The Dragon's Spellbound Alien Read online

  “Likely.” He smiled back and she fell in love with him just a little bit more.

  She focused her attention on reading him, trying to get a quick look inside his mind, but she couldn’t see a thing, not even a glimmer.

  Perhaps he was a supernatural being that she couldn’t read. Bubba said so far, no one could read any of the witches in town. Were men who were witches called witches or something else? Sorcerers, perhaps? She wasn’t certain.

  Alphas also couldn’t read each other, but human minds were very easy to read. She didn’t think Warrick was an Alpha, although he was big enough in size to be one. Bianca was certain that if a big Alpha alien from Arkansas had come here and set up a furniture shop, she would have heard about it by now.

  That meant he was a witch, a secret Alpha no one knew about or some other-worldly being Alphas couldn’t read. In this town, likely he was some form of paranormal creature. She wanted him regardless of his supernatural classification.

  “Are you a sorcerer or a wizard or something? Have you put a spell on me?”

  His amused laugh caught her off guard. The fluttering in her belly sped up. She inhaled his intoxicating smoky masculine scent, filling her lungs with him. She pressed her face to his chest and inhaled, making a joyful noise.

  “No. I’m not a wizard or sorcerer. But if you keep making happy little sounds like that, anything is possible.”

  Bianca closed her eyes in an attempt to keep a clear thought in her head and ignore the essence of him settling in her lungs. Otherwise she was going to push him to the floor and do what she wanted without seeing her assigned task through. “Bubba wanted me to pick up…something. I can’t remember what it is. Perhaps he didn’t tell me. I don’t know. But I need to take it back to him and, well, you make my head spin.”

  Warrick nodded. “I know what he wants.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. And I also know what you and I both want.”

  Instead of telling her what Bubba had sent her to retrieve, Warrick pressed his mouth to hers. His delectable kiss once again made her forget everything. What was I saying? She couldn’t remember. And she didn’t care.

  They might have stayed that way, locked in a passionate embrace and kissing for hours on end, or maybe even an eternity, only coming up for air as needed, when the bell above the door pealed through the showroom like an alarm.

  Bianca stiffened in Warrick’s arms, breaking the kiss and spinning around to see who’d come inside.

  Sheriff Hank Merrow stood there with a very surprised, yet amused expression on his rugged face.

  Chapter Three

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  Warrick held a warm, wonderful Bianca in his arms as the sheriff walked closer. He was never above interrupting any semi-public displays of affection. This was, however, Warrick’s shop and he planned to hold on to and kiss Bianca to his heart’s content without any law enforcement intrusion.

  Hank nodded to Bianca. “Ma’am,” he said politely. Looking at Warrick, he added, “Sorry to bother you, Warrick, but I need to have a word with you.”

  “A word?” Warrick didn’t know what that meant, but didn’t want to release Bianca for any reason. His mother used to tell him and his brother that unless the house was on fire or someone was bleeding to death, she was not to be disturbed when she was seeking quiet time in her room. They used to think she was concocting spells to thwart their enemies as youngsters. Now, he understood her desire for uninterrupted privacy as totally reasonable.

  Bianca loosened herself from his rather tight grasp and said, “I’ll come back later, okay?”

  Warrick grabbed her forearm before she could scurry away. “Hang on. What word?” he asked Hank.

  The sheriff looked at Bianca with an uncomfortable gleam in his eye and answered, “A very private one. Could we please speak alone?”

  Warrick pushed out a long sigh filled with annoyed attitude and squeezed Bianca’s arm once, gently. “When can we meet?”

  Color rose in her cheeks in a beautiful blush. “Tonight?” she suggested, sending a quick glance at the sheriff as if to ensure Warrick understood someone was listening to them. Oh, he knew.

  “Yes. Where? When?” he asked quickly, figuring she’d pick a public place.

  “Anywhere, anytime,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. Apparently, she felt safe with him or his kisses didn’t make her frightened. A glance at her kiss-swollen lips made his insides heat up. “I mean…how about where I work? You can meet me there. I get off at seven tonight.”

