Page 7

Chapter Seven

When Maddox offered me dinner at his place, I kind of expected something store-bought and reheated, or simple like steaks on a BBQ. Instead, he’d made a crockpot roast with some kind of red wine gravy, roasted potatoes, and carrots. He did admit to buying the crusty loaf of bread. I forgave him because this was above and beyond what I could manage.

Little Fella—excuse me, Abaddon—must have approved because he ate everything on his plate, plus a second and third.

Maddox eyed him in astonishment and whispered, “Where does he put it?”

“I don’t know, but he seems to consume his body weight plus some,” I confided.

“Damn. When he gets bigger, you’re going to need more than your motorcycle to carry the groceries.”

The remark caused me to grimace. “I hadn’t actually thought that far ahead. I mean, a few days ago he was the size of a kitten, now he’s a cat.”

Abaddon stopped slurping the gravy to give me an evil eye. “Would you stop the comparison to felines? Bad enough I must dine in the company of one."

My dragon didn’t like cats. Hilarious. Especially since Princess must have sensed it because she sat on a chair directly across from Abaddon and stared at him the entire time.

Beautiful cat, but not what I’d expected. I’ll admit, when Maddox mentioned owning a cat, I’d assumed that it would be some kind of domestic breed that looked like it fought rats in the alley. But no, he had a long hair Himalayan kitty with bright blue eyes, a snub nose, and fur of pure white. A fluffball with four legs, essentially, who suddenly decided she wanted onto my lap.

Maddox’s brows rose seeing his Princess purring and rubbing against my scratching fingers. “That’s a first. She doesn’t usually like strangers.”

“Bah, she’s doing it to antagonize me,” grumbled Abaddon. “Wretched creatures.”

“How would you know?” I countered. “This is your first time meeting one.”

“Cats, dogs, and rats are known to be annoying pests.”

“Are there any animals you do like?” I asked, still petting Princess.

“Cows are delicious, as are sheep, goats, camels, horses, and crocodiles.”

“I can see you saying that about beef, because you did steal my steak, but I know for a fact you haven’t eaten any camel, horse, or croc.”

“I just know,” Abaddon stated.

“What if your tastes are different from this ancestral memory you have? Could be you hate goat,” I argued.

“Is this a suggestion to put cat on the menu to see if I change my mind?” His gaze narrowed on Princess who ignored him. Judging by his flared nostrils, that annoyed.

“No eating the cat,” Maddox stated sternly. “No pets at all, actually. People would get very upset, and by people, I mean me.”

“Humans. Always ruining everything,” groused Abaddon.

“I have something better to chew on than fur. Have you had an ice cream sundae yet?” Maddox asked as he placed the first dessert in front of me, a work of sugary art replete with banana, whipped cream, drizzled caramel, and a cherry on top.

“Dude…” I exhaled. “This looks decadently delicious.”

“It’s my second favorite dessert,” he admitted.

“Second?” I queried with an arched brow. “What’s the first?”

“Sitting across from me driving me wild.”

I suddenly needed a fan.

“Where’s mine?” complained Abaddon, ruining the moment.

“Give me a second to get it ready,” Maddox grumbled.

Ready after he’d made his own, that was. My date wisely gave Abaddon the rest of the ice cream tub with a few bananas and cherries tossed in along with the last of the whipped topping. Ever seen a baby dragon with a frothy mustache? Not as cute as you’d think, especially when his forked black tongue emerged to swipe it.

After dinner we adjourned to Maddox’s living room, me with a glass of wine that had me feeling mellow and wondering how I’d get home. Then again, I’d bet Maddox had a big, comfy bed.

Princess chose to perch on her throne—a chair with a fat pink cushion embroidered with her name.

I might have raised my brow at it and a ruddy-cheeked Maddox admitted, “I didn’t buy it. My mom did. Said Princess needed it.”

“You’re close to your mom.”

“Yeah. She’s awesome. Raised me on her own after Dad died. Worked two jobs to support us.”

“She lives nearby?”

“Yeah, although she’s away at the moment. She won the lottery last year and it was sizeable enough she could quit her job and go on a six-month cruise.”

“I didn’t think anyone ever won those big jackpots.”

