Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year) by Selena Illyria

the blue tips—but still, that face. You better lock him down, if you know what’s good for you.”
    Carissa ignored the comment. Brent was hers regardless of what anyone said. At least, that’s what her wolf told her. She reminded herself to remain professional as she rang up the orders and sent people on their way. When Jezebel and Anna came over under the pretense of helping her or refilling a shelf or display, she ignored their questions and inquiring glances.
    By the time lunch arrived it was a relief just to get out of the shop. She would have taken any excuse to get her away from the crush of all those people and the suggestive looks that Jez and Anna shot her way.
    She beamed with happiness when at last Brent reentered the store.
    “Ready?” he said, and grabbed her hand, gripping it tightly.
    “I’m ready,” she managed.
    He led her to a small seafood restaurant that she’d always wanted to check out. Her body relaxed gradually as she got use to his touch. His palms were softer than she’d thought they would be, warm and solid, filled with strength. His thumb caressed the back of hand, sending quivers of sensation up her arm. It felt totally natural to stroll down the street with him. She drifted closer to him, letting her hip rub against his as they entered the restaurant.
    He managed to get a table in the back, near a window, despite the crowd waiting to be seated. His knees brushed against Carissa’s as he shifted in his seat, sending a wave of heat up to her pussy. The server came and poured water for them and offered them menus, but Carissa barely noticed. She was staring at Brent, drinking in her fill, and he stared back.
    “You’re absolutely gorgeous,” he murmured as he reached out, palm up.
    She hesitated before giving him her hand. As she touched his flesh, she felt a soothing wave penetrate into her depths, all the way to the cage where her wolf paced. A sigh brushed past her lips as a slow smile curled on her face. She couldn’t think of a reason not to touch him now.
    “Thank you,” she whispered.
    “You are gorgeous. Stunning up close.” Brent’s nostrils flared. “And you smell fantastic. What kind of perfume is that?”
    More heat filled her cheeks and slid down her throat in a thick gel. “It’s nothing, just a little bit of this and that.”
    “I can smell lavender, sage and citrus?” He shook his head. “I’ll find out later. We’ll have dinner. How about that? Tonight? I know you probably have a short lunch break. Tell me about what you do.”
    Carissa tried to pull her thoughts together enough to give him some idea about the shop and her role in it, but with every brush of his thumb and shift of his legs under the table, her thoughts scattered to the wind. She managed to mumble out a few things, almost as if she were reading from one of the brochures that she handed out with every purchase.
    Brent nodded. “Sounds interesting. I’d really like to see more of it. Maybe a tour, after hours?” He raised an eyebrow.
    “Sure.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but it came out husky and breathless.
    “How about tonight? I can bring the dinner. How about something Italian? I can even help you with the stock?” He brought her hand up to his lips and gave her the lightest of kisses. Traces of need threaded through her veins at that small touch.
    Alone in a darkened shop with him? Images of what they could get up to flooded her mind—against the shelves, in front of the window, on the counter.
    She shivered. A thin voice came out of her mouth that she almost didn’t recognize. “I would like that.” She suddenly couldn’t wait for evening. It would allow her to get to know him better and explore this attraction to him. He was a near-stranger, but in her gut she felt she was safe with him. Her wolf agreed.
    “Maybe we can test out some of your products,” Brent said. “Maybe those oils that you mentioned. I’ve been very tense lately. All these people makes me