The Dragon Next Door

The Dragon Next Door

Cherie Marks · Completed · 66.7k Words

871
Hot
871
Views
261
Added
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Roxy Elliot is fed up with her non-existent love life. She is dying to turn in her V-card, but no matter how often she throws herself at a man, it never goes anywhere. If she didn't know any better, she might think she was cursed. Now, though, she's just been tapped to take her turn as the caretaker of the family business--a safehouse that caters to paranormal beings. She knows nothing about their next client, but the minute she sees him, she knows she's in trouble.Donovan Warren is a battle-worn dragon who has danger on his trail. He needs a safehouse, and he needs it now, but the minute he meets the caretaker, he recognizes the risk. She's a maiden, and everyone knows dragons can't resist maidens. What everyone doesn't know--it's a dragon's lust that makes him lose control. Now, he has to resist the beautiful temptation of a woman who drives him to distraction in order to keep them both safe.Yet, when someone…or something…threatens Roxy, Donovan soon finds himself embroiled in a situation he never saw coming. Thanks to a promise to a purple-haired pixie, he will fight to the death to protect the maiden who could be his destruction...or his salvation…as he becomes the Dragon Next Door.

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

R

oxanne Elliot jumped

down from the open door of the biplane onto the dusty runway, cursing her stupid luck once again.

Her turn.

That’s what her foster brother Brett had said when he’d called her last week. Safehouse had been activated. They had a client, she had to take over the job, and she was still grumbling about it. But, after her parents died in a tragic earthquake, her uncle Merrick had raised her and her three foster brothers, Brett, Levi, and Henry, in the wilds of Alaska. All her life, he’d emphasized the role they played in providing safety to paranormal beings on their property when needed. Now that they were all older, they took turns completing the jobs when they came up. Of all the rotten luck, it was just Roxy’s freaking turn.

The pilot climbed out too and sidled up next to her. A childhood friend, Steve Henson threw an arm around her shoulder. “Really is good to see you back, Roxy. You’ve really been taking care of yourself. You look hot.” His eyes widened at his own words, and he cleared his throat uncomfortably. His arm dropped to his side. “How long do you plan to stay?”

For the briefest of moments, she considered he might have been hitting on her. Then, she remembered what she was—man repellent personified. At least she repelled men when it came to sexual involvement. Something about her always put her into the little-to-no-physical-contact zone, and no matter how hard she threw herself at a man, never once in her life had she been taken up on her offer.

Virgin.

Her unbelievable, little secret, and not for lack of trying on her part. She was dying to turn in her V-card.

“Don’t know. Depends on the client and how long he or she plans on staying.”

“Well, maybe I’ll get Sarah to drive out that way and keep you company for an evening.”

It was almost laughable how well she called these situations. Sarah was his sister, and though she was good company, Roxy felt bewildered at the offer. Why hadn’t he suggested visiting her in an out-of-the-way log cabin in the woods? She would have turned him down, but still...what was wrong with her?

Attracting members of the opposite sex wasn’t the hard part. That one aspect about her swag never failed. Men flirted, asked her out, even fooled around with her, but the moment she suggested taking it up a notch and getting him to de-hymenate her, he immediately lost interest. It was downright baffling and not-a-little ego-deflating.

“That would be great, Steve. Give her my cell number and tell her to contact me when she can come up.”

Was she completely deluded when it came to her looks? She might not be perfect, but she wasn’t unattractive...at least she didn’t think she was. Her body was curvy, but she worked out and kept herself in shape. Hair was styled with high-end professional-styler curls that framed her face, eyes were an interesting shade of blue, and even her sense of humor drew men closer. Yet, when it came time to take it a step further, they suddenly couldn’t get away fast enough. If she didn’t know better, she might believe that, upon her birth, someone had scrawled a message across her forehead that warned men off. UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, DON’T HIT THIS.

“Great! Your SUV is waiting out front. See you around.”

