Beaufort Creek Shifters (10 book series)
The Dragon’s Pretend Marriage Chapter 2

Brandi

My night truly flipped on a dime. Just like that. Just when things were getting seriously interesting in this strange little dive club with these strange little humans bouncing around me. Plus the three wolves that had been tailing me for a few days.

Seeing Milton walk up to the counter was a damn blessing. The guy was a total jerk, a player, a loser, and a bully, but he was just the kind of bully I needed to keep around. If I wanted to keep my fingers.

My fingers wiggled as if they knew I was thinking about them. I mean, duh. Of course they knew I was thinking about them. They were attached to my body and my brain. Every signal from the soup in my skull was sure to reach every corner of my body. I quite enjoyed having ten digits. That was the perfectly normal amount to have. Losing any of them would mean having to wear a bandage or a brace or some kind of prosthetic. It wasn't like I didn't already draw enough attention to myself without that kind of thing.

My hands landed on Milton's broad shoulders as I scanned the crowd. Nobody suspicious had tailed us from the bar. But then again, the crowd was thick tonight. My miniature fan club could easily hide their scent among the humans sweating profusely in every direction. The smell of body odor clogged my nose and made me grimace, forcing me to push into Milton.

Though I couldn't exactly complain. He was the hottest guy on this dance floor.

And he looked better as this gothed-up version of himself than he did in a three-piece suit. Hair like lava with molten black highlights felt much softer with my fingers roaming through the strands. Chalky white skin glimmered like diamonds under the disco lights. Green eyes burned like Greek fire, a similar color to mine with a distinct difference-they could observe the environment much better than a wolf's.

Which was why his presence meant so much to me right now.

The moment I saw those goons head for the hallway, I knew we had to make ourselves scarce. Hiding behind Milton's tall, lithe form gave me precisely the segue I needed into what I knew would be a strange proposition, but one that would certainly benefit us both. Maybe me more than him.

But did that really matter? It wasn't like I wanted to have the Gilberts on my tail my entire life. Both metaphorically and physically.

The amount of money I owe them is a drop of water in the sea of billions that Milton has access to, I thought as I pressed my hips to his. It's not like he's going to miss it. And I'll be doing him a favor, too.

The music shifted from fast-paced pop to sultry R&B. It invited a slower pace from the crowd, inspiring Milton to loop his arms around my waist while nudging my arms over his shoulders. It was the closest we had ever been.

And the loudest my heart had ever pounded. Kiss him.

No, that was just plain strange. The guy that had bullied me growing up wasn't anything more than a way out-in more ways than one. He was an option. He was a source of liberation. He was the ticket I needed to go back to school and finish what I'd started. Bully. Liar. Jerk. Cheat. My brain listed every reason.

Yet my wolf protested more and more as I engaged with the growing list.

Milton pressed his nose to my ear. The smell of whiskey smacked my senses followed by a rich, smoky blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and various spices. Black pepper tickled my nostrils, inspiring my head to loll and rest on his shoulder. It was the most relaxed I had felt in hours, something I hadn't thought would happen any time soon.

Especially not in public.

Especially not with the guy who'd made it his life's work as a teen to make my life a personal hell.

One kiss.

No, that was bad news bears. That was a way to get in trouble. Milton didn't need a problem. And I didn't either. I just wanted to hide and blow off some steam. Who says you can't have him?

My inner wolf was really laying it on thick. She was just horny from being deprived all these months. Not like it was entirely my fault we couldn't get laid. The pickings were slim.

Milton slid his hands over my hips. The simple motion sent a bolt of lightning through my core, stinging me right between my legs. Now I was really dying for more from him. Between the shots, the beers, and the music, I wasn't sure I would survive. I had to sit down. I had to get my head on straight before I did something stupid.

I wasn't my brother. I had so much more at risk.

Milton tapped my chin lightly. Something like ethereal fire flashed in his eyes and then we were across the club, tucked away in a private VIP section that was roped off from the rest of the crowd. Darkness guarded us against prying eyes. It was cooler over here, too. Small vents above us generously blanketed us in cool gusts. I tilted my head back, allowing my eyes to close as a cold object met the back of my neck.

I hissed. "Gods of Appalachia!"

"That's a lot of gods."

"Hush!"

Brilliant green mist floated through the shadows, piercing me. Those were supernatural spotlights. Those were glowing marbles. They were shiny discs. This was just unfair.

I couldn't have him. I couldn't even be near him without feeling totally betrayed by my body. Why was I doing this? I could have left the club hours ago. It wasn't like I couldn't handle a few bad wolves from the Gilbert pack. Besides, if they had attacked me close to pack lands, Blake would have had my back. It was such a good cover.

