Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“They’re crunchy. Kenzie’s sparkly friend Lorne said so.”
Dragons were weird.
Weird Dangerous Daddy Dragon.
Yep.
Daddy was a superhero.
And my mate.
“Oops. Here we go. I don’t think I want this one. Will you help me so I don’t waste the food?”
Special Weird Dangerous Daddy Dragon.
Hmm…that might be too long for his superhero name. I’d figure it out later. I got to keep him, so I didn’t have to rush.
Chapter 3
Pierce
There was no way he’d eaten a meal recently.
“No. I’m full, so why don’t you have this one.” Technically, I wasn’t hungry, so it wasn’t a lie. “Eventually, you and I are going to talk about the last time you ate non-cake-related food, though.”
His whole face scrunched up like he’d sucked on a lemon. “Later, Daddy.”
The goal was a lot later judging by his expression. “I think that’s a good plan.”
Giving me a beaming smile, probably because he’d decided he’d won, my new little mate gave a happy wiggle and shoved another bite of cake in his mouth. “They make good cake here, Daddy.”
“They do.” Between the diner, the bakery, and Kenzie the dragon, everyone seemed to do nothing but bake and ask questions. “They also ask nosy things…like what is my mate’s name and what does he do when he’s big.”
That got a giggle from him and he nodded. “And they’ll ask what my Daddy’s grown-up name is and lots of questions about the portal and where he’s from and if he likes to color.”
His list was more interesting than mine, but he probably wasn’t wrong based on the odd questions I’d been asked about ponies.
“I like to color with my little but I don’t color on my own.” It was only fun when someone else was excited about it. “I have lots of opinions on the portal and their mismanagement of it.”
Lots of opinions.
“My name is Pierce and I’m a lawyer from Texas.” There were countless other things he needed to know, but answering his questions was the most important.
“Oh, that’s fun.” Wiggling side to side, my happy mate gave me a beaming smile. “That’s a great secret identity.”
What?
“I’m Merritt when I’m big but you have to give me a little name so I get to be cute…like little bug or the naughty words Lorne’s mates use.” Merritt tried to look innocent but his eyes nearly sparkled. “I’m a good boy, so I don’t use naughty words.”
Managing not to scoff, I nodded. “I’m glad my mate is a good boy. I’m looking forward to getting to know him more too.”
And if guilt would work to keep him from getting corrupted by the locals.
“What does my mate do when he’s big?” I was thinking about his career but he could’ve told me anything and that would have been fine. “I can’t have the diner men knowing him better.”
My stern expression got a giggle from Merritt as he shoved the last bite of cake in his mouth. “Your mate likes cake, Daddy.”
And being funny.
Rolling my eyes got more laughter from him. “The diner men already know that, so I’m still behind.”
Which we were going to fix right now.
“Hmm…” Tapping one finger against his chin like he was an old school teacher in a movie, Merritt gave me his best cute and thoughtful expression. “The men know I’m a traveling nurse. I like talking about my big job. The men know I like mac and cheese. They know I like to color.”
We needed to find other places to eat if I was going to take him out on a date later.
“The men don’t know that I like scary movies and they don’t know that I don’t like bugs. Littles around here like bugs. I’m not from here, so I don’t have to like bugs. I’m nice, though.”
Which seemed to mean he hadn’t confessed he didn’t like bugs.
Got it.
“Oh.” Merritt straightened and perked up with a smile. “They don’t know I like Star Trek not Star Wars. Old ones. Not new ones.”
Since even I knew why he’d have strong opinions on that, I nodded. “That’s important to know. Thank you. Kirk or Picard?”
He giggled, looking adorably mischievous. “I’m going to be Captain Kirk when I grow up.”
A womanizer who made questionable decisions?
“I’m going to be exciting and brave and fight with people.”
So no womanizing?
“Who does that make me then?” There was no logical answer to the question, so I expected the giggle.
“A green dancing girl? A big strong alien? Captain Picard likes naughty aliens too but you’re not naughty like Q.” Merritt said it so reasonably that it took me a moment to realize he thought Captain Picard had a thing for Q.
One of those the lady doth protest too much kind of situations?
Enemies to lovers?
“I’m going to have to think about that.” And possibly rewatch some of those old episodes. Hmm. “How about we watch some of your favorite shows soon?”