  “Perfect. I’ll be there promptly at seven. I hope you’re ready.”

  “I hope so, too,” she said softly, sidling away slowly, stealing glances over her shoulder at him and the sheriff before exiting his store. It looked like she was filled with curiosity and hated to leave him. Truth be told, he was also filled with interest and hated for her to leave, ever.

  Warrick watched out the window as she headed back toward Bubba’s Psychic Readings down the street. When she was out of his sight, he turned to Hank. “I’ll warn you right up front that this better be a very important word or else I’m going to burn a hole through you and leave instantly to chase after her.”

  The sheriff got right to the point. “Your mother’s home was broken into sometime last night.”

  “What?” Warrick felt rocked to his core. He straightened to his full height, anger filling him. “Why didn’t she call and tell me?”

  He promptly patted himself down looking for his phone. It wasn’t on his person anywhere that he could feel. He spied it on the counter, and remembered leaving it there to torch the cheval mirror frame earlier. “I mean, she was here first thing this morning. She didn’t say a single word.”

  Hank lifted a hand to stop him when he reached for his phone to call his mother. “Wait. She didn’t discover it until about an hour ago. There was broken glass on the floor in the library next to the patio door, which was also open and ajar.”

  “Why didn’t the house alarm go off?”

  Hank pushed out a sigh. “Apparently, it wasn’t turned on because, and I quote, ‘I feel so safe here in Nocturne Falls, Sheriff, I always have, so I forget to set it quite a lot.’ I cautioned her that so many tourists in town make it prudent to keep her security system on, especially at night.”

  Warrick felt he knew the answer, but asked anyway. “What did she say to that?”

  “She told me that she’d take that into consideration.”

  “Well, at least she didn’t lie to you. What was taken?”

  “That’s unclear. She didn’t notice anything obvious missing. One other thing I should mention. Vilma didn’t exactly tell me not to inform you about this incident, but she implied it. Personally, I don’t think she wanted to worry you, but I thought you should be aware of it.”

  Warrick nodded. “Right. Got it. I appreciate it, Sheriff. I’ll check on her later and see if I can insert it casually into the conversation so she won’t turn you into a toad or anything.”

  Hank’s eyes narrowed as if he’d never considered any retaliation on Vilma’s part. “Great. Much appreciated.”

  Hank looked over his shoulder at the door Bianca had just exited. “So who is that pretty woman you were just smooching all over? I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

  Warrick drew his brows together in a gesture of confusion. “I’m sorry. Who are you referring to? Actually, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Hank pursed his lips as if trying not to laugh at the ridiculous lie. “I see. Am I to assume this is something you don’t want your mother to know about?”

  Warrick thought about it for a minute. His mother would be thrilled that he’d found a woman he liked. If she knew what the sheriff had just witnessed, she’d likely swoop in on the broom she swore she didn’t own and sprinkle several love and fertility spells over the two of them to keep them together until they had ten kids.

  She had a habit lately of talking about all her friends who had gran
dchildren to play with and spoil rotten, and would sadly add that she didn’t have a single grandbaby. Then she’d fix that motherly “look” on him that so many moms had perfected to make their children acquiesce to their will.

  Subtlety had never been his mother’s strong suit. She called it like she saw it. But he loved her. He knew in his heart she was only trying to look out for him, just as she had his whole life. He’d never discussed it with her, but he’d resisted seeking a mate due to his crossbreed status. But maybe not anymore. Maybe he’d just found the perfect one.

  He fixed a hard stare on the sheriff. “Nope. In fact, tell my mother all you want. She’ll be ecstatic. She wants grandchildren, as I know you’ll appreciate firsthand.”

  Hank nodded. “That’s the truth. Seriously, is there a mother of grown children alive anywhere who isn’t on the hunt for grandchildren, or more grandchildren if they already have some?”

  “Not that I’ve ever heard of.”

  “So, are you going to tell me who she is, or not?” Hank regarded him with narrowed eyes.