“Me either, until she did. She deserved it though. What about your parents?” he asked, only to quickly add, “Sorry, didn’t mean to piss you off.”

Damn my face for being expressive. “It’s not you, it’s them. Let’s just say a child wasn’t what either of my parents wanted. Granny raised me in the trailer. I slept on the pull-out couch until she passed.” It took me months before I could enter her bedroom. Even more months before I finally stripped the room and made it my own. “She was my rock and made me who I am.”

“You must miss her.”

“I do.” I sighed. “She died a few years ago. Drunk driver.” I’d been a wreck for weeks afterwards. A good thing the dude also died or I might have been in prison for getting revenge.

“Didn’t mean to kill the mood so let’s change the subject. I did some research on dragons today.”

“And?”

He grimaced. “Came up mostly empty-handed. While there is much folklore of dragons existing, there is little information about how they came into being, how to care for their young, or anything much more than what we’ve seen in movies and books.”

I glanced at Abaddon. “Exactly how long was your egg in that volcano? Do you know?”

“Long,” Abaddon admitted as he prowled the space, poking his nose into everything. “Longer than I should have been. I felt at least two eruptions before the one that dislodged me.”

“How come you weren’t born during those events?” Maddox questioned.

“I am unsure, but given the need for intense heat for curing, I can only assume my maternal progenitor accidentally placed me in a crevice that the magma did not reach. Even after my expulsion it was only by luck that I hatched.”

“Because I put you in the firepit,” I murmured. “What would have happened if I hadn’t?”

“Nothing. I would have remained caught in my shell, unable to be born.”

“Glad she found you, little buddy,” Maddox declared.

“Must you call me little?” Abaddon complained.

“You are, compared to me.”

“Not for long…” My dragon hopped on the couch and gave the cat a smug look as he nestled in my lap. Guess I should enjoy it while he remained small.

“I’m curious, what does a dragon do? Like what is your goal or purpose in life?” Maddox sat across from me on a chair.

Too shy to share the couch? Being a gentleman?

“We collect treasure for our hoard. Eat. Claim an area as our own. Take humans into our service. And then protect it all from other dragons, or those who would try and encroach.”

“What if there are no other dragons?” I asked.

“Then as I get bigger, my territory will expand until I eventually rule the world.”

Abaddon said it so nonchalantly it took me a second before I burst out laughing.

“Oh, man, that’s funny,” I chortled.

I received a disdainful glare in reply. “Dragons are the apex predators of this world.”

Blame the wine for my truthful and slippery tongue. “And yet you’re the only one left.”

“Because we are hunted,” Abaddon hissed. “Greedy humans want our treasure.”

“A treasure you stole from them,” I pointed out.

“Then they should have guarded it better,” he spat back.

Maddox interjected himself. “How about before embarking on a mission to rule the world, we figure out a plan to ensure you can remain free instead of in captivity?”

“I will not be caged.” Abaddon tossed his head.

“You won’t have a choice if people find out about you. Rare creatures don’t get to live in the wild,” I pointed out.

“I do not like this modern world,” Abaddon stated before scooting into a corner of the couch and tucking his head in a sulk.

I grimaced as I eyed Maddox. He topped up my wine and said, “Wanna go up on my rooftop patio and look at the stars?”

“Hell yeah,” I agreed before realizing I had to use a ladder to get there.

Maddox nicely carried my wine so I could use both hands to climb and I needed them as it turned out because a glance below showed him staring intently at my ass. And when he got caught? I finally understood the expression “panty-wetting grin.”

We exited onto a roof with a slight slope for rain and melting snow but standing proved easy as there was a level platform surrounded by a glass rail with some chairs and a barbeque.

“This is cool,” I said, glancing around.

“Thanks. I missed having a yard or patio to hang out on, so I built this to have a place to get out and just breathe.” He set my wine glass on a table before hopping down the ladder to return with his glass and the bottle.

I seated myself and stared at the twinkling lights in the sky. As he took the spot beside me, I said, “Sorry Abaddon’s such an ass.”

“It’s fine. He’s still learning how things work. Gotta remember he was only born a few days ago, so he’s still adjusting.”

“There’s adjusting and delusional. You heard him. He wants to become some evil dragon overlord.”

“I don’t know if I’d say evil. Kind of depends how he does it.”