But not good business.

Unless Milton became part of my business.

"I have an idea," I told him as he traced my neck with the ice cube. It didn't sting anymore. It was nice. Like a glacier kiss. "To fool your parents. To get my mother to calm down. To get the Gilberts to chill." "The Gilberts?"

I scrambled for purchase. "The mate bond-it protects us, right?"

Realization smacked him in the face. "I see where you're going with this."

It'll be the perfect revenge for all those years you put me through hell. I smiled. "So, you like the idea?"

"You haven't even told me."

"But you know."

A devious smile slowly crept over his lips. I could have been frightened by that lizardly look.

But it just made me hungry instead.

He leaned closer, the tip of his nose brushing the tip of my nose. "Spell it out for me, Brandi. What exactly are you thinking about?"

I gulped.

His tone was playful but his eyes were intense. They were sparkling like gems hidden beneath the belly of a massive dragon.

As my heart skipped a beat, I steadied my nerves, urging my wolf to chill the hell out. "We fake it till we make it. As mates. For the world to see." "The world?"

"Isn't that the point? Your parents want you to be seen as a serious businessman. That only happens with the right woman at your side."

His grin widened. "Yeah?"

"Think about the benefits."

"All of our little problems go away." His eyes flickered to my lips and then focused on me like he hadn't just checked out my mouth. "Wouldn't your brother hate that?" "Tanner?" I nearly barked with laughter. "I don't think Tanner gives a damn who I'm with. Or you, for that matter."

"You sure about that?"

I nodded. "Positive. And if it's fake, why would you even care what he thinks? It's not like we're going to be together in the end."

Wait, that doesn't feel good to say.

Just as the words left my lips, the impact sliced me to pieces. Milton's demeanor shifted as he put an inch of space between us. And then another inch. And another.

I looped my fingers over the collar of his shirt. "What are you thinking?"

The disappointment-or whatever the hell it was on his face-disappeared in a flash. He stood upright and took me with him, discarding the cube he was using to cool me down. Or tease me. Or whatever.

I tried not to look upset when he released me.

"I say..." He took my hand and twirled me around. "We should stay out all night to celebrate our engagement!"

"Engagement?" I practically foamed at the mouth. "No, I just meant that mating would be-"

"A perfect opportunity to get engaged!"

He dragged me to the roped entrance and into the club without even bothering to check if I was ready to walk. The booze was already wearing off. Wolf metabolisms are notorious for processing things rather quickly. That includes liquor. Which can be beneficial or annoying depending on the mood.

I grabbed Milton's shirt and halted him near the hallway. Already, I was scanning the area for those goons. This was happening so fast and I didn't want us to get caught off guard. "Hang on," I begged. "Slow down."

"Why should we slow down?" He hugged my waist and pressed me flush against him. My heart fluttered in my chest as his lips grazed my mouth. "We're in love and we should announce it to the world, shouldn't we, Brandi?"

Someone nearby gasped, "Is that Milton Kane?"

Milton flashed a starlet smile. "Took them long enough."

A whole crowd clamored to see for themselves. And within just a few short seconds, we were running from the club, racing into an alleyway, and hopping into the back of a limo. The driver carefully maneuvered through the crowd growing at the mouth of the alley where the street teemed with traffic.

Soon, the club was behind us-and all those adoring fans.

Goons included.

He rested his hands on his thighs as he relaxed into the shiny leather of the limo seat. "We should change."

"Why would we change?"

"Because we're heading to the hottest club in town."

I narrowed my eyes, wondering what had gotten into him. This wasn't the Milton I was used to seeing. Cocky? Yep. Charming? A bit.

But generous? Excited? Adventurous?

This wasn't the guy who had bullied me growing up. And I was starting to get a little suspicious about it.

"Is your metabolism working?" I asked as I reached for his forehead. Other than the magnificent heat boiling from his palm as he touched my shoulder, he felt fine. "Do dragon metabolisms process slower than wolves?" "Faster, actually."

My eyelids fluttered. His fingers were drifting right to the crook of my elbow, exploring places I never allowed anyone else to touch. "F-fascinating."

"Cold now?" He chuckled, the sound gruff and low in the expansive space. "You wolves have such finicky bodies."

"It's just that-"

He scooted away from me quicker than I anticipated. I nearly fell into the empty space where he once sat.

"Driver!" He tapped the window. It slid down a few inches. "Stop at Marietta's, will you? And park in the front this time."

Milton turned to me, flashing me a grin that promised all the treasure a dragon could possibly afford. "I want us to be seen walking into the boutique together."