Desired by Dragons: BBW Paranormal Romance (Dragons of New York Book 2) by Terry Bolryder Page A

stick just because you want to do it for me.”
    Quill put a hand on her shoulder, turning her to him. “Tara, you have to let us try.”
    “Why?” she asked. “You can find another dragon-heart. You don’t even know if I am one. With my ex, I was so tired. I wasn’t brave. I was exhausted. And heartsick. He found me when I was grieving for my mom. It was a bad relationship, but it was a distraction. Until it all went wrong. Then I tried to stay on the road to keep away from him, but he kept finding me. Now he’s found me again.”
    “And we won’t let him get to you,” Quill said. “I can change. I can hold back. I know it’s still early, but I can already feel things changing with you in the house. Drake and I are getting along better than we ever have, and I think it’s that we both care about you more than our own egos. So please, just give us a chance.”
    His lips were close to her ear now, and she felt a delicate shudder run down her back.
    “I don’t know,” she said. “It still seems too good to be true.”
    “Oh, trust me,” Drake said. “It’s not. I’m still a stubborn asshole and Quill’s still reckless. We still won’t make things easy on you. But… we’ll do our best.”
    She leaned into Drake and let Quill wrap around behind her. She felt warm and safe, like she was in exactly the right place. She just hoped it would last.
    When they all pulled back, she hid her flush by tucking her curls behind one ear and looking away.
    “I’m going to need his name,” Drake said. “I have some resources we can use to find out more info. We have some informants in the wolf community, so we can see where he’s sneaking around, who he’s with.”
    She nodded. “His name is Timothy Sunderland. He had dark hair, is tall, and is kind of disheveled usually. I just wonder how he got in with the wolves anyway.”
    Drake eyed her carefully, but it was Quill who stepped forward and spoke. “Here’s the thing, Tara. This guy, the obsessed way he’s been stalking you? All signs point to him being some kind of shifter. Maybe a latent one, but maybe a full one. And we have to find out what we’re dealing with.”
    “A shifter?” she asked. “Then why didn’t he mate me?”
    “Did you have unprotected sex with him?”
    She shook her head. “No. Never. He did want to, but… And then the one time he caught up to me, captured me and tied me up, I think that’s where it was headed. But I got away when he took a phone call. I had taken to carrying a knife on me, and I got away.”
    Drake’s face tightened in possessive anger. “I could kill him for doing that to you. I promise not to ever tie you again.”
    She nodded. “It’s okay. I’m starting to get over it. Slowly. Anyway, no, he never did that to me.”
    “Wolf shifters mate by unprotected copulation. And if it’s with a human, then by telling them about their animal and getting acceptance. As I understand it.”
    “Oh,” she said.
    “Anyway, you get some rest. Quill will tuck you in while I sort this out.”
    Then Drake strode out of the room, leaving her with Quill, who looked sort of apologetic.
    “Hey,” he said, tilting up her chin. “Drake’s abrupt at times, but he gets things done, okay? We’ll get this sorted out for you. Now, I’m sure you’re starving. Let’s get you something to eat.”
    “You dragons,” she grumbled. “Always trying to get me to eat.” But she was hungry, so she didn’t argue.
    Quill just laughed. “It’s true,” he said, slipping a hand around her waist and squeezing her curves. “We like to maintain our mate’s figure.”
    “Stop touching my fat,” she snapped, laughing.
    “No,” Quill said, reaching around with both hands to give her an affectionate squeeze. “They’re called love handles for a reason, and I intend to love them.”
    She threw back her head and laughed. It felt like things were back to normal. At least for the moment. And at least as normal as things ever were