How to Date a Dragon

Chapter 20

Bliss nervously chewed on her fingernail, a nasty habit she thought she’d beaten, but the competition was bringing out the worst in everyone. Candy, one of the other finalists, was twirling her hair, and Dick, the third, was tapping the tabletop. If he didn’t stop it, Bliss was going to strangle him.

“What’s taking so long?” the other female finalist asked in her soft, little girl voice.

No wonder she designs inspirational cards.

“I don’t know, Candy. Why don’t you go ask?” Dick had earned his name during the competition. Every reality show seems to have one.

“Well, whatever happens”—Candy reached out to grasp the hands of the other finalists—“it’s been a privilege, y’all.”

Dick yanked his hand away.

She giggled. “Why, bless your heart. You must be more nervous than you look.”

The door to the windowless room in the New York TV station opened, and Judith poked her head in.

“Is everyone ready?”

Candy clapped her hands rapidly. “Oh, goody! This is it.”

Dick rolled his eyes. “Are you kidding? We’ve been ready for hours.”

“Sorry. The judges wanted to meet your families.”

Bliss leaped up. “Our families are here?”

“Of course. It’s part of the show and the viewers love it. They want to see the winner’s family react with pride. Unfortunately, we had to tell a few of them how to do that.”

Bliss pinched the bridge of her nose. “Probably mine. I didn’t invite them for a reason.”

“Your family seems to be behaving themselves, Bliss. Don’t be too hard on them for speaking their minds. Families show their love and support in different ways. It’s obvious your parents are thrilled for you.”

Bliss slapped the side of her head. “Oh, no. My boyfriend is coming and doesn’t know how angry they are with him. He’ll be walking into an ambush.”

“They’re still angry that he disappeared? I thought it was obvious why he left.”

Dick leaned forward. “This sounds interesting. What happened?”

Bliss tried to wave the incident off like it was nothing. “Oh, they were just being their usual overly talkative selves and they accidentally insulted him.”

“Really? What did they say?”

She turned on Dick and spat out, “Nothing. Forget it!”

He rubbed his hands together. “It doesn’t sound like nothing to me. Better get those cameras rolling, Judith.”

“Shit. At this stage of the show, it’s not the kind of thing we want happening. Bliss, maybe you should come out here and explain…”

“What is he doing here?” a male voice cried out.

Oh, crap. Too late. Bliss rose and dashed from the room into the hallway, which was clogged with people.

Some of them stepped back and cleared a path so she could see what was going on. Yup. Just as I thought.

Drake stood still while her father poked him in the chest. “You’re not good enough for my daughter. If you want to be part of this family, you have to know how to stand and defend yourself.”

Wow, that’s for sure. “Dad!” Bliss elbowed her way to her father. “Leave my boyfriend alone.”

“But he ran away. One little insult and he was gone.” Romeo Russo was using his hands to talk in grand gestures destined to whack someone in the face.

“I wasn’t insulted,” Drake said.

Bliss reached him and whispered in his ear. “Yes, you were. It was the only way to explain your disappearance.”

“I’ve got this, honey.” Drake put his arm around her shoulder and addressed her parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Russo. I’m sure you must know how unnerving it can be to meet your future bride’s family, and then when you think they dislike you for some reason—”

“Bride?” Mrs. Russo’s hand covered her heart.

“Now, wait just a—”

Mrs. Russo’s other hand covered her husband’s mouth. “Blissy, did you know about this?”

Bliss stared at Drake’s face, looking for a clue. He seemed perfectly calm and happy. Then he winked at her.

What is he up to? “Uh, no, Mom, I didn’t.”

“I wasn’t planning on doing this until after the winner’s announced, but maybe you should know that win or lose, I want you in my life, Bliss.”

The hallway fell silent and all eyes were on her. She tried to whisper in his ear so they wouldn’t be overheard. “Are you sure? Even with the amount of insanity in my family?”

Drake chuckled. “I’m sure. And your family’s insanity isn’t that bad.”

They smiled at each other until Mrs. Russo burst out with, “Say something, Bliss!”

“Like what? I don’t think he proposed. He just said he wanted me in his life. I want him in mine too.”

“Even if your father doesn’t approve?” Mr. Russo asked and crossed his arms over his big barrel chest.

Bliss rolled her eyes. “Even if my father posted attack ads in the Boston Globe.” She palmed Drake’s cheek and kissed him.

Mrs. Russo tried to put her arm around her husband’s considerable waist and laid her head on his shoulder. “I’d say that no matter what happens in a few minutes, Bliss won the biggest prize of all. Love.”

