Chapter 7 #2
“Meh.”
“What?”
“Those don’t suit you.”
“Do I look like a stuffed tiger to you?” He grabbed his tail. “This does not make me bounce.”
I might have replied if I’d not heard the crunch of gravel and purr of an engine. “Someone’s coming.”
“And?”
“And there are many who would love to get their hands on a talking…” I almost said lizard but quickly spat out, “Dragon. People who might not be as nice as me, so I’d suggest you get out of sight.”
“You expect me to hide?” The affronted tone went with his recoil.
“You don’t have to hide, but I wouldn’t advise talking to anyone but me or my grandfather, lest you end up in a zoo or locked away in a lab for research.”
“I can’t believe I must pretend to be a dumb beast,” Tigger groused as he scampered for me.
It seemed all too natural to crouch and let him climb my arm to perch on my shoulder. Kind of pleased, too, that he sought security from me. As I stood, Jameson entered.
“Back so soon?” I drawled.
“I had a lunch meeting, and since your place was on the way back to my house...”
“No, it’s not. It’s at least a twenty-minute detour.”
“Close enough,” he stated with an unabashed grin. “I came to ask about a bowl that I spotted yesterday on your website. I meant to buy it but got distracted by a phone call. When I returned to your site to throw it in a cart, it was gone.”
“Sold. Sorry.”
“Shame. It was rather unique.”
He didn’t know the half of it.
“Was there anything else?” I asked.
“The real reason I came by, which was to ask you to have dinner with me again.”
“Why would I do that? If you want to talk business, then we can do so right here, right now.”
“Actually, I was proposing a dinner for fun.”
My brows arched. “I’m not that kind of girl.”
Again, his lips cracked into a wide smile. “Didn’t say or think you were. I really enjoyed our conversation last night and thought perhaps we could repeat it, but this time in a more casual setting. My personal chef—”
“Hold on, you want me to go on a dinner date with you at your house? That sounds wildly inappropriate.” Because, hello, a house meant bedrooms with mattresses for, you know, horizontal tangoing.
“It has a nice view of the ocean.”
“I don’t date clients.”
“I’ve already paid my entire bill, and you’re close to done,” he argued.
“I thought I told you we weren’t compatible.”
“I disagree.”
I folded my arms. “We have nothing in common.”
“Maybe not, but I enjoyed your company more in those minutes we spent chatting than the last three women I dated.”
I’d kind of liked it, too, but I didn’t admit it out loud. I pursed my lips, and Jameson added, “I promise the food will be superb. Francine, my chef, makes the most mouthwatering bites using the freshest ingredients. They’ll make your taste buds sing.”
“She accepts.”
I froze as Tigger suddenly jumped into the conversation.
Jameson appeared puzzled. “I didn’t know you had a child.” Seeing as how he’d heard a small squeaky voice, yeah, I could see why he wrongly assumed the origin of the voice.
“I might be newly hatched, but I am not her child,” Tigger scoffed.
Bloody heck. I hastened to shush. “Tigger, shh.”
“Do not shush me, woman. You work for me, and as such, you do as I say, and that includes accepting this male’s invitation for a meal.
” Tigger leaned forward in Jameson’s direction.
“Make sure your chef prepares plenty of those tasty bites, as I am famished. Oh, and it better not all be vegetables. I like meat.”
“Did… uh…” Poor Jameson… His jaw might never hinge properly again.
“Yes, you heard Tigger talk. It’s a new development.” I tried to act blasé; however, a talking reptile? Yeah, that was kind of hard to play off.
“I would have said this is some kind of miracle because lizards can’t speak.”
A heavy sigh let me know Tigger had taken offense.
“I wish people would stop insulting me like that. I am a dragon, and, yes, I am aware of my diminutive size. I just hatched, after all, and, no, I don’t have wings yet, but I am the mightiest of creatures, the most intelligent of species, and I wouldn’t suggest getting on my bad side, as I am keeping a list of the insolent that I might feed on their corpses later. ”
Jameson laughed, and I winced, knowing that wouldn’t go over well.
“I see I’ll be adding you to my list,” Tigger growled.
“I apologize.” Jameson bowed. “Blame my shock on meeting such a grand creature.”
Tigger sniffed. “Your forgiveness will hinge on the evening meal.”
“I’m not going,” I muttered.
“Oh yes, you are, for I have spoken,” Tigger declared.
“This is wild,” my client said with a shake of his head. “I cannot wait to hear about how you found a dragon at dinner tonight.”
I could have been a stubborn chit and kept refusing, but with Jameson aware of Tigger’s secret, I now had to do damage control. “What time?” I bit out through a clenched jaw.
“Say seven? I can send someone to pick you up.”
“No, thanks, I’ll drive myself.” I wanted a way to leave when I wanted. After all, I didn’t plan to stay long.
Jameson left, and I turned a glare on Tigger.
“What happened to being quiet?”
“A dragon can hardly acquire servants by remaining silent. Besides, you heard the male. He has a chef.”
“Doesn’t mean they’re any good.”
“He’s also obviously wealthy.”
“Very.”
“Good. Once I make him my servant, his riches will be a good start to my hoard.”
And with that comment, I actually began looking forward to dinner.