heated. “Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be sorry, darling.” The woman brandished her gloved hand. “Be grateful. In fifty years, you could be paying for a man like that.”
“He’s my boss,” Hailey boldly declared. She met Oro’s gaze, and he nodded curtly, not disputing her claim.
“Even better. He pays you.” The matron beamed.
“Vanna will be happy to assist you, ma’am.” Oro sliced the chitchat short. The saleswoman hustled over to the woman’s side, no trace of happiness on her perfect face. “If you’ll excuse us, we have things to discuss.” He put his arm around Hailey. “Come this way, mate.” Oro steered her toward the back of the store.
“Assistant,” Hailey corrected, gesturing to Ember to join them. “One of your assistants.” She smiled at her friend. “Ember, this is Oro, our new boss. Oro, this is Ember, your new assistant.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Oro, sir,” Ember chirped, playing the role of obedient employee.
“The same,” Oro murmured the civilized reply, the frustration lines around his perfect mouth smoothing.
Hailey gazed at her friend with awe as they walked through the maze of corridors. That was why Ember did all the negotiations. She charmed even the grumpiest of dragons.
Killer yipped as Ember shifted the doggy carrier on her shoulder. Oro glanced down, and the small dog whimpered, backing into the depths of the tote.
“We have a no pet policy in the office,” Oro informed them with a scowl.
“That policy has changed.” Hailey reached into the tote and patted the frightened Chihuahua on his tiny head. “Hasn’t it, Killer? Yes, it has.” She bent down. “Yes, it has.”
“He really isn’t any bother, Mr. Oro.” Ember tried to placate their fuming boss.
Hailey grinned, feeling no need to tiptoe around Oro’s feelings. Dragon mates were rarer than assistant jobs. She had the upper hand.
“You won’t even know he’s there,” Ember assured him.
“Because he won’t be there,” Oro mumbled under his breath. “One snap of my jaws and…”
Ember glared at him and transferred the doggy tote to her other shoulder, placing Killer out of harm’s way. Hailey’s grin spread. Wolf shifters had even better hearing than dragon shifters, and Ember’s temper rivaled her own. Oro had better watch his big mouth.
“Ember and I will require a sizable salary,” she cheerfully informed him. “The cost of living in Manhattan and all that.”
“Hailey,” her friend cautioned.
“No, I’ve got this,” she assured her. “Or I guess we could live in the Bronx.” Hailey named the rival dragon’s territory.
Oro’s handsome face darkened ominously, and the curious employees shadowing them scattered. “You’ll stay in the building, in the penthouse suite with me.”
He wanted her in his lair. Hailey’s toes curled.
“Did you hear that, Ember?” She laughed. “We’re staying in the penthouse suite with Oro.”
Ember mumbled something unintelligible and hugged her little dog closer to her body.
“I only require one assistant.” He held his office door open.
Hailey swept by him, breathing in his smoke and man scent. As she passed, she trailed her fingers along his stomach and smiled as he shuddered.
“Ember and I are a package deal.” After years of temping in the paranormal world, they knew there was safety in numbers. “If you want to hire one of us, you have to also hire the other.” She turned, surveying the large space, the walls painted a dark burgundy, the furniture gilded. It was a cave befitting a dragon. “I like it.” Hailey beamed.
“I’m glad you approve.” His lips twisted. “I do try.”
“I’m sure you do.” She paced the perimeter, exchanging an amused look with her friend. “And where is your office?” Hailey schooled her expression to one of complete innocence.
“This is my office.” Smoke literally streamed out of his ears. “Your desk is positioned outside.” Hailey curled her bottom lip.