Mr. Russo humphed. “There was a time when a girl had to have her father’s permission.”

Bliss broke the lip-lock to give her father an annoyed glare. “Yeah, and there was a time when you’d have had to pay him in goats to take me.”

Mr. Russo sighed. “Fine. How many goats would you like, Drake?”

“No goats. Just your beautiful daughter.” He swept a stray lock of hair behind Bliss’s ear and kissed it. “Does that mean you approve?”

“And start World War III with my wife if I don’t?”

Romeo Russo extended his hand and Drake shook it.

Just then, Judith reappeared and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention. “It’s time to take your seats.”

The double doors to the auditorium opened, and as people filed through, the hallway emptied. Drake dropped Bliss’s hand and said, “Lead the way, honey.”

“I have to sit up on stage, but I’ll find you in the audience.”

“I’ll sit with your folks.”

Bliss chuckled. “You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?”

Five hours of film later, the three finalists all sat on the edge of their seats. The jumbotrons set up on either side of the stage were used to showcase their work for a large audience. The giant screens made something as small as a greeting card or as flexible as an animated, online card look great.

Bliss had to admit the competitors’ designs were fantastic. Some of them. And some of hers were home runs too. It was really anybody’s contest.

At last the judges returned from their backstage deliberations and presented Judith with an envelope.

This is it. Either fifty grand in my hand or back to the drawing board.

She thought about how she and Drake might use the money. A down payment on a house, maybe? A magazine ad campaign to kick-start her business? There were no stipulations on how the money was to be spent. Bliss had previously only thought about winning it to pay off a small mountain of debt and maybe lengthen the vacation the winner got as part of the prize. She needed a long one.

Judith waved the envelope. “Now, which of our terrific designers is going to win? Will it be Dick for his rock-and-roll lyrics? Or Candy for her inspirational poetry? Or Bliss for her sense of humor?”

The audience began chanting, “Bliss, Bliss, Bliss…”

Judith opened the envelope and smiled at the contents. When she held up her hand, the audience quieted. “I have a check here in the amount of fifty thousand dollars, and it’s made out to…”

She paused so long Bliss thought half the audience might pass out from holding their collective breaths.

“Bliss Russo for Hall-Snark Cards!”

The roar of applause and shock to her system drowned out any thoughts that might have been going through her head. Bliss rose and walked woodenly toward Judith. Before she reached her, she remembered to smile and echoed Judith’s giant grin with one of her own.

When the applause finally died down, Judith clasped her shoulder. “Now, before I can give this to you, Bliss. I’m afraid there’s a stipulation.”

There is? What the heck could that be?

“The judges heard about your wonderful news and want to be invited to the wedding.”

Another roar of applause began but died out when Bliss muttered, “Um… we haven’t even discussed the details yet.”

“Well, we have. As you know, the winner also receives a vacation. We’d like to throw you a destination wedding in…” Again the pause was far too long. Then confetti fell from the rafters and Judith shouted, “Hawaii! Congratulations.”

Bliss almost groaned aloud. She searched the audience and saw cameras focused on her parents’ proud faces. Her mother was openly crying, and her father’s beaming eyes seemed to be a bit watery too.

But where was Drake? The seat next to them was empty.

Oh, no.

“She’s speechless, folks. Go on,” Judith said as she gave Bliss a shove. “Go share this moment with your family.”

Bliss trotted down the side stairs, and cameras followed her up the aisle to her parents’ seats. They jumped up and each gave her long hugs and kisses. At last she saw Drake. He had just reentered the room through the double doors at the back.

He smiled when he saw her and jogged down the aisle. “What did I miss?”

Mr. Russo slapped himself on the forehead. “Oh, for the love of God.”

“Hey, I’m sorry. I couldn’t hold it any longer.”

“My future son-in-law will probably disappear from his own Hawaiian wedding.”

“What?”

“Never mind, Drake.” Bliss placed the check in his hand. “We won!”

“You did?”

“We did! This couldn’t have happened without you.”

He picked her up, whooped, and whirled her around in a wide arc. “That’s fantastic. But I didn’t do anything, honey. It was all you. Your hard work and talent.”

“No. You just saved my life. That’s all.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “All in a day’s work.” He whispered in her ear, “Speaking of work, there’s a job offer I need to talk to you about when we’re alone.”

Bliss glanced all around at the cameras and the swell of people coming closer to offer congratulations.

“That may have to wait a while. Can you give me a hint?”

He laughed. “No hints. You’ll just have to wait.”

