Could she do all of that, considering she'd never imagined she'd be chosen? Meaning she'd never mentally prepared to live with a large group of strangers.
The thought of strangers should make her sweat and it harder to breathe. But somewhere in her mind, she remembered they would all be dragon-shifters, meaning she would have so many to watch and study.
The dragonman put out his hand. "Come with me."
His voice cut through her musings and she gazed into his dark brown eyes. Something about them, including the flashing pupils, reminded her that she'd always dreamed of a situation like this. And for once, she wasn't going to let her shyness steal an adventure from her.
If nothing else, the coming months would give her eno
ugh adventure for a lifetime. Then she could go back to her books and daydreaming about fantasy worlds and characters without regret.
As if someone else were controlling her body, Victoria snatched up her backpack and placed one hand in his. The warmth of his hands alone made her belly flutter. What would happen when he finally touched her naked body?
Trying not to blush, she was about to get up when he easily tugged her to her feet, the force enough to make her bump against his front.
His hard, hot front.
Trying not to gulp, she met his gaze again, only to find his pupils flashing rapidly, much quicker than before. She itched to consult the book again and see if it said what the action meant.
Then she remembered how if she went with him, she could ask as many questions as she liked. That gave her confidence a small kick.
He tugged her toward the rear exit. Victoria was vaguely aware of the ADDA employee following as someone began speaking up front.
However, Victoria didn't hear a word above her pounding heart. His grip was firm and slightly rough, and simply the feel of his skin against hers was one of the most erotic things of her life.
She couldn't imagine what he'd do with those hands if she signed the paperwork. He'd strip her clothes, stroke her body, and maybe even make her orgasm with just his fingers.
And while all of that made her skin hot and clothes feel too tight, still her brain wouldn't let go of the fact she was the one going with him. He'd picked her. Out of everyone else in the room.
Maybe she should stay quiet, but she blurted, "Why me?"
The dragon-shifter's dark brown eyes met hers and he stated, "Because you intrigue me."
She resisted shivering at his deep voice.
He didn't say another word, merely guiding her down the corridor, to another, smaller room. Inside were some refreshments, a small sofa, and a table piled with papers and binders, chairs on either side of it.
The ADDA employee motioned toward each of them as she said, "The first step is to talk a little and go over the agreements and rules together. Jose will let me know when you're done. Take as much time as you need, but no more than two hours. We have a schedule to follow." She held out a smartphone to Victoria. "My number is the only one in there right now. Call me if you need me to come back, Ms…" She glanced at her name tag and back. "Ms. Lewis."
Taking the phone, Victoria nodded. After the ADDA employee gave the dragon-shifter a long look, she left.
The room fell silent, although her heart was beating so hard that she wondered if the dragoman could hear it. After all, dragon-shifters had keener senses than humans.
As the seconds ticked by, Victoria wished she could be one of those people who could make witty remarks to break the silence.
But she wasn't one. So instead, she smiled and said, "Nice to meet you."
Chapter Two
As the human said, "Nice to meet you," Jose resisted laughing. He knew one of the other dragonmen from another clan in the greater Tahoe area who'd participated in the lottery a few years ago. And according to him, the female had purred and thrown herself at him at the first opportunity.
This…Victoria Lewis...didn't look to be about ready to throw herself at him at all.
Which intrigued him all the more.
His dragon bobbed his head. And that's a good thing. After all, we want more from our true mate.
Are you absolutely sure, dragon? She's pretty, and I'll have no trouble kissing her and getting it up, but she's not what I imagined she'd be.