Page 14 of Under the Dragon's Spell
"Oh, do I?"Oh yes, I do. But even more than wanting to kiss Tyrel, I wanted him to kissme. Wanted him to pin me against a wall or any flat surface and take me for all I was worth. But I wasn't going to tell him that over the phone. If I had my wits about me, I wouldn't tell him anytime soon, if ever.
"I know you do," he said. "I could sense it."
"When you used your magic on me, you mean?"
For a few seconds, he was quiet. Then he chuckled. "What magic?"
So he wasn't going to admit to it, was he?
"Let's say I do come to your house," I said, "how many others like me will be there?"
"Oh, no one quite like you, Adrian."
I tried not to roll my eyes at the obvious come-on. "I meant, how many other applicants?"
"Not many," he assured me. "I don't suffer fools easily, and there were a lot of those."
But he didn't think I was a fool for running out on him? Exactly what were his criteria?
"Give me a number," I said.
"Five, including you. You'll all stay for a week, after which a decision will be made."
"Yeah, some of us might decide we can't suffer you any longer."
"You amuse me, Adrian."
That was good, because I had no idea what I was saying. I was used to keeping my head down and taking all insults thrown my way, but somehow, talking to Tyrel brought out a side of me that I wasn't familiar with. I wasn't yet sure if I liked it, but I liked talking to him. It was easy and made me feel… braver than I was, talking to the dangerous dragon who could use his magic on me, but not fearing him.
"I'll come to your house," I said. "But then I'll want more information about all of this."
"That's fine," Tyrel said. "We'll talk. I look forward to it."
So did I, because the way he saidtalklet me know that he was referring to something else entirely and I'd been wantingthatfrom the moment I'd laid eyes on him.
After Tyrel had given me instructions on when to be where, I hung up and almost immediately, my brother started in on the questions.
"Was that the dragon boy?"
"Yes, that was the dragon. Tyrel," I said, because he had a name, and I wanted my brother to learn and use it. I almost shook my head at myself, realizing that I was already acting as if Tyrel was going to play an important part in my life and become a family member.
Hit the brakes, Adrian.
But maybe getting ahead of ourselves ran in the family, because now my brother said: "So when will the baby be born?"
I laughed. "I don't have the job yet. I might not even get it. There's still competition." Of course, Tyrel had made it sound like he'd already picked a favorite, but I had no way of knowing who that was. The best I could do was hope. I sighed. How was I going to take another week of everything hanging up in the air?
"I'm sure you'll get it. Just make sure to let him know what he's missing if he doesn't pick you."
"And what exactly is that?"
"I'm just saying." My brother gestured with his hands. "I'm not into guys, and I'm your brother, so ew, but I can see the way your ass looks in those tight jeans you like."
"Dude!"
"Just saying!" He smiled, and I couldn't be mad at him. My foul mood was gone. What a difference a simple telephone call could make.
After we'd eaten breakfast, I made another call, knowing that I would never be forgiven if I forgot to share the good news with my best friend.