Hmmm… Bliss was intrigued and could hardly wait to hear what her cryptic boyfriend had in mind, but by then, she was being embraced and jostled by one person after another, including her fellow finalists.

Candy hugged her and said sweetly, “I knew you’d win. Your cards are so funny.”

When Dick hugged her, he said, “I’m just glad the little sweetie pie didn’t win. Her cards give me cavities.”

A couple days later, the hoopla had finally died down and Bliss returned from New York by train. Transporting all her stuff was much easier without air travel’s inconvenience of weight restrictions, luggage searches, and pat downs that made her feel like a criminal.

This time when she arrived “home,” she wasn’t quite sure where to go. Her parents’ house? Ugh. Drake’s tiny place? It may be cozy, but at least it’s calm.

She called Drake at the fire station. After she chatted briefly with Mike Kelly, he put Drake on the phone. It was so good to hear his voice. She took a chance and said, “Hi, honey, I’m home.”

“Great! I’m off soon. Where are you? Winthrop?”

Bliss snorted. “No. I’m still at South Station. I’m not sure where to go from here. My mother will make a big deal out of everything. The neighbors want to come over and congratulate me on the win my parents weren’t supposed to tell people about yet.”

Drake chuckled. “When does it air?”

“Not until next week. That gives me about a week of relative peace. I don’t want to squander it.”

“Come to my place.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

“Terrific. I’ll come and get you.”

“Aren’t you at work?”

“Yeah, but my shift is almost over. The guys can cover for me for a little while.”

“No. I don’t want to take you away from your job, and I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”

“Are you sure?”

“What… that I can take care of myself?”

He chuckled. “No. I’m completely sure of that. I meant are you sure you don’t want me to come and get you? I have something to tell you, and we’ll need complete privacy.”

“Oh yeah? I have something to say to you in private too—or rather, my body does.”

“I like the sound of that. So, I’ll see you at my place soon?”

“Can’t wait.”

“Me neither.”

They hung up and she hailed a cab. She’d had no time to think for so long. First there was the fire, then Zina, then the other fire, then the competition… It was good to have a little breathing room.

Drake had said Zina was no longer a problem, but he said he’d explain later. His evasive tone left her uneasy, despite assurances that the she-dragon was really out of the picture.

Don’t waste your time thinking about her, she told herself. You have much better things to focus on.

One of those things was Drake’s sort-of proposal. He said he wanted her in his life. That didn’t mean marriage. Bliss didn’t dare ask for clarification with her mother standing there. If he’d meant simply living together, Malinda Russo would have had a fit and her father—good God. Who knew what Romeo Russo would have blurted out?

The judges would have looked like fools too. Why did they have to turn her vacation into a wedding? And why, oh why, did it have to be Hawaii? It was beautiful and everything, but the air travel from Boston was brutal. She had been hoping for the Caribbean or Europe.

Ah, well. It was probably too late to do anything about what the show would air. That didn’t mean she and Drake couldn’t just turn her prize back into a vacation and quietly ask her mother to put away the guest list for a few years.

All the way to Drake’s place, she ruminated over the little things she hadn’t been able to focus on for the past day and a half. Her prize money was going to be eaten up by a new apartment, new furniture, and a new wardrobe. Sheesh. On the other hand, what would she have done without it?

She thought about the stores that catered to her eclectic taste. When her sister had made her weekly phone call from India, of course her mother talked about the “engagement.” Her sister wanted to know if Bliss would like some beautiful bed linens she could buy over there. Next time Bliss spoke to her sister, maybe she’d know what size her bed was and if she was engaged or not.

Bliss finally arrived at Drake’s front door and rang the bell. She didn’t even have a key yet. Their relationship had moved so far, so fast, some basic milestones had fallen by the wayside.

She was just about to ring the bell a second time when Drake opened the door and pulled her into a tight hug. “I just got home. If I’d had more time, I’d have met you with roses.”

Drake inhaled her fragrance and detected the faint scent of lilacs. It was wonderful to hold her in his arms again. She had been either off limits or surrounded by hoopla lately, and this was the moment he’d been looking forward to for days.

“No roses needed. I just want to curl up with you and talk.”

“Just talk? Damn.”

She chuckled. “Of course I want to shag you silly, but there are a few details I need to clarify for my own peace of mind first—then I’ll shag you silly.”

He stepped back and made a sweeping gesture. “Please, come in.”

Drake had a few things he needed to clarify for peace of mind too. During his visit with Gaia, he’d told the goddess he was in love with a human. She seemed strangely okay with that and wanted to meet her. How and when the meeting would happen was anyone’s guess.

