Dragon's Flight Read online

  “Don’t get me wrong, Julie. I like what you’ve done.” He glanced around at the paintings hanging on the walls. “They’re just not my kind of thing.”

  “And what is your kind of thing?” Suddenly, she wanted to know everything about him. Not only what kind of art he liked but what he ate for breakfast or if he slept in pajamas or in the nude.

  A vision of a naked Micah and Ryan standing next to her bed washed over her. She swallowed, certain everyone could see her thoughts reflected on her face.

  “I like western art. Either that or dragons.”

  She had to clear her throat before she could answer. “Cowboys and dragons? Talk about two really different subjects.”

  His green eyes sparkled like the most expensive emeralds in the world. “Not really. You’d be surprised at how well the two can go together.”

  “Yeah, I would. But then again, I don’t know much about cowboys and even less about dragons. You know. Since dragons aren’t real.”

  “Again. You might be surprised.” He glanced around. “I’m looking for my friend.”

  “Oh.” Her gut tightened. It figured a man like him would have a girlfriend.

  “There he is. Hey, Dane. Over here.” He lifted his hand, gesturing at the other man.

  One of her girlfriends had said that good-looking guys ran in packs. That men, unlike the pretty girls they knew, were on the prowl and didn’t want an ugly, fat friend along for the ride. A wingman had to be good enough to draw in his share of girls. She’d said the opposite was true, but if Micah and Dane were any indication, her friend was right. The man striding toward them, separating the crowd like Moses parting the Red Sea, was as handsome as Micah.

  “Julie Brooks, this is my friend, Dane Nielson.”

  Dane’s black eyes glittered with interest. He was built like a linebacker with bulk that made her feel tiny. He had no hair, but she had a feeling he shaved it to look that way. Although she didn’t usually find bald men sexy, Dane Nielson was as sexy as they came. He wore black jeans and a white shirt, topped off with a black sports jacket. He didn’t wear a cowboy hat, but his black cowboy boots were stitched in white and as clean as the day they’d shipped from the boot factory.

  “Tell me you didn’t wear your hat inside.”

  “It’s off now.” Micah poked a thumb at Dane. “He’s the mother hen of our crew.”

  “I know how to act like a gentleman, is all.” Dane offered her his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Julie.”

  “Same here.” She took it, hoping to get the same feeling she’d gotten from Micah. From Ryan. Surprisingly, she did.

  What was it about these men? They were great-looking, but she’d been around great-looking men before. Was it their confidence? Yet she’d known her fair share of confident men. No, there was just something more to them. They had an air about them that only older, more traveled men possessed.

  This is crazy. How can I suddenly be attracted to three men?

  “Is Ryan coming?” asked Micah.

  “Ryan?” She was only half listening. Instead, her body was taking up most of her concentration. What would it be like to be with either one of them? What would it be like to be with both of them?

  It couldn’t be the same Ryan, could it? Nah, the odds were too great. But, oh, having the three of them? Holy hell.

  She jerked out of her thoughts, stunned that she could’ve gone there so quickly. After the trial, she’d sworn off men, not realizing at the time that years would pass before she’d find another man she’d even consider taking into her bed. Could one of these men be the one that would help her trust men again? Could all three of them?

  She studied the men and considered her options. Josh had often suggested that, if she wasn’t ready for another relationship, then why not start with a one-night hook-up? She’d dismissed the idea, stating she wasn’t the type who could have sex and then forget about the man. But had she been wrong? Maybe it was time to give it a try with not only one man but two? Hell, maybe even three?

  A few days earlier, she would’ve bet everything she owned that she’d never be able to take the risk. But now? Was she really considering going after at least one of them? Maybe all of them?

  “Ryan’s the other co-owner of our ranch.”

  From the way Micah was studying her, he’d said more than the one sentence. “So you three own a ranch together?”

  Micah and Dane glanced at each other. Now she was sure she’d missed what Micah had said.

