Dragon's Fake Wedding Date - Riley Storm Page 0,9

to go over and chat her up. He’s lost his courage. She’s getting the better of him.”

Rann wanted to deny it all, to tell them that they were wrong. He wanted to go over and show them that they were wrong as well. That he could still chat up any human woman that he wanted to, regardless of time or situation. His charm would see him through, he should be telling them. That she didn’t stand a chance.

So why aren’t I? Why am I sitting here still like an idiot?

The answer, of course, was staring him right in the face, if he chose to acknowledge it.

There was something different about this one. Something that he couldn’t figure out was affecting him, keeping him more restrained than he might normally be.

“So you gonna go talk to her or not?” Kladd challenged. “Or are you gonna let Jacen do the honors?”

Rann’s head snapped around to glare at his team leader. “I’ll talk to her,” he growled, making it clear to everyone at the table that they were not to go over to the bar before he did.

Several sets of eyebrows rose slightly at the bared challenge, but none of them responded, content to let him have his way.

What is wrong with you? He pondered that question as he slid from the booth, unused to the emotions roiling inside him. Jealousy wasn’t that unusual to him. When Rann spotted a woman he wanted, he went right for her, and he didn’t care about anyone else in his way.

This one, though, this one was different. He wasn’t feeling jealous. No, this was different. More possessive than anything.

She’s mine.

He was laying a claim to her and didn’t even know her name!

Get a grip on yourself. You’ve not even exchanged a single word. For all you know, you might find her boring and dull.

As he walked over to the bar, his very steps felt lighter, like a predator stalking his prey. Or someone walking on air. His brain was foggy, and he was having a hard time differentiating between the two. Had he ever experienced the latter before?

“Do you mind if I sit here?” he rumbled as she turned her head slightly to glance at him, but not far enough to look him in the eyes.

Not that he could blame her. Both times they’d done that before, the connection had been almost electric. He kept his eyes focused on the rest of her instead.

She was short and thick everywhere, with a bevy of curves that his hands were already aching to explore thoroughly. Rann wondered what she would feel like pressed up against him.

Or beneath him.

His dragon roared its agreement and enjoyment at that idea, wanting nothing more than to haul her out the door now and into the back of his truck. Hot, sweaty sex in the cramped confines of his vehicle sounded perfect to him, and he almost threw the offer out there, just to see her leap at the chance to have sex with him, like they all did.

But for some reason, he didn’t. Instead, he waited for her to respond to his original question, with unusual politeness and calm. Unusual for him at least.

“I suppose it’s an open seat, isn’t it?” she said, giving him the tiniest of shrugs that did wonderful things to her upper body.

Rann pondered that reply, wondering why he wasn’t already sliding in next to her. What was holding him back from doing just that? He frowned.

“Are you okay if I sit there,” he said, making it clear that he was more interested in her okay as opposed to a lack of denial.

This time she did look up at him, but she carefully managed to stare between his eyes and not into them before studying the rest of him.

She was even more beautiful up close. Plump, rosy cheeks and a tiny little button nose surrounded a mouth that was made for kissing and smiling. Thick lips that just seemed to want to curve upward on their own, regardless of the situation.

Rann decided then and there he wanted to see her laugh. His night wouldn’t be complete until then.

See her laugh? Her laugh? Of all things you could see, why is that one of them? What is going on here?

Anne snorted from behind the bar.

Rann looked at her, as did the unknown woman.

“What?” he asked, trying to keep his voice pleasant instead of challenging.

He liked Anne. She was fair and no-nonsense, and the Dragon’s Eye was a real boon