He handed her the few bags she’d brought with her and ran toward another building she assumed was the airplane hangar. She shook her head, thoroughly baffled, and walked inside the main building, which seemed to be completely vacant until she noticed a soft snore coming from behind the wooden counter that served as the travel check-in station.

She shuffled over, not sure whether she’d find human or animal. Yet, the sight of the clerk resting in a chair tipped back against the wall, zonked out for his afternoon nap wasn’t unusual in this slow-moving little area. With a clearing of her throat, the older man sat forward, letting all four chair-legs rest on the floor and rumbled, “How canna help ya?”

His crinkled eyes were barely visible under bushy white eyebrows and his mouth was hidden in a snow-white beard that hung to the top of his chest. She almost laughed at the level of attention he suddenly gave, almost as if he hadn’t just been running a heavy saw through some logs a minute ago.

“Do I need to give a credit card number for the use of the rental car out there?”

“Credit card? Nah, Roxy Elliot! If we need to get a hold of ya, m’sure Steve knows how ta find ya.”

That’s what you got when you traveled miles from civilization. This was middle-of-nowhere Alaska, and though your next door neighbor might be a good fifteen minutes to a half-hour away, the population was small enough everybody knew who everybody was and where he or she lived, even if you didn’t dare pop in for a social visit on a whim. Too many territorial, gun-toting folks didn’t take kindly to trespassing. Better to set up all social calls ahead of time.

He handed her the keys, and she wished him well while exiting into the cool, summer afternoon. She breathed the fresh air and felt satisfaction in her chest, resulting in a smile on her lips. Maybe she didn’t want to be here caring for the client in the safehouse, but she didn’t mind actually being

here

. This was one of the last true wilderness paradises left in the United States, and part of her always felt at home amongst the flora and fauna of such an uncivilized place. Perhaps that said something about her she wasn’t exactly ready to acknowledge, considering she lived a cemented city life in Ohio nowadays.

One truth she knew to be a fact would surprise most everyone she knew, but it was something she’d known for all twenty-four years of her life. She wasn’t entirely human. It was one reason she was qualified to cover the safehouse duty. This safehouse served to protect supernatural beings, and her uncle’s family had apparently been charged with its safekeeping for hundreds of years. And though she was relatively new to the process, she and her brothers would continue to be the guardians for hundreds more years as well.

Roxy climbed into the yellow Nissan Xterra and started it up. She didn’t have to consult the GPS, seeing as she’d been raised with her brothers on the property by her uncle. It wouldn’t have shown up on any roadmap or mapping software anyway. It was hidden from mortals and even most paranormals, but she would still double-check the protective talismans buried at each corner of the property just to reassure herself her client was completely safe.

She put the car into gear and pulled it out onto the two-lane highway that ran in front of the airport. Feeling-sorry-for-herself-time was over. Now it was time to get to work.

The drive along this stretch of highway might give motorists the impression it was completely deserted. Roxy knew that was not even close to the truth. The woods did hold residents. People who liked their privacy, many of whom were supernatural beings who had a real reason to stay far away from humans in order to go about their normal existence shifting, changing, and often destroying things around them. It was one reason Roxy normally avoided other paranormals. They weren’t exactly the gentlest of creatures to be around. Most were top-notch alpha-predators. It made her a tad nervous to meet her new client, whom she knew nothing about. Not even a name. Her brother could’ve at least told her that much.

As she drove, she mentally ticked off the many things she needed to do in order to prepare the safehouse and nearly missed seeing the man on the side of the road. She slowed down and swerved over to give him plenty of room, surprised by the icky vibe she got as his gaze met hers. His hair was buzzed and appeared dark. His face was set in a scowl that made her skin crawl. He was muscled and exuded an aggressive energy. Even in the cool air, he wore short sleeves and an image on his upper arm caught her attention. He had a tattoo that she couldn’t quite make out but somehow felt significant. Her feelings were rarely wrong.

The thought to snap a picture with her phone came to mind, and she tried to steady her hand and not crash at the same time. Not the safest thing she’d ever done. She snapped a few shots but was sure they’d all be too blurry to make out. Maybe she could talk one of her computer savvy friends into trying to clean the photo up with some software. Mia Alexander had some skill when it came to tech stuff. She felt sure, seeing that tattoo up close was important.

