Chapter One- Book One

Gabriel (POV)

Three months later

I’m sitting at the head of the table in my conference room, beside an important client. He’s listening intently to a presentation from my top marketing agent explaining a new ad idea for his product. I look over to watch the client's expression as Tom explains his idea. So far, the client seems impressed, which is great for my company; ‘Spencer’s Ad Agency’. My company is the largest in the world. I have clients from all over seeking me out to create ads for their products.

When Tom finished, he looked from me to the client and asked, “What did you think?”

I watched as the client slowly, very slowly began to nod his head. “I like it. It will draw attention to the masses of people, which is what I want.”

“I agree.” I began, “Which is why I approved Mr. Cleary to present it to you.”

“Well, I am hugely impressed with this agency and all the challenging work you all put into my products. So,” He stands up and turns to me as I rise. “I leave my products and my good name in your hands.” He holds his hand out and I take it and shake it. He then turns to Tom. “Mr. Cleary, Keep up the excellent work.” He shakes Tom’s hand.

“Yes, sir, and thank you.”

After the client leaves Tom turns towards me and smiles. “That went well.”

I chuckle, “Did you have any doubts?”

Tom has been with me since day one of the company's launch a decade ago, and my friend since. He was fresh out of college, and I saw his potential early on, convincing him to join my company. We quickly grew to become the number one sought out ad agency. I have more marketing agents than I can count, Tom being my top man. With us being a multi-billion-dollar company, we have clients from all over the world.

“With Mr. Chan being our biggest client, I wouldn't have trusted anyone else with his account. Excellent job Tom.”

I could see Tom beaming at the compliment. He looked up at me rubbing the back of his neck, he seemed to do that when he had something on his mind.

“What is it, Tom?”

“What do you mean?”

“After ten years, I know when something is on your mind.”

“Umm yeah, okay here it is. My sister has this friend who happens to be having a tough time with things. I was hoping to offer her the receptionist position since it has yet to be filled since Arlene left.”

I grinned, “Your sister asked you to ask me, didn’t she?”

He nods.

I sigh, “Does she have any experience?”

“According to my sister, yes she does. The company she worked for went belly up and doors closed leaving her without a job. My sister tells me she needs this job. I told her I would ask, but no guarantees.”

“Does she have a resume I can look at?”

“My sister gave me one this morning. I placed it on your desk before coming here.”

I nod, “Alight I will take a look at it. If she is qualified, you can interview her. I will leave the rest to your discretion. I trust your opinion.” Before I leave, I turn back to him and say, “Oh, and tell Sarah I said hello.”

“I will,” he smiled as I left to head to my office.

As I got to my office door I looked over at the empty desk where my receptionist used to sit before leaving my company. Her husband’s job transferred him to another state, so she gave me a two-week notice and I have been in search of a new receptionist since. I opened my door and walked in and sat down on my chair picked up the resume and looked it over. I made a few phone calls to her old employers who couldn’t stop talking about what a great receptionist she was and how they regret losing her as well as their business. All seems to be in order. I called Tom and told him he could call her in for the interview. He said he will get right on it. Normally we have people who do the hiring and interviews, but this is a favor for my best friend's sister. And this woman does have the experience and I desperately need a new receptionist so why not.

With that done I lean back and close my eyes and my mind goes to a certain night three months ago. I was riding my Harley back from having dinner with Tom and his sister’s family when I heard a woman’s scream. It was nearing late night and the alley the scream originated. It was pitch black so when my headlight pierced the darkness as I turned in, what I saw angered me. A man was atop of a woman. As he was getting up, he smashed his fist to her head before taking off while pulling his pants up. I would have run after him but seeing the woman dazed with blood running down her face became my focal point. I looked down at her and she looked up at me with such piercing green eyes I will never forget before she passed out.

I carefully picked up the woman and rushed her to the hospital on my bike. Holding her tight against my chest in front of me as I rode my bike. The feel of her against me is a feeling I will never forget. She was petite, not very tall and her long auburn red hair smelt of roses and I could smell the scent of the rape upon her. As I rode my bike with her cradled in one arm. I would look down and study her face every chance I got. She was not incredibly beautiful. Some might say she was rather plain but there was something different about her. Her full lips looked kissable and soft, but I fought the urge to do so. Since that day it was her eyes, I will never forget it is burned into my memory. The way she looked up at me before losing consciousness I knew I had to care for her.

