Page 7 of A First for the Playboy Dragon (Mysteries of Dragon’s Island #7)
CHAPTER 6
***HARRISON***
H arrison watched Juliet disappear into the trees on the trail that led to the cabins, his entire body throbbing with need, his mind frozen with shock. But the creature inside him knew what it wanted, and his feet started to move toward the path before he managed to get his mind working again. Coming to a halt, still staring at the spot where she’d disappeared, he felt the desire slowly fade, but he knew it would only be back, especially after that last kiss.
There was a fire inside Juliet, a strength that she kept hidden from the world. He’d just gotten a glimpse of it, and it only made him want to see more. She’d stirred something more than just his protective instincts with that kiss, she’d shown him who she really was and how much she valued herself. No woman had ever told him off the way Juliet just had. He’d never had his lifestyle thrown back in his face, and if he was smart he’d walk away and leave the woman alone.
Even Juliet knew that it was a bad idea for them to get involved; she’d made that clear enough, but deep down, he knew that wouldn’t stop what was happening between them. He was drawn to her in a way he’d never experienced before, and the feeling only got stronger every time he was around her. If he was completely honest with himself, he didn’t want it to stop. That thought shocked him more than any of the others; the feeling was more than just physical, deeper than just the usual desire he felt, and he knew that he was about to cross a dangerous line.
Taking a deep breath, telling himself he was making a big deal out of nothing, he turned away from Juliet's path and headed for the village instead. Claudia would show up in less than an hour; he needed food for dinner and a shower before she got there. Ignoring his lack of enthusiasm as he made his way down the beach, he hoped that the spark of excitement would return. Claudia was a beautiful, sophisticated woman, the perfect partner for a few hours of pleasure. He’d be a fool not to take advantage of the situation.
But when he opened his door a little while later and saw Claudia standing on his porch, he couldn’t ignore the disappointment that it wasn’t Juliet. Before he could say a word, Claudia was in his arms, kissing him and rubbing her body all over him, her hands sliding toward the button on his pants. She managed to get it free before he slipped away from her and took a step back, as shocked as she was by his reaction, sure that it was the first time he’d ever done something so stupid.
Claudia stared at him, clearly offended. “I’m sorry, you just surprised me,” he said, with a little laugh. I wasn’t ready for that. Maybe we should start over.”
She narrowed her eyes and studied him, then put her hands on her hips, waiting for him to make the first move, then shook her head with a big sigh when he didn’t move. “I was hoping that I didn’t see what I thought I did on the beach this afternoon, but I guess I was wrong,” she said. “I can’t believe that…woman took you away from me. What did she do, put you under a spell or something?”
“I’m sorry, Claudia. I wish I could explain it to you, but I don’t completely understand it myself,” he said. “I never meant to string you along if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Claudia waved her hand in the air, “I’m the one who canceled on you last night; I’m just trying to figure out how it all slipped away so quickly,” she said, then ran her hands down her body. “You’re giving up this for…well…that…”
“I’m as surprised as you are if you want to know the truth,” he said, then shrugged. “I don’t suppose you want to stay for dinner anyway?”
Claudia let out a barking laugh. “I don’t think so,” she said. “I’m just going to go back to my cabin and pack. I’m leaving tomorrow. I had hoped this last night would be one to remember.”
“I really am sorry. This isn’t what I thought would happen,” he said. “I wish things could be different.”
“You and me both,” Claudia said, walking over to him then giving him a kiss on the cheek. “But it happens to all the good ones eventually. I just hope when I’m ready to settle down, I find someone like you, Harrison. Juliet is a very lucky woman.”
“We’re not…that’s not what…” he stammered. “I just…”
Claudia laughed again. “Oh, Harrison, you aren’t that naive,” she said, shaking her head. I hope Juliet knows what she’s getting herself into. You aren’t going to make this easy for either of you, I’m afraid.”
She left him standing in the open doorway, her words echoing through his head, a mild feeling of panic welling up inside him. He wasn’t falling in love. He had sworn to never go down that path. He was just a bit obsessed with Juliet and wanted what he couldn’t have, but it would pass with time. Turning Claudia away didn’t mean anything, not really, he just wasn’t in the mood for sex.
If that had never happened before, he chose to ignore that little fact and closed the door, then went into the kitchen to get some dinner. After making himself a plate, he took it into the living room and settled down at the desk, determined not to waste the entire night. He’d spent too much time thinking about women since he’d been on the island. Work would be the cure for that. Getting his priorities back in line was the answer to his problem.
Several hours passed without a single thought of Juliet and he went to bed feeling better than he had all day, but it wasn’t long before she was invading his dreams. Her face floated through his mind, and he relived the last kiss they’d shared over and over; most distressing of all were the images of them together, teasing and tormenting him until he woke in the early morning hours. Restless and unsatisfied, he flung back the covers, frustrated with himself, and got into the shower, desperate for a morning run.