She knew two things for sure. He wasn’t human, and he didn’t like her.

With a shiver down her spine, she sped up and started to pull away, but a quick look in her rearview mirror showed him running to keep up with her.

“What the...?”

She pushed her foot down harder until she tapped the floorboard, but he continued after her.

What was he?

After about twenty more seconds though, he began to slow, and she began to pull away until he finally stopped, his face tight with frustration, anger, or some other strong emotion.

Well, that was downright freaky. Some mental-case, superman, wannabe? A bad omen for things to come? She really hoped not. But something about the man screamed psycho and hatred for all things Roxy.

Alaska was shaping up to be a wilder place than even she’d expected. Hopefully, that was the most trouble she encountered while here.

Somehow, she doubted it.

D

ONOVAN WARREN ROLLED

over, wincing in pain at the motion. He ached from the top of his cracked skull to his shattered knees. Lisada and her minions had done a number on him, but he’d gotten away. He’d left everything behind, including his cell phone, but once he’d heard over the intercom at Campbell’s house that the plan was to escape and then to meet at the safehouse in Alaska, he’d broken free...barely. He and the others had thought they were untouchable and hadn’t been ready for the intensity of an attack by a powerful witch and her followers. Yet, he was sure everyone had gotten out alive. And he was in a hurry to meet up with them and de-brief the situation. Where did they go from here? Only as a united group could they take on and defeat whatever evil was behind the escalation in attacks on paranormal beings lately.

For now, he woke alone in another hotel bed, but seeing as he was already in Alaska, he should reach the safehouse tonight, and though dragons didn’t heal as quickly as other supernatural beings, he hoped his injuries would be mostly mended by the time he arrived. Last thing he needed was to be ribbed by Mac the cagey werewolf, Campbell the bleeding heart vampire, and Achak the tricky shape-shifter about not being able to hold his own. He smiled to himself. They were a motley crew of paranormal beings, but they were tighter than tight.

He rose from the bed slowly and gathered the few items he’d managed to scrounge together as he traveled over the last couple days. Every movement brought a new round of pain, but he needed to get to the safehouse as soon as possible. From there, they could regroup and figure out what to do next.

One good thing about traveling light, even involuntarily, was that he was ready to go within a matter of minutes. With care, so he didn’t tear any of his self-done stitches, he lifted his emergency duffle over his shoulder. This wasn’t the first time he’d had to run in a hurry. Now he kept the bag behind the seat of his Ford pick-up for just such a time as this.

A quick check-out, and Donovan stepped into the sunlight. He held the door for an elderly lady dragging a heavy suitcase inside. Without thought, he picked up the baggage for her and walked it to the counter.

“Thank you, young man.”

“No problem. Do you need me to cart it to your room for you?”

“Oh, no. This young man behind the counter will take care of me.”

With a nod, Donovan picked up his own luggage, walked toward the parking lot, and stopped short at the sight in front of him. He dropped his bag and stepped around his truck, getting angrier by the moment. Every single one of his tires had been slashed and were flat beyond repair.

What the...?

He looked around at the few other vehicles in the lot. No one else’s car seemed to have taken any damage, which meant one thing for sure. He’d been targeted.

With his gaze scanning the area, he backed up onto the sidewalk. As far as he could see, nothing out of the ordinary was stirring. Nobody was even in the parking lot.

“Dammit!”

Donovan walked back toward the entrance to the hotel and approached the front desk.

“Do you have security cameras mounted outside?”

The clerk raised his gaze from the computer screen in front of him and explained, “We do.” Then realization hit and the smile fell from his face. “Do I need to call the police?”

Reaching into his pocket for his wallet, Donovan asked, “What kind of vehicle do you drive?”

