Big City Uptown Dragon by Cynthia Sax

Chapter One
     
    Hailey crossed over the threshold of Oro’s, the high-end Manhattan jewelry store, took one deep breath of the citrus-scented air, smelling the underlying aroma of smoke and fire, and smiled, a feeling of belonging settling upon her.
    “We’re taking this position,” she announced to the tiny brunette standing by her side.
    “Retail, Hailey?” Ember adjusted Killer’s tote-style doggy carrier, the Chihuahua yipping his displeasure at being imprisoned. “Don’t you remember our last stint in retail?”
    “That was over thirty years ago.” Hailey waved her hand, dismissing that disaster. “And this is a management support role, not retail.” She strode over to the snotty-looking employee standing guard over a display of diamond rings. “Excuse me, Miss… Vanna.” She read the woman’s gold-plated nametag.
    The tall, raven-haired beauty slowly raised her gaze, perusing her closely, a cold, dead expression plastered on her pale, aristocratic face. Hailey lifted one finely plucked eyebrow, knowing Vanna wouldn’t find anything wrong with her classic green designer skirt suit or her more modern, flashy gold heels.
    “Can I help you?” Vanna’s tone conveyed she didn’t want to help anyone.
    “I wish to speak to your boss, Oro.” Hailey returned her glacial smile. Having spent three months as a dental hygienist catering to the paranormal crowd, she could out vamp any vampire wannabe. “Tell him Hailey is here to see him.”
    The woman’s blood-red lips twitched. “Mr. Oro is a very busy man.”
    “He’ll make time for me. Thank you, Vanna.” Hailey turned her back on the employee, cutting off any rebuttal she might have. “Oh, gold.” She drifted toward the collection of 24-karat pieces, drawn to the glitter. Every spare dollar she’d obtained over the past five decades had been spent building her impressive hoard of gold.
    “The entire store is filled with gold.” Her friend perused the diamond-covered dog collars. All her extra cash was spent on her tiny pooch. “I assume I’m to ask about employee discounts?” The more socially adept Ember handled all the negotiations.
    “An employee discount would be absolutely wonderful.” She could add to her hoard while learning more about her elusive dragon-shifting boss. Hailey bent over the display case glass. “Look at this piece.” She pointed at a dragon pendant. The detail was so fine, each scale was visible.
    “That is Mr. Oro’s design.” Vanna was back. The haughty woman slid the tray of black velvet out and laid it upon the case. Hailey touched the pendant with wonder. The workmanship was exquisite, the best she’d seen in years.
    “It is very exclusive,” Vanna informed her.
    The tiny hairs on the back of Hailey’s neck stood up, and the smell of smoke intensified. She didn’t need to see the woman’s widening eyes to know her future boss had arrived. “ I am very exclusive.” Her voice deepened, a wave of unexplainable lust sweeping over her. “I’d like to try it on.”
    “Allow me.” Large, tanned fingers tipped with immaculately kept nails picked up the pendant. Hailey’s hands trembled as she lifted her hair, allowing this stranger, her prospective boss, access to her neck. Warm skin brushed hers, his touch light and lingering, caressing her nape and enticing her senses.
    “Beautiful,” he rumbled, the hard ridge in his dress pants pressing against her ass, heat radiating from his body. “Like it was made for you.” He rested his hands on her shoulders as though he owned her.
    No one owned her. She stiffened, mentally bracing herself against his alluring assault. And although the pendant was a tiny work of art, Hailey wasn’t that easy to buy. “Beautiful but not made for me.” She touched the tiny dragon, the gold resting at the base of her neck. “The chain is too short.”
    “Ahhh… yes,” he murmured, his voice seductively low, his breath wafting against her earlobe. “It should dangle