Loved by the Dragon Collection Read online

  “What the hell are you doing?” she demanded.

  “Relaxing? What’s up?”

  She shoved the paper in his face. “Third warning?”

  “Oh, yeah. About that…”

  “What about it?”

  “Hell, I forgot. It’s not like it’s loud anyway, baby. They’re trying to scare you.”

  “Well consider me scared and pissed off. Get off my computer and pack.”

  “You’re going to kick me out because they wrote you a little letter?”

  “No. I’m kicking you out because you’re a slob and I hate living with you. I’m kicking you out because my place looks like a cyclone hit it. I’ve seen accident scenes less messy than this living room,” she hissed. His clothes were usually left on the floor until she came home to tidy up. Enough was enough. “You aren’t even trying to find a job.”

  “I look for work all day when you’re gone.”

  “No, you don’t. I’ve looked at my internet history. You spend all day looking at porn GIFs on Tumblr!”

  Half an hour later, Marcy had finished bagging Matt’s stuff into trash bags and setting them on the walkway outside. He shuffled away to his van like she had betrayed him.

  “Time to retake my life. I don’t need him.” Or my damned stressful ass job, she thought. With Matt gone, she settled at the computer and wrote out her two weeks’ notice. She signed the printed resignation and placed it in her briefcase for the morning, then trudged into the kitchen to look at the pile of dishes overflowing from the sink. How had one man turned her kitchen into a disaster zone in a single day? Things had never looked this bad when Chloe lived with her.

  The phone rang as if on cue. She picked it up and saw the Caller ID: Saul Drakenstone. “Hi, Chloe.”

  “Hey, girl. I’m not calling too soon after work, am I?”

  “No, not at all.”

  Marcy returned to the kitchen and fetched dinner ingredients from the fridge. She balanced the phone between her ear and shoulder while she chopped them on the cutting board.

  “A little someone suggested now would be a great time to call you about an idea I had,” Chloe said.

  Marcy grunted. The “little someone” was probably Saul and Chloe’s genie friend Mahasti. “Yeah? I’m listening.”

  “You, me, and Astrid enjoying two weeks in the sun on a white sand beach at a resort on a private island. Blue waves crashing clean ocean water onto the shore. Hot guys in speedos. Bahama Mamas. Wild and casual sex. Uh, for you, not me. Saul, stop looking at me like I’m a naughty girl.” The dragon shifter chuckled in the background.

  “I don’t know… a visit to an island right now, Chloe?”

  “Saul is overworked and busy. Come on, Marcy. I’m begging you. Besides, Astrid misses her tía . She’s going to grow up behind your back. You’ll miss everything,” Chloe stressed. Her best friend knew how to lay it on thick.

  Marcy rolled her eyes. “Your daughter ages half as quickly as normal children, chica. Don’t give me that bullshit. She’ll look exactly the same in a month when I visit as she did a season ago.”

  “I know, but I really think you need some time away from your shithole job.”

  “It’s not a shithole,” she sniffled into the phone.

  “You’re not happy there. Are you crying?” Chloe demanded with worry.

  Marcy scooped the diced onions into a bowl and discarded the knife into the dishwasher. “No, I’m cutting onions. My job isn’t worth tears. Yet. So anyway, tell me how Astrid’s doing.”

  “She’s doing great. We were going over colors together outside with the chalk today, and she spelled her name.”

  “No way. You helped her right?”

  “Nope. She spelled her name out all on her own.” Chloe’s enthusiasm made Marcy beam with pride, too.

  “That’s amazing. Man, I miss you guys.”

  “So… you’ll come?”

  “Maybe. Oh, who am I kidding. I planned to put in my two weeks’ notice tomorrow.”

  “What? You’re actually quitting?”

  “I’m tired of the BS, Chloe,” Marcy replied, sighing. “You’re right, I’m ready for a break.”

  “Then come. I’m supposed to represent some of Saul’s business interests since he can’t attend. I’d really love it if you attended these stupid functions with me.”