***Juliet***
Juliet hit the send button and leaned back in the chair, sighing, relieved to have the pictures sent off like she’d promised. She hoped that it would be enough to buy her brother’s freedom. She wanted to get off the island and back home as soon as she could. Harrison had turned her world upside down, a feeling she didn’t like, and the safety of home was all she could think about.
She still couldn’t believe that she’d kissed him this afternoon. She’d never lost control like that before, and she was determined that it would never happen again. The only problem was that Harrison had this pull over her that she found impossible to resist, and after her last little stunt, she was afraid of what she might do. The man was dangerous, a threat to the safe little barrier she’d put between herself and the world. He’d break her heart in a second if she let him.
The sound of her phone ringing broke into her thoughts, making her jump. She scrambled to the desk to grab it, knowing it had to be her brother. “Please tell me that you have good news,” she said, skipping a greeting. I’m ready to go home.”
“Those pictures you took are great. Mr. Adaloni is really happy with them,” Joe said. “You’re really saving my butt, Juliet, I knew you could do this.”
“When can I go home?” she asked. “Will you come with me?”
There was silence on the other end of the line. “I wish we could both go home, but well…the thing is, Mr. Adaloni isn’t quite ready to forgive me. He wants just a little more.”
“What do you mean, more?” she asked, her heart sinking. “What else am I supposed to do?”
“It’s not anything you can’t handle, sissy, I promise,” Joe said, then hesitated long enough that she began to get worried. “The thing is, we didn’t know that there was security on the island. We thought it was just Max and that guardian guy protecting the island. It kind of changes everything, you know, so I was thinking if you could get close to that security guy that could help, maybe find out what his plans are, that kind of thing.”
“Joe, I can’t do that,” she said. “I don’t know anything about security, I wouldn’t know what I was looking for, and Harrison doesn’t talk about his work when we’re together. It would never work…”
“Wait, you know this guy?” Joe interrupted her, his voice full of excitement. “This is going to work out even better than I thought. Mr. Adaloni is going to be so pleased.”
“You’re not listening to me. I can’t do it,” she said, raising her voice, hoping her brother would listen. “I’m an elementary school teacher, not a spy. You’re going to have to find someone else, someone who knows what they’re doing.”
There was a short silence on the other end of the line. “You’re all I have, Juliet,” her brother said, his voice shaking a little. “I’m really scared, sissy, this is my only hope of getting out of trouble. You can’t abandon me now. Just think how great it will be when this is all over; you and I can finally be together, we’ll get an apartment, I’ll get a job, and everything will be perfect for the first time since Mom and Dad died.”
“You don’t understand, Joe, I just can’t do it,” she said again. “You don’t know what you’re asking, what it might cost me to help you.”
“I guess you’ve forgotten what it’s going to cost me if you don’t,” Joe said. “But it’s okay, Juliet, don’t worry about me. I’ll figure out something. I was so sure you weren’t going to abandon me this time, but I guess I was wrong.”
“I’m not abandoning you, I’ve never abandoned you, Joe,” she cried. “I just can’t do this.”
“No worries,” her brother said. “If there’s anything you want to tell me, now would be the time. I might be dead by tomorrow.”
Guilt finally overwhelmed her sense of self-preservation, and she let out a long sigh. “Okay, I’ll try, but I’m not making any promises,” she said. I’ll do my best, but maybe you should give me a better idea of what you’re after. That might help.”
“Anything and everything about the security on the island is what we need,” her brother said, the swagger back in his voice. “We’re going to take the island by force, big sister. You’re an educated woman; use that big brain of yours and figure it out.”
“Joe, that wasn’t very nice,” she said. “I just asked for a little help.”
“Sorry, I’m a little keyed up in case you missed it. Spending every minute of the day worrying if you’re going to die will do that to a guy,” he said, but his voice had softened. “Get access to his computer. Everything we need will be in there. There should be a thumb drive in your computer bag, use it to copy the hard drive. It’s as easy as that.”
“But how do I get to his computer?” she asked. “I’m sure it’s in his cabin, I can’t just walk in there and start messing with it.”
“Use your imagination, Juliet,” he said. “You’re a pretty woman, use what you’ve got, sleep with him if you have to. Guys always fall asleep after sex. That would give you the perfect opportunity to copy all his files.”
“You want me to sleep with him?” she asked, shocked at his suggestion. “I couldn’t do that, that’s…”
“Why not? Is he a fat, ugly old man or something?” Joe asked. “It’s just sex, Juliet, everyone does it all the time. Stop being such a prude, heck it might even do you some good.”
“He’s not old or ugly, he’s…never mind,” she said, then sighed. “I’m not sleeping with him, even for you, Joe, but I’ll try to get those files you want.”