Taming the Billionaire Dragon

I work as a nighttime soothing assistant for a billionaire CEO with severe rage issues. My job is simple.

I just have to stay at least three yards away from him and read him bedtime stories to help him sleep. The catch? I’m actually a tabby cat shifter.

Winter in the human world is freezing, but Asher Vance radiates this delicious, scorching heat. He is basically a human radiator.

One night, hovering somewhere between halfasleep and dreaming, I couldn't resist the warmth. I ended up rolling straight into his arms.

His chest was incredibly solid, and his body temperature was pure heaven. My brain completely shortcircuited. My feline instincts took over.

Before I knew it, my hands were acting on their own, pressing against his massive, hard chest, kneading left and right in a perfect rhythm. I was making biscuits.

On my boss's chest. Suddenly, a pair of burninghot hands clamped around my wrists. I didn't even notice Asher opening his eyes.

His voice was dark and raspy. "What do you think you're doing?" A jolt of adrenaline shot through me, instantly blowing away any lingering sleep.

In the dim light, Asher was leaning against the headboard, his dark, brooding eyes staring down at me.

His grip was incredibly strong, and his warm palms made the base of my spine tingle. Oh, no. I’m dead. I’d only been blending into the human world for six months.

I’d heard that human offices were full of complex rules. Sinking into my boss's bed and fondling his chest? That had to be a fireable offense for sexual harassment, right?

My tenthousanddollar monthly salary, my imported freezedried salmon treats, my luxury cat condo—all gone in a flash.

I swallowed hard, desperately trying to save my own skin. "Mr. Vance, this... this is my exclusive meridian massage therapy.

Medical studies show that this highfrequency, rhythmic pressing is highly effective at relieving acute rage." Asher’s cold, sharp gaze fell to my hands.

My nails were neatly trimmed, free of any polish. My fingertips were pressed against his warm chest, rising and falling with his breath.

In my sheer panic, I accidentally brushed against something firm. Asher let out a low, muffled groan. "Therapy?" "Yes!

Passed down from my grandfather’s grandfather," I lied through my teeth. The bedroom fell into a long, suffocating silence.

Just when I thought he was going to throw me and my blankets out of the villa, he let go of my wrists and closed his eyes again. "Keep going." I blinked, stunned. "Keep kneading.

It actually works a little." I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic, but at least he hadn't fired me on the spot. That meant I still had a job... right?

For the sake of that tenthousanddollar paycheck, and for this endless supply of delicious heat, I crawled back over and placed my hands on his chest.

Working cats don't cry, I chanted in my head, and went back to making biscuits. After a while, Asher’s breathing became slow and deep. He was asleep.

This was the first time in the two weeks since I started working here that he hadn't smashed things in the middle of the night or growled in pain from his migraines.

He was actually having a peaceful night's sleep. Having soaked up enough of his warm energy, I rolled back onto my couch, completely satisfied.

The next morning, I sat in the dining room enjoying breakfast on time. The chef’s seared cod was mouthwatering—my absolute number one favorite food.

I really wanted to sneak some back home for my family to try. It was heavenly! The dining room door opened, and a woman in a sharp white power suit walked in.

She strutted over in her high heels, holding a folder. I recognized her. Dr. Evelyn Sterling, Asher’s chief personal psychologist.

She was the one who had fiercely opposed hiring me in the first place. She sat across from me and tossed the folder onto the table. "Aria, Mr.

Vance's sleep data from last night is out. His heart rate fluctuated wildly. Did you even read the therapy manuals I gave you?" I swallowed my fish. "I did.

But halfway through, he complained I was too noisy and told me to shut up." "So you did absolutely nothing last night and still took your paycheck?" Evelyn leaned forward, her eyes dripping with contempt. "Aria, this villa doesn't keep useless people.

I’ve already advised Mr. Vance to replace you with a certified international hypnotherapist." The overwhelming scent of her cheap perfume wafted over, making me want to sneeze.

As a cat, my sense of smell is incredibly sharp. Beneath the perfume, I could detect a sour, malicious scent that made me highly uncomfortable. She despised me. But so what?

She wasn't the one paying me. I poked the last piece of cod with my fork. "Fine by me.

If Asher agrees, I'll pack my bags." Evelyn sneered. "At least you have some selfawareness." Footsteps sounded from the stairs. Asher was coming down.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. Though his face was still a bit pale, the dark cloud that usually hung over his brow had cleared significantly.

Evelyn immediately stood up, plastering on a warm, professional smile as she hurried over with the folder. "Good morning, Mr. Vance. Here is your sleep report from last night.

