How to Date a Dragon

to…”

The others waited for him to say whatever he had to say. Shit. I did break the most important paranormal law of all.

Drake leaned in and lowered his voice as he confessed, “I told Bliss about dragons. I even had to show her my transformation before she’d believe me.”

Kurt gasped. In a whisper he asked, “What made you do that?”

Nick held up one hand. “I understand. I had to do the same thing with Brandee. My brother had to tell his human wife, Roz. As long as you and she never tell anyone else, and I assume you swore her to secrecy, I think you’ll be okay.”

“I did. And she promised not to tell a soul. She knows no one would believe her anyway. Hell, she almost had me committed.”

Nick cleared his throat. “It’s a little early though, Drake. I thought I jumped the gun with my wife. But Brandee and I knew each other as friends for a long time before we ever dated. Are you sure you can trust Bliss?”

“She had to know about Zina. If something happened to Bliss because I kept her—well, blissfully ignorant, I’d never forgive myself. I got her to agree to stay out of sight. If the dragon bitch sees her as a threat to a relationship she wants to have with me…”

“Then she’s toast… literally,” Kurt said.

Tory scratched his head. “What makes you think Zina still wants you even after you rejected her?”

“Because I’m the only one left to breed with—other than her brother, that is, and I don’t think she’s desperate enough to consider that idea. Can you imagine inbred dragons?”

“God, no,” Anthony said. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and appeared thoughtful. “It looks like you’re right. Bliss needs our constant protection. I’ll escort her home and keep an eye on her until she’s safely locked in. Someone else will have to escort her to work because of my daylight limitations.”

“I’ll be glad to do it,” Nick said.

Anthony thanked him with a nod. “If this Zina is anything like Ruxandra, your girl will probably be in danger the minute she’s alone.”

Nick folded his arms. “Remember when Ruxandra tried to harpoon Brandee?”

Drake’s jaw dropped. “She threw a harpoon at your wife?”

“Yeah. That was back when she thought there was something going on between her and Anthony.”

“There wasn’t,” Anthony said with finality. “I never even smile at my staff, if I can help it. I know how jealous Ruxandra is.”

Nick sighed. “We pretty much had to prove to her that Brandee was with me, not Anthony. Even after that, Anthony had to be careful not to even look at her. A human stands no chance against most paranormals. Add to that female jealousy…”

Drake groaned and dropped his head into his cupped hands. “But if Ruxandra comes back, Anthony won’t be able to help.”

Kurt, who was sitting next to him, patted his back. “Don’t worry, buddy. We’re all capable of protecting her and willing to step in. Anthony can handle Ruxandra if necessary.”

“But won’t that put your staff at risk?”

Anthony lifted his chin and frowned. “I’ll have you know I’ve always protected my staff. I don’t care if they’re being threatened by another vampire or an ordinary bully. I’d put my undead life on the line for any one of them, and Ruxandra can go to hell if she doesn’t like it. I think she understands that now.”

“Let’s hope so,” Nick said. “Because here she is.”

As predicted, Ruxandra waltzed into the bar arm in arm with a handsome stranger.

Crap, Drake thought. I don’t think I can take much more drama.

* * *

The next day as Bliss opened the office door to drop off her purse before work, she spotted Claudia bent over an open drawer. Unable to stifle an irresistible tease, she wolf-whistled.

Claudia snapped to attention and swiveled to see Bliss grinning at her.

“Oh, it’s you. Thank goodness. I thought I was going to have to kick one of the customers out of the inner sanctum.”

“Nope. It’s just little ol’ me.” She hung her purse on a hook in the closet provided for the employees.

“Didn’t you wear a coat? It’s still raining, isn’t it?”

“No, sweetie. It’s just a light mist and it takes two seconds to walk from my home to work. Gotta love the commute.” She didn’t mention having a big ex-cop escort her the few steps between her apartment and the bar.

“Glad to hear it. So, how’s it going otherwise?”

“Otherwise? You mean like job-wise? Relationship-wise? Health-wise?”

“Sure. Why not? How’s every little thing?”

Bliss shrugged. How do I tell her everything’s fine except, oh yeah, I found out I’m dating a dragon? “You know… the usual.”

“Good. Sometimes the ‘same old, same old’ is a welcome relief.”

Bliss would have argued that point a few days ago. Now it seemed like sage wisdom.

“You know something? Lately I’ve been wondering if my mother isn’t kind of right. I mean, wouldn’t it be nice to live in the suburbs in a nice home with a nice, normal man and maybe raise a couple of sweet kids?”

Claudia almost dropped the folder she’d been holding. “Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to give you a heart attack. It’s just that… you know. Things have been a little crazy in the city lately. First all those fires, now all this rain…”

Claudia raised her eyebrows. “You don’t think they have fire and rain in the suburbs?”

“Oh sure… rain maybe, but the fires? At least in the burbs you don’t have to worry about one home wiping out a whole block.”

“Are you worried about Drake?”

Bingo, but not because he’s a firefighter. “Maybe a little.”

“He’s a professional, Bliss. He knows what he’s doing, and from what I hear, he loves it. You shouldn’t ask him to quit if you really care about him.”

“Yeah, he’s really… into it.”

“So, is he into you?” Claudia sported a playful grin.

“Uh… you could say that.” She couldn’t help the soft smile. “He told me he loves me.”

“Awesome. You two make a cute couple. Are you thinking of moving to the burbs and raising kids?”

“Probably not.”

Bliss remembered what Drake had said when they first hooked up. I can’t get you pregnant. She was in such a lust-induced haze that she hadn’t paid much attention at the time. Now it made perfect sense. I’m not a dragon. How could we possibly have children together? Another thing made sense, too. Zina’s claim on him.

Claudia must have noticed a change in Bliss’s mood. She scrutinized her friend. “You look… sad. Is everything okay? Really?”

Bliss pasted a bright smile on her face. “Of course. I’m fine. Everything’s great. I’m just worried about the contest.”

Claudia didn’t look like she quite believed her. “Okay. You know if you ever need to talk, I’m right here.”

“Thanks. I know.” She strolled toward the door. “I’d better get out there and serve those thirsty customers.”

For once she was grateful for a busy bar. She wouldn’t have time to ruminate, obsess, and otherwise drive herself crazy over the heady new situation that had slapped her upside the head.

* * *

About midway through her shift, Bliss heard sirens blaring… and they were getting louder. That meant they were close and getting closer. Shit. Not again.