There’s Something About Dragons (How I Met My Monster)

Chapter 16

Cari

I ’m buzzing all through the workday, despite the late start that throws my schedule into chaos. My heart is buzzing, my mind is buzzing, and most of all, my thoroughly satisfied pussy is buzzing.

Six orgasms in one session?! At that rate, we’re going to make up for fifteen years apart pretty quickly. Maybe I can convince him to stay an extra week after his conference is over. He seems just as into this as I am. I wouldn’t be surprised if we can keep it going long distance.

Unless he finds his mate , that poky little voice reminds me.

That’s enough thinking about that. Time to clean out some cockapoo earwax.

Even though it’s nonstop-busy for the next few hours, I’m energized at the end of the day. It makes me feel a little guilty, but the break from Radar helped. I didn’t realize how much time and mental effort I devote to making sure he has what he needs until I spend a stretch apart from him. He’s always needed a little extra, and now that he’s elderly, he needs even more.

I feel so lucky to have him in my life, and I love him so much, but I guess I’ve gotten a little bit of caretaker fatigue and didn’t recognize it. I’ll have to give Zed an extra thank-you kiss when I see him.

I say goodbye to Cynthia and head out with my dress in a garment bag over one arm and a pair of heels looped on the other. The salon isn’t far, and then I’ll take a cab to the gala. But I don’t get two steps across the parking lot when a sleek limo pulls up.

The back window purrs down. “Need a ride?” Tristan asks. He’s already dressed in an impeccable white tuxedo that makes him look like a young James Bond. “I think we’re headed the same way.”

I lift my shoes up. “Gotta get my hair done first. I’m getting dressed at the salon. I’ll see you later, though!”

The door opens and a hand beckons me into the limo. “Come on, I’ll take you,” Tristan urges smoothly. “Friends don’t let friends walk alone.”

I roll my eyes and get in. “It’s only two blocks.”

“I’ll enjoy your company for two blocks, then,” Tristan says comfortably, his arm propped behind me on the back of the seat. Then he frowns. “Where’s the dog?”

“Radar’s hanging out with Zed. It’s a relief, honestly. I worry about him so much. It’s nice to have someone I trust on dog-sitting duty so I can relax a little bit. They’re going to meet me at the venue later.”

Something sparks in Tristan’s eyes. “Let’s get you nice and relaxed, then. Where’s your little salon?”

I give the address, and we’re there in about ninety seconds. Tristan helps me out of the limo, and everyone on the sidewalk stares at me like I’m a celebrity and not in my scrubs and covered with vet-sweat. They’re probably looking at Tristan, anyway, who could have walked off a movie set. Somehow, even with Impy at home, he doesn’t have a single cat hair on him.

He follows me into the salon. My hair gal, Tanya, waves at us and pats her chair, her bleached-and-pink ponytail swishing behind her. “Got your spot right here, babe!”

“Do you have spa facilities at this establishment?” Tristan asks smoothly. I see the minute that Tanya notices him. Her eyes go dreamy, and she starts fussing with her curtain bangs.

“We offer all kinds of services,” she answers, her voice sultry. Then, seeming to hear the suggestiveness in her own words, she snaps out of it. “I mean, yes! We offer facials, massage, waxing, mani-pedis, soaks, you name it. Are you interested in booking, Mr…?”

“Just Tristan,” he says, winning her over even more. “I’m very interested in booking one of everything for Caroline. We want her feeling her best for the gala tonight.”

My jaw drops at the same time that Tanya’s eyes go wide. “Right now? I’m not sure we have any openings right this minute, Mr….uh, Tristan. But I’ll make sure she looks gorgeous.”

His handsome face hardens as he pulls a money clip out of his inner jacket pocket. “I didn’t say anything about how she looks. I want her to feel her best. How much?” He starts peeling off bills.

“F-for what?” Tanya stammers, trading bewildered looks with me.

“To cancel the other appointments.”

She moves closer and lowers her voice. “The clients are already here. They’re already getting their treatments.”

“How. Much,” Tristan repeats, enunciating like she’s stupid. As sweet as his gesture is, I don’t like that he’s talking to her like that.

“It’s really okay,” I tell him. “There’s not time to do all those things, anyway. I’m fine with the hair and makeup I already booked.”

“Ten thousand dollars and we’ll have her done on time,” Tanya blurts out, giving me the wide-eyed shut up, bitch, you’re ruining this for me look that all women understand.

Tristan’s mouth bunches in amusement. “I hope you take credit. Even I don’t carry that much cash.”

“We’d be happy to.” Tanya bounces over to the register and gleefully rings him up.

“Give yourself a good tip,” he instructs her, winking over his shoulder at me. I have to roll my eyes. Does he always get what he wants?

