Taming the Dragon (Loved by the Dragon, #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

friend of mine and my husband’s.”
    “So I gather from her presence that your husband was unable to attend? Such a pity. We had looked forward to a meeting with the elusive Saul Drakenstone,” Archibald said. “I must say, though, the change in company is rather pleasant.”
    Helena glared at her husband then turned her haughty eyes toward Marcy. “Are you anyone important, or merely a plus one?” she asked.
    “She is my honored guest.” Teo’s voice came from directly behind Marcy. His hands lowered to her shoulders, sending an electrifying tingle burning through every nerve until it reached the tips of her toes.
    Helena’s mouth fell open, and her husband managed to tear his eyes away from Marcy’s generous bust for the first time since the couple joined them.
    Chloe smirked. “How nice of you to finally join us. Teo is a close family friend, and godfather to our little girl,” she explained to the gaping woman. “He and my husband are practically brothers.” She then took Marcy’s hand and laced their fingers. “And Marcy is my sister. We’ve been best friends since childhood.”
    “I wished to remind you of our lunch plans tomorrow,” Teo said. His thumb made a single stroke over Marcy’s shoulder then he released her.
    Lunch plans? What the fuck is he talking about? Marcy thought. She tilted her head to gaze up at him with her mouth slightly slack. When her eyes lowered to their dinner companions, she saw Helena’s glare had chilled to Antarctic levels.
    “Lunch sounds great, Teo, thanks,” Chloe replied, smiling as she played along.
    “I’ll meet you both at noon by the cove. I think Astrid will enjoy the calm waters there,” Teo said.
    “We’ll see you then,” Marcy murmured. Her shoulders felt cold without his hands on them.
    After Teo’s departure, their dinner companions became more amicable. Marcy wasn’t fooled by their change in tune, but at least it made the time less uncomfortable.
    Charitable donors made speeches prior then servers visited each table with artfully arranged dinners. The expensive plates held succulent cuts of medium-rare steak, grilled asparagus spears coated with a layer of savory butter, and the cheesiest mashed potatoes Marcy ever sampled. The miniscule serving size of the creamy side dish was enough to fill her stomach. The night ended with a performance by talented dancers. For show, Chloe broke decorum and penned her check at the table, adding enough trailing zeroes to make Helena and Archibald stare.
    “Holy crap, that was intense. I didn’t know snobs could backpedal so quickly,” Marcy said as she and Chloe stumbled into the elevator, giggling crazily together. “I’ve now had my first taste of rich people wine. I wonder how much of the money they raise went into supporting that shindig?”
    “Barely a fraction, girl. Which is why all of the portions are so tiny and rich. They fill you up with bite-sized morsels and microscopic steak filets so you don’t have room for a lot of their expensive wine.”
    “I really am full,” Marcy agreed. “Even though I think I had only a bite of food. I wish I had the recipe for those asparagus spears.”
    They rode to the top and entered their shared suite. Inside, they found Nuri curled upon the bed fast asleep. Astrid had cuddled against her nanny, clutching a blanket in one hand and burying her face against the wolf’s rust red pelt.
    “That is too adorable.” And too cute to pass up. Marcy dug out her camera and clicked a few photos with the flash off.
    “Nuri is a godsend,” Chloe whispered. “I had my doubts when Saul first told me he wanted to find a werewolf babysitter, but I’m glad to have her. She’s amazing.”
    “I still can’t believe she does it for free with no expectations of compensation.”
    According to Chloe, some shapeshifters like Nuri were born as animals, only they learned to walk as humans at some point in their adult lives. Nuri lacked appreciation for technology and had