Her Dark Dragon Read online

  Her Dark Dragon

  Danni Cirillo’s heritage as she knew it was gone. The land and the wine label were sold. A collection of valuable family heirlooms is all that’s left, and Danni proposes an arrangement with her friend, Nico Severino, in an effort to regain them.

  Exchanging her birthright statues with nights in Nico’s bed will have them both wondering if she’s lost her mind. Danni’s unorthodox approach to getting her statues back would end their friendship, but the memories they’d make together would stay with her forever. She knows she’ll take away more than the small ivory carvings, she’ll get an education only Nico can provide.

  Genre: Contemporary

  Length: 57,627 words

  HER DARK DRAGON

  Lillith Payne

  EROTIC ROMANCE

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

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  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  IMPRINT: Erotic Romance

  HER DARK DRAGON

  Copyright © 2009 by Lillith Payne

  E-book ISBN: 1-60601-500-1

  First E-book Publication: July 2009

  Cover design by Jinger Heaston

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2009 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  For my husband, my personal dragon slayer.

  HER DARK DRAGON

  LILLITH PAYNE

  Copyright © 2009

  “Most of the important things in the world have been

  accomplished by people who have kept trying

  when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

  — Dale Carnegie

  Chapter One

  Tonight, her birthday and homecoming, the party she specifically asked them not to have, was a monstrosity of food, wine, and people she hadn’t met and didn’t care to know. Slick was a word that kept coming to her mind. Each person fancier and more overly impressed with him or herself than the next. They were all club friends, her mother had noted as she prepared for their guests.

  “This is just the must-haves, so don’t worry, it won’t be a big affair, just a ‘welcome home’ and a chance to meet you, Danielle. Of course, our friends want to know you. They’ve all heard so much about you.”

  It was the tone of the words, not the actual words, just the tone, that set her teeth to ache. She was supposed to “be a good girl and remember her manners,” as to not embarrass Robert or her mother. Danni almost let it slip that the house around them was embarrassing enough, but managed to hold it back. When she questioned her mother about her friends, the ranch hands, and the Severino family from the neighboring lands, she was met with a strange response.

  “Just because they’re our neighbors doesn’t make them friends. And as for the ranch hands, they’re employees, not relatives.”

  Growing up, these neighbors and workers had been her extended family. When the time came for her to take control, they’d become family again, she’d make sure of it. That was how the Cirillo label always ran their vineyards. She’d reinstate the practice, whether her mother and stepfather liked it or not.

  The bureau in her bedroom displayed a huge assortment of tulips and lilies, interspersed with Stars-of-Bethlehem. They’d arrived this morning from Nico Severino. He never forgot her birthday, always sending her favorite flowers even though they were out of season. Her mother scoffed at the token acknowledgement. For Danni it was a wonderful present, more thoughtful because he hadn’t forgotten. Flowers were a tangible present, not like some celebration she didn’t want with people she didn’t know or care to learn more about.

  Tonight, she’d walked away from the party after finding Robert opening bottles of wine like they were juice, the family’s private stock being swilled by these country club leeches, who wouldn’t know good wine from ditch water. Wandering the rows of vines, she tried to clear her mind of the nasty things she’d wanted to tell Robert. She tried to forget how her mother hadn’t even kissed her hello upon returning. Not even a hug.

  When Carmen had first seen her, she was hugged and kissed, welcomed back. Yet there was a strange air among them all. Carmen said nothing, other than she had work to do. Then she found out the guest list didn’t include the Severinos or Antonio and Carmen. Vito and his family were noticeably absent, too.

  She felt him before seeing or hearing his approach. Even in the dark, he was magnificent to look at. On the back of his huge mount, he was even more imposing. Yet, deep inside, she trusted him more than any other living soul. Danni had known Niccolo Severino from the day she’d been born. He’d been her friend, protector, and teacher her entire life. In her early teens, she’d had a huge crush on the older, dark-haired, dark-eyed Nico, the boy next door. He’d been diplomatic enough not to mention it and still treated her with an undeniable kindness even when she annoyed him to distraction. It had all faded when her father died the spring she had turned sixteen. There hadn’t been time for schoolgirl crushes any more, just the land and vines to oversee.

  At the time, her mother had let most of the work fall to Antonio. He’d been her father’s right-hand man while his wife Carmen ran their kitchen and home. The first season had been a blur, but by the second harvest, Danni had grown confident with Antonio’s help. It was then that her mother met Robert Hanson and everyone’s lives changed. They married only months later, and Robert took over the yard, much to Danni’s dismay. She’d checked with the family lawyer, Sam Parkins, only to find out her mother ran the trust until she turned twenty-five. Felice had given Robert full charge, regardless of the fact he had no knowledge of how to farm the land or turn its product into a respectable wine.

