12. Reylor

Chapter 12

Reylor

“ I don’t fly,” she said, rising from the sofa and backing around it as if putting distance between us might keep her grounded. “Especially on dragons. I don’t like heights. My five-foot ladder is the max I’m willing to be off the ground.”

“Turn.” I swiveled my finger in the air.

“Why?”

I ran my thumb beneath the taut waistband of the sweatpants I couldn’t wait to get rid of, and she spun fast.

“You could warn a woman, you know,” she muttered.

“I asked.” I peeled the torn clothing off and tossed it toward the trash. After grabbing a light throw off the back of the sofa, I wrapped it around my waist, securing it in a knot at my hip.

“You can look now,” I said with a laugh.

She pivoted slowly; her eyes half closed. “You’re wearing my favorite sofa throw.”

I went for the knot. “Want it back now or in the morning?”

Her breathing came in little bursts. “The morning will be fine.” She couldn’t drag her gaze off my chest, and as much as I’d hated wearing her ex’s clothing, I adored having her check out my body. All those workouts paid off in my line of duty, but I appreciated this side effect just as much.

“Thought so,” I said. “It’s safer to fly with a dragon than in a plane. Or stand on a five-foot ladder, for that matter.”

Her head tilted. “Are there actually dragon crash accident stats?”

“No dragon has ever crashed or hurt a passenger.” I didn’t point out that I might be the first dragon to give a human a ride. But she was my fated mate. This wouldn’t be the last time she’d ride with me.

But I could tell she was scared, and I didn’t want to force this. “We could walk.”

“How far is it?”

“A few miles.”

“We could take my car.” Her gaze sought the window. “It’s dark.”

“While a vampire has recently moved to town, he assures us he only drinks donated blood.”

Her breath caught. “There’s a vampire in town?”

“A new hire at Monsters, PI. He’s a decent guy.”

“How old is he?”

“Why does that matter?”

She came over to stand beside me. “I’m curious,” she gushed. “Vampires are incredibly sexy. I assume it comes with the territory since they’re all old. Daddy kink and all that.”

Irritation coiled through me. “Why do you think they’re all old?”

“The young ones get killed easily. He has to be old, or he’d be dead by now.”

“You do know that’s a cliché? He looks about my age.”

“Then he was turned when he was about your age.”

“He’s a born vampire.”

“I didn’t know they could have babies.”

“There are lots of misconceptions about monsters in general, not only vampires.”

“Will you introduce me to him?”

I didn’t like the excited gleam in her eyes. “Why?”

“Because I’ve never met a vampire, and it would be cool. Does he sparkle in the sunlight?”

“I doubt it.”

“Oh, then he’s one of those who can only creep around at night. He’ll take the night shift jobs, then.” Her low laugh rang out.

“Our other new hire is an ogre.” I was changing the subject, but I didn’t like her salivating over a vampire when she had a dragon shifter standing in front of her sporting a partial hard-on and a full mating mark honed into her alone.

“Oh, interesting. How do ogres differ from orcs?”

“They’re a different species.”

“Hmm.”

“Tell you what,” I said, “I’ll get my things tomorrow. There’s no need to go out tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.” It wasn’t like we’d share a bed.

“I bought toothbrushes and other sample size toiletries in case my guests forget theirs, so I can give you those.” She crossed the room and entered the foyer. “They’re in the closet outside the kitchen. Let me grab some, and I’ll show you where you can sleep.”

She stepped out of view.

A subtle click rang out.

And that’s when she screamed.