Scion's Surrender Read online

  Scion’s Surrender

  Traci Douglass

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  About the Author

  Also by Traci Douglass

  Also by Traci Douglass

  Sneak Peek of Scion’s Awakening

  Copyright © 2018 by Traci Douglass

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  ISBN 9781980825890

  SpinTale Publishing

  PO Box 85033

  Fort Wayne, IN 46885-0033

  USA

  Created with Vellum

  1

  Chago looked like he’d been rode hard and put away wet.

  Irena had never seen him drink anything other than soda or water when he came into her family’s Big Horn Diner. Seeing him now, though, slumped toward the lunch counter, his head propped on his hand and his eyes half closed while he nursed a bottle of beer in the late afternoon, she no longer wondered why he stayed away from the booze. He obviously couldn’t handle it.

  His head slipped from his hand and his scruffy black hair fell forward. He jerked upright and blinked several times then cringed, inspecting the damp elbow of his denim shirt where he’d leaned on the wet counter. With a sigh, he stared at the half-full bottle before him.

  Regret stabbed Irena’s chest. Perhaps she should have cut him off after his second beer, but his charming smile had persuaded her to supply him with a third. At the time, he’d seemed fine. Now, he looked close to passing out.

  She finished ringing up the customer at the register and handed him his change, then walked toward the other end of the long counter where Chago sat, smoothing a hand down her white apron as she went, tugging at the hem of the pink shirt and patting the sides of her faded jeans. She had no idea what her hair looked like, but considering how high the humidity was on this Montana summer day, it was probably good she’d worn it in two braids. Bad enough she always felt like a frazzled mess after lunch service. Today, she wanted to look her best.

  The diner was quiet now. A few regulars remained, along with a group of tourists sitting in a corner booth by the windows, so she could finally speak to him uninterrupted.

  Irena leaned on the counter opposite Chago and swept the dark hair out of his eyes. He jerked away and almost fell off his stool, then clutched the edge of the counter to stop himself and narrowed his gaze. An all too familiar jolt of awareness zinged through her. Lord save her from those caramel-hued eyes. Her heart fluttered when he gave her a lopsided smile.

  “You okay?” She started to move away, but he grab her hand, toying with her fingers. He frowned, his expression a mix of concern and sadness. She wanted to ask him what was wrong but the tingling from their point of contact was too distracting. This was the first time he’d touched her. And yes, maybe she had wanted him since the first time he’d walked into the diner three years ago.

  None of it meant squat.

  At least, not to him.

  Sure, they’d talked and whiled away the hours over the winters when there wasn’t much else to do. He’d proven to be an amazing listener, always seeming genuinely interested in her problems and offering solutions. He’d never once shown any desire to move their relationship beyond friendship though.

  No matter how badly she wished he would.

  The man was drop dead gorgeous. Six feet plus of pure masculine beauty. And she wanted to pounce on him whenever he walked through the door.

  Which had been every day until recently.

  Then he’d disappeared for nearly a month without a word, leaving her fearing something terrible had happened. Today Chago had turned up again, drinking like his life depended on it.

  Silence reigned as his attention remained fixed on her hand. He turned it this way and that, his larger palm supporting hers. Another patron stepped up to the register and Irena waved to her cousin Andy through the kitchen pass-through window to come out and ring him up.

  She couldn’t leave Chago, not until she knew why he was drowning in his sorrows—or at least until she was sure he wouldn’t tumble off his stool. She bent lower to catch his gaze. “Are you all right?”

  Heat rose in Irena’s cheeks as he studied her, intense and focused. The birthmark on her lower back burned, which was odd since she’d never really paid much attention to it before, except during swimsuit season. Hard to hide a bright red mark that looked like two swords crossed. People stared. Good thing she was too busy to wear a bikini often.

  “July is hell,” Chago said at last, his words so quiet she almost missed them. “Always a bad month.”

  “Why? Weather’s good, cattle are doing well.”

  “It’s not the cattle I’m worried about.”

  Strange for a local rancher to say, but Irena put it down to his inebriated state. Chago released her hand and pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut.

  Andy tried to gain her attention from the other end of the counter, but she ignored him. Her cousin had worked in the diner long enough now to handle problems on his own. He was training to be a manager, after all. Let him act like one. She had more important things to deal with, like the fact Chago needed to talk. And he rarely spoke about himself.

  “I was worried,” Irena said, doing her best to keep her tone light. Horribly concerned was a more accurate. His gloomy expression brightened a tad, as though hearing someone cared made his day, and her chest squeezed with the sweetness.

  “Don’t worry about me.” He sighed. “I’m not worth it.”

  Chago picked up his beer again, but Irena snatched it away, dumping the remaining contents down the drain before tossing the empty bottle in a nearby recycling bin. “You’ve had enough. How are you getting home?”

  He frowned, resting his chin on his hand again, his eyes drifting closed. “The usual way.”

  “I can’t let you drive.”

