Page 16 of The Dragon in the Corner Office (Monstrous New York #1)

Chapter 16

“ A nd the final rose goes to… Felicia.” On screen, the woman bursts into tears when a minotaur dressed in a tux, that’s clearly been custom made for his massive frame, hands her a red rose. She clutches the flower to her chest. The sequins on her purple evening gown shimmer under what I can only assume are production lights.

Rolling my eyes, I snag another piece of greasy pizza from the cardboard box on the coffee table, the TV show droning on in the background. “I can’t believe you watch this trash. It’s all fake. And what kind of man could date multiple women at the same time… right in front of each other.”

A scoff from my right has my head turning in Antoinette and Penelope’s direction. Both women’s eyes were glued to the TV screen a second ago, but now they’re laser-focused on me.

“It’s not about the quality of the show, Cyrus,” Antoinette explains, pulling the blanket tighter around her shoulders. I still can’t get over how relaxed she’s been around me all day. Honestly, I’m a little surprised. “It’s supposed to be a mindless escape after a long, stressful day.”

“No thinking required,” Penelope chimes in before shoving the last bite of pepperoni pizza into her mouth. “I should probably go, though. It’s getting late, and I have to be up early tomorrow. One of my bosses is a real hard-ass.” She winks and knocks shoulders with Antoinette.

Both women stand from the couch and head to the front door. I hang back, standing by the couch to observe their relationship. Penelope slips on her jacket before pulling Antoinette in for a hug.

At a glance, they act more like sisters or friends, not boss and subordinate.

After my conversation with Antoinette earlier, I get the sense she leads a solitary, maybe even lonely, life. Knowing she has someone kind and good, like Penelope, looking after her, warms something deep inside me .

I’ve come to terms with the fact I have feelings for Antoinette. I don’t know how deep they run… yet. If this is surface level, scratching an itch. Or something bone-deep, like soulmates. But I want to take the leap and find out—hopefully she does, too.

Sidling up to the door, I stuff my hands in my pants pockets. “Goodnight, Penelope.”

She waves before disappearing down the hallway.

Clearing my throat, I shove the ball of nerves in my gut down as far as it will go. Fuck, why do I feel like a high school punk leaning in for his first kiss?

Antoinette is the first woman, well, ever to make me nervous. She’s confident and commanding… maybe even a little scary. But I want to be around her.

Dipping down, I cup her cheek and press a kiss against the warm flesh. The black scales peeking through are rough against my lips. When I pull back, her jaw falls slack on a sigh. “I’m gonna head out, too. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Golden eyes burn into me as she peers up from beneath a curtain of thick, dark lashes. “Stay.” The word is so soft, I almost miss it.

“What?” My hand falls to my side.

Antoinette reaches out, weaving her fingers through mine. Eyebrows raised, my gaze locks onto where she grips my fingers. Her hand is so small compared to mine.

Slowly, my eyes trail over her pajamas. Even in leisure clothes, she’s classy. The silky fabric hugs her figure like it was tailor made specifically for her. My perusal slows on her throat, where the delicate muscles tighten with an audible swallow. She runs her other hand down the silky material of her pajama bottoms. Is she nervous?

“This—” She clears her throat, dropping my hand and crossing her arms around her middle, like a shield. “It isn’t easy for me to ask for help. I’ve been on my own so long that I’m not used to needing anyone else.”

Her words send my stomach swooping. Warmth spreads through me at the idea that maybe I’ve clawed my way behind her icy walls.

But I tread lightly, stepping into her and hooking my finger under her chin, forcing her molten stare to mine. “And you need me ?”

Plush lips purse and twist to the side, one delicate shoulder lifting. When it falls again, the thin strap of her sleep tank slips down her shoulder. “It appears so. Although I don’t entirely understand it.”

Without thinking, I run a finger over her collarbone. So delicate. So beautiful.

My touch glides down over the toned cap of her shoulder to where the strap rests against her upper arm. Slipping it back in place, I ask, “What’s not to understand? ”

Ignoring my question, she reaches behind me and flips the lock on the door. Then she guides me by the hand down the hall to her bedroom.

