Her Dragon

It was my night to let loose. I drove for hours with my girls to have a fun night at the Rainbow Casino. Everything was going as planned until he showed up. That low life had tricked me, pretending to be a nice guy on social media. Now, he was here, my ex, and he was trying to ruin my night.

I was standing in the hallway of the casino hotel, blocked by the bulk of him. I wanted to return to my hotel room and hide, but I didn’t want him to know which room was mine. How I managed to book on the same floor as Zeke, I’d never know. I looked down at the multi-colored swirly pattern on the carpeted floor, right where his feet were planted. It had only taken me a few seconds to realize he was the “mister nice guy” on social media who had wanted to meet me. The one I’d shared my evening plans with. I can’t believe he catfished me with a fake profile picture. That was beyond low.

“I can’t believe you did this. Go away and leave me alone.”

“Julie Ann, baby, come on. Let’s get back together. I know you miss me the way I miss you. I’ll be a better guy this time, I promise.”

He said that like he had never spoken those words before. But he had, many times, and I had no time for it. Not this time. Not ever again.

I squeezed my hand around my mobile phone, reminding myself that I had options if this random meeting took a turn towards the aggression he was known for.

I didn’t have to wait for his aggression to appear before I decided to ask for help. I wasn’t going to stand in this hallway stuck with an ex, who had a penchant for being nice only when I’d decided I’d had enough.

“I meant it,” I said. “We are over, Zeke. I don’t want to see you. And if you don’t leave me alone, I’ll call the hotel security.”

“Naw, you wouldn’t do that.”

I couldn’t let my words be a bluff or he’d take advantage. So, I did the only smart thing I’d ever done when it came to him, besides leaving him. I lifted my phone and started looking up the hotel number on Google. Of course, I made sure he couldn’t see, I didn’t want him to realize I didn’t have the number on speed dial. But really, who puts a hotel number on speed dial? Good thing for me it was clear he’d already had a few tonight. I found the number, copied it, and called. I put it on speakerphone so he could hear exactly what I was doing.

“Fine, fine. I’ll leave you alone.”

The phone was still ringing.

“Leave the casino. I don’t want you anywhere close” I said.

He took a step towards me. I took two back.

The front clerk answered the phone right then. “Rainbow Hotel and Casino, how can I assist you?”

My ex glared at me, daring me.

“Yes, I’m on the fourteenth floor and I have a problem.” I let the words hang in the air as I stared him straight in the eyes. It only took a second for him to realize that I wasn’t playing a game.

He took a step back, then turned and walked away. Out of my life forever, I hoped. I wanted to sag against the wall, but I didn’t want him to turn around to see how draining that encounter had been for me.

“What problem are you having, ma’am?”

I had forgotten about the receptionist. Now, what did I say? “Uh… there was a strange guy lurking around the floor and watching everyone. It was a bit scary. But he’s gone now.”

“Would you like to give a description of the man so my security could seek him out?”

“I’m not sure. How about I call back if I see him again?”

“Ma’am, it may be best –”

I cut her off, “Thank you, I appreciate your time.” I said, before hanging up.

That done, I decide to go the opposite direction Zeke went. I find a stairwell and go down two floors before exiting to find the elevators. The detour should have made sure that I wouldn’t cross paths with him again tonight. Preferably never again.

I enter the casino and am immediately attacked by all the lights, sights, smells, and sounds that make up the atmosphere of most casinos. I hear the cha-chinging of the slot machines and walk towards the card tables in search of my girls. I know they're spread out somewhere in this area. I’m looking specifically for Rhonda. She will help me get out of this funk I’ve fallen into. I really need a distraction from all of the drama.

I spot her at the blackjack table and stand back for a moment as I watch her flirt and joke around with the dealer.

This makes me smile a bit, though I still feel deflated. She had kept a seat open for me. Time to put on my game face. I widen my smile before walking up to her.

“Hey beautiful,” she says to me as I take the seat beside her. She does a double take and stops her joking with the dealer. “What’s wrong?” she asks.

Apparently, I’m a horrible actress because I was actively trying not to talk about my ex. Rhonda saw through me, though. That is one of the reasons we remain good friends to this day. We don’t see each other often, but when we do, it’s as if time stood still, and we go right back to where we left off the last time.

“Guess who just so happened to show up for a meet-up?”

