Page 5 of Dragon Detective

“Paint?”

She shrugged. “No clue. I went to the kitchen for cleaning supplies, but by the time I’d returned, the writing was gone.”

I studied her face. She wasn’t making this up. I’d stake my life on it. “We’ll figure this out.”

“I hope so. Pranks like this are . . . Okay, they’re not acceptable, but I can live with them while I’m fixing up the place. But once I open? Guests will flee if things like this happen to them.”

“This fall, you said.”

“Leaf peeper season is my goal. The next few months are going to pass very quickly.” Her intent gaze sought mine, and I was drawn into her eyes all over again.

“Why don’t we go out to your place, and you can show me around?”

“Alright.”

We left the office, waving to Melly sitting at the desk on our way out and pausing on the sidewalk.

“I walked,” Hannah said, waving toward the south part of town.

“My truck’s in the lot.” Like most monsters, my body was larger than the average male human, and their vehicles were too small for our frames. Fortunately, companies had started offering trucks much like the ones used to haul freight down thehighway, and we were buying them up as quickly as they could make them.

“You didn’t fly?” she asked, her gaze on my shoulders.

“I shift. What you see is my regular form.”

She swallowed. “When you’re not a dragon.”

“Yes, when I’m not in my dragon form.”

“Is your dragon form a separate entity? Meaning, are you still you inside while you’re sporting scales, a tail, and wings?”

“Don’t forget the fire, fangs, and snout.” My grin rose. I liked that she didn’t hesitate to satisfy her curiosity. “I’m all me inside.”

“I imagine you look amazing.”

I leaned close and whispered in her ear, “I’m amazing in all forms, sweetheart.”

Chapter 3

Hannah

Telling myself I was focused on fixing up the B&B and getting it running, that I wasn’t interested in a new relationship, especially after finding my ex in bed with my best friend, was one thing.

Reylor drawling about how amazing he was in my ear was another.

Let alone his use ofsweetheart.

I wasn’t a nickname kind of girl. Him calling me something many would find patronizing shouldn’t make my skin tingle.

Yet it did.

Because I wasn’t interested in a repeat of the static shock thing I’d experienced when we touched in the reception area, I put a few feet between us.

“Ride with me?” he drawled, his heated gaze traveling down my front.

My body responded with more tingles.

Why, oh, why couldn’t I keep my face from overheating? He wasn’t talking about any other riding than inside his truck.

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