going on. The tart citric aroma mixed with the spicy heat of Habanero peppers trapped her as effectively as shackles tightened about her limbs.

She had no doubt about his hunger. Raw and greedy, a strong sexual appetite made this man prowl, drove him to search for the right mate.

The same cravings ran through her dragon blood, ruled her thoughts and fought with her intellectual side. The hunger to have a man had plagued her since she reached puberty. But as the female of the species, she’d learned to hide it beneath a fey veil of decorum and graceful avoidance.

Her tongue ran over her lips. The tart flavor of him floated on the twilight breeze and tickled her taste buds. Her body responded with an excitement that alerted every cell to his proximity and to the hot desire to have him as her mate.

The air, electrified by his desire, waltzed over her senses like the seductive music whirling around the party guests. He was heading in her direction, but she refused to turn and watch him enter through the large stone archway that led to the metal patio. He would be at her side soon enough. Her scarlet body-hugging gown and airspike heels wouldn’t be necessary to attract his attention. He knew her scent.

As a distraction from the erratic pulse beating through her system, Amanda endured her selfinflicted level of starvation and glanced at the red glow in the western sky. The bright orange streak from the spirit comet marked the end of work length. Fun and sex would be on everyone’s mind for the next three days.

The night young, she recognized the heated looks from both men and women. Many eyes followed the man stalking her every step.

His strong animal magnetism, dark looks and muscular frame drew female attention. She could picture him in her mind, tracking her footsteps. His quiet hunter gait tread across the dark iron flooring. The jungle of twisted metal that formed tables and chairs didn’t slow his pace. His dark gaze focused on her back.

Excitement sprang from the women around her. Several fluttered their hands nervously over their breasts, hoping needlessly to become his next lover. But the dragon’s blood running through his body would never be satisfied with the conquest of inferior human blood. He stalked her for that reason.

And Amanda knew it.

Heat coursed through her veins as he came within striking distance. No one in Scaup could save her now.

“Can I get you something to drink, Amanda?” The tall blond man beside her drew her attention from the predator’s presence.

She gave Nathan her most seductive smile, unable to keep from toying with the handsome figure of a man. The dark force closing in on her heels would not be pleased to find her enticing another. Her smile widened. She refused to be easy prey. “How very sweet of you, Nathan…”

A large hand pressed against her lower back.

“There’s no need, Nathan. I’ll direct Amanda to the bar.” William’s deep voice allowed no opposition.

“Amanda?”

Nathan’s questioning glance told her that he and other males in the area had picked up the rich scent of her dragon blood. Knowing the young buck, he’d probably be willing to fight for her honor. William would of course devour anyone in his way. Amanda couldn’t see wasting such a beautiful male resource.

She laid a reassuring hand on Nathan’s arm. “I think William wants to show me around, seeing as I haven’t been invited to one of his parties before. As head of the Dragon Center, I’m sure he has all sorts of treasures he wants to reveal. I’ll be back in a few moments.”

Nodding at several other people standing nearby, she let William maneuver her into the house, past elegant rooms filled with expensive furnishings made of copper, silver, gold and iron. Tall marble columns stood beside a circular staircase that wound up an amazing three stories, a classic example of the early architecture of the post dragon era. Even the crystal globes, which sent prisms of light sparkling around the entryway, represented the same polished stone of the time period.

William, determined to be alone with her, didn’t speak or pause to address anyone on his course to his study. Once inside, he slid the door shut, as if secure in the knowledge he had her contained.

Amanda smiled.

She knew what was coming, had been expecting this ploy. She stepped to one of the wing back chairs in front of his desk, sat and spread the fine fabric of her gown around her ankles. “I take it you wanted to talk to me.”

His long easy stride ate up the distance to his chair behind his desk. She noticed the strong elegant lines of his dark gray silk suit. The jacket accented his large square shoulders and ended at the top of his hips. Tight pants hugged his buttocks and thick thighs. Light pink ruffles ran down the front of his shirt and hid the magnetic clips, which held the whole thing together. With a mere flick of her finger, she could have him undressed. Tempted, her hands started to sweat.

He took his seat and pulled a thin sheaf of metal forward. “I have the prenuptial agreement right here.” Dark brooding eyes met hers over the top of the documents. “I have a list of jewels and property you will receive upon our marriage.”

He offered the contract for her to review, but ignoring it, Amanda smoothed her hands over the satin material of her skirt. The nerves in her stomach knotted. Her heart raced in her chest. His square jaw framed by his raven black hair showed a man with a purpose. He wanted her as his mate. “That’s very considerate of you, William, but I’m not interested.”

His full lips formed into a straight line as he dropped the thin metal sheets back on his desk with a soft ting and tented his long slender fingers together. The sharp claws of a predator’s rage flickered briefly in the depths of his eyes. “I don’t think you understand. You don’t have a choice in the matter if you want your father to keep his job.” His tone held a threat, one Amanda was sure he could carry out.

“Good.” She refused to pay for another of her father’s mistakes. “As far as I’m concerned, he should be fired. Any man who fools around with a married woman deserves to be dismissed.”

A determined glint flashed in his eyes, which only stiffened her resolve. She rose from her chair. “I’m not a pawn, William. My father played a card like this one before and foolishly I went along to help him. But not this time.”

She took a step toward the thick metal door. From the corner of her eye, she saw him stand, large and intimidating, every muscle primed to pounce. A shiver of sexual awareness raced down her spine, and a drop of liquid need slipped between her legs.

“I suggest you do your job and kick my father’s butt to purgatory and back.” A hint of a smile played over her lips as she considered her father’s reaction to his latest deal. For once his little girl wasn’t going to bail him out of one of his problems.

“I’m not for sale.”

William blocked her path before she could take more than two additional steps; a gift of his blood to be able to react so quickly. Her curse was to smell his heat, to know his need, to want him inside her, making her blood boil. Luckily, the human part of her nature controlled her actions, reminded her of past heartache.

“A woman with your level of dragon blood needs a man, needs to have his children.” His strong hand circled her forearm. She sensed the heavy pulse of his blood beating against her tender skin.

“Not a possibility, William, even if I did agree to marry you.” She tugged her arm from his grasp. “I’ve been married twice. In neither case did I have a child. With you, it would be no different.”

His eyes narrowed to slits. “Are you telling me you’re unable to bear children?”

“You’re an intelligent man, William. What do you think?”

“Your father didn’t tell me this.”

“Yes, well, why would he? It would have been counterproductive to his plan, wouldn’t it?” The angry tightening of his jaw told Amanda she’d gained her freedom.

Stepping around him, she slid the door open on the metal railing and stood for a moment staring at his back. Other more pressing business required her attention. If she was lucky, she could get home, pack and get out of town before William picked up her trail again.

“Good luck finding some other lady to meet your needs, William.”

******************