  “Right. We own the Flying D Ranch. Ever heard of it?” asked Micah.

  The corner of his mouth twisted upward as he fought not to smirk at her. Strangely, she didn’t mind.

  “Sorry. No. But then again, I don’t get into the country much.”

  “Then you should.” Now both sides of Micah’s mouth went skyward. “Like I said, you need more western themes in your work.”

  “Hey, you’re right, man. She could use a few of the cowboys-on-horses kinds of paintings.”

  “Um, that’s really not my thing.”

  “How do you know until you try it? Have you ever painted a cowboy on horseback?” Dane eased closer.

  About now, her alarms should’ve been going off loud and clear as they had in the past. Instead, all she could hear was the sound of her pulse throbbing, thrilled to be next to them. “I guess I never had the chance.”

  That was a load of horseshit. After all, it wasn’t hard to find a cowboy in Texas. She’d never had the chance because she’d never wanted to. Her artwork leaned toward the contemporary and the abstract.

  “Would you like to?”

  Dane’s dark eyes were mesmerizing. Would she like to? Hell, yeah. She’d like to do a lot to him. “Uh-huh.”

  “Great. Then come out to the ranch tomorrow. We’ll be happy to pose for you. Right, Micah?”

  “Sure thing.”

  “Wait. What? I didn’t mean to invite myself.” In truth, she hadn’t meant to say she wanted to paint them. She fumbled, trying to find a way out. “I mean I wouldn’t want to cause you any trouble. You have a ranch to run. Taking time out of your day to work with me is asking too much.”

  “Nah, it’ll be fun.” Micah brushed her hair back over her shoulder.

  Once more, she lost her train of thought. “I don’t know. I mean—”

  “Do it for us. It’ll give us a break in our boring routine.” Dane zeroed in on her, melting away any ounce of resistance. “We’ll pay you your usual rate, of course. And buy the paintings, too. However it works.”

  She stepped back, needing room to regain her emotional balance. “I don’t have a usual rate. I don’t do commission work and definitely not portraits.”

  “But you will for us, right?” asked Micah.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Sure you will,” added Dane.

  Damn straight I will.

  She’d do just about anything for them as long as she got to be around them again. Excitement and a small spike of alarm whipped through her. Was she taking too big a risk? And yet her answer came before her mind had a chance to filter it. “Okay. Sure.”

  “Great.”

  “If…” She arched an eyebrow.

  “If what?”

  “As long as you allow me to sell the paintings. To someone else. Not you.”

  “So you want us to give you the paintings? They’re our paintings. We’ll buy them.”

  “Who cares, Micah? Were you planning on hanging your painting over the fireplace mantel so you can admire your ugly mug all night?”

  “Hell no. I’d hang it in Ryan’s room so he can see it the first thing in the morning.”

  She liked their sense of humor and wondered again if their Ryan was the same Ryan she’d met. “I’d like to put the paintings up for sale and then give all the money to a favorite charity of mine. Or I could give it to the charity of your choice.”

  “Sounds like a great idea. Your charity will be fine. But why not let us buy them? Why go to the trouble of f
inding different buyers?”

  “Because you said I need variety in my work. This way I can put them in my next art show. So do we have a deal?”

  “Sure thing.” Dane fished into his inside coat pocket and brought out a business card. “The address is on the card. How about around ten?”

  She stared at the fine print. “Let’s do it in the evening. The light will be better.”

  “Around dusk then?”

  She nodded. “Dusk is the best time for photos.”

  “But you’re going to paint us.” Dane’s voice matched his head. Smooth and slick.

  “I am, but sometimes I take a photo first so I can refer to it later. No one can paint fast enough to beat the sun going down.”

  “Works for us,” added Micah. “We can get some chores done before you show up.”

  She was stuck and, yet, didn’t really mind it. Why not give it a try? Maybe her western art would sell better than her abstracts. After all, it was San Antonio. “Will your friend be there, too?” If Ryan was half as good-looking as his friends, she’d have a tough time keeping her head about her. And if their Ryan was the same Ryan, then it’d be even harder.

