To Catch a Billionaire Dragon

Chapter Three

They were rescued an hour later by a harried-looking fireman. About time too. Logan had read all the reports he had taken with him, written the e-mails he needed to, and composed a to-do list for his secretary for the next day.

Laurel had been writing the whole time, barely pausing to take a bite of her bagel she would then forget again, holding it in her hand. Looking at the remains of it, Logan became aware of his hunger. He had just about time for showering before he had to head out to his date. He would have to forget eating.

The fireman was on the floor above them, waiting to lift Laurel out of the cage that was trapped between the floors, but she hadn't even noticed. Logan shook his head, exasperated and amused. "Come, Laurel, we're free."

She gave him an absentminded glance. "Hmm?"

"Let's go." He pointed at their rescuer and she turned to look. And damn, if her eyes didn't light in interest.

"I don't mind if I do."

Logan rolled his eyes. What was it with women and firemen? So the guy was beefy and strong enough to lift her out of the cage, with only one hand if needed. Plenty of men were muscular. Logan wasn't exactly a weakling himself. Regular exercising was the only hobby he made time for in his busy schedule.

Laurel got up and tiptoed toward the opening to push all her things through the door first. Then she offered her arms to the fireman who took a good hold of them and easily pulled her up. Without thinking, Logan stood behind her and gave her a push. The buttocks he was holding were surprisingly round and firm for such a slender woman. They distracted him, and he almost fell on his face when she was yanked through the opening.

Gaining his balance, he reached to push his things out of the door first too. But he'd be damned if he'd accept help. He took a hold of the edge of the floor above him and pulled himself level with it with his arms. It didn't strain him much, but he should have removed his jacket first. He could feel the lining tear at the shoulders. He ignored it as he dove through the opening. A moment later he was standing. He glanced at Laurel to see if she'd noticed his show of strength, but she was ogling the fireman. Shaking his head, he turned to offer his hand to their rescuer.

"Thanks for getting us out."

The guy shook his hand, the contact brief and firm—a man secure in his masculinity who didn't feel the need to show off his strength. "Just doing my job. Will you be all right from here?"

"Absolutely," Logan said, just as Laurel said: "No." The men both turned to her.

"I think I sprained my ankle. Suppose you wouldn't carry me up?" She actually fluttered her eyelashes at the fireman. The guy smiled, amused, but then leaned into her, as if prepared to carry her.

Logan snorted. "You did no such thing. Stop harassing the poor man."

"I don't mind," the guy said.

"It's two floors up. You'll mind. Come, Laurel, thank the man and we'll be on our way." He went to the stairs that circled around the elevator well. When he turned to see if she'd followed, the damned woman was writing her phone number on the notepad and giving it to the fireman. Never in his life had a woman arranged a date with another guy when she was with him.

"What is it with firemen that get women all worked up?" he asked when they were on their way up.

She gave him a dreamy look. "There's just something about a man who risks his life for others on a daily basis."

There really was nothing to add to that.

"So, what were you writing about so intently?"

"You."

Logan froze, mid-step. "What?"

She glanced at him, clearly puzzled by his sudden anger. "Who else? I was stuck in the elevator with you."

"I forbid you."

"You forbid me?" she said, affronted. "You can't do that. I'm an author. I have an artist's freedom to write whatever I like."

She continued to their floor and he followed. "And I'm one of the most powerful men in this city. I'll have my lawyers descend on you with full force if you don't remove me. You'll never get published once they're done with you."

Laurel stared at the furious man. They had paused on the landing outside their apartments and he was looming over her, arms akimbo on his hips, his eyes blazing and his nostrils flaring. He looked magnificent.

"Perfect. I have to remember that."

He startled. "Remember what?"

"The way you look right now. It's exactly how my character will look when he's angry."

"Didn't you hear me? You will not use me in your book."

She went to her door and fished out the key from her pocket to open it. "Oh, relax. No one will know it's you." She went in and he followed her.

"What do you mean, no one will know?" Was it just her or did he sound disappointed? She didn't turn to look but headed to the kitchen to put her salad in the fridge. He walked in after her and she had to face him.

"For one, it's not you I put in it, just my first impression of you and how it affected me. For another, he's not human."

"Not human? What is he then?"

"A dragon."

"A ... what?" He was standing in the middle of the kitchen floor, looking like a majestic storm. Her fingers itched to start writing again, but she had to calm him down first.

"If you could see yourself now you'd know exactly what I mean. I've been trying to describe him the past two days and coming pitifully short. And then there you were, arrogant and aloof. I knew instantly you were my dragon. You're even better now that you're angry."

"I'm not arrogant." She rolled her eyes in response and he continued. "And anyway, if you make him look like me and put my name on him, everyone will know it's me."

"Don't be daft. Of course I won't use your name. I don't even know what it is."

He looked baffled, as if everyone should know his name. "It's Logan. Logan Avery."

"Logan? Whoever has heard of a dragon named Logan? No, his name is Drust."

"You just came up with that?"

"No. I've had the name for days. It's old Celtic word for riot. Suits my dragon perfectly."

"I'm not riotous."

She sighed. "For the last time, he's not you."

"Then why did you say he is?"

"Because..." She searched helplessly for an explanation. "Because he wouldn't exist without you."

He stared at her for a long time, but at least he wasn't angry anymore. "Fine. But I want to read the manuscript before it's published."

"Fine." He could want all he liked.

He headed back to the hallway. "I have to go. I have a date tonight."

She had wanted him to go these past ten minutes, but now his words stung. "That's okay. I have a date too."

"With your fireman?"

She couldn't quite determine his tone. "No. With my dragon."

A slow, amused sneer spread on his face. "Have fun dreaming of me, then." With that he left, closing the door quietly behind him. She stood transfixed, staring at the closed door for a long time. She would most definitely dream of ... her dragon.

Shaking herself out of the reverie, she shot to action. She had a book to write.