Dating a Dragon

By Georgette St. Clair

Fire dragon Orion Garrison is rich, eligible, and hot in more ways than one, but that hasn’t been enough to find him a true life mate. And even his billions won’t keep shifter matchmakers, The Mating Game, from showing him the door when he arrogantly demands they find him a woman to bear his dragonlings.

Cadence Bergmann has always known the chilling truth—if the part of her that’s half ice dragon starts to show, she’ll be married off to someone from her long-estranged clan, even if she can’t shift, can’t fly, and her icy breath is only good for chilling margaritas.

When fire meets ice, things get steamy, despite interfering in-laws, a bitter ex, and a clan rivalry stretching back centuries. But when their future young are threatened, will Cadence be able to keep her cool and access her inner dragoness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Georgette St. Clair
• Release date: Dec 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005255480

Georgette St. Clair

Hello, I am Georgette St. Clair, writer of hot, sexy romances which star all Alpha heroes, all the time. The road to love may be rocky and fraught with peril, (and humor and scorchtastic sex and healthy heapings of snark) but my shifters will stop at nothing to claim their fated mate.A little about me: I live in Florida. My checkered career involved stints as a newspaper reporter, EMT, internet marketer, cocktail waitress, temp, nurse’s aide (but not all at the same time...)Now I’m living my perfect life, spending my days in a fantasy universe where I nudge my smart-mouthed, take-no-guff heroines onto the path that will set them on a collision course with true love.

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CHAPTER ONE

Most of the time, Wynona Bennett loved owning a mating agency, but she was having one of those days. The heel on her new shoe had snapped off, the air conditioning was on the fritz, her very pregnant niece Daisy had just waddled in and needed to see her instantly about some urgent problem, and to top it all off, she’d just thrown a billionaire out of her office.

Orion Garrison. Her richest client ever. Gone.

She stood in her lobby and regretfully watched him stomp out the door of her office, thudding down the stairs. His broad back was rigid with anger, head held high. She could practically see the indignation radiating off him, right through his hand-tailored silk Italian suit. Now there was a guy who wasn’t used to hearing the word no.

Why are you throwing the hot guy out of your office? Daisy asked her curiously. Yes, yes, he wasn’t just rich, he was gorgeous. Piercing amber eyes, silky black hair, sensual lips, cheekbones so sharp they could cut through glass.

He did indeed seem like an ideal mating prospect, based on physical appearance, at least, her new executive assistant Gillian chimed in.

Wynona scowled after him as the door to the street slammed. Because he’s being a dick, excuse my French.

"That’s English. French would be ‘il est une bite’," Gillian corrected Wynona, with flawless pronunciation and no sense of irony whatsoever.

Wynona exchanged an amused glance with Daisy, who was sitting on the couch with her hands folded over her big pregnant tummy.

Gillian was a dream of an executive secretary; punctual, highly educated, and relentlessly organized. But she wouldn’t recognize a joke if it bit her in the ass.

Daisy glanced at the door. He was so hot, though. On a scale of one to ten, he’s a twelve. At Wynona’s raised eyebrow, she added, What? I’m mated, not dead, for God’s sake. Then she flashed a wicked smile and said, And I didn’t say where Ryker fits on that scale.

Where? Wynona gave her niece a fond smile. Six months ago, she had arranged the mating between Daisy and Ryker Harrison.

Infinity. Daisy patted her stomach with contentment. You outdid yourself. Ryker is a keeper. Brought me breakfast in bed this morning before he left for work, as a matter of fact. And also did some other things I won’t mention in polite company. I meant Gillian, not you, she added, directing that comment at Wynona. Then she looked at the door again. Are you sure about kicking him out? There must be some lovelorn lady out there who’d be a good match for him.

No, it just won’t work. He had a ridiculous list of demands, and he’s in no position to be so picky.

But he’s so pretty, Daisy protested.

He’s also a dragon.

Ah. Daisy nodded. You’re right, he’s got a limited dating pool available. I’m surprised he even came here.

Most dragons kept to themselves, living with their clans in a big, wide open area of Nevada that the clans had collectively purchased so they’d have room to fly safely – their area of Nevada had been declared a no-fly zone for airplanes – and also because of their affinity for finding gold and jewels. They owned most of the gold, silver and opal mines in the state.

I guess he was getting pretty desperate. It’s not that easy for dragons to find a fertile mate, Wynona said. Plenty of women, but not that many who are able to carry dragonlings to term. As it so happens, I don’t even have any dragon females registered here. And I’m not going to look for any, because he’s a rude, entitled twat.

Yeah, fair enough. No point in setting up a match that wouldn’t be happy. Daisy glanced at Gillian. Gillian, can you call in a derrick to hoist me off this couch, please?