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Clandestine Affair:My Wife Fell for My Father

Clandestine Affair:My Wife Fell for My Father

135.6k Views · Ongoing · Stephen
My name is Kevin. At thirty years of age, I am blessed with a kind, beautiful, and alluring wife, known for her stunning figure, along with a joyful family. My greatest regret stems from a car accident that resulted in kidney damage, rendering me impotent. Despite being in the presence of my enchanting and insatiable wife, I find myself unable to achieve an erection.
My mother passed away early in my life, and my kind-hearted, strong father has taken on the role of caring for my children at home. Attempting countless remedies to regain normal erectile function has proved futile. One day, while browsing the internet, I stumbled upon adult literature involving a father-in-law and daughter-in-law, which inexplicably captivated and aroused me immediately.
Lying beside my peacefully sleeping wife, I began to superimpose her image onto the daughter-in-law character from the story, which aroused me to an extraordinary degree. I even discovered that imagining my wife with my father while pleasuring myself was more gratifying than being intimate with her. Realizing I accidentally unearthed Pandora's box, I acknowledge that there is no turning back from this newfound and uncontrollable excitement...
Game of Destiny

Game of Destiny

165.1k Views · Ongoing · Dripping Creativity
Amie's wolf hasn't shown herself. But who cares? She has a good pack, best friends and a family who loves her. Everyone, including the Alpha, is telling her she is perfect just the way she is. That is until she finds her mate and he rejects her. Heartbroken Amie flees from everything and start over. No more werewolves, no more packs.

When Finlay finds her, she is living among humans. He is smitten by the stubborn wolf that refuse to acknowledge his existence. She may not be his mate, but he wants her to be a part of his pack, latent wolf or not.

Amie cant resist the Alpha that comes into her life and drags her back into pack life. Not only does she find herself happier than she has been in a long time, her wolf finally comes to her. Finlay isn't her mate, but he becomes her best friend. Together with the other top wolves in the pack, they work to create the best and strongest pack.

When it's time for the pack games, the event that decides the packs rank for the coming ten year, Amie needs to face her old pack. When she sees the man that rejected her for the first time in ten years, everything she thought she knew is turned around. Amie and Finlay need to adapt to the new reality and find a way forward for their pack. But will the curve ball split them apart?
The Moon's Descendant

The Moon's Descendant

204.2k Views · Completed · Kay Pearson
!! Mature content 18+ !!

“You think I’m going to let my daughter sleep with whoever she wants” he spat. He kicked me in the ribs, sending me flying back across the floor.
“I didn’t” I coughed, gasping for air.
I felt as though my chest had caved in. I thought I was about to vomit when Hank grabbed my hair and lifted my head. CRACK. It was like my eye had exploded inside my skull when he punched me in the face. I landed on the cold concrete and pressed my face onto the floor. He used his foot to roll me over so that I was on my back.
“Look at you, you disgusting c**t” he huffed as he crouched down beside me and wiped the hair from my face. He smiled, a terrifying evil smile.
“I have something extra special for you tonight” he whispered.

Hidden in the dark forest, on Cape Breton Island, lives a small community of Weres. For generations they remained hidden from the humans and maintained a peaceful existence. That is until one small woman joins their pack and throws their world upside down.
Gunner the future Alpha, serving as a knight in shining armour saves the young woman from certain death. Bringing with her a mysterious past and possibilities that many had long since forgotten, Zelena is the light they didn’t know they needed.
With new hope, comes new dangers. A clan of hunters want back what they believe the pack has stolen from them, Zelena.
With her new powers, new friends and new family, they all fight to protect their homeland and the gift that the Moon Goddess has bestowed upon them, the Triple Goddess.
The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife

106.5k Views · Completed · T.S
Everyone knew I was pregnant—except my husband, Sean.
On the day I received my pregnancy test results, Sean asked for a divorce.
"Let's get a divorce. Christina is back."
“I know you’re pissed,” he murmured. “Let me make it up to you.”
His hands found my waist, warm and unyielding, sliding down the curve of my spine to cup my ass.
I pushed against his chest, half-heartedly, my resolve crumbling as he pressed me back onto the bed.
“You’re an asshole,” I breathed, even as I felt him nudge closer, the tip of him brushing my entrance.
Then the phone rang—sharp, insistent—snapping us out of the haze.
It was Christina.
So I disappeared, carrying a secret I hoped my husband would never discover.
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