  “I couldn’t say. He might be working like he is tonight.” Dane pulled out his ringing cell phone. “Speak of the devil. Excuse me.” He moved away, putting his phone to his ear.

  “So it’s a go for sure? You won’t back out?”

  She stared into Micah’s green eyes. “No. I won’t back out.”

  If Helen of Troy had launched a thousand ships with her looks, then Micah could send a thousand spacecraft into the night sky.

  Micah started to say something more then stopped and frowned. Dane was waving him over. “I hate to run before I’ve seen all your work, but it looks like I’m needed. See you tomorrow, sweet thang.”

  He’d already walked away by the time Julie got over the “sweet thang.” Any other time she might’ve laughed at the old-fashioned term of endearment. Her reaction this time, however, was far from humorous.

  She watched as Micah and Dane spoke then lifted their hands in farewell. Micah had his cowboy hat firmly in place by the time they opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk.

  “Who were you talking to?”

  Josh was back and capturing her in his arms again. Had Micah or Dane seen them together? She slipped out of his hold. “I need a drink.”

  “That bad?” He followed her to the bar set up at the side of the room.

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What gives?”

  Her gaze shifted to the door, hoping to see the men coming back inside. “I just agreed to paint a couple of cowboys on horseback.”

  “You did? Since when do you do western art?”

  “I guess starting tomorrow.” She took a sip of her drink and wished it was stronger. Something told her she’d need it.

  * * * *

  Ryan shifted in his seat. His pickup was great for a ride into the station house, but for stakeouts he would’ve preferred a seat with more padding.

  He wasn’t even sure what he was doing there. Julie Brooks hadn’t agreed to police protection, and yet, he’d felt compelled to give it to her. As suspected, the captain had turned down a request for manpower, leaving him to take the job. As soon as he’d gotten off his shift, he’d headed over to her condo.

  A couple of hours into it, he’d seen her come out of her place dressed in a tight black dress and high heels. The dress accentuated her curves in all the right places. The swell of her breasts were pearly white under the lights of the parking lot, and the shadows played up the tendrils of hair that touched her cheeks. He’d thought her beautiful when she was at the station, but now? She was a goddess walking among mortals.

  A good part of him wanted to follow her, to make sure she was safe. But once he’d seen the young girl’s face in the window and the way she’d waved at Julie, he’d known he had to stick around. Still, it had twisted his gut when she’d driven past him and hadn’t noticed he was there.

  After another couple of hours, he finally gave into the need to get some sleep. The first call he made was to a rookie cop who’d hinted at earning some cash on the side as an off-duty guard. Although it would come out of his pocket, at least he’d be able to head home. The second call he made was to Dane. He’d asked Dane when he and Micah would be back at the ranch, saying that he had important news. He couldn’t wait to tell them about Julie.

  His gaze shifted toward the sky. If it weren’t for watching after Brenna and Molly, he’d be in the air. The longer he stayed on the police force, the more he needed a good flight to relax him. He squinted, searching the darkness. Was Micah flying tonight? Being a dragon without wings meant Dane was stuck on the ground. How did he stand it? Sure, he’d grown up without wings, but still, it had to be tough watching his friends take to the air.

  He groaned then flipped through his cell phone. No messages. Damn. Yet what had he expected? For Julie to call him? He’d do almost anything to see her again.

  The sound of a car driving into the lot had him twisting around. Doug Paulson pulled his car alongside Ryan’s and gave him a wave. Ryan hit the button to bring the window down. He’d give Doug the details on what to watch for and tell him to call once Julie made it home safe and sound. Then he’d head back to the ranch.

  “Thanks for making it, Doug.”

  “No problem. With a baby on the way, I need all the extra cash I can get.”

  “Two hundred’s good, right?” His detective salary didn’t pay much, but as part owner of the ranch, he was doing all right.