“You have got to be kidding me.”

“Nope, I had to threaten to call security before he’d leave me alone.”

“How did Zeke know you’d be here tonight? No. Nope, don’t answer that. It doesn’t matter. I’m getting you a drink.” She turned to flag down one of the servers while I stewed in the chaos that were my romantic relationships.

Was it too much to want a relationship with a nice guy that would last? Was it all a lie? Was there no such thing as a nice guy? I sighed and waited for my drink to arrive.

Before I knew it, I’d had three drinks. Now both Rhonda and the dealer were teasing me and I was playing a really bad hand of blackjack.

“If I can get enough drinks into her, some of her clothes might start coming off,” Rhonda teased, “I need my girl to have a good time tonight.”

I said we were good friends, I never said Rhonda was a good example. I decided I didn’t want my clothes to come off tonight, so, even though the dealer was now the one calling over the server, I decided my next drink would be my last for the night. The guy next to me and his friend ordered Whiskey Sours. I didn’t bother to look at either of them. I was fed up and buzzed enough to believe that men were off-limits for life.

People came and went as we played. Rhonda winning, me losing. My stacks were definitely getting smaller and smaller. Soon, I’d be all out and go from a player, to just a tipsy spectator watching Rhonda play. I was okay with that. I never came to the casino expecting to win. I knew better than to set my expectations too high, otherwise, you get someone like yup; you guessed it, Zeke. Not doing that again. I’ve had too many Zekes in my lifetime.

I am clearly not paying attention to my current hand, so of course, I lose yet again. I wasn’t winning even when I was. I decided I should try harder. I was down to five chips. A losing night indeed. I looked down to count my chips again to make sure that I hadn’t miscounted. It was possible that I had. I wasn’t seeing double, still; I was under the haze of alcohol and heartbreak. That stuff combined could trip you up.

I look down and saw a hand, not my hand, moving towards my chips. A hand with a colorful green face on it. What, the what! Oh man, I was really messed up. I blinked a couple of times, then looked again. It was still there. The hand had slid under my arm and toward my stacks, if you could call it that, of chips. As the hand pulled back, I counted again. I now had eight. The green face had given me three more.

Wouldn’t it have been better for him to take chips? I looked over to where the owner of the green faced hand must be and I was caught by light eyes. Hazel eyes with flecks of gold. I didn’t want to look away. The lower half of his face was covered by a mask. Stupid Covid. I really wanted to see his face. He was thin, but it was clear that he was toned. He had lean muscle. He’d stretched his ear piercings with gauges. It looked really good on him. He winked at me, then returned to the game, breaking eye contact.

Wow, that was intense. It felt like he was looking directly into my soul. It felt nice. Too nice. I decide I don’t want anything to do with that.

I turned my attention to the game and actually won the next two hands.

Seemed I gained a little bit of luck.

“Nice playing,” said the most beautiful voice I’d ever heard. It shook me. It resonated within my soul. My breath caught.

He’d leaned over to speak in my ear as to not allow his words to be carried away by the sounds of the casino. Oh dear, I hadn’t done anything, but I suddenly felt like I’d done something pleasant and naughty all at the same time. The energy inside of me was humming. What was going on?

“What’s your name?” he asked. Seemed he wasn’t willing for me to ignore him.

Really? Right now, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to lean into him or lean way back. I stayed centered.

I turned my head to look him in the eyes again. It was a glorious sight. My throat was suddenly dry. Still, I managed to croak out, “Julie Ann.”

“Hi, Julie Ann. I’m Ian.”

“Hi,” I said in return. “Um, thank you for the chips.”

He shrugged, “I had too many.”

That made me laugh.

He smiled and his eyes grew brighter. The gold flecks in his eyes increased until the color almost overwhelmed the hazel color of his eyes. It was better than a fireworks display. I wanted to laugh again just to see it happen one more time. I could watch that all day.

“I was thinking about going for a walk.”

“Okay,” I said, confused as to why he was telling me this.

“Would you like to join me?”

“Oh! Uh, sure?”

That made him laugh. That was just as good as seeing the light show in his eyes.

We roamed around, talking a lot about nothing and a bit about some personal things. He had a son. I shared that I had children as well. We walked and walked and talked and talked. After a while, I felt compelled to take his hand into mine. There was some kind of magnetic tug guiding me. I reached out and placed my hand in his. He paused, then pulled away. We both stopped and stood there, looking at each other. My heart sank a little bit. It was always too good to be true.