The data is highly abnormal.” “It's clear Aria lacks the professional skills to treat your condition. I've already contacted Dr.

Charles's team, and they can send a replacement tonight." Asher bypassed Evelyn entirely and walked straight to the dining table. He didn't even glance at the report.

Instead, he looked at my empty plate and turned to the butler. "Double her portion of cod starting tomorrow morning." Arthur, the butler, bowed respectfully.

Evelyn's smile froze on her face. "Mr.

Vance, what is the meaning of this?" Asher turned around, his cold eyes landing on Evelyn. "Who told you my sleep data was abnormal because of her?" Evelyn stammered, "But... but the monitors showed your heart rate was elevated in the middle of the night..." "That's because I had her give me a massage." Evelyn looked baffled.

I just stayed quiet. He actually bought my lie? Evelyn turned to me in sheer disbelief. "A massage? Mr. Vance, she doesn't even have a physical therapy license!

How could you let her touch you? What if she makes your condition worse!" Asher’s face instantly darkened. "I pay you to treat my illness, not to tell me how to run my life."

Evelyn’s face drained of color. She bit her lip and bowed her head, her eyes flashing with resentment. "I'm sorry, Mr. Vance. I crossed the line.

I was just worried about your health." Asher ignored her. He turned to me and tilted his chin up slightly. "Aria, come to my study." I meekly followed him upstairs.

The study door closed, shutting out the rest of the world.

Asher sat behind his wide executive desk and pointed to the chair across from him. "Sit." I sat up straight. "We’re doing it again tonight." "Huh?" I blinked. "You mean... the kneading?" "Yes." He opened a file, not even looking up. "Your massage actually helped.

I’m doubling your base pay. Starting tonight, you don’t have to sleep on the couch anymore. You're sleeping in the bed." Doubling my pay meant twenty thousand dollars a month!

My eyes lit up, and my brain immediately started calculating how many premium cat cans that could buy. But... sleep in his bed? I shrank back defensively. "Mr.

Vance, I’m a therapist, not an escort." Asher looked up, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

A faint, barely perceptible smirk played on his lips. "Do you even have any other skills besides kneading my chest?" I choked on my words. This human was so annoying.

If it weren't for his delicious energy, I would have scratched his handsome face by now. "Your only job is to make sure I sleep.

If I wake up and find you're not in the bed..." His voice went cold. "I’m docking your pay." I immediately nodded like a bobblehead. Night fell quickly. The villa was dead silent.

The butler and the maids had already retired to the guest house next door. I pushed open the door to Asher’s bedroom holding a warm glass of milk, only to find the room pitch black.

The air was heavy with a suffocating, tense pressure. I tentatively called out, "Asher?" No response. I fumbled for the light switch. The moment the lights flickered on, I gasped.

The massive French windows were shattered, glass littering the floor as the cold wind howled inside. The room was completely trashed.

Priceless paintings were torn in half and scattered across the carpet. Asher was curled up in the shadow behind the sofa, clutching his head, letting out painful, repressed gasps.

His rage episode had hit, and it was far worse than ever before. I set the milk down, my first instinct being to run out and call for help.

Evelyn had proudly claimed this afternoon that her new medication would keep him stable for a week. Clearly, the medicine was garbage and had triggered a severe relapse.

But as I turned to run, a heavy thud sounded behind me. Asher had collapsed out of the shadows. He snapped his head up, his eyes bloodshot and completely wild. He saw me.

His gaze was like a predator locking onto its prey. Every single hair on my body stood on end. My survival instincts screamed: Run! Before I could even take a step, Asher lunged.

His speed was terrifying, far beyond that of any normal human. He grabbed me and slammed me down onto the nearby sofa. My back collided with the cushions, and I winced in pain.

Asher pinned my legs down and locked his hands tightly around my neck. "Too loud! Shut up! Everyone shut up!" he muttered incoherently, his grip tightening by the second.

I struggled to breathe, my hands clawing at his iron grip. I wasn't completely helpless.

I could use my shifter magic to defend myself, but that would mean losing my job and exposing my identity. I didn't want to do that.

I didn't feel any real malice or intent to kill from Asher. He was just in agonizing pain, desperately grabbing onto anything nearby. "Asher..." I choked out. He didn't hear me.

His eyes were wild, his hot breath brushing against my face as his grip tightened further. I couldn't wait any longer.

I braced myself, wrapped my arms around his head, and pressed my forehead firmly against his.

Asher's burning heat transferred straight through my skin.