  “When is it?”

  “I have to be there Saturday.”

  “Count me in then. I can have Mahasti send me back to Houston for work by Monday if Howard won’t let me have the time off. Now tell me about this resort and where we’re going.”

  According to Chloe, the resort was owned by some billionaire friend of Saul’s, located off of the Yucatán Peninsula. They would be expected to attend a banquet to celebrate both the advancement of local conservation efforts and a giant merger between two organizations striving for environmental protection of the rainforest. Saul was a donor.

  “I dunno… sounds a little shady, doesn’t it? How can you own a mega resort and also claim to support the environment? They’re probably dumping tons of trash into the ocean every day, and can you even imagine the electricity usage going on there?”

  “Actually, no. 90% of the island is run by solar power. The rest is wind-generated. Eco-resorts are actually a thing now,” Chloe said. “Anyway, I can hear your belly grumbling through the line. Go eat, and I’ll talk to you again soon. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  After ending the call, Marcy tossed together the makings for fajitas then enjoyed a soak in the tub with her favorite book. The silence without Matt was bliss, and she knew without a doubt she’d made the right choice.

  Fixing her life began at home, and in the morning she’d have one more change to make.

  ***

  “Marcy, you can’t leave us. You’ve been with us since the beginning. Years,” her boss emphasized.

  Gee, thanks a lot. Way to rub it in, Marcy thought. She’d seen the company through its shaky, fragile start all the way through its booming success. “And now it’s time for me to step down.”

  Howard Burke frowned, concern etching his brow. The salt and pepper haired man rose from his seat behind the desk and moved to take the chair beside Marcy. Her boss was a robust, middle-aged man in his late fifties. The father she’d never had and an all-around sweetheart. Leaving the job had nothing to do with him and everything to do with the rigors of performing her duties.

  “How could we ever replace you? Do you want more money? Is that the problem? I’ll increase your annual pay by twenty-five grand. A bonus right away. Buy yourself a new car.”

  Marcy sighed and twisted a strand of her hair around one finger. He made a tempting offer. “It doesn’t have to do with the money. I’m ready to move on, Howard. I spend too much time working for this company in and out of the office. I need time to actually live my life and enjoy it.” What good was her massive savings if she rarely had time off to spend it?

  “A vacation then. How long do you need? A week—”

  “Would not be enough,” she cut in gently, laying a hand on his arm.

  “Two weeks paid beginning Monday, and if at the end you’re not rested, I will allow you to go with no more questions asked and a glowing recommendation letter for any future employers.”

  “Howard… Are you sure?” She considered the upcoming vacation with Chloe and chuckled.

  “I am,” he assured her. “Go on. Go home, and enjoy your vacation with Chloe. Take as long as you need, and when you return we’ll speak about it again.”

  “Howard, I need a time frame, or you may not get me back until winter.”

  Her boss waved at her an
d returned to his desk chair. “Katie is your assistant, and she’s eager to show some responsibility by taking more duties. Take a month. At the very least, it’ll give her time to prove herself without relying on you. We’ll survive.”

  The remaining two days of the week passed with relative peace. By the time Saturday arrived, she’d packed her clothes and informed the apartment office staff she’d be away for at least two weeks of fun in the sun.

  Chloe phoned at half past noon. “We’re coming.”

  “O—” Kay, she intended to say as her blonde friend appeared in the center of the living room. Marcy laughed and ended the call. “Hi, guys.”

  Chloe looked as youthful as ever, forever frozen at the age of 29. In her arms, she held a squirming toddler who immediately began to kick and fight for freedom.

  “ ¡ Tía, tía! ” Astrid squealed until Chloe lowered her to the floor. Her child had the appearance of a kid half her age, but the mental awareness of a four year old.

  “Ah, come here, mi corazón . I’ve missed you so much.” The child made a beeline for Marcy and raised her arms to be picked up. She acquiesced and swept Astrid into her arms for exaggerated kisses to her face and golden-haired head.

