“Isn’t that what the neighbors of serial killers always say?” Bliss felt a shiver pass through her.
Drake and Vulcan shared one of the small tables in the bar. Robin dropped off their beers and, without a word, proceeded on to Sadie, who had one finger raised. Even Drake knew what she wanted. Another White Russian, please.
He tried to focus his attention on Vulcan, even though getting back to Bliss occupied the back of his mind like a constant itch.
“Why Boston?” Drake asked.
Vulcan cocked his head. “What do you mean?”
“Why is the Supernatural Council located in Boston? I thought you guys hung out on Mount Olympus.”
“Oh, we do… sometimes. But Mother Nature likes it here.”
“Why? We have hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters, rainy springs and well, I guess there’s nothing wrong with fall.”
Vulcan smiled. “Ah, yes. Autumn in New England is perfection, but remember who you’re talking about. Mother Nature likes to view her handiwork and the seasons are all here.”
“But why Boston? Why not some mountaintop?”
“Boston is a modern city with an old soul. That’s what attracts paranormals to it, and wherever they are, we need to be.”
“I see. I moved here hoping to find others like myself. I had heard the city was highly populated with paranormal beings. Although I never found another dragon until Zina, and she came a long way, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes. How did she find you, anyway?”
“The Internet. I posted a personals ad on a dating website. I worded it so no one but a dragon would answer.”
“Really? What did it say?”
“I said I wanted a woman so hot she could breathe fire. Most women have such low self-esteem that a guy with high expectations like that would scare them off. Oh, and I said I was a fireproof five, so anyone on the fence wouldn’t want to bother.”
Vulcan laughed but sobered quickly. “Obviously Zina doesn’t have a self-esteem problem. She was treated like a princess all of her life—because she is a princess. We need a plan. Obviously this dragon won’t come willingly.”
Drake scratched his head. “Assuming I’m able to trick Zina into going to the Council, how will I know where to take her? I still don’t know where the Council is.”
“That’s where I come in. I’m afraid you can’t get there without a member of GAIA.”
“GAIA?”
“Yes, that’s what Mother Nature named the Council. Gods and Immortals Association. She said she liked the ‘ring’ of it. We all know she just wanted to name it after herself.” He rolled his eyes.
Drake suppressed a smile. “Okay. So, where will I find you when I need you?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find you.”
Drake still didn’t see how this could possibly work. “How will you know when I’m ready?”
“Hmmm… good question. I don’t think you’d appreciate my spying on you constantly.”
“You got that right.”
“Let’s come up with a code word or phrase. Something you could yell, and when I hear that above the constant drone of earthbound creatures, I’ll come right away.”
“You can do that?”
Vulcan smirked. “I’m not a god for nuthin’.”
“Okay. Let me think of a code. How about, ‘Ow, ow, she’s killing me’?”
Vulcan raised his eyebrows. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I was thinking more along the lines of, ‘What a beautiful day!’ Something like that.”
A couple at the next table, still soaked from the rain, shot twin glares in their direction.
Drake lowered his voice. “Yeah, right. And what if Mother Nature makes it rain or snow that day?”
“Fine. Think about it while I finish these fine hops.”
“I’ve got it. I’ll yell, ‘Taxi!’ She’ll think I’m calling a cab to take us wherever the hell I told her I’d take her.”
Vulcan smiled. “I’ll recognize your voice and I will be your taxi. You’re quite clever, Drake Cameron.”
“Gee, thanks. Now can I get back to my girlfriend?”
“Aren’t you going to finish your drink?”
“No, getting back to Bliss is more important to me right now. She’s not the most patient woman who ever lived.”
“As you wish. I know something about impatient women.”
“I’ll bet you do.” Drake rose and pulled out his wallet. As he left the money to cover the tab and tip, he thought again about how Bliss and Mother Nature seemed to share certain personality traits. Maybe all women did. Maybe Gaia liked creating more than names in her honor.
The intercom buzzed and Bliss, now in sweatpants and her comfy oversized T-shirt, padded over to it. She pressed the “talk” button and asked, “Who the hell is it, and what do you want in the middle of the friggin’ night?”
When she pressed the “listen” button, Drake’s voice answered.
“Bliss, honey, I—”
“Save it.” She pushed the button to unlock the outside door and waited to hear his footfalls on the stairs.
Before he knocked, she threw open the door and crossed her arms. Trying to look frowny, she wasn’t quite ready to welcome him back. She knew she would eventually, but for now she wanted to pout.
“Where were you? Angie said you never passed her on the stairs, and she was sitting there the whole time. After about an hour, we went up to the Balogs’ apartment because we thought you might have been abducted by the creepy neighbors.”
“Uh—what did they say?”
“Nothing. They didn’t answer the door.” She thought she noticed a flash of relief before his expression returned to one of concern.
“May I come in? I promise I’ll make it up to you?”
Damn it. He probably means with sex, and I’ve been horny all night. She decided it was time to forgive him and probably jump his bones.
She stepped away from the door, allowing him entrance. As soon as he’d crossed the threshold, she locked the door behind him and launched herself into his arms for a desperate hug.
“You had me worried sick.”
He caressed her back and murmured more apologies. Eventually she leaned away to look at his face, and he ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek.
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you what was happening… not right now, anyway. I will when I can.” He gently held her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Soon.”
Bliss narrowed her eyes. Maybe if she squinted he wouldn’t look so mouthwateringly gorgeous. No such luck.
He leaned in for a tender kiss. She met his lips, tentatively, but the inevitable magnetic pull demanded that she open to him and caress his tongue with hers. She was heating up fast. Damn, he gets me hotter than any guy I’ve ever known.
The next thing she knew, he had scooped her up and was carrying her to the bedroom. They fell onto the bed together. He whispered the sweetest words in her ear as he pushed up her T-shirt and found her bare breasts.
Bliss arched into his hand and moaned with the gratifying sensations his touch provided. “This is what I’ve wanted since the first time I kissed you outside my burning building,” she murmured. She pulled his shirt up, freeing the hem from his belted waist.
He paused just long enough to pull his shirt over his head and toss it on the floor. Bliss followed suit, losing her T-shirt. He bent down to suckle her breasts while, at the same time, pulling the drawstring on her sweatpants. She raised her bottom, allowing him to work her pants down her legs until they were bunched at her ankles.
Her free hand moved up his side over his bare, heated skin. He shivered as she trailed her fingers down his ribs, continuing toward her goal—the large bulge he was thrusting against her thigh. When she gripped what she could through his pants, he lifted his head and groaned.