“You’re being too generous,” I say tightly. I hope he doesn’t think he can buy me. It’s flattering that he’s so determined, but it’s not happening. If he knew the chemistry Zed and I have, he’d understand. Even if Zed weren’t in the picture… Tristan is a client. He can be a friend, but he can’t be more than that.

Tristan shifts so he’s facing me directly. “You’ve given me more than money can buy, Doctor Stanley. Impy is the love of my life, and every extra day I have with her means the world to me. Let me spoil you a little to say thank you.”

I can’t help softening at the mention of his sweet old cat. Tristan might go about things in the wrong way sometimes, but his heart is in the right place. “I guess I should say thank you, then. This is a treat.”

“My pleasure.” Tristan gives an old-fashioned bow, but somehow, he can pull it off. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”

It’s oddly thoughtful of him to give me the space to fully relax without anyone’s eyes on me. I take a deep breath and let it out, ready to give myself over fully to the experience. But then I see Tanya herding a few disgruntled-looking customers out the side door. One of them even shoots me a glare over her shoulder.

My heart sinks. Tristan’s impulsive gesture was incredibly kind to me, but it ruined several other people’s days. I don’t want my happiness to come at anyone else’s expense.

“No!” Tanya says, scurrying over. “Don’t you feel bad. I gave them all gift certificates for free treatments. They’re very happy to come back tomorrow. And I’m splitting the tip with all the gals here, so they’re happy, too.”

“Are you sure?”

“One hundred percent. Girl, just sit back and enjoy yourself, please. That nice man is footing the bill, and we are going to pamper every inch of you. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get a proposal tonight.”

My cheeks heat up as Tanya steers me to one of the treatment rooms. Maybe I shouldn’t have accepted Tristan’s gift after all. “We’re just friends, I swear. He’s a vet client of mine, actually. Not a boyfriend.”

“Mhm. Well, if you don’t have the good sense to marry him, I will.”

I can’t help giggling. “He’s all yours. I have…”

I almost said a boyfriend. But Zed’s not my boyfriend. We had one date. One perfect night. No commitment. No plans for a future together. In fact, there’s a ticking clock on our connection.

“Ohhhh,” Tanya says, nodding wisely. “I see.”

I’m glad she does, because I don’t. What do I have? A heart that’s already breaking. I’m pre-breaking it. Always been an overachiever like that.

Or maybe it’s just still broken from the first time, and I never put it back together. Gosh, it’s a little achey right now. Why am I moping when I just got a ten-thousand-dollar gift from a handsome guy who’s sitting outside in a limo?

Because he’s not the handsome guy I want. And the one I want isn’t even real . He’s a fantasy I’ve built up. He’s going to disappear again. If not tomorrow, then a week from now. A month. I could give him another fifteen years and a fated mate could snatch him away in a second.

How stupid am I? Tanya’s right. I should have the good sense to put my energy toward someone who isn’t going to disappear.

I step into the hewn-stone bath filled with steaming water and floating rose petals. As Tanya and her girls work the knots out of my muscles, pluck the stray hairs, and scrub away the vet-sweat, it’s like they dressing me in armor. And after the soak, when they’re painting every fingernail and eyelid pretty and fingerwaving my hair, they’re sharpening my sword.

Tanya zips me into my dress, a strapless navy sheath that sets off my eyes and bares my very exfoliated shoulders. The mirror doesn’t lie—I look good. I look like the kind of women who gets invited to speak at huge galas because I am that kind of woman.

I’m ready to go to battle for myself.

Last night was an indulgence. God, it was amazing. But it was just part of a dream, and now I have to wake up. Maybe this event will be good for me because I can compare Zed and Tristan head-to-head. Use logic to prove that Zed’s hold on my imagination doesn’t make him superior to anyone else. I can’t let him take my heart hostage forever.

He’s just another guy. What’s special about him, anyway? He’s a dragon, but there are lots of dragon dudes. What makes him better than them just because I knew him once upon a time?

He’s hot and sweet and smart and funny and he has two amazing dicks , a little voice reminds me. Tristan’s pretty face and millions of dollars can’t compete with that.

How stupid am I to stack a nice dick or two up against a literal fortune? I’m so stupid because I’m stupidly in love. That’s been my problem all along, I think. I’m still in love with Zed after all these years. Maybe I always will be. But I’m not crazy…I think he feels the same way. I can’t help grinning at the realization.

Tanya gives a low whistle. “I thought you were looking gorgeous, but with that smile on your face? Straight-up stunning.”

Self-consciously, I arrange my skirt. “Aw, thanks. All credit to you and your team.”

“You know, I feel a little bad for him,” she says, sounding wistful.

“Who?”

She tips her pink ponytail toward the street outside where Tristan’s limo is idling at the curb. “The one you’re not in love with.”

“That obvious, huh?”

“It’s all over your face, babe.”