felt like an eternity, he was lost to everything but ecstasy.
Then he slowly came back to himself, his senses returning along with his memory. He and Raluca were still standing up, clasped tight in each other’s arms. Her scent was all over him, and the warm musk of their lovemaking hung in the cool night air. He pulled up his jeans, then settled back into her arms. She kissed him softly and leaned her head against his shoulder.
He turned to rub his cheek against her smooth hair, then looked up at the night sky. An enormous full moon glowed like a pearl amidst the blazing stars. That was Raluca’s world. And now it was his world, too, just as everything that was his was now also hers.
“That was marvelous,” Raluca said with dreamy satisfaction. “I would have been happy simply to dance and fly with you. But I do enjoy that you are such a skilled lover.”
Nick grinned. “Tell me more. Every guy loves to hear that.”
He’d been joking, but Raluca answered him seriously. “Well, to begin with, I have never climaxed with any man but you.”
That surprised him. “Really?”
She nodded. “When I said in the dressing room that I had never done such a thing before, that was what I meant. Though I had also never had sex anywhere but in a bed. But yes, before I met you, I had found sex quite disappointing. I could climax by myself, and I expected that doing it with a man would be even more enjoyable. But in fact, it was better by myself, because at least then I had a climax. I had begun to think that I was simply bad at sex.”
“No fucking way,” Nick said, instantly pissed at every asshole who hadn’t bothered to make sure she was having a good time and then let her blame herself. “Those guys were the problem, not you. You’re the best lover I’ve ever had. You make love like you dance. You’re fucking incredible. And if you ever think you’re not, just ask me, and I’ll tell you again. No. I’ll show you again.”
“I shall look forward to that,” Raluca said. Then, curiously, she asked, “When you say I am the best lover, do you too mean...?”
“No. You’re not the only woman who’s ever made me come,” Nick said, trying not to smile. He didn’t want her to think he was laughing at her. “But you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
“Oh.” Raluca swallowed, her eyes brimming. “I am so glad we found each other.”
She closed her eyes and let him kiss away her tears.
Nick could have happily held her all night. But a gust of frigid wind made him shiver. And if he was cold in his jeans and leather jacket, Raluca must be freezing.
“Let me give you my jacket,” Nick said, reaching for the zipper. “And then I guess we should be getting home.”
Raluca caught his hand. “I am not cold. I carry my own heat within. But I am a little tired.”
“Me too. Think you can find the nightclub from here? If you can’t, we could just fly back to Protection, Inc. and collect my car tomorrow.”
“I’m not certain,” Raluca said. “Let me look around.”
They walked toward the edge of the roof. Raluca looked around, frowned, then stepped closer, peering down. Nick grabbed her elbow.
Raluca smiled. “Nick. I can fly.”
“Oh, right.” He released her, and stood watching as she paced along the edge of the roof, turning her head this way and that. “Collect the car tomorrow, huh?”
“Wait. I do not know your city well, but I can usually re-trace my flight path.”
“I know the city. Not from above, but, if you give me a second, maybe I can spot it.” Nick went in the opposite direction, keeping farther from the edge than her as he scanned the city below. He wasn’t afraid of heights, but he couldn’t fly and they were at least twenty stories up.
“Nick!” Raluca shouted.
He whipped around. She was pointing upward, into the empty sky.
Baffled, Nick said, “What?”
“A dragon!”
He took a step toward Raluca, but she flung out her hand to stop him. “Get back! He’s landing!”
Nick jumped back, hoping it was far enough to avoid getting squashed.
A whirlwind of brilliant sparks lit the air between him and Raluca. For a moment, Nick thought it was Lucas. But they weren’t quite the right color. Just as he realized that, the sparks vanished and a huge brass dragon crouched between them.