Page 10

SEVEN

DANICA

D anica floated toward the front door of Asher's mansion in a pleasant haze. Her body still tingled from Asher's mouth and hands. Her cheeks felt permanently flushed, and she couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she padded barefoot across the polished hardwood floor.

The memory of Asher kneeling before her with his head between her thighs, his tongue working magic against her most sensitive flesh—it made her body heat all over again. Never in her life had she surrendered to such spontaneous pleasure, especially not with someone she'd known for barely a day.

What is happening to me? she wondered, running her fingers through her thoroughly mussed hair. This isn't like me at all.

Yet it felt right—natural, even. Something about Asher—his commanding presence balanced with his genuine care—made her feel simultaneously safe and wild, as if she'd discovered a part of herself that had always been there, patiently waiting.

Danica smoothed down her light blue sundress for the tenth time, the cotton fabric still slightly wrinkled from being bunched around her waist just moments ago. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time.

"Coming!" she called.

When she pulled open the front door, Danica expected to see a group of eager festival volunteers. Instead, she found herself face-to-face with a woman who looked as if she'd stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine.

The stranger stood tall—at least 5'9"—with a waterfall of vibrant red hair cascading over one shoulder.

Her skin had the perfect sun-kissed glow, and her athletic frame was draped in a green wrap dress that accentuated every toned curve.

But what struck Danica most were her eyes—a peculiar green-gold that seemed to flash with something primal when they landed on her.

"Oh! Hello," Danica said, her event planner persona clicking into place automatically. "You must be one of the festival volunteers. Asher just went upstairs to change, but he'll be right down."

The redhead's perfectly shaped eyebrows arched high, and her full lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm not a volunteer," she replied, her voice smooth as silk but with an undercurrent of steel. "I'm Joni. Joni Maples."

Something territorial flashed across the woman's face as her nostrils flared slightly, almost like she was...sniffing? Danica suddenly felt exposed, as if this stranger could somehow detect what had just transpired in the kitchen. Heat slowly crept up her neck at the thought.

Joni's gaze tracked slowly from Danica's tousled hair down to her bare feet, taking in every detail with surgical precision. Her smile never reached her eyes when she asked, "And you are...?"

"I'm Danica. I'm—" she hesitated, uncertain how much to reveal.

Before she could continue, Joni's nostrils flared again, and her expression shifted to something milder. "Is that bacon you're cooking? It smells divine."

Danica blinked at the abrupt subject change.

"Oh! Yes, I made breakfast. Would you like to come in?

" The invitation slipped out automatically—her Southern upbringing kicking in before her brain could catch up.

Obviously this woman knew Asher well enough to visit his home unannounced.

Perhaps she was a colleague from town hall or a childhood friend.

"How thoughtful." Joni's smile was picture-perfect but still didn't quite reach her eyes as she stepped inside. "Asher usually doesn't have guests cooking in his kitchen."

Is that a dig? Danica wondered, suddenly self-conscious about her casual presence in Asher's home.

"The food's probably getting cold," Danica said, leading the way toward the kitchen. "I made plenty if you'd like some."

"That's very...domestic of you," Joni remarked, each word carefully measured. "Have you known Asher long?"

The question carried weight, and Danica felt the woman's eyes boring into her back as they walked. Something in Joni's tone made her hesitate to reveal how new her connection with Asher truly was.

"Not very," she admitted cautiously. "We're working together on the Founders Festival."

Joni's smile tightened fractionally. "Are you? How interesting. I wasn't aware Asher was bringing in outside help this year."

The kitchen still carried faint traces of Danica's pleasure—at least to her awareness. She busied herself with the cooling food, situating plates on the island where three stools waited. "Would you like coffee?"

"Please," Joni answered, settling gracefully onto a stool—the exact one where Danica sat last night, she noted. The redhead placed her designer purse on the island and folded her hands primly. "So tell me, Danica, are you familiar with our little town's... unique community?"

Something in the way she emphasized "unique" gave Danica pause. Was she referring to the fact that they were shifters? Or something else entirely?