Now that the sun has receded below the horizon, the twinkle lights along the ceiling cast the room in a moody glow. It suits her.

Peeling back the covers, she settles in the bed and pats the spot next to her before picking up our earlier conversation. “For one, you drive me absolutely insane. Why would I need you?”

A booming chuckle rips from my chest, and I plop back on the bed. She bounces, huffing and crossing her arms when the mattress finally comes to a stop.

Seeing her vulnerability has my earlier nerves settling to a low hum beneath my skin.

“You’re looking at the situation all wrong, princess.” Not for the first time, I track the shiver that works down her spine at my use of the pet name she once despised… or so she says. “What if the competitive nature between us merely pushes you to be better? What if my being around is a good thing?”

“I guess only time will tell. I haven’t burned you to a crisp… yet.” One black eyebrow arches as her eyes twinkle at me. I swear the corner of her mouth lifts into a minuscule smile.

“You mean accidentally , right? ”

This time, a wicked smirk flashes across her lips. Gone almost too quickly for me to notice. “Perhaps.” Her face sobers; a gusted sigh pushes from her mouth before her eyes lock with mine again. “I guess I’m asking for a little grace here. Maybe you’re not as bad as I built you up to be in my head.”

“See?”

“Cyrus,” she reprimands when I smirk. “I let myself get carried away with you last night…” Her fingers twist in her lap, head dropping and voice small when she continues. “And I didn’t hate it.”

“I didn’t hate it either, Antoinette.” Her head snaps up at my words, so I press on. It’s now or never, Cy. Lay it all on the table. “Actually, I’m rather fond of you, in case you hadn’t noticed. If I told you I wanted to date you, what would you say?”

Brows shooting upward, she quickly schools her features before asking, “Do you think that’s wise? We work together.”

“Last I checked, the employee handbook doesn’t say anything about relationships between employees.”

“But—” Placing my fingers over her lips, I silence her. Flames lick the backs of her eyes, dancing among the gold of her irises.

Oh, she didn’t like that.

I laugh under my breath before speaking again. “Just be quiet for one second, princess. Please. I like you, Antoinette. I want to learn more about you outside of the strong-willed, independent workaholic. I want to know what’s in here .” Moving my finger to her chest, I tap it against the warm skin over her heart. The organ inside thumps in a wild cadence against my palm when I flatten my hand. “Can you do that for me? Let me in. Let me know you . Not the corporate badass, but the real you.” My voice drops to a whisper, and she leans closer, bracing her weight against my hand.

“I can try,” she agrees softly, breath now mingling with mine as she cuts the distance between us. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

“On one condition.” My tongue drags across my bottom lip. Her vertical pupils follow the movement as they blow wide.

A low moan vibrates out of her chest, gaze flicking up to mine. I take it as my cue to continue. “I’ll stay… if you tell me something about yourself. Something about your childhood.”

She started to open up earlier, and I want more.

I want all of her.

“Of course you’d make my request for your company conditional,” she huffs, rolling her eyes.

Much to my dismay, she pulls back, leaving the bed and walking to the bathroom. The navy silk of her pants clings to her ass in the most tantalizing way. Washing over her supple cheeks with each step she takes away from me. At the door to the bathroom, she spins, challenge sparking in her gaze as she must catch me staring at her ass. “Fine. But I expect the same in return.”

I groan and stretch out on the soft sheets of Antoinette’s bed after stripping down to my boxer briefs. She said before, this is her nest. I see it now. There are piles of blankets in different soft textures, all scattered across the bed. A mountain of pillows in various sizes clutter the head of the bed. Not a bad place to sleep every night.

The temperature in the room is perfect… Not too hot or cold.

She hasn’t pushed for anything sexual since I got here today, so I’m respecting her boundaries.

Plus, she seems… sad, like she could use a friend, not a fuck buddy.

Mags has told me in the past I’m a good listener—when I want to be. And right now, fuck, I want to be the best damn listener on the planet.

In the galaxy.

I want Antoinette to trust me.

I want to be a safe space for her.

