Flirting Under a Full Moon - By Ashlyn Chase Page 0,71
paranormal kidnapping, and now everything is making sense. Please. I need your help. You can’t send me away now.”
“Of course I can.”
In a flash of light, Nick felt himself ripped from the fabric of reality. An instant later, he stood on an island the size of his living room populated by exactly one palm tree.
“Crap.”
Another blinding flash of light later, he was back in the alley. He glanced around and then down at himself. Other than feeling a little queasy, he seemed okay. The sun was still setting, so no time had passed to speak of. But where was Mother Nature?
The back door to Boston Uncommon opened and Brandee peeked out. She scanned the alley. “Is everything okay with you and your mother?”
“My mother?” He couldn’t suppress the cathartic bubble of stress release. It began as a chuckle, turned into a guffaw, and before long he was bent over laughing.
A sudden flash of lightning and boom of thunder interrupted him. He straightened up and wiped his eyes. “She’s a mother, all right, but not mine.”
“Good. ’Cuz I don’t think she liked me.”
“She’ll be all right as long as you keep your promise and we can find Angie.”
Brandee’s eyes rounded. “Angie? What does she want with Angie?”
Nick scratched his chin. “She wants us to find her and bring her to Anthony so he can hypnotize her. She has to forget what she heard. And there’s another thing.”
“What’s that?”
“She thinks it would be best if you moved in with me. We’d be much less apt to be eavesdropped on.”
“Angie wasn’t eavesdropping, she was just—wait a minute. What did you say?”
“I said she’d like you to move in with me.” He smiled. “I’d like that too.”
Brandee’s lips started to lift in a smile, then quickly returned to neutral. “Let’s wait on that. First we need to find Angie. I’m not gonna move anywhere without telling her.”
Nick didn’t want to get his hopes up, but it was too late. He was already delighted. Wolves wanted nothing so much as to snuggle up with their mate and make loads of pups. “So you’re considering it?”
“Yes. No. I don’t know yet. Don’t confuse me.”
He grinned to himself. Soon enough, dear Brandee, you won’t be confused anymore.
***
Nick tried to act casual as he took the empty seat next to his suspect. He stuck out his hand. “Hi, my name’s Nick Wolfensen. I forgot to introduce myself when we talked before.”
The guy he believed to be a dragon stared at Nick’s hand but didn’t shake it.
“My name’s Cameron.”
“Cameron, what?”
He hesitated before answering. “Drake Cameron.”
“Can I buy you a beer, Drake Cameron?”
“Nah. I’m good.” He lifted his nearly empty mug.
Nick got comfortable on his stool. “You’re new here. Do you live or work in the neighborhood?”
The guy chuckled. “I work here. Can’t afford the pricey real estate on a firefighter’s salary.”
“You’re a firefighter, eh?” That makes perfect sense. Who’d be more comfortable around a fire than a dragon?
“Yeah. Are you Canadian?”
Nick tipped his head back and laughed. “No. Canadians aren’t the only ones who say, ‘eh,’ I guess.”
Drake shrugged. “Oh. I have some Canadian relatives. Just thought I’d ask.”
“What part of Canada?”
“Nova Scotia.”
“Ah, New Scotland.” He gave the guy a knowing look, hoping he’d continue down that road. Instead, he changed the subject.
“The guys from the firehouse usually frequent another bar in the neighborhood.”
“Don’t say Cheers.”
“Why not? I mean, that’s not the one they go to, but what’s wrong with Cheers?”
“Tourist trap. So, where do they go and why aren’t you with them?”
“I heard about this place. Thought I’d try it out.”
Nick noticed he’d conveniently avoided the first question. Damn. If he doesn’t come back here, I’d like to know where to find him outside of his firehouse. “So, what do you think of Boston Uncommon?”
“The bar or the concept?” The guy’s green eyes seemed to glow for a millisecond.
Nick’s eyebrows lifted before he could school his expression. “Both.”
“I like it.”
“Me too. I hope I’m not being too nosy, but the glow in your eyes…does that mean what I think it means?”
Drake leaned away from him. “Depends on what you think it means. I’m not in love with you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Nick let out another booming laugh. “No. See her?” He pointed to Brandee. “She’s the love of my very long life.”
The guy nodded but seemed unsure about how to continue. Nick needed to find a way to give him an opening.
“So, are your people long lived too?”
Drake looked at him askance. “Uh, yeah. Very. Yours?”