Dragon Chains by Grace Goodwin

9

Katy: are you dead? WHERE ARE YOU?

Katy: i can’t keep doing this.

Katy: EMILY??????

Versace. Gucci. Louis Vuitton. Cavalli. Prada.Katy looked from one label to the next, tried to keep her mouth from hanging open. The boutique screamed wealth. Power. Exclusivity. She never would have come into a place like this. The salespeople would have taken one look at her department-store clothes and turned her away. Ryker, however, insisted.

The flight from the palazzo lasted just over an hour. As soon as they landed, Ryker took her hand in his and hadn’t let go, insisting that couples on first dates often held hands. She’d given a token protest, but really, how could she argue with his logic? And now, as a very uptight saleswoman approached, she was suddenly glad he hadn’t let go. He must have sensed her agitation because he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

The saleswoman glanced at Katy, dismissed her, then turned to Ryker. She looked at the cut and style of his suit, practically drooled, and smiled. “What can I do for you today, signore?”

Ryker reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. He handed it to her casually as he looked around. “I’ve never been here, but my brother recommended you. You will need to close your boutique. We require privacy.”

The woman looked down at the card and gasped. Her hand trembled as she looked up again. “Of course, Signore Draquonir.” She motioned for another associate to close and lock the doors. “Please, follow me to our private viewing room.”

Katy had no choice but to follow the saleswoman into an opulent room with a long runway and one extra-long sofa, glass end tables on both ends, and one large coffee table behind the sofa. The entire room was muted with whites, grays, and tans.

She sat on the far end of the sofa. Ryker could have chosen the opposite end but instead sat right up next to her, his thigh rubbing against hers. He pulled her hand over his leg and started playing with her fingers, testing the strength of her freshly painted nails.

Another saleswoman walked toward them. Katy leaned into Ryker and whispered in his ear, “What are we doing here?”

Ryker lifted her hand and placed a kiss on her knuckle. “We are shopping.”

Choking, she managed to squeak, “This is not how I shop. I can’t afford anything in here.”

Before Ryker could respond, yet another saleswoman arrived, followed by a train of associates, each holding either food or refreshments, which they placed on the long table, ready to serve them. “Signore Draquonir, I am the senior manager here. We are thrilled to have you in our store today. May we offer you a cool beverage, or perhaps a light lunch?”

Ryker turned to Katy. “What would you like, Mia Regina?”

Stammering as all eyes centered on her, she said the first thing that came to mind. “Well, I would adore a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, and perhaps a bit of fruit, if they have it?”

“And for you, signore?” asked the manager. “What can we do for you today?”

“Il mia amorerequires a new wardrobe. We would like to see your entire spring collection. Once you complete her fitting she will make her selections.”

Katy coughed. Choked on her tea. Her hand trembled as she set the cup on the table. Mia amore? Did he just call her his love?

“Of course, signore. Accessories as well?”

Ryker smiled. “Everything.”

The manager put her hand to her throat, her eyes sparkling. “Excellent. And your price point?”

“We have no limit. Call my assistant. The number is on the card I gave your associate. He will set up the account.”

The manager nodded and turned to Katy for the first time. “Please, signorina, take your time. When you have finished, follow Signorina Abbiati to the fitting rooms,” she said, her hands twisting. “We have many wonderful items for you to select from. This may take several hours.”

Katy jumped up, her heart pounding a mile a minute. She could do this. She could pretend to be Emily and get her twin some amazing clothes. They were exactly the same size. So what if it felt like this was all about her? She just needed to keep reminding herself that this wasn’t about her. It was about Emily… Emily, Emily. Emily. “I’m ready.”

Following Signorina Abbiati to another room, she quickly undressed down to her bra and panties. She was measured and remeasured. Everything got measured, even the length of her instep, the size of her fingers, wrists, arms.

Two of the ladies had been whispering nonstop since they’d come in. Every once in a while she would catch the word Draquonir. Were they talking about Ryker?

Finally Katy could take no more. “I’m right here, ladies.”

“Scusi, signorina, we do not mean to be so rude. It is that we have many famous people come here, but the Draquonir are most notable. Our manager will get a big promotion if you are happy with us today.”

Katy frowned. “Really? Why?”

Signorina Abbiati dropped the measuring tape and walked over to a small table on the side, returning with two magazines. On the cover of both were Ryker and his brother, Vector.

Katy took the magazines and stared. “I’m sorry. I can’t read Italian. Can you translate this for me please?”

“Si, signorina. It says, ‘Italy’s Most Eligible Bachelors’ on this one, and the other is a business article about the Draquonir empire. They are Italy’s oldest and richest family. They have billions, and have recently announced plans to expand into new markets. Whatever they do, others follow.”

Katy blushed. “Oh. I see.”

SignorinaAbbiati shook her head. “No. No. I do not think you understand. You see, Signore Draquonir has many female admirers, but he has never taken a serious interest in one until you, signorina. We are very excited for you. And for us.”

“For you?”

“Si, signorina. Your connection to the head of the Draquonir family will generate much interest in our boutique. Your choices here today will influence spring and summer trends in all of Italy.”

“Oh my God.” Her legs gave out, and she sank to the floor. “I can’t do this.”

“Oh no!” Signorina Abbiati cried out to her assistant, “Go! Get Signore Draquonir. Quickly!”

“There is no need,” Ryker snapped, pushing the door open and scooping Katy protectively into his arms. “I am already here.”

Katy smiled weakly and wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders, oddly glad to see him. “I’m fine. Really. Just a momentary shock was all. You can put me down.”

Instead of putting her down, as she requested, Ryker turned to the others. “Leave us.”

Katy didn’t watch them leave, mesmerized by Ryker’s commanding presence. His eyes flashed with something elemental. Possessive. He was in alpha mode, and her body reacted instinctively, her mind a deep pool of need. Her nipples hardened, and her body buzzed with electricity.

There was no avoiding it. She still had nothing on but panties and bra. She couldn’t hide her reaction any more than he could hide his. He kissed her. Hard.

By the time he let her up for air, she was breathless and dizzy. He set her down only to walk her back toward the wall. He wrapped his hands around the backs of her thighs and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. His hard shaft pressed against her, straining through his suit.

With one hand he reached down and ripped through her panties like they were cotton candy, his need fueling her own. She let out a cry as he unzipped his pants, and with one hard stroke, he filled her. Out of nowhere an orgasm ripped through her. She screamed his name, but he just filled her again and again, pushed through her orgasm and demanded more. Took her against the wall, on the floor. Her voice grew hoarse from screaming his name, which only served to make him redouble his efforts.

His voice, unnaturally deep and guttural, finally penetrated the fog. “Mine.”

When they were spent, he dressed, wrapped her in a blanket she hadn’t noticed was in the room, and walked with her securely in his arms out the door. She buried her head in his shoulder, too embarrassed to look at anyone as he carried her to the door.

“Signore Draquonir, you have not made your selections.”

Ryker looked down at his mate and shrugged. “Send one of everything, in every color.”

The manager gasped. “One of everything we have? Accessories as well?”

Ryker adjusted Katy in his arms and turned back to the door. On his way out he confirmed, “Everything. You will know what she likes when she wears it.”