Read Dragon Heat 1 - Dead Sexy Dragon for Free Online Page A

this is that’s happening between us.”
    Cora noticeably relaxed. “Thank you.”
    Stig took a guarded step forward. “Cora, it’s not just
    about Hector and my feelings about becoming involved
    with a friend’s sister. There are a lot of things you don’t
    know about me. Serious things. Dangerous things.”
    “Like the holding cell in your basement?”
    Stunned by her question, Stig gaped at her. His stomach
    lurched. He was torn between anger and fear. “You’ve
    been down in the basement?”
    Cora tipped her chin up as if to show him she wasn’t
    scared. “I heard weird noises last night. I wanted to make
    sure it wasn’t a wounded animal.” She swallowed and
    braced her hands against the counter. “What’s going on,
    Stig?”
    Realizing this was a pivotal moment in their
    relationship, Stig ran a hand through his hair and gestured
    to the table. “Sit.”
    “All right.” Cora took her seat at the table. She sat with
    hands folded and waited patiently.
    Stig sat across from her and reached for a serving
    spoon. It was easier to talk when his hands were busy. She
    followed his lead and filled her plate. He waited until
    they’d had a few bites before breaking the silence.
    “My last name isn’t Wyvern. It’s just a name I picked
    years ago.” He got up for a glass of water and brought
    Cora a can of soda and a glass. The tab snapped and the
    soda fizzed as it spilled into her cup. He returned to his
    seat and took a sip. “Do you know what a wyvern is?”
    “It’s one of those things on those old family flags, right?
    Like a snake with wings,” she said uncertainly.
    He nodded. “Close enough.”
    “What does that have to do with anything?”
    “More than you probably want to know,” he grumbled.
    “Every three years, I go through a phase. It’s violent and
    dangerous and I lose control. That cell in the basement is
    the only thing that keeps me from harming others.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Every three years?”
    “Yes.”
    “You’ve gone through this before?”
    “Yes. Hundreds of times.”
    “That would mean you’re—”
    “Substantially older than I look.” Stig picked up his fork
    and tucked into his dinner. “If you want proof, I’ll show
    you later.”
    “I do.”
    Stig sensed Cora was trying to wrap her mind around
    his brief yet cryptic explanation. She hadn’t accused him
    of being crazy or run from the house. So far, so good. He
    figured breaking the news about his immortality was the
    best way to ease her into the truth. The dragon business
    could wait.
    He decided a change of topic was needed and gestured
    to his plate. “This is good. Not that I’m surprised,” he
    added with a smile. “You should think about opening a
    restaurant.”
    Cora snorted. “Really, Stig? How do we go from you
    trying to convince me that you’re, like, some immortal
    Jekyll and Hyde to talking about me opening a restaurant?”
    She twirled her fork between her fingers. “Besides,
    restaurants are hard work.”
    He grinned at her willingness to go with it. “And a
    bakery isn’t?”
    “It’s different. I know the ins and outs of running a
    bakery. A restaurant? Not so much.”
    “You will reopen your bakery, right?”
    “Yes, but I’m not sure how or where.” A look of shame
    clouded her face. “My insurance agent isn’t sure the policy
    will pay since I’m kind of a criminal. I mean, that’s if I
    don’t end up in the pen.”
    “You’re not going to prison, Cora. I won’t let that
    happen.” Stig hadn’t considered the effect her poor
    choices would have on her ability to rebuild. She’d made
    a mistake but didn’t deserve to be punished forever. “I’ll
    loan you the money to start over if the policy doesn’t pay.”
    She squirmed in her seat. “I’m not sure that’s a good
    idea, Stig. Money between friends has a way of turning
    ugly.”
    “We’ll make it work.”
    Cora didn’t fight him on the issue. She ate in silence. He
    could almost hear the