CHAPTER 14: Relaxation earned...

Ryu
Just when I think she can't get any more likeable, she goes and impresses my dad. That is no easy feat, I assure you. I have been trying to impress him my whole life, and somehow, she does it in two days. She is definitely an interesting woman. I'm thinking about this the whole time I'm knocking on doors. After I finish, I go to the kitchen and make myself a sandwich, which I eat in my room. I want to look over that file again, and make some notes. I don't like to go to any meeting unprepared, even if it is a last - minute meeting.
Oh crap! I lost track of time. The meeting starts in ten minutes. I gather up my notes, and head downstairs. When I get to the conference room, all but two of the other heirs are already there. I hate being late. When the remaining heirs arrive, the meeting begins. Not surprisingly, Celeste takes a natural lead. We start by discussing everything that was in the file. I read off my notes to everyone to share my observations. Hmm, that's weird. I could have sworn that Celeste was smiling at me while I was talking. Maybe it was my imagination. Back to the meeting. We decide to reach out to some of our contacts individually to see if we can pull any information. We'll meet again in a couple of days to present any findings. With that, the meeting ends. I head back to my room to make phone calls, send e - mails, and do research. Only a few hours until dinner. I hope I get done before then.
I look at my watch — 5:45 p.m. Almost time for dinner. I raise my arms above my head to stretch my back. I've been sitting at this desk all afternoon. I'm glad it's time to go downstairs. I desperately need to move my body. As I'm walking down the hall I run into Celeste coming out of her room. I wonder if I could get her to spend a little time with me later? She's very intriguing. I'd like to know more. "Hey, Celeste. Heading down to dinner?"
"Oh, Ryu! Hey, yeah, I'm glad too. If I had stared at that computer for another second, I'd go cross - eyed."
"Hahah. I thought the same thing. My body is so stiff from sitting at that desk." I pause for just a second to build my courage. "Listen, I need to move around a bit to loosen up the knots in my back. I'm going to go for a walk after dinner. Would you care to join me?"
She smiles a gorgeous smile at me. "I'd love to, but can you meet me at my room? It's kind of chilly out tonight, so I want to change into something warmer before we head out."
That gives me an idea. "That sounds great. Dress extra warm. You just gave me a great idea."
"Hmm, should I be scared?"
"Hahah. Of course not. Even if I did have something underhanded planned, I'm pretty sure you could take me."
It's my lucky day. Another smile. "You got that right."
We finally reach the dining area and part ways.

Celeste
I enjoy dinner with my dad and some others. I was really dreading this retreat, but I haven't gotten to spend this much time with Daddy in a long time. It's nice. We talk and laugh, and before I know it, eight thirty shows on my watch. I look around the dining area, and my eyes meet Ryu's. He's talking with his dad, but he is watching me. He's probably waiting to see when I leave. It's about that time.
I turn back to my dad and say, "Well, Daddy, I've had all the fun I can handle for today. I'll see you tomorrow." I stand up and kiss him on the head.
"All right, sweetheart. Have a good night."
"You too, Daddy."
I leave the dining area and head to my room to change. About fifteen minutes later, I'm just finishing up when I hear a knock on the door. I walk over and open it. "Hey, Ryu. I'm ready. Wait. Won't
you be cold?"
He smiles at me, looking like he has a secret. "I'll be fine. I promise."
"Suit yourself." I close my door, and we walk outside. We walk down the stairs and start out into the clearing. All of a sudden, he stops in front of me and turns to face me. "Ryu? Is everything all right?"
"Celeste, I'd like to show you something, if you'd let me."
"Okay, what do you want to show me?"
"I'll have to shift first. Is that okay?"
"Sure. Do you need me to turn around so you can get undressed?"
"Hahah. Are you that eager to get me naked?"
"What? No! I mean... I didn't mean it like that. I just thought... I mean, won't it tear up your clothes if you shift in them?"
By this point he's holding his stomach he's laughing so hard. "I'm kidding. No, dragon shifters are different than other shifters. When we shift our clothes tuck away into our scales."
"Ugh! You could have said that from the beginning."
He puts his hand on my face and says, "I couldn't help it. I just love your flustered face."
"Not funny, sir."
"Okay, okay. I'm going to shift now. Don't freak out."
"I'll do my best." I stand back a little to give him some room. In a flash of light, so quick that I almost missed it, he transforms into a dragon, whose scales look like they're made of moonstone and edged in pewter. "Holy shit, Ryu! Your dragon is beautiful!" I hear him chuckle. "Wait a minute, I just heard you laugh. Can you still talk in dragon form?"
"Yes. Like I said, dragon shifters are unique. We don't have the same shifting characteristics as most of the other shifter species."
"Oh my god. I have so many questions. The most important, though, I thought you were Japanese, so why don't you look like a Japanese dragon?"
"I am actually a hybrid. My father is a Japanese dragon. From him I inherited my venomous bite, control over water, and my three clawed feet. My mother was a French breed of dragon. From her I got my body shape, my wings, and my ability to breathe fire." He raises his head high, clearly proud of his heritage.
"Wow. So you're, like, super dragon."
He laughs again and lays down. "You ready to take a ride?"
"Are you sure? I might be heavy."
"I'm a 2,500 - pound dragon. I think I can handle it."
Now it's my turn to laugh. "Okay, don't say I didn't warn you." I climb up on him and straddle his back right behind his wings. I hear a small low groan. "Am I hurting you or am I in the wrong spot?"
"No. You are absolutely perfect." Oh god. That deep voice that curls my toes is back. "Okay, are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be, I guess."
"Okay, hang on!" And up we go.