  Tears didn’t come, only anger and disappointment, until now, this very moment, when Nico appeared in the night. It was hard not to notice how the washed denim stretched over his thighs while he straddled the steed. It was impossible not to stare at the dark curling hairs on his chest, the top buttons on his shirt undone, and the sleeves rolled back. His hands were large, even larger now, encased in the soft, worn leather of his gloves. She wondered how his work-calloused hands would feel against her skin. He approached, dropped his hat to his thigh, and looked down.
Danni didn’t lose eye contact once it was established. His dark eyes, almost black in the nonexistent lighting, seemed to hold her. Finally, he let his lips curl into a small smile.

  Their relationship had always been precarious. He was older by enough to be forbidden to her, or him to her, as she grew to understand. They had chemistry, a strong pull toward each other they both resisted. It resulted in a love–hate relationship all her life. Wanting him, but knowing she’d never be his girlfriend, had forced her to grow up long ago. He had made it clear she was a friend—that was all. She loved him with all her heart and hated him at times for never wavering where she was concerned. His air of authority often annoyed her. His strength of will, she admired. She’d never known a time when Niccolo Severino was vulnerable, especially when it came to a woman. A horse, maybe, his vines definitely, but never a woman.

  “Why aren’t you at the party?”

  He watched her. She didn’t know which was worse, the way her body heated just from his look or the way his voice rolled through her head, which let her remember how his hands felt against her skin for only a brief moment. “There seems to be a mistake. You and Aunt Maria are missing the party.”

  “Wasn’t invited,” was all he said, no bias in his voice.

  She shook her head and finally glanced away from him, knowing she was beyond rational thought. Just the idea of him touching her was making her nipples bud tight under her sweater, her core heating, wanting attention. She’d had seven years to perfect the fantasy. Forcing herself to let go of the dream, she turned back.

  “I didn’t want this kind of a homecoming.” Her shoulders slumped with the words as she expelled the breath she held.

  “We don’t always get what we want.”

  She gave him a half smile that told him he was being obtuse when he finally jumped down from the horse, lightly placed his reins over a fence post, and appraised her.

  “I have a present for your aunt. Why not walk back with me and I’ll get it? I’d planned to give it to her tonight.”

  “No, thanks! Not that party with clubbies falling all over themselves patting each other on the back with their latest golf scores. I’ll pass.” He gave her a strange look she couldn’t interpret. “Why not come to the house and give it to her? Tia Maria will want to say hello and to thank you for the gift.” He hesitated, adding, “I need to talk to you about a few things, come tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Talk to me now, Nico, I could use the diversion.” She nodded toward the house and noise and light streaming from the rear patio.

  “No, not tonight. I need you in a better frame of mind.” He laughed and her heart lightened.

  It was always that way with him. People in the valley sometimes referred to him as the dark dragon. She’d seen that side of him, unyielding and fierce. But never directed toward her. “Come on, Nico, I need all the old friends I still have.” She didn’t elaborate that she’d been gone so long she felt like an outsider in her own home. “Tell me what’s going on?” What he said next floored her.

  “I’ll always be your friend, Danni, your confidant.” His stern look alerted her to something she wasn’t going to like hearing.

  “Nico, please tell me, you sound so serious. What’s wrong? It’s not Maria, is it? Her heart’s not acting up again?” She truly loved his aunt, as much as Carmen. She’d been a positive influence on her life. Danni learned from her that a woman could be a person of business and still be feminine at heart. While Tia Maria was never a fancy woman, her solid sense of being had reflected positively at Danni.

  “No, bella, Aunt Maria is fine. Just remember we both love you.” He looked at her with such a soulful expression her eyes filled with tears. His large hands pulled her to his chest and held her tight. His whispered words were almost lost in the night, but she heard him say, “I’ve no choice, bella. I’ve always loved you, for as long as I can remember.” Nico buried his face in her hair, not allowing her to see the expression on his face.

  Hoping to finally feel his lips against hers, Danni slid her hands up his chest, felt the strength and power of his body against hers. As soon as she moved, he took a quick step back, steadying her with his hands until she had her balance. She knew it was because his erection grew between them, long and thick, she could feel him through the denim covering. Wanting to question him, she opened her mouth, but his finger came to her lips. Obviously Nico wasn’t going to answer her now. There would be a better time.

  “Better get back to the party before you’re missed,” he managed to say, his voice not quite steady to her ears.

  “Nobody knows me to miss me.” Danni knew not to push Nico at certain times. This was one of them. He’d talk to her only when he was ready. “One woman handed me her empty glass and ordered me to refill it, with the good stuff from the cellar, not the table swill!”

