Chapter Three

Victoria curled up on one end of her sofa with her plate in her lap and the television on in the background. She wasn’t really interested in the food, and the program on the screen couldn’t hold her interest.

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. It had been a long day, even though she’d finished up at the office before five. She’d been tense the entire morning, and the rest of the day hadn’t been any easier.

Mr. Temple had spoken with Evan Caine. She had no idea about what. The best she could hope for would be to have a vision about it when she dreamed, but she feared that it wouldn’t happen. She was beginning to wonder if she was fooling herself to think she would ever discover the truth.

She opened her eyes and picked up her fork, forcing herself to take a bite even though she wasn’t really hungry. Her stomach was tied up in knots thinking about her job and trying not to think about Luther.

She set her plate aside and dragged the soft cashmere throw over her, making a cozy nest. The television droned on in the background. She rested her head on a pillow and watched with the sound on low.

All around her, people were living their lives, going to work, loving and laughing with their partners and spouses. A single tear tracked down her cheek, and she brushed it away, impatient with herself. She’d made her choices and couldn’t unmake them. Wouldn’t change them if she could.

Her drakon friend was out there somewhere, hurt and trapped. She had no idea what she could do to help him and his wife escape. She was only one woman. But she had to try.

In all her years, Sergei was the only living creature who had ever made her feel special, as though she had value as a person.

It was a sad commentary on her life.

With the light still on and the television droning in the background, she closed her eyes. She knew she should probably get up and go to bed, but that seemed like too much trouble.

…

Luther was in his Manhattan apartment tonight, the one he used for show, the place that was listed on his employment form. His real home was a hole-in-the-wall, basement apartment in a not-so-safe part of the Bronx, where everything that was important to him was housed in a state-of-the-art safe hidden in the floor. He rarely went there, only when he knew he wouldn’t be missed or followed.

He knew he was watched and often trailed when he left work. Temple didn’t trust anyone. So Luther spent most of his nights here. It wasn’t a hardship. The place had everything he needed, but he hated being hemmed in, like a hamster in a cage spinning on his wheel.

He sprawled out on the massive sectional sofa that took up most of the living area and considered his options. Temple was keeping a closer eye on him of late. Ever since the former head of security had disappeared, things had been tenser. Of course, his predecessor had turned on Temple and helped one of his fellow Knights.

Luther couldn’t say any of them in that group were truly friends. They weren’t enemies, either. They were competitors, each of them trying to outdo the other. All of them wanted wealth and power. But most of all, they wanted a dragon.

It was the stuff of fairytales and myth, but Luther knew it was all based in fact. There were more creatures on this earth than the average person would believe.

He could never relax, never truly let down his guard, because he knew more than most and was a part of this secretive and powerful group. Most days, he didn’t mind the pressure. In fact, he thrived on it. He had a mission, a goal.

But there were days, like today, when not being able to trust a soul was draining.

Victoria popped into his mind, a welcome diversion from his dark thoughts. Too bad he couldn’t trust her. She was too close to Temple. But that didn’t stop him from fantasizing about her.

He groaned and flopped onto his back, resting one of his feet on the floor and the other on the sofa cushion. His erection tented his lightweight sweatpants, a visceral reminder that he hadn’t had sex in a very, very long time. Most people wouldn’t believe him if he told them it had been over two years since he’d last felt the hot clasp of a woman’s body.

But since the day he’d joined the ranks of Temple’s mercenaries and begun to make his way up the ladder to the Knights of the Dragon, he’d stayed away from women. He couldn’t afford the distraction or the connection. Anyone associated with him could potentially be used against him.

He wouldn’t take the chance with an innocent. Not even a woman he picked up in a bar for an evening. He knew too much about the Knights to assume they wouldn’t use any leverage against him they could find.

He also wouldn’t put it past Temple or the others to try to insert a woman into his life, one who’d potentially spy on him. That was something Luther would never allow.

As far as they knew, he was single and focused.

That was true, but it didn’t mean he didn’t get horny, especially when he was in the presence of Victoria for part of the day.

He grunted, shoved his hand inside his pants, and pushed them down. He gripped his cock and began to slowly pump.

He wanted to know what she looked like beneath those prim suits she wore. They were tailored to not showcase her form, but they didn’t manage to hide it, either. Appropriate business attire. But the hints of color that teased him from the neck of her jacket always tantalized him. Today, it had been blue.

His balls ached. He spread his legs wider and began to pump harder and faster.

What else was she hiding under those suits? She had spectacular legs. The shoes she wore might not always be the best for walking, but there was no denying they made her legs look like they went on for miles.

He closed his eyes and pictured what she would look like slowly unbuttoning her jacket and sliding it off. His fantasy continued with her unzipping her skirt and giving her hips a little shake so the garment fell to the floor.

The blouse came next. One button at a time until it was hanging loose. He imagined her in a white lacy bra that cupped her breasts and matching panties covering her mound.

He groaned and kept his eyes shut, not wanting to lose the erotic fantasy he was creating in his mind.

Fuck, he wanted to touch her so badly. Wanted to tug her bra aside and cup her breasts, to learn their shape as he squeezed and caressed them. Wanted to tug her panties down, crawl between her legs, and taste her arousal.