The bathroom door swings open, her silhouette backlit by the dim light spilling through the doorway. Saliva pools in my mouth and my heart kicks up a notch, pumping all the blood south.

Suddenly, it’s painfully obvious I’m going to have to work hard to keep my hands to myself until she makes the first move.

Clearing my throat, I pray my dick doesn’t make a surprise entrance and ruin this rare unguarded moment between Antoinette and me.

Tucking an arm behind my head, I let my body melt into the mattress. “Damn, princess.” I groan. “Your bed is very comfortable. I might have to sleep over more often.”

The air is forced from my lungs when she chucks a pillow at my abdomen.

“Asshole. I’m regretting asking you to stay already. I can’t believe I actually caved last night and had sex with you. You’re incorrigible.”

But I don’t miss the slight lift at the corner of her mouth, or the sarcasm laced in her voice. Who knew she had a sense of humor?

“What can I say?” Waving my free hand down my body, I bounce my pec muscles a little. “The ladies find it hard to resist these godlike good looks.”

Her white teeth glitter along with the fairy lights surrounding the bed. “And so modest, too.” A clipped laugh rings through the air as she settles on her side next to me. “I’ll admit, you’re growing on me.”

Flipping to my side, I reach out and tuck a strand of raven hair behind her ear. She turns into my touch, so I let my hand linger on the side of her neck. “Tell me what it’s like to grow up as a dragon,” I coax, hope sprouting in my chest, like a spring seedling, when she scoots closer.

“It was… lonely.” Sadness seeps into her molten eyes, dimming their light ever-so-slightly. And I hate it. I want this powerful woman to burn as bright as the sun. I want her to have everything she desires. Which will hopefully include me someday.

Silence lingers between us, but I think she’s gathering her thoughts. Eyes closed, she cups my hand to her cheek, like she needs my touch in order to speak. “Dragons are extremely rare and a solitary breed. I didn’t have any siblings growing up, so it was just me and my mother. She was rather cold most of the time, like caring for me was a burden. As soon as I could fly on my own two wings, she quite literally kicked me out of the nest.”

A fist clenches around my heart. How could a mother abandon their only child? And how long has Antoinette been alone? “How old were you?”

“Eighteen.” She shrugs, like it’s normal for a parent to kick you to the curb as a teenager. Those were some of the most important years with my parents before I lost them. My dad teaching Roman and me to drive. My mom fussing over me and my prom date when I was a senior in high school. The annual family vacations to the beach where we’d search for seashells during the day and laugh around the bonfire at night.

Antoinette’s soft voice snaps me out of my happy memories, and I focus all my attention back on her. “I was eighteen the last time I saw my mother. Which was centuries ago.”

“H-how old are you?”

Clicking in the silence, the clear membranes over her eyes close and open. “Two-hundred years old.”

My mouth falls open, and I know I look ridiculous with my face frozen in shock. Well, fuck me sideways. She doesn’t look a day over thirty. Illuminated by the moonlight, I let my eyes wander over her flawless tan skin. Smooth and inviting.

Midnight strands of thick, wavy hair spill across her pillow in a dark waterfall. She really is beautiful.

And when she smiles, like she is right now, my heart nearly stops beating. Twin fangs gleam in the low light, making my skin tingle and heat. A hearty chuckle drips from her throat. “Does that surprise you?”

With a surprisingly gentle touch, Antoinette uses a single finger under my chin to close my gaping mouth. A rush of warmth flows from the brief point of contact, making me crave more of her soft touches. “No offense, but you’re stunning for being over two centuries old.”

With a huffed laugh, she rolls her eyes, but they’re laced with humor. “Wow, thanks.”

All too soon, she drops her hand and tucks it back under the pillow her head rests on. It takes all my personal restraint not to reach out and cup her hand to my cheek.

I sober, remembering she was in the midst of bearing her past to me. “What about your dad? Wasn’t he around?”

She shakes her head. “No. My father didn’t stick around after I was born, which is common among our kind. Dragons come together to create a single offspring, so we don’t go completely extinct, but the males aren’t involved in raising the hatchling.”