328.4k Views · Ongoing · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
Forever His: The Alpha’s Possession

Forever His: The Alpha’s Possession

110.7k Views · Ongoing · lehamyfull
Zvonimir Ashcott, the strongest Alpha werewolf in the empire, fell in love with Rishima Watson, an Omega female, at first sight because of her breathtaking beauty. At their wedding, Zvonimir swore to God that he would love Rishima forever. However, only three years later, he heartlessly abandoned her to marry another female.

Zvonimir said, “Rishima, you cannot bear my offspring, so you are unworthy to be my wife.”

Zvonimir said, “Rishima, I still desire your body; be my lover.”

Zvonimir said, “Rishima, I don’t want to leave you. Can we remarry?”

Zvonimir said, “Rishima, I love you, I cannot live without you.”

Rishima coldly replied, “Get lost!”


When Zvonimir announced his desire to marry Rishima, people throughout the entire Wolven Empire objected. They believed that an Omega female like Rishima was unworthy to be the wife of a powerful Alpha like Zvonimir. Yet, Zvonimir was determined to marry Rishima, making her believe she was the happiest female in the world. However, after her womb was injured while saving Zvonimir, her illusions about their class-divided marriage shattered.

Zvonimir heartlessly cast Rishima aside to marry a female with a stronger reproductive ability, unaware that she was already carrying his children…
Strings of Fate

Strings of Fate

266.5k Views · Completed · Kit Bryan
I'm an ordinary waiter, but I can see people's fate, including Shifters.
Like all children, I was tested for magic when I was only a few days old. Since my specific bloodline is unknown and my magic is unidentifiable, I was marked with a delicate swirling pattern around my upper right arm.

I do have magic, just as the tests showed, but it has never lined up with any known Magic species.

I can't breathe fire like a dragon Shifter, or hex people who piss me off like Witches. I can't make potions like an Alchemist or seduce people like a Succubus. Now I don't mean to be unappreciative of the power I do have, it's interesting and all, but it just really doesn't pack much of a punch and most of the time it is just pretty much useless. My special magical skill is the ability to see threads of fate.

Most of life is annoying enough for me, and what never occurred to me is that my mate is a rude, pompous nuisance. He's an Alpha and my friend's twin brother.

“What are you doing? This is my home, you can't just let yourself in!” I try and keep my voice firm but when he turns and fixes me with his golden eyes I shrink back. The look he gives me is imperious and I automatically drop my eyes to the floor as is my habit. Then I force myself to look back up again. He doesn't notice me looking up because he's already looked away from me. He's being rude, I refuse to show that he's scaring me, even though he most definitely is. He glances around and after realising that the only place to sit is the little table with its two chairs he points to it.

“Sit.” he orders. I glare at him. Who is he to order me around like this? How can someone this obnoxious possibly be my soul mate? Maybe I'm still asleep. I pinch my arm and my eyes water a little from the sting of pain.
Shattered Girl

Shattered Girl

327.8k Views · Completed · Brandi Rae
Jake's fingers danced across my nipples, squeezing gently and making me groan in pleasure. He lifted my shirt and stared at my hardened nipples through my bra. I tensed, and Jake sat up and moved back on the bed, giving me some space.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Was that too much?” I could see the worry in his eyes as I took a deep breath.

“I just didn’t want you to see all my scars,” I whispered, feeling ashamed of my marked body.


Emmy Nichols is used to surviving. She survived her abusive father for years until he beat her so severely, she ended up in the hospital, and her father was finally arrested. Now, Emmy is thrown into a life she never expected. Now she has a mother

who doesn't want her, a politically motivated stepfather with ties to the Irish mob, four older stepbrothers, and their best friend who swear to love and protect her. Then, one night, everything shatters, and Emmy feels her only option is to run.

