Page 5 of Fated by Fire (Dragonblood Dynasty #1)

Chapter 5

E lena

The rain’s stopped by the time I step out of Craven Towers, but the air still clings damp and heavy. The chill bites at my cheeks, and I pull my jacket tighter, my fingers brushing the silver locket beneath the fabric.

Caleb Craven.

His face keeps flashing in my mind—those sharp, honeyed eyes, the way his voice dropped when he asked what I was doing in that office. My stomach twists. I shouldn’t have been snooping in the basement, but damn, he didn’t have to look at me like I’d committed treason.

Well, you were, in a way.

Industrial espionage is kind of the same thing, isn’t it?

But he left my nerves tingling, and I can’t stop thinking about him.

Nerves. Adrenaline. He’s your boss. That’s all.

Except, the way my heart races every time I think of him isn’t professional. And the sensation that lingers across my skin isn’t just from the brisk Seattle air.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fish it out, half-expecting it to be an angry email from HR. Instead, it’s Mara.

“Hey,” I answer, already steeling myself for whatever she’s about to spring on me.

“Change of plans,” she announces, no preamble. “Forget Chinese. Let’s get drinks instead. There’s this great bar near your office. Meet me there.”

I groan. “Mara, I’ve had the world’s longest day. And I’m literally on my way home. Can’t we stick to the plan?”

“Plans are boring, Lennie,” she says, her voice teasing. “Besides, you’ve been cooped up in that stuffy office all week. You need to loosen up.”

“I’m loose,” I argue, though we both know it’s a lie.

“Meet me at Inferno in ten minutes,” she says, not giving me a chance to argue as she rattles off the address. “Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“Fine,” I mutter, hanging up and adjusting my route. The bar’s only a few blocks away, and I’m not in the mood to argue with her.

When I spot Mara outside the entrance, she’s leaning against the brick wall, her electric blue hair glowing under the neon sign. She grins when she sees me, pushing off the wall, her leather jacket and ripped jeans making me feel overdressed in my pencil skirt and blouse.

“There she is—my corporate spy,” she exclaims, pulling me into a hug that smells faintly of patchouli and weed. Of all the people on the planet, Mara Jones is probably the only one I’ll let this close.

“Shhh,” I hiss, looking around us.

“Relax. Nobody’s gonna hear us.” She purses her lips. “You look like you’ve been through a war. What happened?”

“Nothing,” I say, brushing wayward strands out of my face. “Just a long day. And an awkward moment with my boss.” I’m not in the mood to try to explain what happened. Mainly because I can’t figure it out myself.

Nothing happened. He caught you snooping. End of story.

“The big boss? Caleb Craven?”

“One and the same. Nearly got bust in the basement.” I pull a face.

“That’s what happens when you live on the edge, babe.”

“Sometimes a bit too close,” I admit.

“Well, drinks will fix that,” she says, nudging my shoulder and pushing me toward the entrance. “Let’s get you something strong.”

We’re about to step inside when the door swings open, and I nearly walk straight into a wall of solid muscle. My hands instinctively brace against a broad chest, and I look up to meet Caleb Craven’s piercing amber eyes.

For a moment, time stops. His gaze locks onto mine, and I feel a jolt shoot through me, setting every nerve on fire. His scent—crisp, clean, and faintly smoky—fills my lungs, and I can’t breathe.

“Ms. Mercer,” he says, his voice low and smooth, though there’s a hint of surprise in his tone.

I’m too stunned to speak for a moment. “Mr. Craven,” I finally manage, then pretty much run out of words.

Mara breaks the tension, her eyes darting between us. “Well, aren’t you tall, dark, and brooding,” she says, her voice dripping with amusement.

Holy fuck! Did she just say that?

I elbow her, but Caleb doesn’t seem fazed. He glances at her, his expression unreadable, before returning his gaze to me.

Mara refuses to be ignored. “I’m Mara,” she says, extending a hand. He takes it, shakes once, and lets go. “Would you believe Jessica here was just talking about you?”