He came, and hard spurts of his semen coated his stomach and chest. He’d needed the release. When he was totally spent, he rested his forearm over his eyes and took deep breaths until his heartbeat returned to normal.

Luther swore and reached for the napkins strewn on the coffee table left over from the takeout pizza he’d had for his supper, using them to clean up the worst of the mess.

He couldn’t afford to get distracted by Victoria. It could mean his life. Temple and the Knights didn’t play around. They’d lie and murder to protect their secrets. He couldn’t bear it if he were responsible for getting her killed because of his interest. And he certainly didn’t want to die. He had people counting on him.

He shoved up off the sofa and deposited the napkins in the garbage before heading to the shower. It didn’t take him long to get cleaned up. He didn’t linger and kept the water on the chilly side.

After he dried off and wrapped a towel around his waist, he turned to the mirror and studied himself. He wasn’t classically handsome. His features were too rugged, too blunt. He had a hard jawline and a high forehead. His body was honed, a weapon to be used.

Tattoos swirled down his left arm and chest and lower. These particular markings were dangerous in his line of work, but they were his birthright, his heritage, proclaiming who he was. He was proud of them, but he had to hide them for his own safety. He covered the bulk of them using waterproof makeup and synthetic skin. He’d made friends with people who worked in the movies and theatre and paid handsomely for the best products available.

What would Victoria think of his tattoos? Would she recognize them? Was she in deep enough with the Knights that she would understand their significance?

It doesn’t matter what Victoria thinks. As much as he wanted her, he couldn’t afford to touch her. His body had other ideas, his cock tenting against the towel. Luther tossed the towel aside and ignored his erection. He pulled out his supplies and went to work until half of his tattoos were covered. When he was satisfied, he stowed his supplies and turned off the lights.

He entered the bedroom, threw himself down on the king-size bed, and stared at the ceiling. It was never truly dark in the city. There were always lights shining from businesses, other apartments, streetlamps, and cars.

He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. It was a cold winter’s night outside, and the air in the apartment was chilly. The wind seeped in through the corners of the windows. Luther didn’t reach for the covers or bother with clothing. He forced his body to relax and his mind to go blank. He needed sleep. Tomorrow would be another busy day.

…

Victoria shivered. She was cold but didn’t want to move. Blackness surrounded her like a protective cocoon. It might not be real, but she felt safe. It wouldn’t last. It never did. But she hoarded such moments like a miser so she could relive them when she was particularly scared.

Her mind drifted, as it often did when she slipped into a dream state, and she became aware of another person—Luther Henderson. But it was Luther in a way she’d never seen him before.

Oh, she’d recognize his short blond hair and rugged features anywhere. She was used to seeing him clothed in the tailor-made suits he favored. All of the other men who worked security wore black pants and tight black shirts. She figured it was to show off their physiques and make them look tough. But Luther was tough, and not even the finest tailored suit could hide it.

Now, there was nothing hiding him, not even a blanket.

His big body took up the entire mattress where he sprawled. She shivered again, but she was no longer cold.

He was like a sleek tiger, dangerous and clever. It occurred to her that his suits were camouflage, a way to make him seem not quite so deadly, to lull others into underestimating him.

She’d never make that mistake.

Why am I here? Was their interaction at work today responsible? She was never in charge of her gift, had never been able to force her talent to focus on a specific person or place no matter how hard or how often she tried—and she had tried. Her mind took her where it willed.

Still, she couldn’t complain. While she’d never have the courage to approach Luther in reality—it was too much of a risk considering his position—she could certainly admire his physical form.

She let her gaze flow over him. He really was perfect. His arms and legs were roped with muscle, his abs chiseled. He had a tattoo covering part of his torso and shoulder, but many people did nowadays. Nothing unusual there. But it made him appear even more dangerous.

It had to have been painful to have gotten such intricate work done. Not that she’d know. She did want one, but she’d never been able to decide what to get. Before marking something so permanent on her skin, she’d have to be sure it was something she could live with forever. She wished she could see the design and colors better, but there wasn’t enough light.

Her gaze halted at his groin. Even though his lower half was in shadow, she could see he was very aroused, and his cock was on scale with the rest of his body—large.

A restless pulse began to throb low in her body, and she moaned.

His eyes popped open. She had a sense this wasn’t the past, but one of the times she was actually watching what was unfolding in real time.

“Victoria?”

This was new territory for her. She was always an observer, no matter if she was viewing a vision of the past or if she was seeing a moment as it happened. It was like watching a movie. No one ever sensed her presence, and she was never a part of the action. Never.

“You can see me?” Her hand flew to her mouth. She never spoke in her visions, either. She glanced down to find she was wearing the same nightgown and robe she’d donned earlier before she’d curled up on the sofa with her dinner.

Luther shifted and sat up. “This isn’t right.” His statement of fact pulled her back to her current dilemma. “If this was really my dream, you’d be smiling at me and getting naked.”

She swallowed heavily. Okay, now she was really getting hot. Did that mean he’d had thoughts about her before now, erotic fantasies?