My fingers itch with the need to run through her silky black hair, where it cascades around her shoulders. But I resist, too afraid to disrupt the dialogue between us. “What did you do after your mother kicked you out? That was, what, one-hundred-eighty years ago?”

“Give or take.” She shrugs. “Legends about dragons were still circulating around Europe at the time, so I was forced into hiding. Our species has been hunted throughout history because one bite from a dragon results in immortality for the recipient. You can imagine what people would do to become immortal.”

In my chest, my heart slams against my ribs. “Holy shit, Antoinette. You were hunted?”

“Not me personally. No. But my mother told me horrible stories from her childhood, so I hid for nearly a century. In the 1920s, I caught wind of a boat headed for America, and I stowed away. Women were starting to gain more independence in the United States, so the timing was perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I was still terrified of someone finding out I was a dragon, so I kept to myself. Living on the outskirts of society and gaining knowledge wherever I could. The libraries at NYU became some of my favorite places. And I would sneak into lectures whenever I could.” Her golden eyes glaze over like she’s remembering her time in the city when she first arrived.

“But you were still alone?” A wave of melancholy washes over me; I hate that she had no one.

She nods. “Yes. For about fifty years, I lived like that. Absorbing every morsel of knowledge. Working odd jobs to survive, but saving every spare cent for the future. When monsters finally came out and began living in the open alongside humans, I climbed the corporate ladder. I knew all the ins and outs of the city from my time here, so commercial properties seemed like a no-brainer.”

My hand slides across the sheet between us, not touching her. But, damn, I want her in my arms more than anything. “Antoinette, I’m sorry you’ve been alone for so long.”

“Meeting Penelope made everything so much better. She’s been a godsend when it comes to managing my temper.” A slow blush creeps across her cheeks, barely visible in the low glow of the fairy lights. “I don’t know what I’d do without her. Sometimes I forget how to interact with others… human or monster, but she’s helped immensely. ”

Sadness still lingers in her voice and the need to hold her, comfort her, wins out. I slide my hand around her waist, to her back, tugging her with me when I roll. We end up with her sprawled nearly on top of me, leg draped over my hip and her upper half nestled against my chest. It feels right. “I’m so sorry, Antoinette.”

In the darkness, her eyes glow, like twin beacons in a raging storm, guiding me to the safety of her shore.

“It wasn’t all bad,” she reassures, voice soft in the quiet bedroom. “The past fifty years have been much better since monsters came out of hiding. There was some initial prejudice, but everything seems to have settled in recent decades.”

She yawns. I’m sure she’s exhausted from the emotional ups and downs of the day, so I decide to switch to a lighter subject. “So you said earlier, this is your nest or hoard or whatever. Why the exorbitant number of blankets and pillows?” I punch one of the pillows to my left, my fist sinking into the cloud-soft material.

“Dragon’s hoard what they covet most. All my life, I’ve wanted closeness and companionship. It’s not natural for a dragon to crave those things since we’re inherently loners, so I created a cozy environment to meet my needs. It’s stupid.” She huffs, rubbing her face against my chest.

Curling my hand around her neck, I use my thumb to tip her head up until she meets my gaze. “It’s not stupid. This room fits you, Antoinette. And it’s served its purpose until now, right?”

“I guess.”

Looking deep into her eyes, I get lost in the fireworks of gold exploding in her gaze. “But maybe now you could let me be your comfort?”

Her throat bobs against my hand, and as the silence hangs in the air, eyes locked, I’m certain she’ll say no.

“Can you be patient with me?”

“Always.”

She nods. “I can try.”

“That’s all I ask, Antoinette. It’s late. We should get some sleep.” My lips meet her forehead in a soft kiss before I settle against my pillow. “Goodnight, princess.”

A little contented sigh slips from her parted lips, and she nuzzles closer to my chest, the arm around my waist tightening, like she doesn’t want to let me go. I’ll do everything in my power to get more of this soft Antoinette, because this side is making me fall even harder.

And I’m pretty sure I’m already in too deep to give a damn.

A stupid grin is plastered on my face when I close my eyes and drift to sleep, with the woman of my dreams curled around me.