  Nico laughed. Danni smiled at the picture which might be appearing in his mind. Danni was not a woman to be ordered like a servant. While she’d tackle any manual labor faster than most men or a servant, she took affront to anyone calling any of the Cirillo wines swill.

  “I can only imagine what you told her,” he said and laughed harder as his face and posture softened.

  “Actually, I told her nothing. I turned away, dropped the glass on another table, and walked straight out here. She didn’t seem to be worth the time or energy.” He raised one eyebrow at her in disbelief. She always defended her label. “I’ve grown up, Nico. I don’t take every comment to heart anymore. This is a business, and I have to run it like one. One drunken woman assuming I’m staff isn’t going to get to me.” Danni didn’t add that thoughts of him always did.

  “I agree you have grown up, Danni, but…”

  “But what? Tell me what’s going on, or it will drive me crazy.” Her best smile didn’t change his mind. She watched him for a sign, anything to clue her in.

  “Try to settle in, Danni. The next weeks are going to be crazy.”

  “But it’s winter, our quiet time of the year. Granted, in a short time, we’ll all be out here pruning, but I’ve got a few weeks to get into the business side of things.”

  “Enjoy them while you can.” He hesitated, then asked, “How set are you on this being your future?”

  There was no hesitation in her answer. “Don’t be silly, all my schooling and the sommelier course…my life is this land and the vines. It’s what I’ve always worked toward. You know that, just like Severino is in your blood, Cirillo wine runs through my veins. My goal is to make the label the best in the valley.”

  “Just be careful, Danni. It’s been a long time since you actually lived here. Things change.” They both knew she wanted to know what, but wouldn’t push him now, even though he could see how hard it was to hold back her questions.

  “I’ve more changes in mind, both with the vines and the house. I hate what Robert has done to it. It looks like something cold and heartless. It’s out of place on this land. I’m going to turn it back into a home. Come back with me, Nico. We’ll open a bottle of the good stuff and enjoy it instead of swilling it!” Danni knew instinctively he’d not take her second offer, but she had to try.

  “Another time, Danni. I don’t think I’d be welcome tonight.”

  “It’s my home, and you’re always welcome.” Her stance changed, her hands fisted at her sides, ready to take on anyone who told her different.

  “Don’t make waves tonight. It will just be a waste of energy. Robert’s probably half loaded by now, and your mother is in ‘social mode.’”

  She knew what he meant. Danni had coined the phrase herself a few years earlier. It meant in front of company, Felice changed. Her voice and mannerisms, her whole persona evolved, leaning toward a wilting Southern belle more than a woman who lived on the Rocky Mountain side of California wine country. He hesitated before adding, “Don’t ask for the impossible, Danielle. Just live in reality.”

  Nico rarely called her Danielle, always Danni or bella. Something was amiss. The sooner sh
e found out, the better for everyone concerned. He swung up onto the horse before she could ask him to expand on his cryptic comments and was gone before she could take a breath. She laughed. That was Nico, always on the move, always leaving her with a feeling of want. Now she understood the feeling and wondered again what it would feel like to be with him, to have him touch her intimately, to let her hands and mouth wander his flesh. A chill passed through her, and it wasn’t from the cool evening wind. She was in a better mood but was frustrated in a different way since their encounter.

  She went back to the house and slowly walked to her room. Nobody noticed her or spoke to her. Alone in the room she’d grown up in, now changed without her consent to look like some fancy hotel suite, she didn’t bother to unpack. Instead, she showered, pulled on sweats, and dropped onto the bed in a strange, exhausted state. She relaxed quickly, even with the noise around her.

  Living in Manhattan for six months had made her impervious to outside noise. This was the time she always let her mind wander what it would be like to unleash the side of Nico he held back. Only in her mind did he allow her to touch him intimately, to strip his jeans down his legs, to finally find her treasure. His cock had fascinated her for years. He never allowed her to touch him; he always pulled away. In this almost-sleep state, she could imagine touching him with her hands, let her fingers slide over his hard bulk, and wonder what it would be like to let her lips run along his hard silken skin. How would her breath affect him, would her touch harden him further? How her lips longed to taste him. Her mouth would make him surrender to her need, to taste him completely, to feel him tense and release to her.

  Only in this daydream state, she carried no fear or anxiety of the act, only the curiosity of the process. To see his expression when he finally relented and surrendered. To taste him and satiate him, to not stop until he’d hardened again, this time wanting to experience him inside her, pushing deeper until he had no choice but to release a second time, taking away all the angst he’d created and she carried. To know how it felt to be stretched open and filled by him, ultimately taking her to a place she’d not yet attained.