  That smile of his turned downright sexy. “I don’t drive. I fly.”

  She laughed. Yeah, he was wasted. “I can’t let you drink and fly either.”

  Irena covered his free hand with hers and Chago opened his eyes, looking a bit more alert now though not enough to satisfy her sense of responsibility.

  “I’ll give you a lift, if you can wait just a little longer.” Hopefully he’d sober up by then too and could walk himself out to her car without much help. At five-three, she was no match for his muscled bulk.

  He stared at her a moment then nodded. Relief washed over her. She didn’t want him going home alone and perhaps they could talk during the drive. Maybe she could discover why he was suddenly hitting the booze.

  Her shift wasn’t over for another hour, but with all the clean-up the time went fast. Every so often she glanced over to make sure Chago hadn’t left. He still sat on his stool, his head resting atop his folded arms on the counter. Andy took his break and she finished counting the money in the cash drawer for the deposit later.

  Before long, the diner was empty. Irena wiped down the counter, slowly nearing him again. His long dark lashes fanned his high cheekbones and he looked so peaceful and handsome as he slumbered. His hair had fallen over his forehead and she brushed the tangled strands away. His lips parted, and he murmured something. A woman’s name? Trinity? Or Divinity?

  Her pulse stuttered. Did he have a girlfriend or wife? Made sense, given
the way he looked, but they’d never gotten around to discussing that part of his life either.

  Irena continued stroking his forehead, lightly so as not to wake him. The contact made her giddy and her stupid birthmark burned again, hotter this time. She must’ve scraped it getting ready that morning. Lord knew she came in at the crack of dawn for the breakfast shift, so she wasn’t exactly firing on all cylinders.

  As she watched Chago sleeping, Irena realized that despite the mystery of his past, she’d fallen for him. It had happened slowly, over the past three years. So slowly, in fact, it hadn’t dawned on her until he’d disappeared. Then she’d had to face the fact he might not ever return. Thankfully, he’d given her a second chance, and she was so darned grateful to see him she couldn’t stop grinning.

  Even if he was asleep.

  As if hearing her thoughts, Chago stirred, but Irena didn’t pull away.

  “Feeling better?” She combed her fingers through his hair, loving its silky texture.

  He groaned and buried his face again.

  “I’ll take that as a no.” Her fingers drifted from his temple to his ear, tracing the curve of it. “I’m almost done. I’ll have you home soon.”

  She wasn’t sure if he’d heard her or not, but when she went to leave he caught her wrist, keeping her close, his expression so earnest it sent her heart into freefall.

  “Have I told you how beautiful you are?” His words rocked her to her core. Her throat dried, and her knees wobbled. Time seemed to slow as he traced the backs of his fingers down her cheek. His warm gaze glowed with sincerity, entrancing her. “You put the angels to shame.”

  Irena didn’t know what to say. She’d worked here for close to a decade, since her early twenties, and had taken over the business when her parents retired. During that time, she’d had plenty of run-ins with locals who’d had a bit too much to drink. Except Chago’s words were clear, not slurred at all. He looked like he really did think she was beautiful, frizzy hair and grease-stained apron and all.

  “You really are lovely.” His fingers grazed her jaw and her pulse thudded loud in her ears. If anyone around here was gorgeous, it was him. She’d never known another man with such fathomless caramel-colored eyes and a grin that made her world tremble. “Beautiful.”

  “Please, stop.” She brushed his hand away, doing her best to play off his compliments. “You’ll make me blush.”

  He leaned close enough for his warm breath to fan her face and his scent—leather and musk and soap—surrounded her. “I love the way you say my name. Say it again.”

  Irena rolled her eyes. “Chago.”

  “Not like that.” His gaze flickered to her lips. “Say it like you mean it.”

  Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Chago.”

  “Mmm.” He tilted his head as if he was going to kiss her. “Yes.”

  “No.” Irena broke free, ignoring his disappointed frown. Their first kiss, if they had one, needed to be special. “Let me finish then I’ll take you home.”

  She hurried away, not daring to look back. While she worked, Irena felt the weight of his stare as she moved around the room, setting out the dinner menus and making sure each condiment rack was filled. By the time she’d finished , he seemed back to normal. She scribbled a quick note to Andy, telling him she was off the rest of the night and might be late in morning as well, just in case.

  At last, she took off her apron and grabbed her purse before walking over to him. His eyes held the same fire that burned within her. She cleared her throat, averting her gaze, starting for the door without waiting to see if he followed. “Come on.”

  With his much longer strides, Chago was soon beside her. The way he looked in those faded black jeans should have been illegal. The soft material hugged his body in all the right places, giving her subtle clues about what was beneath and now she couldn’t help picturing him naked.

  With a shaky hand, she flipped the “Be Back Soon” sign on the door then locked the place. Andy would reopen when he got back.

  “You okay?” she asked Chago as they started down the main drag toward her car parked half a block away. Honestly, it was nice to have company. The small town bustled around them and the late afternoon sunshine warmed her skin, but her focus was firmly on the man beside her.

