Page 10 of The Dragon, the Bear, and Their Sugar Glider Omega

“Don’t worry. You can get in with the next group in about ten minutes. You can find your friend inside.”

“It’s okay, Dez. I don’t want to make trouble,” I shouted.

Dez called out, “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. I’ll find you.”

The bouncer let Dez in, and the club doors closed. Now the big guy stood outside, arms crossed.

My dragon began spinning again, eager and frustrated. He wanted in. Getting left behind had him tense and angry.

Treasure and pleasure. We want. Go. Go inside.

This was frustrating for me as well. I should never have come. I had made it so close, and now Dez was in and the doors were closed.

The woman with the beaded skirts was still outside. She walked up to the bouncer and began to talk with him. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but it looked serious.

“Hello, handsome,” said a voice beside me.

I turned. A stranger stood before me dressed all in white linen with a shine to his hair and a scent to his skin that spoke of wealth. He smiled.

“Do I know you?” I asked.

“No. But my name is Kire. And I would love to offer you five hundred for your spot in line. To be fair to the rest of the people waiting, that would mean you would go back to the end again.”

“What? No. I’ve been waiting almost half an hour. People already cut in front of me, and my friend got in without me.”

“Five hundred in cash. I’ve got it right here.” He reached into this pocket and took out a roll of hundreds wrapped in a blue rubber band.

I thought about how much meat I could buy my dragon with that. It would certainly make him happier. But right now, he was distracted, still spinning inside me and wanting into the club.

“I think I’ll pass.” My voice sounded weak.

“You sure?” I could smell the money as he waved it front of me.

I let out a huge breath, wavering. “Well—I really could use it.” Hell, I hadn’t wanted to come here in the first place.

“Here it is. All yours.”

I reached out, my hand shaking a bit. “All right. The space is yours.” What did it matter anyway?

“Hey,” the people behind me protested as the rich guy stood in front of me.

“Don’t worry,” I said, stuffing the money in my pocket. “I’m going to the end of the line.”

No. Go. Go inside. Now.

“Sorry, hun,” I said under my breath. “We’ll eventually get there. But hey, we can go shopping for steaks tomorrow. How’s that?”

No. Inside. Now. Puhlease!

That inner voice sounded desperate and forlorn. It sent reverberations of loss through my entire body. Again, that sweet scent, like something from paradise itself, swirled around me as I made the long walk to the far end of the building where the line looked endless.

Wrong direction. Let me out so I can find it.

My dragon had never been this adamant before. What was I missing?

Chapter Eight

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