Maddie opened her mouth and then shut it. She closed her eyes and then opened them. “I’m not sure that we’re communicating right now. I’m telling you that I’m not interested in whatever it is you’re selling. But thanks. Have a great night.”
Pulling away from the bar, she turned the stool and started to remove herself from its less-than-clean surface. Maddie stopped as his hand rested against her forearm, the heat surging from an invisible pulse between their contact.
Gritting her teeth she spoke. “Get your oversized hand off of me.” Fear wasn’t winning though. She wanted him. God. Why? Why did her body wake up for this wack-job?
Maddie channeled her anger because right now her damn body betrayed her.
“Remove your hand. I don’t care what you are, you do not have the right to just claim any woman you want. You can’t go about touching anyone you want. I will give you one chance since I know that not all shifters are civilized.”
His hand didn’t move. “I don’t understand. What is a shifter? A person who shifts into what?”
Maddie rolled her eyes. “I can tell by your eyes. You turn into some kind of animal.”
He nodded. “I turn into a dragon. Is that what you call a shifter?”
God. This guy. Dragon? Really? She’d never heard that one before. He was already walking sex. She swallowed. Not that Maddie had noticed the walking sex part. Nope. She didn’t need his kind. She didn’t need his trouble.
Dragon, that wasn’t real. Was it? His hand was huge, maybe he called his man bits a dragon. Even creepier. Dragon though. Maddie rolled her eyes. Right. If he didn’t want to tell her, then fine.
“Fine. You don’t have to tell me what you really are." Maddie snapped her fingers and a shot appeared in her hand. Drinking, drinking was the answer.
“Maddie. This is a bar. Please don’t make your own drinks,” said Ellen as she passed back down to the end of the bar.
Maddie tossed it back. “Sorry. Long day. I’ll pay for it, I…”
Maddie flashed a glance at Ellen hoping she’d get rid of this guy. She couldn’t stop herself from coming right back to him. Man, he was good looking.
Down girl.
“Maddie, is it?”
“Gee, thanks, Ellen,” she mumbled.
So much for women having each other's backs.
“If I tell you yes, will you go away?”
“Maddie? Please understand my intentions. I’ve come here for you. I’ve traveled lightyears to find you. You, Maddie, are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I don’t have much time, but if you let me, I’ll spend the rest of eternity showing you that we are made for each other. That you are mine.”
Wide-eyed, Maddie ran over what he’d just said. Worst or best pickup line? And eternity? His? No. That was not going to happen.
“Aw. So cute. Did you follow her down here? Maddie, you didn’t mention you had such a sexy man. No wonder you dumped -”
Maddie glared, cutting her off. “Yeah. No. Thanks though. I don’t need any crazy stalkers. I’m sure if you wait long enough though, you’ll find someone desperate.” She turned to Ellen next. “He is not my anything. I just met him. Don’t you have a bouncer or something?”
Ellen looked from Maddie to Kal.
“Yeah. He seems fine to me. Besides, the bouncer doesn’t work this early.”
The guy, Eadric she supposed, moved. Oh, right. There was someone else here. Damn it. How in the hell was she so blinded by crazy dragon shifter dude?
“Maddie. You’re my mate. I am yours.” He stepped closer and she couldn’t move. Her brain said to, but her magic reached for him. “My brothers and I have come a long way to find you. I have come a long way to find you. I do not need, nor do I want anyone else.”
He leaned closer to her. His hand slipped down her arm.
A slow burn slithered out where he touched her, it didn’t hurt though. The heat traveled up her arm, blossoming as it spread into her chest. A power she’d never felt before surged through her. What is he?
What was she supposed to say to him? He wasn’t being honest and now he just assumed she would want him? Lord, he just needed to stop.
She sucked in air.
Oh-my-God. She’d forgotten how to breathe.
No. Maybe. He needed to go. No one was meant for her.
“That’s it. I’m done. Thanks for playing,” said Maddie.
With a snap of her fingers, Maddie watched as he folded and shrunk. A snort escaped her lips as feathers sprouted out of his once handsome face and his orange beak began squawking.
“By the goddess. What have you done to my brother?” said the other guy.
She snorted. “I got him to stop asking me stupid questions. Now, do I have to explain to you that I won’t be seeing anyone's ‘ship’.” She air quoted the word.
At least she could breathe, now that he was flapping his little wings. It wouldn’t last for too long, just long enough to get rid of these two.
“Maybe he’ll act a little more civilized next time. Here-”
The guy’s backside was all she saw as he ran out the door.
“Wait! Take your - well shit.”
She glared down at the chicken pecking the floor.
This was backfiring. What the hell was she supposed to do with a damn chicken? Well, man. He obviously wasn’t a chicken and wouldn’t be for long. Maybe, at least he would be a little more humble when he turned back.
Blowing a hair out of her face, Maddie had to admit she enjoyed his human form much better than a chicken. What the crap.
She didn’t have time for a chicken, let alone a man.
“Maddie! What did you do? You know better. You’re not supposed to transfigure anyone in my bar. Besides, I think chickens violate health codes.”
Letting her head fall back, she glared at the ceiling. “Mom? Where the hell are you?”
Time to