  “Been better.” He shoved his black cowboy hat on his head. She didn’t miss the melancholy look in his eyes and wondered once more if there was a woman involved. An unexpected pang of jealousy shot through her like a bullet. She had no right to her envy. Chago didn’t belong to her any more than she belonged to him.

  Irena pressed the button on her key fob as they neared her used white Ford Focus. The lights flashed on and off. “Where’d you disappear to?”

  Chago stopped and looked at her, “Not important.”

  “It is important. You frightened me. You’re my friend. I missed you.” She shook her head. “Did you visit someone? A girlfriend or wife or—”

  He stepped closer and cupped her cheek, his palm warm against her skin. She would’ve sworn she saw more than friendship in the depths of his eyes. “I should have told you, but I had to go away. I’m sorry, Irena.” The way he said her name, rolling the “r” slightly, had her under his spell. The stroke of his thumb over her cheekbone made her shiver. “I promise not to worry you again. And there is no wife or girlfriend.”

  She should move but couldn’t, didn’t want to. All she wanted was stand there, beneath his caress and heated gaze, forever. She hadn’t so much as looked at another man since he’d walked into her life.

  Feeling bolder, Irena stepped forward, her heart thundering against her ribs. Chago brushed his thumb under her chin, tilting her head back. His lips met hers, a light brush, once, twice, before his mouth covered hers. She pressed her palms against his firm chest, his pulse beating in time with hers.

  She slid her arms around his shoulders, not caring they were in full view of the entire town, not caring about anything but the man in her arms and how very right this felt. She sighed, her lips parting, and he slipped his tongue inside her mouth to taste her. The fire in her blood flared. Chago groaned, tangling his hands in her braids, his breath faster now.

  This kiss was divine. He was divine. It didn’t matter if he was still tipsy and tasted of beer. This had nothing to do with booze and everything to do with desire.

  He pulled back at last, his gaze searching. A strange power pulsed from her birthmark out to her extremities, urging her to do anything to have him, battle any foe, wage any war.

  “Irena...” He leaned forward as if to kiss her again, then stopped, frowning. “We should never…I should never… It’s not my place, not my duty…”

  “What?” She’d wanted that kiss more than anything. The fact he might not hurt more than she could say. She headed around the car, not wanting him to see how deeply his words had wounded her. “We should get you home.”

  He gave a curt nod, his expression remote.

  She walked to the driver’s door while he got in the passenger side. Irena ached to feel his hands and lips on her again, wanted to yank him over by his collar and growl in his face, “Chago, I want you. I want your kisses and caresses and your cock. I could care less about whatever duty you’re talking about.”

  Except she couldn’t be so brazen, despite the odd power still singing through her veins.

  Irena started the engine, shifted the transmission into gear, and signaled before pulling out into traffic.

  Other than giving her directions, Chago stayed quiet the whole way to his ranch. They pulled onto a long gravel drive. In the distance sat a sprawling two-story, log-cabin style home. Irena pulled to a stop in front of the wraparound porch and stared. The place was beautiful, like something out of a magazine, totally not what she’d expected. “This is where you live?”

  “Yep.” Chago got out. She cut the engine then stared after him. If they kissed again, she probably wouldn’t be able to resist, but then, she didn’t really want to. Yes, afte
r what he’d said back on the street, she could be opening herself up to a world of pain if he rejected her again, but perhaps it was time to take a chance, seize her moment, claim her victory.

  She exited the vehicle and locked the doors, then followed him up onto the porch and stood near the front door. He glanced over at her. All he had to do was invite her in. She’d take that as a sign he still wanted her.

  His gaze held hers for a long moment before he spoke.

  “I want to be clear. I did not kiss you because of the drink.” Chago closed his eyes and inhaled deep, as if coming to a decision. “There’s a reason I like talking to you, Irena. A reason we feel so connected. If you want to come in—”

  He tried to say more but she didn’t give him a chance. Instead, Irena threw her arms around his neck and kissed him again. He stumbled backward into the door and wrapped his arms around her waist, his tongue delving into her mouth to duel with hers.

  Heaven. He tasted like pure Heaven. She moaned in ecstasy.

  Chago fumbled to get his key in the lock and they fell inside together, still in each other’s embrace. She couldn’t stop kissing him, pouring out all her passion and need, until it became a war of wills, a clashing of lips and teeth. His hungry groans sent a wave of heat scorching through her. He grabbed her backside, lifting her until she wrapped her legs around waist, then carried her up the stairs, his body shifting against hers as they raced toward the second floor.

  Irena couldn’t have cared less if he’d taken her right there in the foyer. All she could think about was how good it felt to finally be in his arms. She kissed his throat, nipping his skin. Seemed the rougher she was, the louder he groaned, and it made her want to bite him harder.

  She wriggled against him, leaning her head back as he devoured her throat, taking her higher and higher.