“Is that so?” His gaze locks on mine, and I swear I can feel it like a physical touch.

“Sure is,” she emphasizes. “And I can see why.” She runs an eye over him shamelessly. Caleb doesn’t respond to Mara’s comment. Instead, he steps aside, letting us pass, but his eyes linger on me a beat too long, sending a fresh wave of heat through my body. I’m about to awkwardly shuffle past him when Mara, ever the instigator, speaks up.

“You’re not leaving, are you?” she asks, grinning. “You look like you could use another drink.”

Caleb raises an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and mild curiosity. “I’m not sure I’m invited.”

“Oh, you’re definitely invited,” Mara says, nudging me with her elbow. “Isn’t he, Jess?”

I’m mortified but manage to stammer, “Uh, yeah. Sure.”

“Come on,” Mara presses. “It’s not every day you get to hang out with the CEO of a billion-dollar company.”

To my surprise, Caleb hesitates, then nods. “Alright. One drink.”

Shit. What if he wants to interrogate me some more?

He leads us back inside, and I feel like I’ve just stepped into a trap of my own making. The bar is softly illuminated, with a low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. Dorian Craven is perched on a stool at the far end of the bar, flanked by two women who look like they’ve stepped out of a fashion magazine. Seems we walked in on their night out on the town.

“Didn’t think you’d be back, brother,” Dorian says, raising a glass in greeting. “I see you’ve brought reinforcements.”

Caleb pulls up a chair for me, his hand brushing my shoulder as he does. My skin tingles where he touched me, and I have to force myself to focus.

This is freaking surreal!

Mara immediately takes the lead. “Hey!” She smiles at the blonde who’s hanging on Dorian. “I’m Mara.” She leans in for a hug, surprising the woman.

“I’m Brandi?” The woman says it like it’s a question.

“Of course you are,” says Mara. “And you?” She turns to the other.

“Tawny,” says the brunette.

“Cool name.” Mara slides onto the barstool beside me, setting her backpack over the backrest. “They walk among us,” she whispers almost inaudibly as she passes my ear.

I kick her when nobody’s looking, but she’s already zoned in on Dorian. “And let me guess. You’re the evil twin.”

Dorian chuckles. “Dorian Craven,” he confirms. “I’m the good-looking one.”

“I can tell,” says Mara, winking before looking around us. “This place looks fun. Who’s up for a drinking game?”

Dear God, Mara.

Dorian grins, clearly intrigued. “Depends on the game.”

“Truth or dare,” Mara says, waving the bartender over. “With a twist. Every time you refuse a dare, you take a shot.”

“I’m in. But only if the dares get interesting,” Dorian says, and the two women nod enthusiastically.

“Oh, they will,” Mara promises, already ordering a round.

Caleb sits down next to me, his presence like a pulsating force. “Do you always let your friends drag you into reckless decisions?” he murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear.

“Only when I’m trying to distract myself from other reckless decisions,” I shoot back, surprising myself with my boldness.

He smirks, and for a moment, I forget to breathe.

The first few rounds are harmless enough—Mara’s questions are light, and the shots go down easy. But then Dorian dares Mara to sing a karaoke duet with one of the women at the table, and the energy shifts. Mara takes it in stride, belting out a truly terrible rendition of “My Way” that has everyone laughing.

Then it’s my turn. Mara looks at me, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Truth or dare, Len— Jess?”

I widen my eyes at her, and she coughs into her hand.

Fuck. Close call.

“Truth,” I say, hoping to avoid anything embarrassing because things are ramping up.

“Lame,” Mara says, rolling her eyes. “Fine. What’s the most illegal thing you’ve ever done?”

I freeze, my mind racing. I can’t exactly tell her about the stolen files and fake identity. “Uh, I jaywalked once?”

“Boring,” Mara says, handing me a shot glass. “Take a shot.”

