Total pages in book: 13
Estimated words: 11446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 57(@200wpm)___ 46(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11446 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 57(@200wpm)___ 46(@250wpm)___ 38(@300wpm)
My mother sits back in her chair, shaking her head. “Now, Aurora.” I wince at her chastising tone, preparing myself for the speech I know is coming. “We can’t turn down opportunities because you don’t like the clients.” She tsks me and I feel like a teenager again. I wish she’d send me to my room without dinner instead of making me deal with the biggest jerk in the universe.
“You’ve dealt with difficult clients before,” she reminds me. “Remember your grandmother’s custom kitchen.”
Yuck. Do I ever. Try making the Goddess of Love happy. It’s impossible. My eccentric family doesn’t do moderation. When your mother is a cougar shifter and your dad is Cupid, the real Cupid, the freaking God of Love, you live an unusual existence. Shifters, gods, supernatural beings. It’s all in a day’s work for Cupid.
My parents own the supernatural matchmaking agency, Whiskers & Wings Matchmaking. They are responsible for nearly all the matches between Eternals and their intended mates. Over the years, I’ve become numb to the whole romance scene that surrounds my famous father.
To get away from everything hearts and kisses related, I chose to pursue my mother’s former career, Interior Design. After college, I couldn’t find a position that fit me and decided to open my own company with my inheritance. My mother jumped on board and became my partner. She works two days a week at Whiskers & Wings and the other three days at Design Goddesses.
My older brother, August, graduated with a computer engineering degree and hides away in his apartment working on his computers. Neither of us expects our overprotective father to find true love for us.
My mother snaps her fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to the conversation. “I mean, Nix Dixon dropped off the radar several years ago. Maybe he’s changed since the last time you saw him.”
I freaking doubt it. A lobotomy wouldn’t cure the big jerk of his cold, condescending attitude. Nix’s father, a great fae commander, met and fell in love with a beautiful dragon.
Over time, Oberon Dixon began to cut back on his work duties as their marriage changed the cold, calculating fae into a pussycat. The General ended up retiring from his high-stress job to spend more time with his lovely wife.
The younger fae desired his father’s position but wasn’t a great candidate. He had to prove to the fae rulers he could change. It took several years, but Nix managed to transform from the careless, reckless, irresponsible jerk into a cold, calculating general.
My dad sounds a little jealous when he talks about Oberon Dixon retiring “to play golf and goof off,” but he knows the Fates aren’t going to let Cupid quit making matches any time soon.
Growing up with the God of Love as your father tends to sour your perception of the emotion. I mean, what part of love is real, and what comes from my father’s interference? Maybe I should join a convent? Then I’d have a valid excuse to avoid this meeting.
All night long, I toss and turn, worrying about my upcoming meeting with Nix Dixon. The last time I saw the handsome fae, he whizzed into my eighteenth birthday party and crushed my vulnerable heart by insulting me and my party. I can still picture the pinched, incensed look on his face when he roared, “Who let her wear that dress? Her tits and ass are on display.”
My father and Blaze Fier, the fierce dragon CEO and Nix’s stepbrother, pulled the irate fae from the room. The two men returned a while later minus the fae, and no one ever mentioned the whole humiliating experience again.
The party went on as if my teenage heart wasn’t shattered. I’d worn the slinky, figure-hugging dress to attract Nix’s attention and boy did I ever regret it. After the party, I avoided the jerk like the plague. That worked great for five years. Now, through some trick of fate, he’ll be my only client for the foreseeable future. Fudge my life.
Maybe the fae commander will be so busy that I barely ever lay eyes on him. Not likely, but a girl can wish.
After my restless night, it takes a little extra concealer to hide the purple circles under my eyes. I dress in my most conservative suit and pull my curly, blonde hair up into a bun. That should prove to him that I’m all business.
Chapter 2
Nix
Fuck, she’s gorgeous. “Hello.” I hold out my hand, sounding like a fucking moron. “It’s good to see you again.” That’s a goddamn understatement. The last time I laid eyes on Cupid’s daughter, she was a stunning, curvy, way-the-fuck too young goddess. Trying to ignore the intense feelings running through my soul, I made a total jackass out of myself and sent my little soulmate into hiding. Knowing I hurt her kills me, but it was necessary. She needed time to grow up, and I still had to prove myself worthy of Cupid’s daughter.