Page 12 of Serving my Dragon (The Dragocracy Chronicles #2)

Chapter Eight

Since I knew better than to interrupt a telenovela in progress, I ended up on the couch with Polly and Mama, sucked into the drama on the screen. Once it ended, Polly hopped off the couch. “I must use the facilities. I shall return shortly.”

Yeah, my not-a-lizard used a toilet. How? I didn’t ask, nor did I want to know.

Once Polly was out of earshot, I glanced at my mother and said, “So I see you’ve decided to give Pollita a chance.”

Mama sniffed. “You should have told me this intelligent creature was not a mere lizard. Wait until the family finds out we have a dragon.”

“I don’t think you should be telling people about Polly. It could be dangerous to her.”

“As if our family would allow harm to come to this noble beast.”

“I’m more worried about the wrong person hearing we have a dragon and trying to kidnap her for nefarious reasons.”

“A valid concern,” Mama agreed. “But you do realize you can’t keep this secret forever?”

“I’m aware.” I had no clue how I’d be able to hide Pollita once she got to be a certain size. Not to mention, my family had a tendency to just drop in, and while I could advise Polly to hide and not talk to anyone, I doubted she’d listen. Look at what happened with Mama.

“I have returned,” Polly stated upon returning. She immediately clambered onto the couch, right into Mama’s lap. Mama didn’t even flinch. On the contrary, she gave Polly pets.

“I was just discussing with Mama how in the future if someone shows up you might want to keep the fact you can speak a secret for your own safety.”

“I’m not stupid,” huffed Polly. “Had she been a stranger, I would have been discreet, but this is your maternal progenitor. If she cannot be trusted, then who can be?”

“You took a risk, or have you forgotten Mama wanted to brain you with a broom?” I retorted.

“A misunderstanding,” Mama scoffed. “Which wouldn’t have occurred if you’d been honest. But no, the child I birthed, whom I sacrificed so much for, showed no confidence in me.” A melodramatic sigh followed.

Since I didn’t need a smack upside the head, I kept my eyes from rolling. “Well, I’m glad you’ve come to an understanding as this is Polly’s home now.”

“Speaking of home, she shouldn’t be here alone when you’re at work,” Mama stated. “You will bring her to me when you must be away.”

“Are you offering to dragonsit?” I intentionally made up a word as ridiculous as the situation.

“I am offering to ensure Pollita is taken care of, whether it be food or companionship. She has expressed an interest in learning more about our culture, as well.”

Honestly, the offer, while surprising, did relieve my mind to a certain extent. “I assume Pollita agrees with this arrangement?” I glanced at my not-a-lizard.

“I am most agreeable to the offer and look forward to it. Especially more of Lola’s cooking. I am hard-pressed to decide who is the better chef, as Kayleigh does quite well too.”

I expected Mama to explode only she nodded. “The girl has a gift. She can bring Pollita over as I have much to show her still.”

Mama teaching another woman her secrets. The world must be about to end.

“I don’t imagine Kayleigh will be here much longer. Soon as her affairs are sorted, she’ll head back home.” An observation that bothered me more than it should have.

“Don’t be so sure it will be quick. Bureaucrats love to complicate things. Which is good for you. You seem to enjoy her company.”

I was saved from replying as Kayleigh returned from her excursion with my cousins, laden with bags and a smile. “Goodness, hello everyone. How was your day? If you give me a second to unload this stuff, I’ll get some supper started.”

“No need, querida. I knew you’d be busy and brought over a little something.”

Wait, when did Mama start calling Kayleigh querida, which translated to dear?

“You have to stay with us to eat,” Kayleigh insisted.

“Oh, I shouldn’t.”

“I insist,” Polly added.

After only a very weak protest, Mama stayed for dinner, with Pollita in her lap being hand-fed. The pot of seco de carne—a delicious stew—had Kayleigh groaning and naming off the ingredients she recognized and Mama supplying those she didn’t catch.

