Page 96 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

“See? He cares about you. I’m so happy you found him.”

The door swished open. Speak of the devil…

“Sure, Mama. Listen, he just came in. I’ve got to go.” I hung up and turned to face Az. He had a ridiculous gold velvet cloth wrapped around his waist, his chest on full display, presumably because his suit had disappeared in a flash of magic when he transformed into his four-legged dragon form.

In a burst of sparks, my thoughtful boyfriend had become pure muscle—teeth, claws, and rage. His chest and wings were decorated with quickly healing claw marks.

He was back in his humanoid form now, and looking chagrined. “How’s Betty?”

“Not great. Dwayne emptied her bankaccount.”

Az stared at me in incomprehension. “Banks allowtheft? Why would humans trust them?”

“They share an account. He has as much power to take out money as she does.” The dickhead had insisted on a joint account mere months into their relationship. But Az had never pressured me to give him access to all my stuff. Even when he wanted me to quit my job, he’d made it clear that what he wanted most was to spend more time with me, and for me to be happy.

Az’s lips curled in disgust. “Stupid. If he cared about your mother, he’d load her down with gifts in gratitude for the time she granted him.”

“I sent her something to an account he doesn’t have access to.”

“Good. Give me the account number. I’ll send a little more.”

Something loosened in my chest. We’d left off in the middle of a fight, yet he still thought of nothing but helping me and my mom.

“I quit my job yesterday,” I blurted out. Shit. I’d wanted to open with a calm, collectedLet’s talk.

Az’s wings snapped close to his back. “Youwhat?”

I fiddled with my stupidly expensive necklace. “It was kind of spur of the moment. I know I should have told you, but, um, well. You heard what Dwayne did to Mama. It’s really scary for me to hand that kind of control over to someone.”

“You don’t thinkI’d…?” His jaw dropped.

“I don’t think it’d even occur to you,” I said slowly. “You have always been generous and—” I squinted, thinking over everything. “You made sure everything you gave me wasmineinstead of making me feel like it was on loan until I’d fulfilled an obligation.” The exact opposite of what I’d been afraid of.

Az’s forehead wrinkled. “What’s the point of a gift if it isn’tyours?”

“Yeah, uh, that seems obvious.” To dragons, maybe.

“You really quit? All your time is mine?” His shoulders, his face, his entire body relaxed. I should have done this days ago.

“I haven’t figured out what I want to do withallmy time.” Maybe go back to school for something. “But yeah, a lot more of it is yours.”

He pulled me into his arms for a ferocious embrace.

I wiggled a little, and he released me. “We still need to talk, though.” My anger had cooled, but I wouldn’t sweep anything under the rug. That would only cause problems down the road.

“Tell me what will make you happy, and you can have it.”

My heart sank. “Are you trying to buy my happiness?”

“Is it working? I mean.” He gulped. “You’re honest and protective and assertive, and you make everything inside me fit perfectly, and I want to stay with you forever, so that means I have to make you happy.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Just tell me how.”

Everything screeched to a halt in my brain. “Az.” I ran a hand down his arm. He leaned into my touch. “You made me feel like an object in there. I didn’t like it. And when you transformed andbrawled, I was scared. You could have crushed me.”

“I’m sorry I scared you. I’m not sorry I gave Udar the pounding he deserved, but I should have done it without shifting.”

I squinted.Wasthat an apology?

“I thought you were working on your jealousy.”

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