Legion: Alpha Dragon Shifter Romance (Dragon Rules Series Book 1) by Tia Didmon (books to read for self improvement .txt) 📕

“The curator of the Dark Art Gallery. If he likes my paintings, he will show them to the owner. It could be a huge break for me.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “That’s outstanding! Your paintings are dope. I’m not surprised the gallery is into them.”

Mara glanced at Natalie, who winked at her from behind Jake’s back. Natalie had been pushing her to take Jake up on his subtle and frequent advances. He was kind, good looking and patient, but she had felt only friendship for the popular athlete they had gone to high school with. Jake was smiling at her when Legion shimmered in her mind.

I suggest you excuse yourself from the man child, if you wish him to continue breathing.

Mara pursed her lips together. Buzz off!

I’m not a bee. I’m a dragon, and while I haven’t eaten a human in a long time, I will make an exception.

Mara’s eyes widened.

Jake frowned. “You okay?”

Mara rubbed her neck. “Yes, I seem to have developed an irritation.”

Jake grimaced. “Like a rash?”

Mara concentrated inward, ensuring the sexy visitor in her head heard every word. “Oh yes, a bad one. The kind that won’t go away no matter what you do.”

Jake shook his head in sympathy. “Sounds painful.”

Mara huffed. “You have no idea.”

Natalie touched her arm. “Do you need me to make you a cream?”

Mara’s lip twitched. I don’t suppose you would share that recipe?

The low grumble was more than human. His voice held the echo of the creature that lived within him. There’s no force in the universe that can keep me from you. You owe me in ways you can not comprehend.

Her heart stuttered at the anger in his voice. The hurt that her words had invoked. The arousal that his presence sparked in her body. She wanted to feel that attraction with Jake, with any other man than the thing in her head. “I have to lie down. I’m not feeling well and I have a big day tomorrow.” She stumbled upstairs without saying goodbye to either of her friends. The low growl in her head turned to a roar.

Chapter 6

Mara smoothed the lapel of her dark linen jacket for the third time. She had planned to donate this suit. Memories of her walking down the aisle to the mahogany casket covered in white flowers burned in her memory. She forced the pain away, focusing on the tight skirt. Her black leather heels pinched her toes as she surveyed the interior of the gallery. The white walls made the paintings and sculptures burst forth in a multitude of color and texture. The cut-out design was ingenious and as unique as the artwork it displayed. She shifted the large portfolio in her hand as the office door opened.

A tall, dark-haired man in a tailored, pinstripe suit approached her with his hand outstretched. “Good day, Miss Krane. It is a pleasure to meet you.” His English accent was light, as if he’d been in the country for some time.

She shook his hand. “Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Emerson. You can call me Mara.”

His smile was welcoming, but a shiver ran through her body. He inclined his head. “Then you may call me Ross.”

Mara cleared her throat. “May I ask how you discovered my work. I am thrilled about this opportunity, but I didn’t think the Dark Art Gallery hosted newer artists.”

Ross adjusted the gold Rolex on his wrist. “It’s true, we rarely do showings for an artist that is less established in the industry, but Devlin saw your work at a community event. It’s rare for anything to catch his eye. You should take that as a compliment.”

Mara’s pointed toward the large double pane doors. “The painter’s community fair? I’m surprised a man as renowned as Devlin Night would frequent that kind of event.”

The curator’s smile faltered, as if this was a dance, he had performed too many times. “Honestly, he never goes to those events. He saw your paintings from afar and was... drawn to them. It’s quite a feat. If he likes the pieces you brought today, as much as the ones he saw at the fair, we will set up a private meeting.”

Mara swallowed hard. “I will get to meet Devlin Night?”

“Yes. It is a rare opportunity.” He motioned to the marble table. “Let’s have a look.”

Mara placed the portfolio on the large white table. “So I’ve heard.”

Ross pulled the paintings from the portfolio, going over each one carefully. He paused on the one of a golden dragon. “Your other pieces did not depict dragons. Is this new?”

Mara nodded. “I was inspired. If it’s too... fairy tale. We can leave that one aside.”

Ross touched the canvas reverently. “On the contrary, I believe Devlin will appreciate this piece. He may even purchase it himself. He has an admiration for mythical creatures.”

Mara glanced over the painting that depicted the golden dragon from her dreams. “Really? I’ve seen nothing like this in the gallery before.”

Ross shrugged. “Some of his best pieces reside in Mr. Night’s private collection and have never been displayed at the gallery.”

Mara frowned. “That’s sad. Why keep the most beautiful pieces of art to yourself? Isn’t the point, to share it with the world.”

Ross studied the dragon. “The world isn’t ready for...” He placed the pictures back in the portfolio. “I will recommend your collection, but Devlin has the final say in what we display in his galleries.

Mara’s eyes went up. “I didn’t realize he went over each piece himself.”

Ross put his hand over the portfolio. “He oversees the Colorado gallery. His family owns several galleries all over the world.”

“I am well aware of the Dark Art Gallery’s reputation. It would be an honor if the Dark Art Galley represented me.”

He smiled like a predator accessing his prey. “Yes, it would be.” He took her hand and kissed it.

Though his attention did not feel sexual. The image of Ross being hit with an unseen force, then wiping blood from