Bells rang. Lights flashed. The Sand Man machines sang with the winnings of the guests, fulfilling a few dreams of wealth. People screamed at the red sphere racing through the large labyrinth on the far wall.

Dee Butterfield’s body hummed with the noise of the casino, and the crowd’s excitement heightened the awareness already jumping through her veins.

The large marble statues of nude men and women didn’t help either. Naked body parts captured the eye in every direction. The dragon-era theme of the casino increased her sexual frustration.

To stay focused, Dee tuned out the chatter of the crowd and the evocative sights. Instead, she worked her way to the man seated at a special, high-risk table in the corner.

Scott VanHorn’s spicy apricot scent dwarfed that of liquor and perfume in the area. The chef’s grill, sizzling with her favorite entrée, hadn’t even distracted Dee when she’d walked out of the kitchen moments ago. Scott needed a long bout of sex.

Fucking hydras.

And because of him, so did she.

His dragon blood called to hers and formed a link between them. A fiendish desire for him raced through her like a wildfire running out of control. She couldn’t contain the blaze.

Assigned to watch him for the last week, she didn’t know how much longer she could stand the smoldering pressure.

Her gaze fell on his raven head bent to study his silver-plated cards. A gorgeous female draped over his shoulder, her golden blonde 1 hair in direct contrast to his dark handsome looks. Seductive red lips whispered beside his ear.

The sharp talons of jealousy stabbed Dee’s heart. Her fingernails cut into the tin tray she carried.

Scott’s elevated stress transmitted a message to every available woman. His sexual craving signaled he was in the market for a mate.

The alluring picture of black wavy hair caressing a sun-kissed face along with his tall, lean frame drew women from every corner of the casino. The sexy twinkle in his mesmerizing eyes captured any willing heart.

With the bright red streak from the spirit comet flashing across the evening sky a short time ago, females scurried to meet someone to party with for the next three days on their break from work.

The sexy blonde with Scott tonight was a regular. Lily Grant liked men. According to the file the Dragon Center had on her, she enjoyed the company of high rollers and slept with any man who struck her fancy. Perfect bed partners for a man, blondes rarely, if ever, conceived, which created less of a chance for an unwanted pregnancy.

Dee wondered how long before Lily gave up on Scott. He hadn’t invited a woman to his room so far.

Yet with his lust growing...

Dee quivered with the increased pressure of being near him. He had to be ready to scream for some type of release. She was.

Dressed in her skimpy server’s uniform, Dee carried a tray of treats toward him. A large metal robot darted in front of her on its way to a gambler who required change. The electronic voice rambled on about how well the patron played and even offered the guy a few tips.

Dee shook her head and scanned the room for threats. Her job as a Dragon Center agent required her to provide Scott with anything he needed. Granted, sex wasn’t part of the assignment, but she couldn’t say she didn’t relish the opportunity to lair- rob his sexual treasures.

His salacious scent could light a flame in any woman.

Lily nuzzled closer. She glided her hand over his shoulder, and her breasts nudged his back. “I have what you’re hungry for.”

Tempted to deck the woman, Dee caught the twinkle in Scott’s amused eyes. He smiled and nodded at the tray in her hand. “I’m a little busy at the moment, maybe later.”

The blonde cast Dee an evil glare. “I may not be available later.” She turned on her air-heels, her spine stiff, and marched away to disappear into the crowd. The high-priced blonde wasn’t use to being rebuffed.

Dee set the tray by Scott’s elbow. “Here’s the grilled roast beef roll you requested.”

“Thanks, sugar. Could you tell me if my room is ready?” Scott leaned closer and slipped his hand around her waist. His rich voice whispered against her ear, “I need a break.”

“You can go upstairs whenever you want. You’re only required to be seen over the next few bongs of the time veil.” Dee busied her nervous hands with cleaning the table. She put empty glasses and plates back on the tray and hit the retrieval button. The metal platter rose into the air, and it float back over the crowd toward the kitchen. “Spike Trevor, the man we believe to be the head of the counterfeit ring, is scheduled to arrive any time. We want him to see you.”

This being her first assignment, she couldn’t afford to become involved with Scott. Her job was to watch and report anyone who made contact with him.

“How much longer are you on duty?” He skimmed a hand over her short skirt until he brushed the skin of her upper thigh. Starved for his touch, she’d waited an eternity for him to appease her longings, but the teasing caress fed an appetite for more.

“I think you should come back to my room with me.” Scott pushed her skirt aside and molded his hand over her hip. “I might need your protection.”

Dee shifted so she could see his face. Black smoke gathered in the depths of his eyes. The swirling firestorm caught her in its heat. Lust raged. Her body liquefied. Temptation hammered against her senses.

Should she make him her first lover?

His easygoing manner appealed to her. A possessive lover would require too much attention. She lacked the time or the freedom to venture into a serious relationship right now.

She smiled. He wouldn’t want her more than once anyway, not with him being able to have anyone he desired.

Great, a quick foray into love and then she’d be off. Her aunt’s party tomorrow night would give her a break from work, and Scott would’ve found someone new by the time she returned. The timing was perfect.

“Protection isn’t what you’re after.”

“Maybe, but you want me, too.” The murky steam in his eyes told her he knew about the strong animal magnetism eating at her soul.

She stepped away. If they played the game by her rules, she’d win. “I’ll meet you in your room in twenty. We’ll discuss terms.”

His fingertips brushed the light hair on her forearm. “What terms?”

Her nipples tightened beneath her uniform and moisture stained her panties. Dee backed away, slowly, deliberately, so as not to topple on her air- heels and look like a fool instead of the professional she strove to be. A little space was necessary to cool her dragon’s blood before it fried her brain and sent her into a mating frenzy. If she was going to do this, there had to be boundaries.

“The terms of engagement.” She turned and sauntered away.


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