Secret Princess

burn.

Chapter One

It was wrong. Oh, so wrong. Burning in hell was the least of her problems. If Michael could see what Tonya was picturing the two of them doing right now, he’d toss a bucket of water on her. Her best friend would never look at her the same way again. Hell, she was worried about herself.

How insane was it that her inner dragon believed Michael was her soulmate? The fact that he was also a dragon didn’t mean they had to mate. She’d been around other dragons and not heard a peep from hers. Why, oh why, did her stupid dragon think that her best friend was her one true mate?

There were many who never even found their soulmates. She’d once wondered if she’d be one of them. But apparently her dragon was crazy. With her luck she’d already met hers and didn’t even know it. In the meantime, she’d been drinking buddies with Michael for years. Once he’d gotten her the job here, their friendship had evolved until she could honestly say he was her best friend. Hiding her crazy, lust-filled dragon from him was tiresome, though, and in the end she’d confided in him.

Tonya had been afraid to tell him in case it ruined their friendship, but he’d taken it better than she’d imagined. In fact, he seemed rather pleased that her dragon lusted over him. The man was an enigma, but in the end she decided it didn’t matter. Michael meant too much to her for her to walk away. Since he didn’t care when her dragon misbehaved, they were usually able to ignore her.

Are you listening to anything I’ve said? Michael waved his hand in front of her face and stared at her.

What?

God, Tonya, what is wrong with you today? He stood up and crossed the room to look out the large window in his office.

I don’t know.

I know it’s not your dragon’s fault. I can sense when she’s acting up.

I think I’m still annoyed with your family. More than annoyed, I’m angry with them. None of them deserve you!

Michael spun back around. You aren’t going to back out, are you?

No! She sat up straight and shook her head.

Is your dragon still trying to convince you that I’m your soulmate?

Tonya sighed and leaned back in the chair. She crossed her arms and her legs. Yes. I’m so irritated. I’m positive she’s not even considering other men.

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m glad. Her interest in me is what I’m hoping on using to convince my parents and family that we’re a couple. If you’d found someone else I couldn’t take advantage of you this way.

Tonya groaned. Do you need to use words that could be construed in a sexual manner by my dragon?

Sorry, he apologized, but Michael didn’t look even one tiny bit sorry. But you have to admit that your confused dragon is going to make pulling off this ruse even easier.

"And how are you going to get your dragon to cooperate? Tonya stared at him. They were both silent for a long moment. I still say your parents should love you for who you are, not what they want you to be."

I don’t want anyone in my family to know. Can’t let them know. You don’t understand. Michael frowned, staring at her. You have to promise not to say anything. I know how hard that’ll be for you, but I need you to do this for me. This is extremely important to me.

I know. That’s why I’m going along with this. You know I’ll do it for you. But not taking your asshole family down a peg or two might be impossible. You better not leave me alone with them. I can’t promise what will happen if you aren’t in the room.

You know I’ll owe you big for this, right?

No, you won’t. You’ve been keeping my secret for years so I think we’ll call this even.

I don’t think so. He looked as if he was going to say something else but his office door opened, and they both turned as one to stare at who would have entered without knocking first.

A petite woman with dark hair stopped short and stared at Tonya. Oh. Sorry. I didn’t know someone was in here with you.

Tonya didn’t recognize her, and she’d been working here for over a year now. Perhaps this was a personal visit since Michael’s secretary hadn’t given him a warning.

The closed door should have been your first clue. Michael gave the woman a severe look and a frown before grinning from ear to ear and walking over to her and grabbing her up in his arms for a big hug. He gave her a kiss on the cheek before he set her down and turned back to Tonya.

I’m sorry to interrupt your meeting. The woman looked back and forth between Michael and Tonya. Your secretary seemed to think you were free.

It was while they were standing side by side that Tonya saw the resemblance between the two. They had to be related. Either way, she’d wasted enough time today and she had a project to finish before they left for the mountains and his family gathering.

Don’t worry about it. I need to get to work on the Thompson project anyway. They want an entirely brand new website. They’re adding the capability for online sales. It’s going to be fun. She smiled at Michael.

That’s because you have a sick sense of humor. It’s a plumbing website, Tonya. Plumbing. He shook his head as he walked over to her. He slid his arm around her waist and turned her so that neither was facing his visitor. Tonya responded by slipping her arm around him as well.

I already have one about snakes. She grinned up at him. For some reason she was in a playful mood. Perhaps it was because her dragon was being quiet for once.

Okay, keep that one for later. He kissed the top of her head before moving his palm to her lower back and pushing her toward the door that led to the meeting room. It was how she’d entered his room without his secretary noticing.

Michael? she whispered in an attempt to get only his attention.

Yes? He leaned close.

If she’s one of your relatives and we’ll be seeing her later tonight or this weekend shouldn’t we act more romantic than a kiss on the top of my head?

No, we’re at work.

Seriously?

Michael let out a low laugh. The sound sent a shiver through her. She couldn’t tell if she was offended or not.

What if I just let my dragon out a little?

Absolutely not. He laughed a little louder this time so she made a face at him.

I’m just saying if we’re supposed to convince people we’re lovers this isn’t the way to go about that.

He started to talk about propriety and work etiquette so she tuned him out. Her inner dragon hissed in displeasure. Tonya bit her lip and shook her head, trying to focus on what the handsome dragon was saying, but not really caring. He could tell her the building was on fire and they needed to evacuate and she wouldn’t care. Her inner dragon would be begging her to drag him into the closet for a mating while everyone else evacuated.

Tonya?

Michael’s frustrated groan sounded so dirty when she had her eyes closed, picturing him naked, his head back as his hands fisted in her hair while she took his thick cock deep in her throat.

Tonya!

Sorry. Things like this happened to her too often for her to get embarrassed about it now. Instead she just laughed and ignored it.

Bye. He pushed her into the meeting room and shut the door behind her.

Tonya shrugged her shoulders and walked back to her office. There was no way she was bringing work with her this weekend, so she had to get this done.

* * *

Finish that project yet?

Tonya jumped and flushed as she looked toward the door.

Michael frowned as he stepped inside and pulled the door shut. You weren’t sleeping, were you?

No. But she had been daydreaming again. Suddenly she stiffened and sat up. She leaned over and flipped through her calendar on her desk. Yeah, there it was. Shit.

It always sucked when her dragon went into heat and she was near Michael. She wasn’t fully in heat, but she knew the signs