Page 16 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon
He watched me with those slit-pupiled eyes, as if checking for signs I’d bolt now that I had the promised money.
“So, Az’zael, you wanted to talk?”
The hand that held his tea trembled slightly when I said his name. “Az, please.”
“Az, then.” Using his nickname felt overfamiliar, but I forced the feeling down.
“Yes. I’d like to make an arrangement.” His red claws tapped the side of his paper cup. “With you.”
He was nervous. Possibly as nervous as I was. It made me feel a little less alone in my awkwardness. I wanted to ask himwhy,but I had a feeling I wouldn’t like the answer. Richest guy in the city picks up a server and propositions her? Yeah, I could do that math. Although I supposed I couldn’t hold it against him when I was going along with it.
“What do you want out of this ‘arrangement’?”Thatwas the important question.
He cocked his head to the side, his brow furrowed. “The usual things, I assume. I’ve never done this before. But I’d like your timeand…” He paused, seeming to hunt for the right word. “Companionship.” His eyes darted over me, and the tips of his wings twitched in an unsettling manner.
“What, uh—” I bit my lip, then plunged ahead. “How much companionship?”
“Attend parties and family functions with me.” His gaze swept over my face. “Visit me a few times a week. And, of course, I will compensate you generously for your time.”
Alright, that was a little more than I’d expected. If we went out in public, I’d end up splashed all over the news and social media. How would people react, seeing us together? I didn’t look anything like the other humans who got involved with dragons. Had none of their polish or class. Not to mention that I didn’t even like people Iknewtalking about my private business. How much worse would it be if strangers were doing it?
I stuffed the unease of being on public display with the most high-profile person in Kilinis into a teeny, tiny box in favor of another anxiety. “Family functions?” He wanted to bring his sugar baby around hisfamily? Wouldn’t they be offended?
He shifted in his seat. “Of course. My parents have little get-togethers a few times a year.”
I relaxed. He’d surely grow bored with me before I had to go to one. Still, I asked, “They wouldn’t mind if you brought me along?”
“Not at all. My sister and parents would probably spend the whole time interrogating you about yourself and human customs, and my brother”—he winced at the word, and I sensed something under the surface—“would do everything he could to be an asshole. It’s his specialty. They can all be a little… hectic.”
The second he’d winced, I knew I’d agree to go, if the time ever came. His relationship with his family was obviously complicated, andI knew how tough that could be. If he wanted a companion, someone who was on his side? Yeah, I could give that to him.
So, if I was definitely doing this, that left only one question. “How generous?”
“Send me your bills, and I’ll pay them,” he said.
Hand over my landlord’s name, all my utilities, my credit card bills,everythingto a total stranger? The damage he could do if I accidentally upset him… I shook my head. “That doesn’t work for me.”
He shifted; that inhuman gaze locked on my lips. “Of course. You want fun money. I’ll give you a credit card as well.”
Heat curled through me, and I forced myself to meet his amber gaze. “No. I need a specific number.” Reserves I could draw on for a few months after this ended.
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “You’re delightfully exacting.”
Oh, damn. Helikedthat I’d countered his offer. That did something to my insides. Not the heat that had built when he watched me count bills with such avid interest, but something a little farther north, toward my heart. I’dneverhad a boyfriend act pleased when I asked him for something. They always bitched and moaned about doing the tiniest thing.
So I listened to instinct and gave him my sassiest smile as desire ignited in my blood. “It certainly pays to be exacting.”
His grin grew wider. “Will ten thousand a month cover your needs?”
Holy. Fuck.I could pay off an entire credit card. One entire monthly payment, gone forever. It was higher than I’d hoped for, and he tossed it out casually?
I opened my mouth to say yes and lock this down. Then the morning sunlight glinted off his diamond watch, and I remembered that hewasn’t a boyfriend who miraculously wanted to take care of me—he was a rich dude who wanted to purchase a service. So why the hell shouldn’t I negotiate a little? If he said no, I’d be in the exact same position I was this morning.
Plus, he seemed to like it when I countered. “Twenty thousand.”
“For that amount, I’ll expectmore.” His eyes glinted.
My gut tightened with a mixture of anxiety and intrigue. “How much more?” Anal? Sure. Getting passed around to all his friends? Never.
