Page 12 of Fire Dragon Lover

The mirror revealed that she was a mess.

No wonder he was frowning, she thought, as she raked trembling hands through her hair, the knots refused to surrender to her desperation. She gave up and leaned against the counter, the beautiful gown clutched in her arms.

His world wasn’t hers. She knew better.

He was a shifter. A billionaire. She was just a simple human woman.

And still, she fooled herself into thinking he could feel anything for her.

People like Logan didn’t fraternize with people like Gretchen. She still couldn’t help but feel used, her heart near to breaking. How long had she had a crush on him? How many times had she dreamed of what they did last night?

She could still taste his sweat on her lips.

And her beautiful gown- he’d nearly torn it in their fervor. It slipped on as easily as it came off last night, the sheen fabric stretched a bit in places. But it was intact. Gretchen looked in the mirror again, seeing a sad mockery of the woman who’d attended a fundraiser on the arm of the great Logan Slade.

That’s all she was: arm candy.

Hell, she wasn’t even that, anymore.

She swallowed down her injured pride and emerged from the bathroom where she expected Logan to be waiting for her. Maybe he’d offer an excuse to justify his deplorable bedside manner. But the room was empty, left as disheveled as she.

Gretchen’s voice was hoarse when she called out. “Logan?” She entered the living room and she hardly recognized the place. She was drunk when they came through the first time and more than a little distracted. There was no sign of him.

She drifted to the window and the grief spread into her limbs when she finally spotted him. He was pacing to the waiting car, already dressed to the nines. What little hope she had harbored crumbled when he got in the car, pulled out of the driveway, and merged onto the main road.

Her fingers were numb and her face was inexplicably wet.

She couldn’t keep it dry no matter how many tears she swiped away. The pampering, the dress, the false jealousy when other men doted on her? It was all a cruel joke he’d played, and everyone was in on it but Gretchen.

She sank to the floor, unable to breathe.

How many times could he break her heart?

Nineteen

Logan

Logan wasn't going to the office. He had to meet with Sloan. His knock on the door wasn't enough to damage it, but he wasn't quiet.

When Sloan opened it, Logan skipped all the pleasantries, stepped inside, and asked, "Did these bastards do something last night?"

"No. Things have been calm."

But that news didn't help Logan feel any better, and he could tell from Sloan's tone that it didn't ease the enforcer's fears. It was like knowing there was a deadly spider in the room but not knowing where. Just because you didn't see it didn't mean it wasn't still a threat.

Suddenly, Hailey was there with steaming cups of coffee. He looked at her, surprised.

"That was quick," he said.

"Don't worry. I didn't make this especially for you. Sloan and I haven't been sleeping much with everything going on, so there's pretty much coffee brewing all the time. I'm so tired and so jacked up, I think I'm getting to the point where I can smell colors. Okay, what's up?"

"Trying not to get killed."

"No. Not just that. You're not just 'people are trying to kill me' tense."

Logan looked to Sloan.

"She's very observant and tenacious. Unless it's state secrets or an NDA is involved, just tell her. If it is, she'll snoop until she finds out."

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