“Oh, I didn’t know that was off the table.” I felt silly. Just because I felt a pull didn’t mean that he did too.

He debated for a moment, then he leaned in and softly said, “No, I want you to hold my hand.” Then he took mine in his before starting us back up on our walk.

I had butterflies in my stomach. This guy had my attention.

Somehow, in all of our walking, we managed to walk up to his hotel room. We entered and talked even more. I felt comfortable in his presence. Not in danger or pressured to do anything I didn’t want to.

He did, however, walk me up to his room, so I knew what was coming next.

“I could use a lie down. Want to lie next to me?”

Is that what they’re calling it these days? Why not? This guy made me feel good. I wanted to see where this would go.

I agree and before I knew it, he’d taken off his shirt and was lying on the bed. I freeze though, because now I can see his tattoos. I know better than to ask about the ink on his skin. They’re sacred to each person. Very private. Still, one tattoo catches my eye more than any other. On his chest is a golden dragon. I love golden dragons. A lot. This, above everything else tonight, makes me nervous. I take a deep breath and lay next to him.

I’m considering my options. Because I noticed something else about this man. He had a matching gold dragon hanging on a chain around his neck. It was like this guy was my spirit animal or something.

Now I know why I am suddenly frightened. This guy drew my full attention from the first moment I laid eyes on him. Now I see that he has things on his body that have an important significance to me. This guy could get me into trouble. I needed to resist this beautiful man.

As I think this, he wraps his arm around my waist and places his head behind mine so they are touching. Then his body relaxed. His body relaxed as if he was settling in.

He really wanted to take a nap? It hadn’t been a ploy. What the heck? Danger, danger, danger. This guy was way too good to be true. I’d nap and then I’d head back to my girls and forget this guy.

I didn’t need any trouble like this.

After a while of snuggling, I decided to return to meet up with my girls.

“Wait a sec,” said Ian as he walked me to the door. “Can we exchange numbers?”

The last thing I needed was this guy calling me tomorrow, after I’ve already decided this was a no-go. But for some reason, I gave the man my number. I’d smack myself once I was in the elevator.

“One more thing,” he said when I reached for the door handle. He reached up around his neck and unclasped the necklace. “I’d like you to have this.”

I couldn’t speak. This man kept putting me off balance. He’d just given me his golden dragon. For that, I gave him a kiss despite my logical mind telling me to run.

I did, however, run after that kiss.

I found my friends and Rhonda in the casino. They teased me for running off with a practical stranger. I agreed with them. We went to get some food to fuel our next round of gambling. The phone in my pocket vibrated. I check it.

Ian had messaged me. The man was attentive, attractive, and alarming. So, I messaged him back. What can I say? I like a little bit of danger.

The truth was, this guy was so completely different from any other guy I’d ever been interested in. First, he didn’t look like anyone else I’ve had a relationship with. Second, his approach was so different. He was gentle, yet strong. He was a dream.

Eventually, he and his friend found me and my girls. We all hung out, gambled, and joked around until the wee hours of the morning. I had basically paid for a room that I wasn’t going to sleep in tonight.

We were winding down when he said the words that turned my world upside down.

“I’d like to take you home to make sure you arrive safely.”

Now, this meant a lot because I live over an hour away from the casino. What’s more, was that he lived an hour in the opposite direction from here. His request made absolutely no sense.

“Yeah, take her,” said Rhonda.

Again, I don’t hang out with her because she makes me feel safe. Even Ian gave her a look. I sighed and rolled my eyes. If anything got weird, I had my phone. I’d already used it once tonight. I could use it again.

He gently took my hand, waved to both his friend and mine, and we were on our way out of the casino.

“Are you sure about this?”

He looked at me, then continued walking, tucking me under his arm. “I enjoy spending time with you. I’d like to get to know you better.”

That warmed my heart. Man, this guy was good. We walked through the parking lot towards his car as we carried on with our conversation.

“Get away from my girl,” said Zeke’s voice from behind us.

I tensed. I tried to whirl out of Ian’s embrace, but he wouldn’t let me. This could get ugly. Zeke was a big dude and he would swing first and not ask questions later.

