Dragon Song by Jordyn Tracey Page A

what you said was true.”
    “What was that?”
    Her friend winked. “You’ve got a line of men just waiting to take his place. Nobody has them begging like you, Tielle, and you don’t even seem to notice half the time. You’re the only woman I know whose exes want to rekindle things after you break it off.”
    “Damn,” Tielle complained. “You make me sound like a heartless bitch.”
    “Naw, you’re not that.” She grinned. “I see it in you. When you fall at last, it’s going to be hard. That man will feel like he’s the luckiest person in the universe. That’s your destiny. It will happen soon.”
    Tielle yawned. “Thank you, oh Zen master for those wise words.”
    They giggled together, and Jamie dropped her at home before heading to her own place. As she ascended the steps to the third floor, Tielle thought about what Jamie’d said, how when she fell in love it would be hard. In some ways, she believed it would happen too. The problem was, would the man she loved, love her just as hard in return? That was the scariest part about the whole business and what had kept Tielle protecting herself up until now. She’d been careless with Stone, but that had to stop. A man like him wouldn’t likely fall for any woman, least of all her. He was heartbreak waiting to happen, and she wasn’t the one to play that game.
    Tielle strolled into her bedroom and undressed. She’d showered before she left to meet Jamie for lunch, but somehow she felt like warm water raining over her body would wash away the unrest in her soul, along with the ordeal she’d just gone through. When she’d finished sudsing with her favorite body wash and rinsed it down, she turned off the shower and returned to her room for lotion.
    A lightweight cotton sundress was the perfect outfit to slip into. The vee neckline hung low, and the back had crisscross straps exposing her skin. The cut would not allow a bra, so she didn’t put one on. Examining herself in the mirror while she slipped into her white thong, she noted how her nipples were defined behind the dress’ material. The last time she’d worn it, she’d put on the formfitting cups that would disguise her peaks and offer a little support. She had no idea where they were, and what did it matter anyway since she was alone. The day was too warm, and she didn’t want to turn on the air conditioner until she couldn’t take it anymore.
    By the time she padded barefoot from her room and glanced toward her backpack in the corner, someone was ringing her doorbell. She frowned and went over to flick the intercom. “Yes?”
    “It’s Stone.”
    Her heart doubled its beats. She bit her lip, half grinning because she was excited to see him again. A frown followed because he didn’t believe her when she told him she needed to study. As if he might see that she wasn’t working, she darted over to her backpack and hoisted it onto the table. In moments, she had textbooks cracked open to random pages and her notebook planted on top of one.
    She darted back to the intercom. “Stone, I told you I have an exam to study for.”
    “I need to talk to you.”
    If she expected to hear pleading or a lovesick tone to his voice, she would wait forever. His words were matter of fact, if a tad irritated.
    “So why do I tolerate this dude?” she asked herself. She punched in the code to let him in. “Make it fast.”
    Waiting by the door, she listened to him come up the stairs and then opened the door for him. All the while, she fought for control, for the nonchalant way he seemed to have about him. Stone must be used to putting women in their place, offering just what he wanted to give them and nothing more—certainly no wasted emotions like love.
    He strolled by her, planting a casual kiss on her lips as he went. Tielle’s eyebrow shot up as she watched him. He was going to play it like that? She slammed the door and rested a hand on her hip. “What’s this about?”
    After scanning the