  “She speaks more Spanish than I do because of you,” Chloe grumbled. “Why don’t I get hugs and kisses like your auntie? Huh?”

  “You want hugs and kisses?”

  “Maybe I do . I want to feel some love, too.”

  “Well I am so sorry you were left out.” Marcy leaned in a placed an exaggerated smooch against Chloe’s cheek.

  They had a laugh together then finished gathering the rest of Marcy’s vacation belongings, running off a mental checklist that included her makeup kit, favorite beach cover-up, camera, and art supplies.

  “Got everything?” Chloe asked.

  “I think so.”

  “Okay, Mahasti, we’re ready,” Chloe spoke aloud to the air.

  The world around Marcy shimmered and spun, whirling out of control until her stomach seemed to rise and fall in her gut. She would have staggered if the bonds of magic didn’t anchor her firmly in place. The dizzying arrival deposited them in the middle of a lavish hotel room with enormous windows spanning half the wall. A fifth floor view overlooked the resort grounds and lush greenery bordering the beach below.

  “I’ll never get used to flying Air Genie,” Marcy muttered.

  Air Genie was her fond way of referring to the instantaneous travel Mahasti the Djinn used to teleport them from one location to the next.

  “I mean, don’t get me wrong, it beats airport security and cramped seats by a long shot, but I always feel nauseated afterward. Thanks, Mahasti.”

  “It is nothing,” Mahasti’s disembodied voice replied.

  Astrid clapped her hands together. “Again, please! Wanna do it again!”

  “I think you’re alone there, Marce. I feel fine.”

  “You both also have the blood of a dragon in your veins,” Marcy pointed out, giving a disgruntled grumble. “That probably negates magical teleportation motion sickness.”

  Chloe grinned at her. “Well, Saul’s Uncle Thor is always in the market for a new concubine… He usually goes for shifters but will make an exception and take a human only if she’s as hot as me.”

  Marcy tossed her purse onto one of the queen size beds then waved her hands around. “I’m not having a baby for a shot at eternal life. This womb is closed for business.”

  “How can it be closed if it’s never been open?”

  Within seconds, they had both burst into a fit of giggles.

  “Down, Mama, down.” Astrid kicked her little feet until Chloe set her on the floor. She immediately ran and leapt onto the bed to roll upon the soft coverlets. As her child played, Chloe stepped over to her friend and hugged her tight.

  “I’m glad you’re here. You know, I’m joking right? About the baby thing?”

  “I know,” Marcy replied. “But you almost died, chica. It was the most… terrifying experience of my entire life, thinking you would be gone forever.”

  “I couldn’t have made it if not for you and Saul,” Chloe admitted. “It’s a good thing he inherited his mother’s ability to cast healing spells.”

  Until five years ago, Chloe had never intended to become a mother. It all happened by chance when a one-night stand with a mysterious man resulted in her life-changing pregnancy. Of course, all pregnancies were life altering, but Chloe’s was more special than most.

  She’d conceived with a dragon named Saul, and in bearing his child, cemented her own immortality. The blood of the dragons flowed through her veins, an irreversible and magical change that made her as strong as the ancient being she had married.

  And one day, her best friend Marcy was bound to grow old, wither and die. It was a sobering thought that brought them together so frequently for visits that Marcy may as well have packed up her home and moved in with the dragon family.

  “I already unpacked everything I brought for Astrid and me,” Chloe explained, gesturing around the big suite. “You can take a moment to do the same then I’ll show you around.”

  “Sounds good,” Marcy said, moving her clothes from her luggage into an empty dresser. “So, tell me why you made me bring my flirtiest dresses.”

  “There’s going to be lots of rich and influential people around for the opening festivities. A few actors from Saul’s films also accepted Teo’s invitation—”

  “Wait, what? Teo’s invitation?” Marcy interrupted.