His major dilemma now was how he could prepare Bliss for it. If he didn’t, she might get upset and cope by saying something snarky… something she’d regret. On the other hand, maybe Gaia would get a kick out of their shared attitude. Probably not.

“Can I get you a glass of wine?”

“Oh, yes please. That would be perfect.” She fumbled with a small piece of paper, stuffing it in her purse, and mumbled, “Jeez, I have receipts up the wazoo.”

Drake pulled the chilled bottle from the refrigerator. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you check your wazoo. Have you eaten?”

She grinned and took a seat in one of the Lucite chairs at his tiny kitchen table. “I had a snack. I’m all set for a couple hours.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want you to starve while I’m making sweet passionate love to you.”

Bliss grinned.

He handed her the glass of Chardonnay and took the other chair. “It seems we both have some things to say, but you can go first.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.” I still have to think about the right way to say, “You might be meeting a real, live goddess at any moment.”

“Okay, let’s start with an easy one. How do you know Zina is no longer a problem, and is that going to last?”

Drake almost groaned. That’s not an easy one. “Why don’t we come back to that? The explanation is a bit—confusing.”

“Oh.” Bliss took a sip of her wine and seemed to be thinking something over.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything.”

She smiled and seemed satisfied with that. “Okay. In that case, I think we’d better talk about our so-called engagement.”

“So-called?” He didn’t like the sound of that. Was she having second thoughts?

“I mean… you didn’t actually propose. You just said you wanted me in your life. My mother was the one who took that as a proposal and just assumed I’d say yes.”

“Now I’m confused. Did you want to slow down or something?”

She took another sip of wine. Maybe she needs courage?

“Please, Bliss. Just say whatever you have to say. We can figure this out if we talk and stop assuming things.”

She set her glass down. “Okay. Did you or did you not mean to propose marriage?”

“I didn’t mean to at that moment… surrounded by mostly strangers in the middle of a noisy hallway. I’m not taking it back, though.”

She smiled and looked down at her hand. Ah, she must be wondering about the ring. “I didn’t buy a ring yet, so if you want to help me pick it out…”

“Oh, yes please. I have kind of picky taste in jewelry—especially something I’m going to wear for the rest of my life.”

Whew. Drake grinned, but he still had to ask… “So, is that a ‘yes’?”

“It’s kind of fast, but… hell, yes.”

He chuckled and rose enough to lean across the table and kiss her. “There’s more where that came from, but I don’t think we’re done talking yet.”

“Not by a long shot.”

“Okay. What else did you want to know?”

“Would you be heartbroken if we didn’t go to Hawaii?”

“No. But that’s part of the prize you won, isn’t it?”

“I’m not afraid of flying, but I’m not in love with it, either. I’m sure they’ll understand if I say, ‘No, thanks. Fourteen hours in the sky is just too much.’”

“The judges will be disappointed.”

“That was just for TV. They’ve all got busy schedules and weren’t planning to attend a wedding anywhere, much less in Hawaii. Besides, if any of them really want to go, they can arrange their own vacation.”

“Boy. You’re a hard ass, aren’t you?”

She chuckled. “You’d better believe it. Still want me?”

He reached for her hand. “Very much.”

She glanced over at his bed, which he’d just made before she arrived. “So, can that explanation about Zina wait for a bit?”

“Why? What did you have in mind?” Please be too turned on to wait…

“I’m too horny to wait.”

Close enough. Drake got out of the chair so fast that he almost tipped it over. Still holding her hand, he strode to the bed and kissed her as they fell onto it.

Lying beside her again felt so right. Finally together with no threat of Zina, no cameras, and no fires to put out, it was time they stoked the fire between them.

“I love you, Bliss.”

She sighed. “I love you too.”

She stroked his jaw and then began placing little nibbling kisses along the path where her fingers had trailed.

“Bliss… I have to touch you. More of you. All of you.”

She giggled and began unbuttoning her blouse.

“I’ll do that,” he said.

She smiled and let him undress her. As soon as he’d revealed her beautiful breasts, he dove for one and sucked while he unzipped her jeans. She arched into his mouth and moaned.

“Not fair. I want you naked too.”

“I’ll get there. Don’t worry.”

“Get there now,” she demanded and pulled his T-shirt out of his pants.

He chuckled, jerked his shirt off in one quick move, and tossed it on the floor. His pants soon followed. Bliss didn’t wait for his help and discarded the rest of her clothes too. At last they were skin to skin, in bed and in love.

Bliss gazed at him. His chest rippled with muscles. A light thatch of chest hair arrowed down his tight abdomen. And his cock. My God, the man was impressive. She vividly remembered how it felt when he thrust into her, so hard and so deep.