I drove her to the hospital and rushed in with her in my arms. Once she was laid upon a gurney and tended to, I slipped away to never see her again.

I took a deep breath clearing my mind from the past and the woman and continued my work on the computer. My cell went off and I looked down to see a video call from my brother Mitchell. I hit accept and his ecstatic smiling face gazed up at me.

“How’s it going, Brother?”

I nod, “Going good.”

“How's the search for a new receptionist going?” Mitch asked.

“I may have found one that sounds like a good replacement for Arlene. I won’t know for sure until after her interview tomorrow.”

“Let’s hope she is good-looking with a great body” Mitch is always the playboy. I rolled his eyes.

“That is just like you, Mitch. Thinking with your dick.”

“Hey, one of us has to. You haven’t dated in a few years. When was the last time you got laid?”

“That is none of your business, bro and what I do with my life and who I date is my business. Just because I don’t go chasing anything with a skirt.”

Mitch chuckled, “Well it’s been nice being surrounded by so many women here. You know back home women are scarce. Therefore, we decided to come here to Earth.”

“Shhhh.” I shushed him. “Not so loud, bro. We don’t need a worldwide panic on this planet. You know they haven’t been visited yet by other worlds. We came in secret to begin a new life and find the right brides for us.”

“I know but there are just so many to choose from.”

“Just don’t jump the gun and choose poorly. Our lives and species depend on us and this mission no matter how long it takes.” I remind him.

“I know, I know. How is the true search coming along for you?”

“I will know her when I find her. I am sure it will have something to do with her scent. I know I have read that somewhere on the ship.” My thought went to a pair of green eyes.

“I hope for your sake and ours that it is true, Gabe.”

We finished our talk, and I went back to work thinking about the conversation with Mitchell. I am positive I will know her when the time is right. Just because his one brother likes to play the field doesn’t mean I have to. I desire to find that one special woman. I know I will know her scent and it will call to me. I just need to wait. For now, I will focus on my work and forget about that conversation with my brother.

The next day I got to work earlier than normal. I really do miss Arlene and how she would bring me my coffee and a danish. This morning I stopped by and grabbed a coffee to go. As the morning wore on, I suddenly stopped typing on my computer and sniffed. I couldn’t pinpoint the smell I was smelling but it was familiar. That’s the one thing about my kind. We have a sense of smell. This smell could be anywhere in this twenty-something-story building. I lean back in my chair, closed my eyes. Sniffing the air again trying to identify the smell. Whatever it is? It seems to be calling to me. It’s a sweet, floral smell. A smell that makes my inner dragon thrum. I can’t seem to stop sniffing the air. My eyes suddenly open as I realize it is getting stronger. Like it is getting closer. I listened and could hear Tom talking to someone coming off the elevator. Which happens to be on the other side of the building. Another perk of a dragon. Great hearing.

It sounds like Tom is speaking to a woman as I could barely hear her soft voice answering his questions and making Tom laugh. This must be the woman he interviewed for the receptionist position. He must have hired her and is bringing her my way for the introductions. It must be her scent that is enticing me so much. This could be what I was speaking to my brother about. She could be the one who is meant for me, to be my mate. Yet why is her scent so familiar? I stood and braced myself for the knock on my door and the introduction. As soon as I heard the knock my heart began to race. That enticing scent is so sweet and succulent. I took a deep breath and said, “Come in.”

As the door opened, I was hit with that succulent aroma that made me catch my breath. Tom entered first, then a small framed auburn-haired woman entered after. She first looked around then her eyes focused on me. Green eyes. The eyes that kept haunting my dreams. The same woman I rescued that night three months ago. And she was standing before me in my office. As her eyes landed on me her eyes widened in surprise then took a deep breath and composed herself.

“Gabriel, this is Alana Thomson. Your new assistant and receptionist.”

“Miss Thomson,” I said, extending my hand out as she took it in hers. I couldn’t help but notice how soft and small it was compared to my large hands.

“Mr. Spencer, a pleasure.” She smiled, an act that didn't completely reach her eyes. And is that fear behind them? I imagine what she had been through three months ago must still haunt her dreams.

I am already feeling a strong need to protect her, but from what? I don’t know. As she stands here before me, I realized she isn’t as plain as I first believed. She is quite stunning in fact. And her strong enticing smell. “Welcome aboard,” I say with a smile.