  Chloe hesitated. “Well, Marcy, whose island did you think we were visiting? I told Teo the two of us were coming on Saul’s behalf. He isn’t really a fan of hobnobbing, and too many people in the business have long memories. If they recognize he’s the same man they met thirty years ago, we’ll have problems. So I’m here instead as Teo’s personal guest.”

  “Ugh. You mean he’s going to be here?”

  “Well, it’s his island, silly. Seriously though, I doubt he’ll stay long. Teo will probably put in an appearance then soar off to his place.”

  “Yeah, well good riddance,” Marcy grumbled.

  Chloe sighed. “You guys had that spat five years ago. Are you seriously still pissed?”

  Marcy leaned over and pressed her hands over Astrid’s ears. “Once an asshole always an asshole. If I knew we were going to be hanging with him, I’d have spent my vacation at home.”

  “He doesn’t really like people, so it’s not like you’ll see him much.”

  Marcy stuck her tongue out, and the childish gesture made Astrid giggle. The little girl scrunched up her nose and imitated her aunt, leading the two into a silly face match-off.

  “You win, Astrid, you win.”

  “Even when she’s being silly or naughty she’s adorable,” Chloe said with a laugh.

  “So, has she done any freaky dragon stuff yet?”

  “Nothing yet. We don’t really know if she’ll ever shift like her dad or not. Saul says he was born as a dragon cub and never took human form until he neared adulthood. It could be the same for her.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing. It might raise some brows if she changed in preschool. Speaking of, how’re you going to handle the whole school situation if she ages so slowly?”

  “We decided to homeschool her with tutors, but if she does one day want to be around other kids, I’ll say she has a condition. I mean, she really does, when you think about it. She’s going to be my little girl for a long time.” Chloe plucked Astrid up and kissed her tummy. “And I don’t mind at all.”

  “She’s gorgeous. She really got the best out of you and Saul both.”

  Chloe smiled down at Astrid before looking
back at Marcy. “Come on. Let’s change and hit the beach. I promised Astrid we’d build sand castles and have fun before tonight’s banquet.”

  “Are you bringing her to the banquet?”

  “No, Mahasti said to give her a call and she’ll come to babysit with Nuri. She and Leiv have been thinking through the whole baby thing more, so she wants some actual hands-on practice whenever she can get it.”

  Once Marcy finished unpacking her delicate, easily wrinkled items, the trio of ladies tossed on their beach dresses and rushed to frolic on the sand.

  ***

  With VIP passes firmly secured around their wrists, Marcy, Astrid, and Chloe hustled onto the electric rail line for their tour of the island. Within minutes of their boarding, the doors shut and the sleek vehicle pushed forward.

  “You weren’t kidding when you said this place was environmentally friendly. Christ, it must have been expensive.”

  “He’s a billionaire. What do you expect?” Chloe asked.

  “You don’t see Saul owning private islands and throwing money around into the environment.”

  “He does actually. He’s just not so flagrant about it as Teo and he runs a lot of dummy corporations to funnel money into conservation efforts.”

  “Look, look!” Astrid shouted, interrupting them. The little girl crawled onto Marcy’s lap for a better view through the open window. “Birds!”

  “God, that’s lovely,” Marcy commented.

  The sprawling island contained more than a resort with its strict guidelines for beach usage. It also held a massive sanctuary dedicated to the owner’s favorite rainforest animals. Majestic trees towered above a perfect reconstruction of the Amazon, a verdant landscape teeming with life.

  “Mama, I wanna go there! Wanna go there!” Astrid cried, clutching double handfuls of Chloe’s dress bodice.

  “So do I ,” Marcy admitted.

  The tour looped around the vacation hot spots, visiting attractions of varying interest, some designed for families, others for party-goers and lovers, then a few targeted toward children. Chloe held on to her daughter extra tight, fearing Astrid would leap through the window when she saw the colorful cartoon character themed rides.