Page 8 of A Savior for the Arrogant Dragon

She fumed all the way back to the cabin, climbed the ladder still muttering under her breath about what a jerk he was, stomped into the cabin, then collapsed onto her bed. The jerk had ruined her perfect night, and it was her own fault. She should have just gotten up when he sat down at her table, but like an idiot, she’d stayed there feeling sorry for him.

It would never happen again, she promised herself. The man would never change, he was a wolf at heart. Men like that spent their lives chasing women, avoiding real connections. She’s already tangled with someone just like Simon, and she wasn’t about to do it again. Edward had left her broken and devastated, then tried to take the only good thing that had come out of her terrible mistake away from her.

He and Simon were not that different. They both used their money and good looks to charm women into their beds, the only thing that separated them was the wife that Edward had hidden from her. Simon at least seemed to be upfront about what he wanted. That didn’t make him any better, but at least he was honest. Realizing the path her thoughts had taken, wondering how she could even be thinking about Simon, she got up from the bed.

It was time to forget about the man, time to let it all go and enjoy her vacation. The next time she saw him, she was going to get as far away from him as she could. He had no place in her life, she had no interest in what he was offering and never would. All he did was frustrate and annoy her. Let him chase all the women he wanted, it didn’t matter to her, and if she never saw him again, that would be fantastic.

CHAPTER 5

***SIMON***

Simon sat at the table in the center of the village for a long time, brooding over the strange turn of events and telling himself it was just one night, and it wouldn’t happen again. Just because two little girls called him old, that didn’t mean he was past his prime. He’d overreacted, made a big deal out of nothing. Tomorrow would be a better day. He’d spend some time on the beach. There were sure to be some available women there. He’d just be a bit more careful of who he chose to give his attention to this time.

But that still meant he had to go home alone, something he rarely did, and he was putting it off, hoping that his luck might change at the last moment. When the lights began to go off in the huts around him, and they started stacking the chairs up on the tables, he realized his fate was sealed. He got slowly to his feet and started for the trail to his cabin, feeling as pathetic as he’d ever felt in his life, glad that no one from home could see his walk of humiliation.

He'd just left the lights of the huts when Max came walking down the trail toward him, a pleased smile on hisface, a little spring in his step. His heart sank when he saw him, and he looked around for a place to hide, but he was standing out in the open, and a second later, Max saw him. With no choice but to keep going, he walked up to his friend, trying to act like nothing was wrong, hoping that Max wouldn’t notice that he was alone.

“I thought you were having dinner with Mary Beth tonight,” he said, thinking he might be able to distract Max. “What are you doing over on this side of the village?”

“I was just walking her home,” Max said. “We had a wonderful dinner. It was fun to talk about old times.”

“I guess that’s just what they were, old times,” he said, shaking his head. “Too bad, she’s a very attractive woman. Maybe I should get to know her better.”

Max gave him a dirty look, “She’s still off limits, buddy,” he warned. “Just because we spent tonight talking about the past, that doesn’t mean we’re not planning on making a few new memories. Unlike you, I like a little romance before I take a woman to bed. A little anticipation makes everything a bit more interesting.”

“Uhhh, romance is a waste of time,” he said, waving his hand in the air. “What’s the point anyway? Sex is sex, no matter how you get there.”

Max sighed, “I’m too tired to give you a lecture tonight,” he said. “Besides, I’m sure you’ve got some plaything waiting for you back at your cabin.”

He hesitated just long enough for Max to figure out the truth, and his eyes widened with surprise, “You’re going home alone,” he finally said. “What happened to Mandy and Sarah? I thought you said one of them was a sure thing.”

“It didn’t quite work out that way,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. “They……made other plans for dinner, but hey, it’s just one night. I’ll track them down tomorrow.”

“Wow, I never thought I’d see the dayyou got passed over,” Max said, shaking his head. “Maybe I should run over to the main island and buy a lottery ticket. I might just win. What happened, Simon? Are you losing your touch? That’s three times you’ve been turned down since you got here, I don’t know what to think. The world might be coming to an end.”

He stared at his friend for a second, “Very funny, I’m not losing my touch, they just thought I was…. too old,” he said, then quickly added, “Kira doesn’t count anyway, she clearly hates men. No one would stand a chance with her.”

“Did you just say that they thought you were too old?” Max asked, the beginning of a smile on his face. “I’m not sure I heard you correctly.”

“You heard me,” he said, reliving the entire embarrassing conversation. “They said I was too old, then walked off with a couple of punks. I don’t who you let on this island, but it’s clear you need to recruit a better class of people. The fact that I’m a Nelson didn’t even make a difference to them. I’ve never been so insulted in my life.”

“I doubt either of them have ever heard of your family, they’re from a small town in Montana,” Max said, shaking his head. “They’re both in medical school and probably smarter than both of us put together, so, no, they’re not the kind of women that you’re used to. I’m sorry if they weren’t impressed by your name or your money, and don’t blame me if they saw through all your bull. Personally, a woman with some brains is a lot more attractive to me, but I can see how you might have a problem with that. After all, you might have to have an actual conversation.”

“I don’t know why you invited me here if you’re just going to insult me,” he said, relieved to have someone to take his anger and frustration out on. “I never knew you thought I was such a loser.”

“I don’t think that you’re a loser, Simon,” Max said, thensighed. “If you want to know the truth, I think that you’re wasting your life. I invited you here because I thought we could reconnect, get to know each other again, but I realize now there’s no need. You haven’t changed since college. You’re the same person you were back then, still chasing women and thinking that getting them into bed is some kind of a major accomplishment.”

“Wasting my life,” he repeated, stung by Max’s words. “I have a very full life, thank you. I do more than chase women. I play golf and tennis, and I haven’t missed a function at the country club since I became a full member. Last year, I even did some volunteer work over the holidays. Just because I don’t have a high-power job and make a bunch of money, that doesn’t mean that I’m wasting my life.”

“I told you that was just my opinion. If you’re happy living the way you are, that’s your business,” Max said. “I’m sure there’s enough money in the family coffers to let you live in style for the rest of your life without you having to lift a finger. Just because I think a man should support himself doesn’t mean everyone feels that way. Lots of women will think that it’s cool you live off your family money. After all, it gives you plenty of free time to pursue your hobbies.”

“Now you sound like my father,” he barked at Max. “I’m done with this conversation. The last thing I need is a lecture from you.”

He stomped past Max before he could say anything, “Big jerk doesn’t know anything about my life,” he mumbled to himself as he walked down the trail toward his cabin. “I should have known better than to come here, I knew it was going to bea disaster.”

***Kira***

Kira pulledtwo cups down from the cabinet, filled them with fresh coffee, then added generous helpings of cream and sugar. Pausing to look out the window for a second, she watched the birds flitting from branch to branch, their vibrant colors a contrast to the dark green of the trees. Taking a deep breath of the salty air, she picked up the cups and walked the few steps to Mary Beth’s bedroom; knocked on the door, then pushed it open.

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