Releasing the Dragon: Myths and Legends, Book One by Stacie Simpson Page A

arm
holding me against his chest while the other held my thigh with my
calf curling around his body. His hips were thrusting with a
rhythmic motion while his mouth ravished every inch of my neck.
    It all felt so real, so erotic. My legs
nearly gave out with the rush of desire I felt for him. The vision
ended abruptly and I looked up to see his eyes burning with
passion. I was almost sure he had seen the same thing I had, but I
had no idea how that could be possible.
    I don't know how long we stayed there,
aroused and unwilling to look away, but eventually we were
interrupted by a member of the security staff.
    "Excuse me Mr. Drake, I apologize for the
interruption, but Rook is requesting your presence in the gym."
    All the heat I'd felt a moment ago turned to
ice when my brain finally registered what the nervous young man had
said.
    "Mr. Drake? Mr. Donovan Drake? Owner and
General Manager of the Myths and Legends Casino Resort?" I choked
the questions out already knowing the answers. He'd seemed so
familiar last weekend and now I understood why. His face had been
splashed all over the covers of magazines for the past several
years. He'd been named the most eligible bachelor in America half a
dozen times, and he's one of the most sought after men alive. He
was also my boss.
    Dragon turned with an angry glare and
practically growled at the other man. "Liam, tell Rook that I will
be there as soon as I can."
    The security officer paled noticeably. "Of
course, My Lord." He fisted his hand over his heart and bowed
deeply before he pivoted around and left in a hurry.
    Dragon turned to me with a grimace. "That is
not how I wanted you to learn my identity. I didn't want to mislead
you last weekend but I also didn't want you to be intimidated by my
status here at the resort."
    "You mean your status as my boss? Why would
that be intimidating?" I threw my hands in the air and turned away
from him. I didn't know what to think and I felt tears welling in
my eyes. I had so many thoughts and emotions swirling around in my
head. I felt betrayed by his omission of important information and
stricken by the prospect of never knowing his touch again.
    "Serafina, please look at me and let me
explain." When I didn't turn around he said, "I wanted to get to
know the real you, and we both know you would have held back or
behaved differently had you known who I am. I didn't want to lie to
you so I dodged most of your questions and answered truthfully when
I could. My friends really do call me Dragon and I am a local business owner. I never intended to hurt you and deeply
regret that I have. I am more sorry than I can express for the pain
this has caused you."
    I turned around with tears streaking down my
face. I couldn't believe how upset I was, but the decision I'd come
to left me feeling bereft. "I don't think we should see each other
romantically any more. It just wouldn't be appropriate."
    "I can't accept that," Dragon stated
emphatically, then in a gentler tone he said, "I know we've only
just met but the connection between us is undeniable. We have a
chance for something magical and I won't let it slip away without a
fight. The entertainment division of this resort is Solomon's
domain and I have no direct influence over his staff members. I
could override his decisions but I can honestly say I have never
needed to in the past." His eyes searched my face looking for any
sign that I might change my mind.
    I noticed that people were starting to stop
and stare behind Dragon so I took a deep breath and wiped the tears
off my cheeks. "I can't think about this right now," I told him
quietly. "I'm supposed to start my shift in a few minutes and now
I'll have to go fix my makeup."
    I started to walk away but Dragon reached out
and pulled me close to his body. My mind told me to push him away
but my body melted into his warmth. Then he kissed me. The kiss lit
every cell in my body on fire. When he finally drew back I was
breathless.
    "I don't care about