My shifter magic automatically activated, flowing through our contact point and trickling into his mind, gently soothing his chaotic, frayed nerves.

This kind of healing was incredibly draining, which was why I hated using it.

A flicker of confusion crossed Asher’s bloodshot eyes, and his grip on my throat loosened slightly. "You..." His voice was incredibly raspy, his heavy breathing adding an unexpected intimacy to the air.

I didn't stop. I slid my face down to the crook of his neck, nuzzling him gently. This was how cats comforted their companions—pure, physical touch. Asher froze completely.

His breathing slowly shifted from rapid gasps to deep, steady breaths. My soft purring and gentle magic finally calmed his raging mind.

I nuzzled him a few more times just to be safe. Asher let go of my neck entirely, but his arms slid around my waist instead, pulling me tightly against his chest.

He held me so close I could barely breathe. "This is nice..." He buried his face in my shoulder, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Considering the twenty thousand dollars and his delicious, warm energy, I let him hold me, gently patting his back in a slow rhythm.

Eventually, his breathing became slow and steady. He was asleep again. It took every ounce of my strength to drag this sixfoottwo, heavy man onto the bed.

I collapsed on the edge of the mattress, gasping for air, when a large hand reached out, grabbed my waist, and pulled me right back into his arms.

I struggled a bit, but he only held tighter, even throwing a heavy leg over mine. Fine.

He doubled my pay, so I guess this extra service was covered by the twentythousanddollar fee. Besides, I needed to soak up some of his warm energy anyway. The next morning.

I was woken up by a quiet, repressed cough. Opening my eyes, I saw Asher leaning against the headboard, rubbing his temples and frowning at the ruined bedroom.

Then, his gaze drifted down to me.

I was sprawled out across half the bed, with my leg draped over his. "Woken up?" I immediately pulled my leg back, sat up, and scrambled off the bed, kneeling politely on the carpet. "Good morning, Mr.

Vance." He stared at my neck, his eyes darkening. Confused, I reached up and felt my throat. It was incredibly sore. The place where he had grabbed me yesterday must have bruised.

Asher was silent for a long time before he spoke, looking slightly remorseful. "Last night..." "Last night, your rage flared up.

Thanks to my ancient head massage and vocal resonance therapy, I managed to pull you back from the edge," I answered smoothly without blinking. "Aria," he suddenly called my name. "Yes?" "Move into my room.

I’ll have the butler bring your things over." "But..." "Forty thousand a month." "Deal." Only an idiot would turn down that kind of money.

Plus, his bed was basically a heated luxury cat condo. Just as we finalized our transaction, a knock sounded at the door. Evelyn stood in the doorway holding a tray.

When she saw the wrecked room and me sitting on Asher's bed in disheveled clothes, her face turned incredibly ugly. "Mr.

Vance... did you have an episode last night?" "Yes." Evelyn looked deeply pained. "I told you, changing the treatment plan randomly is highly dangerous.

Aria simply doesn't have the professional skills to help you during an episode!" It was your garbage new medicine that caused the flareup and almost killed me! I thought angrily.

I was about to jump up and argue with her, but Asher spoke first. "She helped.

And she was far more effective than those useless drugs you prescribed." Evelyn looked as if she’d been struck by lightning, standing there completely frozen.

I secretly stuck my tongue out at her. Serves her right! With my constant presence, Asher’s condition improved dramatically.

He started working from home more, and his temper became much milder. But one thing puzzled me—I had basically become his personal shadow.

Asher demanded that I stay within his line of sight at all times. When he worked in the study, I had to play on my phone on the sofa nearby.

When he ate in the dining room, I had to sit opposite him. Even when he went to the restroom, I had to wait right outside the door. I didn't mind too much.

My energy reserves were fully topped up, and my shifter magic was growing stronger by the day. But Evelyn was clearly losing her mind over this.

One afternoon, Asher was called away for an urgent meeting at his company. I was soaking up the sun in the backyard glass greenhouse, feeling warm, cozy, and incredibly drowsy.

The greenhouse door opened, and Evelyn walked in, carrying a beautiful tea set. "You look very relaxed, Aria," she said with a smile, placing a teacup on the small table in front of me.

My instincts warned me she was up to no good, and I watched her warily. "This is a premium black tea I imported. It's fantastic for sleep and soothing frayed nerves. Mr.

Vance has been so tired lately, so I wanted you to try it first. If you like it, I'll brew some for him tonight." Her tone was polite, and she seemed to be just offering tea.

But that sour, hateful scent on her was stronger than ever. She still despised me. Could this tea be spiked?