  “Her name is Bianca Forrester. She works as a psychic at Bubba’s Psychic Readings down the street. She came in to pick up something for Bubba. But we got to…you know, ‘talking.’ Now that I think about it, I forgot to give her Bubba’s item before she left.”

  The sheriff was usually a very serious man, but he smiled so wide Warrick thought his face might split open. Maybe he was amused because he knew the word “talking” really meant they’d been kissing their lips off. And he’d seen it. But he wouldn’t blab about it, either. Hank wasn’t a nosy tattletale. Any information he gleaned was only distributed if someone’s safety or security was an issue.

  “So you do know what else Bubba is, don’t you? Like, his history and where he comes from, right?”

  “I do. He’s an alien from another planet. And all the psychics who work for him are aliens from the same planet. They also have a place in Arkansas where they all hide from the humans in plain sight at a big truck stop or something.”

  “Okay, good. I’m glad I don’t have to explain. I am anxious to discover what Vilma will think about a possible psychic alien daughter-in-law and half-dragon, half-psychic alien grandchildren.”

  “If it’s a problem, I’m sure you’ll hear her yell about it loud enough to wake the dead, or the undead, as the case may be in this town. But I’m confident that as long as Bianca is not a serial psychotic dragon killer after my blood, she’ll be fine with it.”

  Hank laughed. “Well, good luck with that.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Have fun on your date tonight.”

  Warrick smiled. That was a given. He made a mental list of all the places he wanted to take Bianca tonight. Dinner, drinking and even dancing if she wanted to. His goal, besides many more kisses, was to find out everything there was to know about Bianca Forrester, psychic alien beauty.

  Chapter Four

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  Bianca ducked into the alley and headed for the employees’ entrance to Bubba’s Psychic Readings. She heard the hum of several low voices coming from the front part of the store. It already sounded busy and it wasn’t even noon.

  When the store opened without fanfare a couple of weeks ago, Bubba and Astrid had told the five workers from Alienn they weren’t sure what to expect, but regardless, they might have other opportunities to make a living here in Nocturne Falls.

  She and the other girls from Alienn had heard rumors that Bubba was going to start a matchmaking service. She’d even filled out an application when she arrived, but hadn’t heard any more talk about it lately. Perhaps it hadn’t worked out. Or maybe they were simply so busy doing psychic readings from the walk-in traffic off Main Street that Bubba hadn’t had time to instigate any matchmaking. She’d have to excuse herself from that particular list after today and her unexpected meeting with Warrick, super fabulous kisser extraordinaire. He was going to be very important in her life. She just knew it.

  Bubba poked his head out of the office he shared with Astrid. “Hey, you’re back. Did he have it?”

  Bianca squinted. “Have what?”

  Her employer’s head tilted to one side. “The wooden box I ordered from him,” he said in a low tone. “It’s a gift for Astrid.”

  Bianca felt the heat rush straight upward and flame her cheeks. She put her fingers up to her face, hiding as best she could her embarrassment. She’d totally forgotten to pick up what she’d been sent there for. Oh no. “Uh. I don’t think it’s ready yet.” But you don’t know that for certain because the only thing you did was kiss Warrick while you were there.

  Bubba’s eyebrows lifted in question. “But he called to tell me it was ready.”

  “He did?”

  Her boss nodded, but didn’t look particularly angry or perturbed. “Did you talk to Warrick?” he asked casually.

  Bianca nodded. Her cheeks felt so hot they might melt off her face any second and take her fingertips with them. “I did. I did talk to him.”

  “And what did he say?”

  We didn’t talk much, but I’m not telling about all the kissing. What could she say? How could she explain? Wait.

  Bianca remembered why she wasn’t still wrapped in Warrick’s arms, kissing him like the world around them didn’t exist. “Well…uh. Oh…um…the sheriff, Sheriff Merrow, I mean, stopped into Warrick’s shop and wanted to talk to him privately. So I had to leave…and let them…you know…talk.”

  I sound completely ridiculous.

  Bubba looked puzzled, but nodded. “Oh. Okay. I’ll call him later.”