"I'm learning," Danica replied carefully, pouring coffee into a mug for their unexpected guest. "It's a beautiful place."

"Oh, it certainly is," Joni agreed, her voice honeyed. "And we're all quite protective of it. Especially Asher. He takes his responsibilities very seriously."

The words seemed innocent enough, but Danica caught the subtle emphasis on "responsibilities" and the proprietary way Joni said Asher's name. A flash of understanding hit her—this wasn't just any acquaintance dropping by.

"How do you know Asher?" Danica asked directly, meeting those gold-flecked green eyes.

Joni's smile widened, showing her perfect white teeth as she accepted the coffee mug. "Oh, Asher and I go way back. We've been... close for years."

Just then, Asher strode into the kitchen, and Danica's breath caught at the sight of him.

He was now in black dress pants and an unbuttoned black shirt that revealed a tantalizing strip of his muscled chest. Her mind immediately flashed back to how that chest had felt pressed against her not long ago on this kitchen island in front of her.

His confident stride faltered when he spotted the back of Joni. The redhead sat perched elegantly on the kitchen stool, while Danica stood across the island from her in her rumpled blue sundress.

"Joni?" Asher's deep voice held unmistakable surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Danica's stomach knotted instantly. The familiar way he said the woman's name and the shock in his tone—a horrible thought crashed through her mind.

Had she just spent the morning with someone else's boyfriend?

Her face burned with sudden humiliation.

How could she not have asked such a basic question before letting him touch her that way?

"Asher! There you are." Joni rose gracefully, her eyes drinking in his half-dressed state. "Don't you look delicious this morning."

Danica's fingers clenched around the coffee pot she was holding. She set it down with deliberate care before she could drop it.

"Breakfast is getting cold," Danica said, trying to sound normal. "Will you join us, Asher?"

His green eyes flicked between the two women, and something unreadable passed over his face before he nodded. "Let me just..." He buttoned his shirt partway, leaving the top three buttons undone.

The three settled at the island, Danica feeling increasingly out of place as Joni leaned toward Asher with practiced familiarity.

"Your little human friend is quite the domestic goddess," Joni remarked, fork poised over her untouched eggs. "Though I'm surprised to find her here so early."

Human? Danica's brow furrowed at the strange phrasing.

"Danica is helping with the festival," Asher said firmly, his eyes warming when they landed on Danica. "And she's my guest."

Something in his tone made Danica relax slightly. He didn't sound like a man hiding a relationship.

"Well," Joni continued, ignoring Danica completely, "you remember how good I was at those college mixers, don't you, Ash? I practically ran the social committee single-handed."

"That was a long time ago, Joni," Asher replied, taking a bite of bacon.

"Ten years," Joni sighed dramatically. "But doesn't it feel like yesterday? God, those nights in your college apartment..." She trailed off, shooting Danica a smug glance before continuing. "Best relationship of my life, honestly. The chemistry we had—off the charts."

Danica stabbed at her pancake, suddenly finding the maple syrup pattern fascinating.

"Stanford was good for you," Asher acknowledged neutrally.

"It was the right choice, even if leaving you was torture," Joni continued. "But moving to California was worth it. I've been organizing corporate events for the most prestigious firms in San Francisco these past few years. The client list would make your head spin."

Danica couldn't help herself. "So, what brings you back to Ectorius after all this time?"

Joni's perfect smile tightened. "Home is home. And I wouldn't miss the annual festival for anything." She touched Asher's forearm possessively. "Have you reconsidered my offer, by the way?"

"What offer?" Danica asked before she could stop herself.

Asher shifted uncomfortably. "Joni suggested we might?—"

"It's clutch business," Joni cut in smoothly, her green-gold eyes flashing. "Nothing that would interest an outsider."

Clutch business? Something wasn't adding up about Joni's sudden appearance after a decade away. The woman clearly had designs on Asher—that much was obvious.