I down it, the liquid burning my throat, and catch Caleb watching me with an unreadable expression.

The game continues, the dares becoming more outrageous, and the drinks flowing freely. Through it all, I’m growing increasingly aware of the brooding presence nearby. Caleb has been silently observing, and I can feel his eyes on me every time I turn my back.

Does he suspect me? Is that why he decided to join us?

Shit!

This is the biggest gig I’ve ever had, and I might be about to lose it. I slant a look his way and lock eyes with him without expecting to. My pulse pounds so hard that I half expect my arteries to explode. But then Brandi is bouncing up against him and he’s turning away again.

Geez. The guy’s eye candy, no doubt about it. Even the line of his throat is sexy. And the way his tanned skin contrasts with the white fabric of his shirt—

“Jessica.” Something tugs at my sleeve. “Hey! Jess?”

Shit. That’s me.

“Yeah, what?” I’m flustered.

“Truth or dare,” Mara presses.

I hesitate. “Truth.”

“Who’s the last person you thought about before falling asleep?”

My stomach drops. Caleb’s gaze is heavy on me, and I feel myself flush. “Henry Cavill,” I say. Come to think of it, there’s a little bit of Henry in the angle of Caleb’s jaw. And that dimple in his chin.

“Bullshit,” says Mara, handing me a drink. “You’ve always been into the bad boys.” She’s clearly pleased with herself.

The game continues, the questions growing bolder, the dares more daring. By the time Mara dares Dorian to let her tattoo something on his arm with a Sharpie, I’m feeling the alcohol more than I’d like.

Then it’s Caleb’s turn; he’s managed to sit out most of them, but now Mara grins at him like she’s sizing him up. “Truth or dare, tall, dark, and brooding?”

“I’ll pass,” he says.

“Again?” says Mara. “What you afraid of? Little old me?”

“Fine. Dare,” he says, his voice calm but edged with challenge.

Mara’s smile widens. “I dare you to kiss the person you find most attractive at this table.”

The air in the room shifts, and my heart slams against my ribs. Caleb doesn’t move; his gaze is locked on me with an intensity that makes me feel like I’m the only person in the room.

“No,” he says finally, reaching for a shot glass.

Mara pouts. “Boring. You’re supposed to play along.”

“I don’t play games,” Caleb says, downing the shot in one smooth motion.

And then it happens.

I don’t know what comes over me—maybe it’s the alcohol, maybe it’s the lingering tension between us—but I lean in and press my lips to his.

The kiss is brief but electric, a spark flaring between us that leaves me breathless. For a moment, it’s like the air gets sucked from the room, the noise of the bar fading into the background.

His lips are warmer than I’d expected. Firm and smooth. They part slightly against mine, and I catch a hint of mint and something darkly masculine.

Everything within me buzzes to life, my cells sizzling with a sensation that starts in my chest and burns right through to the tips of my fingers and toes. Then I jolt away, my face burning with embarrassment.

Mara is staring at me like I just grew a second head. Dorian is choking on his drink across the table. And Caleb is eyeing me coolly, as if I didn’t just make the world’s biggest asshole of myself.

Except we both know I did.

Oh, my God. Oh, my fucking God!

“I— I have to go,” I blurt. I grab my bag and bolt out of the bar, the cool night air a sharp contrast to the heat still pumping through my veins.

I don’t stop running until I’m three blocks away, my chest heaving and my mind a whirlwind of emotions.

How? Why? What?

The. Fuck?

My phone buzzes, and I pull it out to see a text from Mara.

Where did you go? That was amazing! Call me—we need to talk.

I tuck my phone away, my heart still racing.

My boss. I kissed my freaking boss!

Not only that—he’s the owner of the company I’m supposed to be investigating.

Caleb Craven isn’t just some hot CEO—he’s a complication I can’t afford.

But as I shove my hair out of my flushed face and hail a cab, the memory of his lips on mine lingers.

And I can’t help but wonder if I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life—or started something I can’t walk away from.