“The lady is with me. I am who she chose to spend this evening with. Now go lick your wound elsewhere.”

“Who do you think you are? I could pound you with one finger.”

“You are welcome to try.”

I was alarmed because this was getting out of hand. I didn’t want Ian to get hurt on my account.

“Let’s go then,” said Zeke. “Julie Ann, you and I will talk in a moment.”

“I have nothing to say to you, Zeke. Go and get out of here or I’ll let the hotel security find you this time.”

“No, you won’t. I’ll deal with him and then I’ll deal with you.”

“Try me,” I said, waving my phone in the air to remind him of our earlier encounter.

Ian finally loosened his arm around my waist. I immediately started to unlock my phone but before I could hit redial, he stopped me.

“No, sweetheart. I’ll handle this. Don’t worry. Stand behind me,” he said, as he stepped in front of me, putting himself between me and Zeke.

For some reason, I believed him. I took a few steps back and waited to see how this would go. I, of course, continued to have my phone set to redial the hotel if things went badly.

We were at the back end of the casino. There weren’t many lights and not a lot of cars back here. I momentarily wondered why Ian had parked so far. But I had bigger things to worry about right now.

Zeke approached Ian and swung. I closed my eyes and hit send on my phone at the same time. I heard the sound of the phone ringing. What I didn’t hear was the sound of skin meeting skin. I opened one eye.

I was completely stunned. Ian was dodging every punch or kick Zeke aimed at him. Zeke was getting angrier with every failed punch.

Finally, Ian stepped in and punched him right on his chin.

Zeke went down. Hard.

That was when I realized that someone was yelling at me on my phone.

“Hello? Hello? Do you need help? There is a lot of racket behind you. Are you in danger?”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, I was. But not anymore.” I said, then hung up.

Ian was standing over Zeke, who was blubbering about his face being messed up.

“Leave her alone and it won’t happen again. She doesn’t belong to you or anyone else.”

“Then why are you here?” Whimpered Zeke.

“Because I plan to woo her. And she may not be mine, but she is mine to protect.”

“She ain’t worth it. You’ll see.”

Ian looked at me.

“She is worth everything,” he said, holding my gaze, then glanced down at the necklace he had given me, before returning his gaze to mine. The gold in his eyes were going haywire again. It was beautiful. My stomach did large flip-flops. This man really was getting under my skin. I’d be surprised if he turned out to be real. Or if this was just a persona for the night.

Ian took my hand and led me away from the area where Zeke attempted to put on a show of dominance. Then I heard it. The click of the hammer being pulled back on a gun.

Ian moved quickly, spinning me behind him, and he faced Zeke, who was now standing and pointing a gun at me.

“I told you she’d be trouble.”

Ian didn’t bother to respond. He took two steps forward and then…

And then… he… he was a dragon flying in the air. He flew directly to Zeke knocking him to the ground, and hovered over him.

“Would you like to repeat that?” He said in a gravelly voice that was deep and rough.

Zeke was shaking his head no.

I didn’t blame him. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I felt sorry for him, because come on, he brought it on himself, but I didn’t envy him his situation.

Ian, the dragon, took the gun out of Zeke’s hand and blue fire spewed from his mouth while he bent the metal in half. Flecks of fire and metal landed on top of Zeke, who was now screaming at a very impressive octave.

I couldn’t even scream that high. When Ian was done, he dropped the chunk of metal onto Zeke’s chest. Zeke squealed, rolled, and did the best stop, drop and roll impression I had ever seen. So that information was good for something, after all.

I took my gaze off of Zeke to see Ian the dragon, now gazing at me as he continued to hover in the air over Zeke’s flailing mass. He had turned so that he was facing me, but he did not move closer.

“Hi,” I said.

Apparently, that was all he needed because he flew towards me, shifting back into the familiar man I met earlier in the evening. Both his clothes and hair were intact, but how?

“Your clothes?”

“Fae magic.”

“Oh.” I mean, what else could I say. I hadn’t known there were real dragons, let alone Fae. I didn’t think now was the appropriate time to ask.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah.”

He took me home and then continued back to his house because he had an early tee time, of all things. He has messaged, called, and connected with me every day since.

So, in answer to my question earlier in the night, yes, there are good men out there. And I have one. Bonus, he’s also my very own real-life dragon.

The End. Or is it?