Asher cleared his throat. "Joni, I should tell you something about Danica?—"

"Your breakfast is getting cold," Joni interrupted again, her eyes never leaving Asher's exposed chest. "And I must say, you look better than ever, Ash. Alpha life has been good to you."

Suddenly, Joni set her coffee mug down with a definitive clink against the granite countertop.

"But I want you to know, Ash," Joni said, looking directly at him, "I'm happy you've finally found your true mate.

I always knew you'd never truly settle down unless it was with someone who gave you that mate-level intensity. "

The fork in Danica's hand froze midway to her mouth. "True mate?" she echoed, her brow furrowing as the eggs on her fork suddenly seemed less appealing. "What exactly does that mean?"

Joni's gaze darted between Danica and Asher, and Danica noticed how Asher's eyes widened in what might've been shock.

Something like realization flashed across Joni's perfect features, followed immediately by a look that might've been embarrassment—if Danica believed this woman was capable of such an emotion.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," Joni fluttered, reaching for her purse with a graceful sweep. "I've clearly said more than I should have." She stood up, barely having touched the food on her plate. "I really must get going. My parents are waiting for me at their place."

Before Asher could respond, Joni was striding toward the door, her designer heels clicking rapidly against the hardwood. "Lovely to meet you, Danica. Asher, we'll talk soon."

The front door opened and closed, and then a weighted silence descended on the kitchen.

Danica turned to Asher, who looked like a man caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck. "So," she said, folding her arms across her chest, "want to explain what 'true mate' means and why she assumed I already knew about it?"

Asher exhaled slowly, running his large hands through his short dark hair. His eyes met hers with a piercing intensity that made her heart race.

"Dragon shifters have fated mates," he said without preamble. "One person in all the world who's perfectly matched to us. Only the truly lucky ever find theirs."

Danica's mind raced to process this information. "And I'm... yours? Gerri knew that when she brought me here?"

Asher nodded, his jaw set in a firm line. "I felt it the moment I saw you. Every dragon does when they meet their mate."

"So that explains what Gerri meant yesterday," Danica said, pieces clicking into place. "About what else your advisory council said besides not allowing outsider help with planning the festival."

"They said I can have help planning the festival if that help comes from my mate," Asher confirmed, leaning forward on his elbows. "Which you are, so you're allowed to, and the council will approve."

He reached across the island, his large hand covering hers. The warmth of his touch sent electricity coursing up her arm.

"Since the founding of this town centuries ago, this festival has always been planned by the clutch Alpha... and his mate." A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Which is you, Danica."

She pulled her hand back, needing physical space to process this bombshell. "That's... a lot to take in. Finding out I'm your 'fated mate' after knowing you for all of one day."

"I know it's overwhelming," he admitted, his voice softening.

"Maybe we should just focus on planning the festival for now," she suggested. "And deal with all this... mate stuff... later?"

Relief and something like hope flickered across Asher's face. "That would be perfect," he agreed, then hesitated. "But I'll need to introduce you as my mate, so the town understands I haven't broken my commitment by hiring an outsider. Would that be okay with you?"

Danica considered this. Playing the role of "mate" while she figured out her feelings seemed reasonable enough. "I can go along with that."

The change in Asher was immediate and startling. His entire face lit up with joy, as if she'd given him the most precious gift imaginable rather than a tentative agreement. In one fluid motion, he rounded the kitchen island, scooped her up by the waist, and spun her in a circle.

"Asher!" she squealed, grabbing his shoulders for support.

His laughter rumbled through his chest against her, deep and genuine. "You have no idea what this means to me," he said, setting her down but keeping his hands firmly on her waist.

Despite her reservations, Danica couldn't help smiling at his unbridled enthusiasm. His joy was contagious, his green eyes dancing with light. What was she getting herself into with this dragon shifter mayor? Yet somehow, the uncertainty didn't frighten her as much as it probably should.

Before she could overthink it, Asher's mouth descended on hers in a passionate kiss that made her toes curl. His lips were firm yet gentle, claiming hers with searing intensity. This was a man—a dragon—who knew exactly what he wanted.

And apparently, what he wanted was her.