Page 16 of Hungry Like A Dragon
“When Petra first moved in she was a hot mess. I thought she regretted getting pregnant, but Aunt Pacey insisted she missed you and wanted you to be part of her life.”
He needed to arrange to have a more in-depth conversation with Pacey, and soon.
“But practically the second Sadie was born, Petra’s whole demeanor changed. Although Aunt Pacey still insisted she was sad and wanted you back.”
Scratch that in-depth convo. Pacey clearly saw what she wanted to see, because there was no way in hell Petra had been waiting around for Noah to sweep her off her feet. She would have told him about Sadie if that were the case. Plus, while he didn’t know her well, he knew enough to know Petra wasn’t the sort of woman to pine over anyone, father of her child or not.
Besides, a family wasn’t what he wanted out of life. He had no interest in pursuing anything that might lead to love, because love never resulted in a happy ending. He knew that firsthand.
“And now you’re here, but Petra’s out with another guy.” Rebecca seemed puzzled by her own statement. “Why’d you let her go?”
I didn’t even have her in the first place. Oh, and I don’t want to want her, either.“She, uh, had a job to do down here. I didn’t know she was pregnant when she left.”
“No, I mean tonight, silly. Why’d you let her go out with someone else? You’re here to win her back, right?”
“I, uh…” Why had he flown across the country without coming up with a plan first? Because he suspected Petra was here, alone, raising his child? Why hadn’t he just picked up the phone and called?
We needed to see for ourselves, his dragon replied.And maybe we’re hoping to rekindle that flame.
“No, we’re not,” Noah snapped. It was bad enough he had a kid now. Someone to love, someone to worry over—someone to lose. He sure as hell wasn’t going to alter his life plan any more and include a mate. Besides, Petra clearly wasn’t interested in anything more than those brief moments of bliss they’d shared a year ago.
“We’re not what?” Rebecca asked.
Noah shook his head. “Sorry. Nothing. I mean, uh…” He needed to eat. He needed clean clothes.
We need to check on Petra.
No.
Yes.
Damn it.
He raked his hand through his damp hair. “Listen, Rebecca, since you’re here, could you do me a favor?”
***
After a quick shopping trip at the nearest Target, Noah returned to the guesthouse Petra called home, dropped off his bags, changed into a pair of shorts and a button-down shirt, checked on Rebecca and Sadie, and then headed out again. He told himself he was only going to get something to eat, but it was a pitiful lie, because why the hell hadn’t he taken Rebecca up on her offer to share the pot of gumbo her aunt had left simmering on the stove in the big house across the yard? And why had he quizzed Rebecca about all the places Petra might go on a date?
Yeah, he wanted to find Petra, to make sure she didn’t do anything foolish, like fall in love with some other guy.
Which was so stupid, because he definitely didn’t want her to fall in love with him.
And yet he wandered through the French Quarter, checking out the handful of bars and restaurants Rebecca so helpfully suggested, until he found Petra at a place called The Corner Oyster House.
Oysters, seriously? And she said she wasn’t looking to hook up tonight.
The place was hopping on a Thursday evening. Creole or Zydeco or some other foot-tapping music piped through the speakers and spilled out onto the sidewalk. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors opened to an outdoor seating area, while inside, the place resembled a typical sports bar, other than the fact that it smelled freaking fantastic.
And there was Petra, seated at a two-top next to one of the open windows, with a dark-haired dragon across from her, his gaze glued to the cleavage the scoop neck of her orange sundress revealed.
Noah’s dragon growled.
Chill, dude. We have no right to be protective over a woman who isn’t even ours, Noah reminded the beast.
She should be.
Why? Because we have a kid together?