When her stepbrothers and their best friend finally find her, will they pick up the pieces and convince Emmy that they will keep her safe and their love will hold them together?
Don’t Poke the Luna

Don’t Poke the Luna

153.9k Views · Ongoing · Elowen Kim
Everyone fears my temper. At just seventeen, I run a successful motorcycle customization shop—my ticket out of a toxic home ruled by an abusive stepmother and a father who turns a blind eye.

Independence is the only thing I’ve ever wanted. But more than one man seems to think he has a say in my future.

My fire has always been my strength... and my curse. I've paid the price for being unyielding. But I won’t stop. Not until I’m free. The real question is—how much more can I take before I break?
My Bullies My Lovers

My Bullies My Lovers

133.5k Views · Ongoing · Kylie McKeon
After being apart for years, Skylar thought that she would finally have her ex best friend back when he transfers to her high school with two other boys. Little did she know just how much he changed and as she tried to get closer to him, the bullies that had tormented her for years sought the opportunity to humiliate her in front of the whole school.
Her best friend, Jax, not even realizing who she was until he saw a distinctive scar on Skylar's stomach showed him who she was and when he took his two new friends to her house, only to see that the kids at school weren't the only ones bullying her.
She was on the verge of committing suicide because of her father's abuse, so she agrees to an alliance with Jax and his friends to destroy her father and everything that he holds dear to him.
What she didn't expect, what the feeling that the three men would inevitably develop for her or the ones that she would develop for all of them.
The Four Mafia Men and Their Prize

The Four Mafia Men and Their Prize

149.8k Views · Ongoing · M C
Taken by four mafia men


“Kiss back” he mumbles, and I feel rough hands all over my body giving me tight squeezes as a warning not to piss them off further. So I give in. I begin to move my mouth and open my lips slightly. Jason wastes no time devouring every inch of my mouth with his tongue. Our lips doing the tango, his dominance winning the race.

We break away, breathing hard. Next, Ben turns my head to face him and does the same thing. His kiss is definitely softer but just as controlling. I moan into his mouth as we continue to exchange saliva. He tugs my bottom lip slightly in his teeth as he pulls away. Kai pulls my hair, so I am looking up, his large frame towering over me. He bends down and claims my lips. He was rough and forceful. Charlie followed and was a mix. My lips feel swollen, my face feels all hot and flushed, and my legs feel like rubber. For some murdering psychotic assholes, damn can they kiss.

Aurora has always worked hard. She just wants to live her life. By chance, she met four mafia men Jason, Charlie, Ben and Kai. They are the ultimate dominants in the office, on the streets, and definitely in the bedroom. They always get what they want and THEY SHARE EVERYTHING.

How will Aurora adjust to having not 1 but 4 powerful men showing her the pleasure she only ever dreamed of? What will happen when a mysterious someone shows interest in Aurora and shakes things up for the notorious mafia men? Will Aurora finally submit and acknowledge her deepest desires or will her innocence be forever ruined?
Chasing My Rejected Luna

Chasing My Rejected Luna

108.1k Views · Ongoing · MerandaH.
“Daddy, please! Please don’t do this!” I begged with my hands. “It’s done, Tegan, the contract is signed. You will leave tonight to be the Alpha King’s contracted mate. You will bare him an heir within three months, or you will regret it!” He roared out, his face showing me just how angry he truly was. I silently wept at the cards fate played me. I will be nothing more than a baby-making machine for the cruelest Alpha known Ezra Hendricks.

Tegan Declan was a shy she-wolf who was born deaf. Starting a new life as a disabled wolf in a new pack. She is the new contracted mate to the Alpha king, Ezra Hendricks.

“Being deaf was a quality I would hate my son to have. As a wolf, you need all your senses to be able to lead, protect, and stay alive. Lacking hearing would not benefit anyone, it could lead to mass destruction and the loss of many lives. It would not be a good quality for a king. This brought me back to my question. What makes her think she is fit to be my Queen? I want to know what she thinks her strengths are. Would they outweigh her weaknesses?”