“No, it’s a dream.” It was a dream, but a lucid one they were sharing. That made more sense than anything. Maybe he was asleep, and she had somehow drawn him into her vision. That was unprecedented, but it could explain what was happening.

She wanted to get closer to him but was afraid to move. The last thing she wanted to do was snap the tenuous connection between them. It was wrong, but she couldn’t make herself leave. Not yet. Surely, if he remembered any of this tomorrow, he’d write it off as pure fantasy. Anything else was too unbelievable.

She, on the other hand, knew this was real, knew Luther was right now naked on his bed in his apartment.

His gaze narrowed and sharpened. “I don’t think so. It’s more.”

He was much too perceptive for her peace of mind. She started to withdraw.

“Wait.” He patted the bed beside him. “Don’t leave.” There was something in his voice, some longing that tugged at her heart.

She licked her lips and pulled her robe more tightly around her. “I should go.” This was risky, for both of them.

He shook his head. “You came here for a reason.”

She shook her head. “I don’t control where I wander when I sleep.” Why did I tell him that? It was dangerous, even if he thought it was nothing more than an interesting tidbit he’d imagined while he slept.

“No?”

“No. My night wanderings take me where they will. Don’t yours?” This was definitely one of the oddest conversations she’d ever had, and she’d talked to a drakon when she was a child. If only she could talk to her friend when she had visions of him, maybe she could find some way to help him.

“I rarely dream.” His tone was flat, his face grim. “If I do, it’s usually nightmares.” He studied her intently. “This is much better.”

Something was tugging her toward him. She was aware of the connection whenever she saw him, but tonight, when they were both vulnerable, it seemed stronger than ever.

She couldn’t afford to feel more for Luther than she already did. He was a paid mercenary, and he worked for Mr. Temple.

She took a step back. Luther leaned forward and wrapped his fingers around her wrist. The heat from his skin was like a brand, marking her.

This shouldn’t be happening. She was more real in this vision, tangible in a way she’d never been before.

She yanked hard and started to fall. He lunged toward her, and she sat upright on her sofa.

Gasping for breath, she jumped up and looked around. She was in her own living room in her apartment. Heart hammering against her chest, she slowly sat back down and tugged the throw around her.

The television was still on, the screen showing a woman painting a wall a bright shade of yellow.

She must have dozed off, and her subconscious had drifted and found its way to Luther. She grasped her wrist, still able to feel the heat from his hand. Or maybe she was just imagining it.

Of course that was it. There was no way he’d really touched her. Maybe this was a normal dream brought on by fear and sexual frustration.

Only Victoria never had normal dreams, or at least none she could recall. If she remembered anything, it was her visions, the part of her gift that gave her a glimpse into someone else’s life.

So Luther had been lying naked on his bed. Timelines were almost always a bit tricky. But she knew she’d been in the present tonight. The scene had been too immediate. Why had he sensed her, seen her? That had never happened before. Had he somehow shared her dream? And why Luther? Was it because she was attracted to him?

Even when she’d dated in the past, any visions she’d had about the man in her life had been just that—a glimpse of a past happening. Never had she viewed them in the present, and never had they sensed or seen her.

She grabbed the remote and turned off the television before dragging herself to bed. She crawled under the covers and pulled them tightly around her. Her phone was by her bed, the alarm set for the morning.

An hour later, she was still staring at the ceiling, reliving each second of the relatively short vision. She couldn’t get her mind off Luther and feared that wouldn’t change anytime soon. The only saving grace was that Luther probably wouldn’t remember her nocturnal visit. When people woke after a dream, they often forgot anything that occurred. If by some chance he did remember, he’d most likely dismiss it immediately, writing it off as a dream since that was the only logical explanation.

There’s no reason to worry. None at all.

Sighing, she rolled over onto her side and closed her eyes, determined to get some rest before the alarm went off.

…

Luther’s heart slammed into his chest as he bolted upright in bed, hand outstretched. But Victoria was gone, and he was alone.

“Son of a bitch.” He flopped back onto the mattress, both disappointed and relieved she wasn’t here. He must have dreamed that he’d woken up and seen her. Not surprising considering he’d fantasized about her earlier while he’d jerked off.

He yanked the sheet over his body, ignoring the way his cock was throbbing once again. He’d already taken care of it once this evening, now he wanted to sleep.

He inhaled deeply and caught the slightest hint of something sweet. When he inhaled again, he scented nothing.

Obviously wishful thinking. “Victoria wasn’t here,” he reminded himself. He rolled over onto his side and gazed out the window. The apartment was small, and the sizeable windows made him feel not quite so closed in. He was a large man, used to a lot more space. But spacious apartments in New York cost big money. He could afford one but figured it was a waste of resources since all he did was eat the occasional meal and sleep here.

He wanted to finish what he’d started and leave the city, but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. He’d been working for the Knights for two years, and he was no closer to his goal than when he’d started.

But he had time. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his thoughts. It wasn’t easy, not with the memory of Victoria flashing like a neon sign. His erection still hadn’t gone down.

Luther cursed and shoved his arm under his pillow. It was going to be a long night.