  “Sounds good.”

  “Okay, then, here’s what’s going on.” Even as he told Doug what he needed to know, his mind strayed to Julie.

  Could she be the one? And if she were, would she be able to handle three men? Especially three men who could transform into dragons?

  Chapter Four

  Micah rested both feet on top of the coffee table. Their home wasn’t grand, but it was comfortable. With over thirty-five hundred feet, the three of them could stretch out as much as they wanted. His favorite spot was sitting dead center on the large overstuffed couch, right in front of the seventy-inch curved television. Watching a good football game and sipping a cold brew could turn a bad day into a good one.

  Not that this had been a bad day. Or night, for that matter.

  Julie Brooks was one hell of a woman. Not only was she talented and intelligent, she was hot enough to melt butter on a winter’s day. He’d been entranced the moment he’d laid eyes on her. Being a breast man, he’d noticed her ample cleavage first, but it hadn’t taken long for him to check out her other attributes, too. Damn, he’d been so infatuated that he’d almost hated introducing her to Dane.

  What would it be like to have her all to himself? Spectacular, no doubt. And yet, he could easily imagine how much he’d enjoy seeing Dane and Ryan pleasure her. Her face was angelic, but once her passion showed there, she’d be an incredible mix of vixen and angel.

  “She’s fucking amazing, right?” Dane slid into the recliner next to the couch.

  “Yeah. How the hell have we missed meeting her before now?”

  “It’s not like we get out all that much.”

  Micah took a swig. “We’re getting out a lot more from now on.”

  “What for? We’re not going to find anyone better than her.” Dane lifted his tablet. “I know all I need to know.”

  “Did you Google her? Damn, man, did you lose your balls? Googling her like you’re some high school kid? Pitiful. Just plain pitiful.” Still, his gaze strayed to the tablet, wondering exactly what Dane had found out.

  “Fuck you.” He set the tablet face down on the coffee table. “I guess you’re too much of a man to want to know about her.”

  “Who’s too much of a man?”

  Micah didn’t bother twisting around like Dane did. He’d heard Ryan’s footsteps coming up the steps of the house.

  Dane was eager to tell Ryan everythin
g. “We met the hottest girl in the fucking world tonight.”

  Ryan took off his gun harness and put it on the coffee table. Micah slid his gaze around the room. If they were going to bring Julie into their house, they’d have to do some straightening up. The place was a pigsty.

  “Whoever she is, she can’t be as hot as the girl—” Ryan lifted a finger, signaling his mistake. “No, nix that. She can’t be as hot as the woman I met today.”

  “You, too? Damn.” Dane was on the edge of his chair. “But there’s no way. This girl is smart with all the right parts in all the right places. She’s got this hair that’s kind of a rich brown color with red running through it. And her eyes? Shit, man, her eyes could make me get on my knees and beg her to stare at me.”

  “She sounds good, but, trust me, she’ll look like a wet dog next to my woman.”

  Micah took another swig and studied his friends. Seeing Dane excited wasn’t unexpected after meeting Julie. But seeing Ryan so stoked about a woman was more than a rarity. It was a fucking miracle.

  “Okay, Ryan, let’s hear it. I met the same woman Dane did, so I know he’s right. But go ahead. Tell us about your woman. I don’t suppose you snapped a picture of her?”

  Ryan shot him a scowl. “Did you?”

  “Nah. I didn’t have a chance. Go on. What’s so great about her?” There was no way the woman Ryan had met could compare with Julie.

  “Your girl might have the looks—”

  “And the talent,” added Dane.

  Ryan’s scowl deepened. “But mine’s got the heart. She’s a volunteer at a women’s shelter. And she doesn’t just volunteer. She came into the station today to see if she can stop a woman’s husband from harassing her.”

  Dane seemed as impressed as he was. “Okay. So she’s got a good heart. I’m sure our girl does, too.”

  “Maybe, but there’s no way she’s better looking,” boasted Ryan.