After the meal, Mama insisted on giving Polly a scrub in the shower to remove the remaining loose skin from her molting. An offer that boggled my mind.

Given the clear evening, I asked Kayleigh to join me in the garden for a coffee under the stars. We sat, not talking but comfortable.

After a while, she said, “This is really nice. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love my life back home, but this…” She sighed. “I really love it here.”

“Peru has much to offer.”

“Oh, Peru is nice, but I’m talking more about the people. Your family. Your mom especially. You…” She paused. “You’ve been a real gentleman.”

“I’m just doing what anyone would.”

“No. You’ve gone above and beyond. Not to mention, you’ve not made a single move on me. If your family didn’t have stories about your ex-girlfriends, I’d think it was because you were into men.”

The very idea almost had me toppling my chair. “What? No.”

Kayleigh giggled. “I know that, just saying a lot of guys wouldn’t have been so respectful.”

“It wouldn’t be right to try and seduce you given your situation.”

“Have you wanted to?”

Should I lie? “You’re a beautiful woman, full of life and laughter. Of course I’m attracted.”

“I hear a but,” she sang.

“I wouldn’t want you to acquiesce because you feel obliged. Not to mention, it is not an affair that could go anywhere. Your home is in Ohio. Mine is here.”

“We have a saying in America. Home is where the heart is, and mine has been beating extra hard since meeting you.” At the admission, her head ducked, and I’m sure had there been light, I’d have seen a blush.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I don’t know what the future holds but I’d really like for you to kiss me.”

A man only had so much willpower.

I stood and held out my hand. She slid hers into it and a tingle of awareness shot through me. She rose to face me, showing a rare shyness. My free hand cupped her jaw as I leaned in and brushed my mouth against hers. I paused for her reaction.

Her lips parted and she exhaled a single word. “Again.”

Our mouths pressed together, a sensuous slide and touch that had my heart pounding and cock hardening. Her body leaned into mine, the curves fitting perfectly, especially her full bottom I discovered, as my hands palmed it.

We kissed under the half-moon. Kissed until we panted. Kissed until our blood boiled.

Might have kissed until dawn if not for the audience.

“Are they ever going to stop?” Pollita asked.

Mama sounded smug as she said, “I hope not. Come, Pollita. Let’s give them some privacy. I have ice cream at my house.”

They left and it was Kayleigh who murmured, “Should we go inside where we can get more comfortable?” She held my hand and tugged, leading me through the kitchen up the hall to my bedroom.

This was really happening. All my excuses. All my attempts to be proper. Respectful. Out the window when she plastered herself against me and kissed me again.

Things would have gotten naked had my phone not rung.

“Ignore it,” Kayleigh murmured.

I did. I didn’t want to talk to anyone right now but the woman in front of me. And my talking with her would be the bodily kind that didn’t need words.

My phone rang again. We kept kissing as it went to voicemail. It immediately resumed its strident calling and I groaned. “I better get that.” Because only one person ever had the annoying tendency of ringing over and over until I answered.

Tío Juan.

I pulled my phone from my pocket and sounded abrupt as I said, “What?”

Juan didn’t take offense. Then again, he tended to answer phone calls with the same tone. “I located the hotel Kayleigh was staying at.”

I froze. “Already?”

“Wasn’t hard. The picture had enough details to narrow it down.”

“Did you find her friend Sally?”

“The other girl isn’t here, and the desk person hasn’t been forthcoming. Best I managed was finding out their room had been emptied more than a week before they were due to check out.”

“By whom?”

“I’m still working on that.”

Kayleigh eyed me and I forgot she didn’t understand Spanish so I gave her a quick recap. “My uncle found your hotel but Sally and your things are gone. Someone removed them.”

“Who did?” She had the same question as me.

“My uncle is asking around.”

“Can we go there?” she asked. “Maybe seeing the place will jog my memory.”

Which was why I ended up in my car, driving into Arequipa rather than sweating naked in my bed with Kayleigh.