He kissed her tenderly, then leaned over to do the same to each of her breasts. A soft moan escaped from her lips as her nipples tightened.

“Wait. I want to do something for you first.”

When he looked up at her, his eyes glowed gold. “And what would that be?”

“Lie back, and I’ll show you.”

Drake grinned and did as she asked.

I love a man who doesn’t balk when I want to do something nice for him.

His gaze seemed to glow even more. It was a bit distracting, but where Bliss was going, she wouldn’t see his eyes anyway.

She scooted down and took his thick cock in her hand. He let out a moan and she thought she saw a tiny curl of smoke out of the corner of her eye.

“Are you about to spontaneously combust?”

“Honey, it’s been a few days, and, hey… I need you, bad.”

She stared at his pecs. His strong, muscled chest rose and fell rapidly.

“Is this a good idea? I mean, can you handle the… attention I was planning to give you?”

“If I can’t, I’ll let you know.” He propped his head up on his arm so he could watch. His lips rose on one side in a smug smile.

Her fingers didn’t meet as she gripped his cock, but she stroked up and down as best she could. Meanwhile, she kissed the reddened tip and tongued the slit. His groan of pleasure meant the world to her.

Then she moved so she could lick the length of him, finally taking the head into her mouth. He sucked in a deep breath through his teeth.

She let her tongue swirl around his cock. He tasted salty. She drew him into her mouth deeper, loving the way he arched slightly and groaned. She took him as deep as she could, then applied suction and withdrew.

“Playtime’s over,” he said, grabbing her and pulling her up his body. His mouth crashed down on hers, and his tongue plunged into her mouth.

The room spun and she found herself on her back, her legs spread with Drake over her. His legs were between hers and his cock was poised at her opening.

“I’m sorry about the lack of foreplay. I promise I’ll take care of you better next time.” She noticed his heavy breathing as he spoke.

“Hey, it was entirely my fault.”

He grinned. “Yes, it was.” He dipped two fingers into her channel and said, “You seem ready for me…”

“Oh, I am. Go for it, dragon boy.”

“Not just yet. There’s a little something I can do for you first.” His slick fingers found her clit and rubbed slow circles around it. She arched and moaned.

“That’s my good girl.” He sped up the motion and zeroed in on her most sensitive spot. “I’m going to make you come for me,” he almost growled.

Like she could resist…

He leaned down and sucked her breast as he continued his love massage. She couldn’t hold back the noises emanating from her throat if she wanted to. He lifted his head and latched on to her other nipple. As he sucked, she began to erupt.

Oh, God… Oh, God… Oh, God… Ripples of sheer joy burst through her. She bucked and screamed out her release.

Her eyes teared up. When her thighs stopped quivering, she was spent, but she so wanted to give him the same pleasure. She reached for him. “Come to me. Come in me. I love you.”

“I love you too.” He positioned himself so that his cock was pushing at her sex, and then he thrust, filling her.

“Oh, God. That feels so good,” she murmured.

He answered with a groan, then found his rhythm and rode her hard.

“You’re so tight. So hot…” His breaths came in short gasps as he angled his pelvis and slammed into her.

It felt incredible. She could only lie there, riding the waves of pleasure and moaning in joy as he thrust in and out.

She couldn’t believe it. A second climax was building. Dear Lord.

The familiar rippling built to a peak and she cried out. He did too. She spasmed as her body shot into heaven again. His body jerked with wild abandon, both of them crashing over the same wave at the same time.

He rode her to the last aftershock and then collapsed on top of her. Taking his heat and weight was no hardship. She felt protected, covered with his love. Their chests heaved for another few seconds, and when he rolled off her, he gathered her in his arms.

“That was incredible,” he said, panting. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“Hell, no. Every bit of it felt fantastic. I’ve never… well, let’s just leave it at fantastic.”

He chuckled. “Okay, then. If that will hold you for a while, I’ll make something for dinner. I’m starving.”

She was too but hadn’t noticed until he said something. “Can I help?”

He rolled out of bed and pulled on his pants. “No. You stay right there and rest.”

That sounded perfect to her. She didn’t want to move. She could lie there and bask in the afterglow all night… or until dinner was ready.

“I’ll tell you the rest after we eat.”

The rest? “The rest of what?”

“Zina. I thought you wanted to know.”

“Oh, I do.” Bliss couldn’t believe she’d almost forgotten about her nemesis. Good sex will do that to a person, I guess.

Drake chuckled. “Practice those words.”

“What words?”

“I do.”