Oh, I’m sure that won’t be necessary, Gillian reassured her. You’re not that large. One or two strong males should be able to pull you to your feet, and realistically, there is no way to fit that type of equipment inside this building anyway. Shall I call for assistance? I believe the gentlemen in the office down the hall should—

I got this, Wynona interjected quickly. Gillian was actually about to call for help.

Wynona flashed an exasperated look at her niece, grabbed her by the hand, and pulled her to her feet.

Must you? she demanded of Daisy as she hustled her into her office and shut the door. You did that on purpose. You know how literally she takes everything.

Daisy was shaking with laughter. Yes, my dear aunt, I must. It’s part of the joy of visiting you.

So other than that, why are you really here? Wynona helped Daisy sink onto the couch that faced her desk, and then looked her over with an appraising eye. Dear lord, are you ever pregnant, woman.

Seriously? Get out. I thought my rack grew to a 40 double F cup because I’d prayed to the boobie fairy. Wait ’til I tell Ryker. Daisy leaned back, accidentally knocking a pillow off the couch. Ugh, I’m so clumsy these days. All right, down to business. I’m here because we’re setting Cadence up on a date. She needs cheering up.

Wynona looked at her skeptically.

Does Cadence know this yet?

Daisy waved a hand impatiently at the question. Details, details. I’m swinging by her house in a bit, so I will inform her then. But you should get started now. She seems to prefer guys with dark hair, if that helps you narrow it down.

Wynona shook her head. Daisy, remember, this is a mating agency, not a dating agency. I arrange for shifters to find their life mates. I don’t arrange casual hookups.

Daisy scowled. Cadence really wants a family and a relationship, and she’s been totally depressed lately. She’s just losing her enthusiasm for everything. The other day I asked her to shift and go for a run with me, and she said she couldn’t. I said, okay, maybe tomorrow, and she said no, you don’t get it, I literally can’t. Then she got up and walked out of the room.

That is odd, I admit, Wynona acknowledged. Strange thing to say. And I’ve never known her to be moody, either.

It’s not work, Daisy continued. She loves working for that event planning company. She wants a mate. We just need to find her the right guy.

I thought she said that she never wanted to settle down, Wynona protested. In fact, I specifically heard her say that.

"No, she said she that she is never going to settle down. Not that she doesn’t want to. When she comes to visit me and looks at the other families’ cubs, she gets this look on her face…she wants a family."

But she hasn’t said that, Wynona pointed out.

Cadence is my best friend. Daisy got a stubborn look on her face. Just because she hasn’t said it doesn’t mean she doesn’t want it.

Wynona just raised an eyebrow and stared at Daisy.

Seriously, Daisy insisted.

Based on your gut feeling? She shook her head decisively. No. I would need to have her contact me and ask me. And then of course I’d be happy to help her search for a mate, assuming that’s what she wants. She’s cute, she’s fun, she’s a loyal friend, she can mix a mean margarita. Heck, if I weren’t heterosexual and determined to die single, I’d fix myself up with her.

You do realize it’s weird to hear the founder of a mating agency say she’s going to die single.

It was also weird to throw a surprise birthday party for my mate and find him in the kitchen getting mouth-to-dick resuscitation from my best friend. Former best friend. Boy, was I surprised. Wynona’s brow wrinkled. But just because my marriage went down in spectacular flames doesn’t mean I can’t help others find love.

Like Cadence. Listen, it’s not just my gut feeling. I did a little snooping around. Daisy assumed a self-righteous, determined expression. Because I was worried about her.

What have you done? Wynona’s tone was sharp.

At her rebuking tone, Daisy had the good grace to look a little embarrassed. "Okay, I maybe shouldn’t have done this, but the other day when I was at her house, I was in the living room and she was in the kitchen. And I heard the mailman deliver the mail through the kitchen door, and she swore kind of quietly but, you know, I’ve got that shifter hearing. So maybe I sneaked a peek through a crack in her kitchen door."

Wynona’s frown lines deepened. Because you were worried.

Exactly! Daisy beamed at her. Right? See what I good friend I am? I saw her open an envelope, look at the letter, and stuff it into her trash bin. Really far down. She hid it.

And? Then what did you do?

Daisy sighed. When she went to the bathroom, I went in and dug the letter out of the trash and looked at it real quick. It was from a fertility clinic! It said that she was exceptionally fertile. She looked at Wynona appealingly. See? So obviously she wants cubs! Why else would she do fertility testing, at her age?

Oh, Daisy, for heaven’s sake! Wynona slapped her hands down on her desk. Snooping on Cadence? Deciding that you’re a better judge of what she needs than she is? You sound like—

Daisy sat bolt upright. Don’t say it!

Harriet! Wynona finished. Harriet was Daisy’s mother-in-law.

Daisy absolutely adored her, but nobody could deny that Harriet was an interfering busybody when it came to her family. She’d been so eager to make sure that Ryker found the right mate and