  “Oh. One other thing.” Should I mention the date? Maybe not. “He will be here at seven o’clock.”

  “To bring the item here?”

  She felt her face flame from cheeks to eyebrows yet again. “Um. No. Not exactly. I get off at seven, and we’re going on a date.”

  Bubba looked shocked for a moment and then laughed. “Really? That’s interesting.”

  “He’s very nice.”

  “Yes,” Bubba agreed. “He is a good guy. He’s also very talented. Did you take a tour and see all of his amazing furniture?”

  Bianca felt the heat zap her cheeks again. “Oh. No. I didn’t have time before…um…” Don’t say kissing. Don’t say kissing. “Oh, you know, before the sheriff showed up.” She wanted out of this conversation. Pronto. She pointed a thumb over her shoulder at the front of the store. “It sounds like we’re really busy. Maybe I should get back to my station and start reading human minds again.”

  Her boss nodded, smiled in an oddly satisfied way and said, “Sure. Good idea. It’s been busy as usual.”

  “Sorry I didn’t get your gift.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t exactly need it for a couple more days. I just wanted to see what it looked like.”

  “If you call him, maybe he could bring it later.”

  “Maybe.”

  It didn’t sound like she was in trouble. Good thing.

  Bianca raced to her designated psychic reading room. She entered the curtained space from the back hallway and seated herself at the small table in the center. Black velvet covered the table, on which sat a glass snow globe filled with clear gel that lit up from beneath to glow in different colors when she put her fingers on it. It looked like a mysterious gypsy crystal ball. The four walls were fairly tall and covered in yards and yards of pleated dark plum velvet.

  Apparently, something about velvet lent itself to a more authentic air with regard to the psychic readings. Bianca also had a deck of cards at the ready for special client requests. They weren’t tarot cards, but a custom designed standard card deck with very decorative designs for each of the fifty-two cards inside, meant to ensure each customer got whatever they wanted.

  Bianca couldn’t forecast the future, but she could certainly tell each human certain things that no one else could know. Like what they were thinking.

  Bubba’s psychics were trained to never give dire predictions. They’d each
memorized several scenarios offering helpful advice so that each customer was satisfied. Apparently, the humans loved this place and how they operated because business was booming at Bubba’s Psychic Readings.

  Bianca flipped the switch beneath the table to the “on” position, signaling the receptionist up front that she was prepared for the next customer.

  Bubba let them dress however they wanted and Bianca always wore the same style of outfit. Black slacks, a dark gray or black scoop-necked sleeveless knit shirt—today was gray—and a black knit jacket. It was comfortable, but Bianca felt she looked professional.

  If the clientele expected a psychic to look like an old-fashioned gypsy fortune-teller, they would be disappointed the moment they stepped inside her reading room. But by then, they were hopefully intrigued enough to take a seat and discover what Bianca could tell them.

  Astrid pulled Bianca’s entryway curtain open and ushered in a short, plump woman with gray hair cut in a cute bob. “This is Bianca. She will be your psychic for this session. Bianca, this is Lilian. May you find the answers you seek.”

  “Hello, Lilian,” Bianca said and gestured to the chair opposite hers.

  “Oh, thank you, dear.” Lilian sat down, clutching her purse to her chest with both hands, and leaned forward to stare at the crystal ball.

  Bianca could already hear her thoughts. Lilian—whose last name was Higgins—was very excited, as this was her first psychic reading. She’d always wanted to have one done. And her best friend in the world, Shirley, was a couple of doors down getting her own psychic reading. Shirley was apparently the experienced one in Lilian’s eyes, as she’d had her fortune read at carnivals more than once.

  “How does this work, exactly?” Lilian asked.

  Without speaking, Bianca closed her eyes as if retrieving special information from the air around them, when in reality she listened to Lilian’s thoughts to learn that the older woman wanted to know something very specific. Lilian worked for a guy with sometimes questionable business practices, but mostly Lilian felt she had a good boss. He didn’t involve her in anything business related that wasn’t on the up and up.