Not His Dragon by Annie Nicholas Page A

push. He had to admit she was stronger than a human, but he didn’t budge.
    With a distressed noise, she flopped limp between him and the wall. “Does what I want even matter to you?”
    He scratched his chin. Of course it did, but why was she misunderstanding him? He was only responding to his instincts. Was she this capable of ignoring hers or was she playing hard to get? The relationship with Ryota had left deep scars and Eoin would need to help her heal before she’d let him close. Tact and sensitivity would be needed and he owned neither of these qualities. It looked like they’d be in for a hell of a ride.
    He backed off from Angie, giving her space. “No flirting.” Raising his hands in the air, he took another step away toward the shop door and opened it for her. “I promise to be a gentleman.”
    “And you always keep your promises?”
    “I have to. A dragon is nothing but a beast without his honor.”
    “Thank you.” As she passed into the shop, he couldn’t resist smacking her heart-shaped ass.
    That felt way too good. “See you at seven, toots.” He let the door close on her squeal of shock. Grinning, he strolled along the street and popped another cigarette in his mouth. They didn’t affect his health like humans. If anything, the cigarettes made him more socially acceptable since he produced smoke even in his human form. Smoking just made humans see him as less of a monster.
    Light on his feet, he made his way to his Harley. He’d parked his girl a block away to avoid any trouble. He half expected Ryota to appear at Angie’s shop and after the mark Eoin had left on the alpha’s car, well, let’s just say his bike didn’t need a scratch. The werewolves seemed protective of Angie. From Ryota’s behavior, Eoin suspected she could be made honorary pack as his mate if she wanted. Yet, it seemed she pushed the alpha away. What drove her? Not greed, not power, nor status. Well, maybe a little greed. He chuckled recalling the way her gaze riveted to his ruby when he’d offered the gift. It was exactly how a she-dragon should react. Treasure made their world go round, after all. It was the definition of treasure that changed from dragon to dragon.
    The bright morning sunshine warmed Eoin’s face. Oddly, it didn’t bother him. He preferred the night for obvious reasons, but this morning found him anxious to convince Angie to reconsider her resignation.
    She really didn’t want to quit and she admitted to needing the money. Her fear of him drove her away. He had twelve hours to figure out how to bypass this dread and show her he wasn’t just a dragon shifter. He could be a man. She needed to see beyond his scales.
    He took a deep pull on the cigarette and blew it out in a slow stream. Pausing in the street, he looked around the buildings and empty sidewalks. When had he felt this animated? He’d grown stale living alone all these decades. Recalling his emotional state a few days ago, he had seemed dead in comparison. Empty of everything. Hollow inside. Angie had ignited his soul and sparked a new interest in the world.
    Was this what the art dealer had tried to tell him?
    For the first time in a long while he felt young and alive, like he had a purpose, yet the source wanted to escape him. He had tried luring her with money and that had worked until he’d crossed a line, making his personal interest in her too obvious. Threatening her clientele had worked but it would lead to negative feelings.
    He rubbed the short stubble on his head. Well, fuck, he cared what she thought. He had one night to fix this so she could see that he wasn’t an asshole like Ryota.
    Speaking of which, the alpha was waiting for him by his bike. Eoin approached, keeping his body loose and relaxed. “Ryota.” He flung his cigarette at the alpha’s expensive-looking shoes.
    Ryota startled at the toss. “Hey, watch it.”
    “What do you do again for a living?” Eoin couldn’t imagine having to wear something so