“People aren’t going to suddenly agree to let him rule over us.”

“Don’t be so sure. I’ll bet plenty of folks tired of our divisive politics might jump at the chance for something different.”

“I hardly think the LARP-ers of the world number enough to convince everyone else to accept a dragon as their ruler,” was my dry retort.

His lips quirked. “Don’t be so sure. There’s a number of ladies who love dragons, too.”

“Assuming he really is one.”

“Even if Abaddon isn’t, he’s definitely unique.”

“That he is.” I sipped my wine, and remarked, “I should stop after this glass if I’m going to drive home.”

“I’ve got a guest bedroom if you need it.”

The offer had me eyeing him. “Seriously? Not going to even try to get me into your bed?”

“It wouldn’t be very gentlemanly to take advantage of you while you’re tipsy and we barely know each other.”

My snort was very unladylike. “One, I’d need a lot more wine before I wasn’t capable of making a decision. And two, what if I want you to seduce me?” I feared I might have been too bold. Some guys didn’t like it when women made the first move.

“I’d say, why are you sitting over there when my lap is getting cold?”

My lips curved as I rose. “I thought you’d never ask.”

I lowered myself onto his thighs, one arm draped around his neck, the other still holding my wine. His arm curled around my waist and his breath brushed my earlobe as he spoke. “You’re a very unique and interesting woman, Pip.”

“I know. But you wouldn’t be the first guy to say that and then hide the fact we’re dating from his friends and family.”

“What? I’d never do that,” he exclaimed. “I meant it in a good way. You’re bold. Speak your mind. Fearless.”

“How would you know I’m not scared of stuff?”

“Not too many women would have seen a wild lizard and decided to cuddle it in bed.”

“Never had a pet growing up,” I admitted. “Granny said the trailer was already too small for the pair of us.”

“Whereas I always had something. A hamster when I was real young. Then a dog named Ruff. A few budgies. And finally, Princess.”

“I have to ask how you ended up with her because she is not what I pictured you having.”

“I found her. Or should I say, she chose me. I’d gone to the animal shelter to adopt a dog. Only this kitten escaped its cage and ran for me. Literally climbed my leg and sat on my shoulder. Refused to budge. Dug in her claws so tight she drew blood.”

“And you decided to adopt her?”

“How could I not when she started purring? Anyhow, I guess you could say it was love at first sight. Princess wouldn’t leave me and so I paid a fortune to take her home.”

“I thought the animal shelter had reasonable prices for their strays.”

“Not on a purebred rescued from a kitten mill. She was the only one of her litter to survive. Apparently, the home they took her from was a cesspool.”

Hearing his story, I couldn’t help but murmur, “You’re a big softie.”

“For some things, yeah.”

“What would you do about Abaddon in my position?”

“I know the animal nuts would scream that you have to hand him over so he can be properly studied and taken care of. But me? I’d keep him.”

“I want to, but you’ve seen my place. It’s a shoebox.”

“Yeah, you might need to upgrade your living space. And quick, too, from the sounds of it.”

“I’ve been wanting to build. I mean, I already own the land, but only have a fraction saved to get started.”

“Bank won’t give you a loan?”

“I’d rather not have that stress,” I admitted. “Granny always called them bottom feeders and advised me to pay cash for as much as possible.”

“Paying for a house with cash isn’t really feasible.”

“I know.” My nose wrinkled. “Old habit and maybe just a tiny fear of committing to something so big and expensive.”

“I feel that. Buying this place was a leap of faith. Luckily, it’s been panning out so far.”

“A good thing, or we wouldn’t have met,” I murmured, turning in his lap to face him.

His hand rose to brush a strand of hair from my face. “That would have been a tragedy.”

“Oh, why?”

“Because then I wouldn’t be doing this.”

He leaned in and kissed me, a soft press of lips that still managed to ignite my libido. My mouth slid over his, teasing and tasting. My fingers raked the hair at the back of his head as I held him close. He gripped my thigh, squeezing it, making me tingle. I shifted on his lap so I straddled him, wanting to press my core against the hard bulge at his groin. The friction even with the clothes between us stole my breath.

Who knows what might have happened if we’d been interrupted by yowling and crashing through the open roof hatch.

We descended the ladder to find a mess caused by my dragon.