Page 31 of A First for the Playboy Dragon

“That sounds like fun,” Juliet said, then looked over at him. “Unless you want me to go with you.”

“You should be safe enough with Stella, but if you see your brother, I want you to come straight to the community center,”he said. “I don’t think they’ll figure out what we’ve done this quickly, but I want you to be on your toes.”

“I will,” she said. “I hope he doesn’t come back. I don’t ever want to see him again.”

He pulled her into his arms. “I know sweetheart,” he said. “I promise this will be over soon.”

***Juliet***

Juliet kissed Harrison goodbye on the edge of the village, then he went one way and she went the other with Stella. “Have you had a chance to check out the shops?” Stella asked. “I have to stop by the grocery store, but then we could look around.”

“I haven’t really had a chance. There’s been so much going on,” she said, feeling a blush rising on her cheeks. “I’m not much of a shopper anyway. Clothes don’t matter to me that much.”

“That’s too bad with a figure like yours, you could pull just about anything off,” Stella said, shaking her head. “Not that I’m complaining. Keith is happy with my curves, and so am I.”

She laughed, then looked over at Stella. “The thing is, I’ve been hiding my body for a long time,” she confessed. “I learned that the best way to stay safe was to blend in, so I tried to attract as little attention to myself as possible; after a while, it just became a habit. I think I’d like to change that. It’s time for me to stop hiding behind baggy clothes and a terrible hairstyle.”

“No one is going to harm a hair on your head with Harrison around,” Stella said, then looked over at her. “Umm…you know about…well…”

“I know,” she said, then leaned in closer. “Harrison had to shift to save me during the earthquake. He’s covered in dark green feathers.”

It felt wrong to talk about it, but Stella just nodded. “Keith is a water dragon,” she whispered. Jordan is, too. That’s why he wanted to go into the water so badly today; he can’t help himself.”

She fell silent, trying to absorb it all. “I know it’s a lot to take in all at once, but it will get easier with time,” Stella said, patting her arm. And I’m always here for you if you need to talk. The same goes for the others. I know you haven’t met them all yet, but we’re all good friends, and you’re going to fit right in.”

“I hope so,” she said, smiling at Stella. “I have a closet full of clothes back in my cabin, but I don’t like any of them. Would you help me pick out a few new things?”

“I thought you’d never ask,” Stella said, beaming at her. “And I know the best person to help us out. Come on, I can’t wait for you to meet her. Marie has been in the boys’ lives since they were just kids. She’s like a second mother to them and the wisest woman I’ve ever met; you’re going to love her.”

When they walked into the little shop, she hung back a little, feeling out of place, but a second later, an older woman came out of the back, took one look at her, and let out a cry of excitement. “Oh, you’re finally here, I’ve been waiting and waiting,” Marie said, rushing over to her. “Let me look at you. I always wondered what the woman who finally captured Harrison’s heart would look like.”

She blushed under the older woman’s scrutiny. “Beautiful on the inside and the outside just like all the rest. My boys, they have good taste in women,” Marie finally said, grinning at her. “Now come with me. You need some new clothes. It’s time for you to come out of your shell, my little turtle.”

Juliet looked over at Stella for help, but she just shrugged her shoulders and gestured for her to follow Marie into the back. “I was thinking about changing my look, a little,” she said. “I don’t know about coming out of my shell.”

Marie made a dismissive noise. “You are a very beautiful woman. It’s time you let the world see the real you,” she said. “We’ll start with regular clothes first, and then I have a few ideas for your wedding dress.”

“Wedding dress?” she squeaked. “Marie, I’m not getting married, Harrison and I…well, this is all so new, marriage hasn’t even come up. The idea would probably scare him off.”

“Harrison is anything but a coward,” Marie said, smiling at her patiently. “When he finds out about the baby, he will want to marry you.”

“Baby, what baby?” she asked, shaking her head. “There’s no baby.”

Marie walked over to her. “I’m sorry, I spoiled the surprise. I’m always doing that,” she said, cupping Juliet’s face in her hand. But there is a baby. I saw it in my dreams. It’s one of my gifts.”

“Right now?” she whispered. “I’m pregnant right now?”

“Yes, little one, you’re carrying Harrison’s child,” Marie said. “Do you need to sit down?”

“I think so,” she said, looking over at Stella, who was grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ll get you something cold to drink,” Marie said, guiding her over to a couch. “You sit here and catch your breath. I really have to stop doing this.”

Stella came over and sat beside her. “Are you okay?” she asked. “That must have been quite a shock.”

“Do you think she’s right?” she asked, then groaned when Stella nodded. “What am I going to do? I don’t think Harrison is going to be happy about this.”

“Of course he will be, he loves you,” Stella said. “He might be shocked at first, but after it wears off, he’ll be thrilled, just wait and see. Besides, it gives you one more thing in common with the rest of us.”

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