Dragon with Benefits (Forgotten Dragons Book 4) Read online

  Dragon With Benefits

  Forgotten Dragons Book 4

  Terry Bolryder

  Copyright © 2019 by Terry Bolryder

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Author’s Note

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Also by Terry Bolryder

  Author’s Note

  Dragon with Benefits is book 4 in my Forgotten Dragons series!

  Each book has a new couple, heated romance, thrilling shenanigans and a happy ending, but you still might want to read them in order, since the characters are related!

  Here’s the first:

  Dragon Next Door (Forgotten Dragons 1)

  Second:

  Dragon Meets Girl (Forgotten Dragons 2)

  Third

  Dragon to the Rescue (Forgotten Dragons 3)

  Thanks, and happy reading!

  Chapter 1

  As the manager of social media at Green News, Petra Stanhope had seen a lot of things, but nothing quite like the man in the viral video titled “Sushi Douchebag.”

  He was tall, with wide shoulders and a muscular build obscured by his fancy wool coat. His bronze hair was long enough to brush his collar, and his face was strikingly handsome.

  Most notable was his thirst for petty vengeance against raw fish on rice.

  “My goodness, he’s hot,” Karen, one of Petra’s co-workers, said, fanning her face as she walked back to her desk. “I’m probably half the views on that video.”

  Petra smiled. “Whatever floats your boat.”

  Karen, a pretty, middle-aged woman with frizzy light-brown curls, spun in her chair to face Petra. “I’m a sucker for the pretty ones. Plus, he seems so elegant.”

  “You think the sushi douchebag is elegant?” Petra shook her head. “He seems like a jerk.”

  Karen sighed. “I think he was just having a rough day. Look at that butt. I’d forgive a man a lot of flaws if he let me look at that butt.”

  Petra shook her head at her co-worker’s audacity and went back to approving comments.

  A door slammed shut down the hallway, and Petra sat up a little straighter in her chair, her heart pounding wildly.

  Her boss was back.

  Well, her de facto boss, who happened to be the owner’s son, who barely paid attention to the news site and yet made all important decisions.

  Especially about promotions.

  “You going to talk to Jason?” Karen’s blue eyes were encouraging.

  Petra nodded firmly. “Today’s the day.”

  “You deserve to be writing articles,” Karen said, sighing and leaning her head on her palm as she looked in the direction of the offices where all of management worked.

  The writers worked at open desks, with a lot of noise and no privacy.

  Something Petra wanted to change if she ever made it that high in the ranks.

  “Under you, the social media page has more views than our actual website.” Karen continued.

  “I know,” Petra said, stifling a groan.

  “So get in there and ask for what you know you deserve.” Karen urged.

  Petra bit her lip, hesitating. She dreaded the thought of talking to stuck-up Jason, but it couldn’t wait any longer.

  “That’s it. I’m going,” Petra said, standing boldly. She checked out her outfit, a simple blue sweater and black pencil skirt, along with sensible heels. “Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck, not that it helps in a conversation with Jason. But you deserve this, Petra. If he doesn’t promote you this time—”

  “Right.” Petra tightened her hands into fists. “If he doesn’t promote me this time, then I… then I—”

  “Then you should quit,” Karen said, “as much as I like working with you.” She cocked her head, and several dirty-blond curls fell to the side. “If Green News can’t give you better, then—”

  “Then get better on my own.” Petra nodded. Her dark hair had been carefully straightened and was pulled back in a professional-looking bun. She was wearing minimal makeup.

  It was time.

  She picked up a file she’d put together with stats in her favor and headed boldly down the hall to talk to Jason, keeping her head high.

  Her heels clacked all the way down the hall, and she barely had her courage still with her by the time she knocked on the door.

  Her first knock was so faint even she could barely hear it, and she cursed and forced herself to knock louder.

  “Take up some darn room in the world for once, Petra,” her father had said.

  “Who is it?” Jason called out. “I’m eating.”

  “Petra. I wanted to talk to you. About my promotion.”

  She held her breath, hoping her racing heart couldn’t be heard in her tone.

  “Come in,” Jason said, though he didn’t sound pleased about it.

  But Petra didn’t care if he was pleased. She’d taken on their social media page as a foot in the door since no one was looking for journalists. But if he didn’t keep his promise…

  She pushed open the door just as Jason turned in his chair to face her, an indolent look on his bland, almost-good-looking face.

  His ill-fitting suit probably cost more than she made in a month, and he was currently wiping mayonnaise off his tie and cursing.

  He was short, only a few inches taller than Petra, with balding blond hair and freckles and dull-blue eyes behind glasses with designer frames.

  All the fancy clothing in the world couldn’t hide what a jerk he was as he slowly took a moment to leer at her, dragging his eyes up her body.

  She noticed the moment he dismissed her as nothing more than a waste of his time. It was the moment she opened her mouth.

  “I want that promotion we talked about. My numbers are twice as good as you asked for. I’m not waiting any longer.” Petra tapped her foot, leaving the door cracked open behind her.

  Jason sighed as if her being there was a huge imposition. As if she didn’t support his company in critical ways.

  He swiveled on his fancy chair to glare at his computer screen, which was currently displaying their social media page. “The stats are good. Karen mentioned it the other day.”

  “So?”

  He eyed her owlishly. “I just don’t know, Petra. You don’t have any experience with the kind of hard-hitting, investigative journalism Green News requires.”

  Petra bit back a litany of curses, reminding herself to be professional. “Steve’s last story was on which frozen yogurt shop has the best toppings.” She folded her arms. “I think I can handle it.”

  Jason ignored her, scrolling down the page, looking at the videos posted and the comments. “What about this guy? Sushi Douchebag?”

  “Wha
t about him?”

  “He’s getting a lot of views.” Jason turned to face her. “Has anyone interviewed him yet?”

  She blinked. “No. He’s Sushi Douchebag. I mean, what is there to interview?”

  “Look at the views,” Jason said, waving her to come over to his screen. “He’s going to go viral. I guarantee it. And then whoever gets the first interview is going to get a huge scoop.”

  Petra sighed. “Or we could just leave the guy alone. Look, I could do literally any other article, but no one knows who this guy is. The other writers have already been asking our readers for tips, but no luck.”

  Jason’s thin lips curved up in a smug grin. “There. That’s your challenge. You find this sushi man, interview him, get the story, and as long as the views line up, the promotion is yours.”

  Petra walked over to stand behind Jason, narrowing her eyes at the screen just as the sushi douchebag let out a frustrated yell and dropkicked one of his many boxes of takeout.

  “Ha! Good one!” Jason said. “Damn, even I want to meet this guy.”

  Because, of course, Jason would get along with another rich, entitled jerk.

  But was it really possible to find and interview Sushi Douchebag?

  Petra stepped back and pulled up the video on her phone to look closer. She watched for a while, then paused it, holding it up to her face so she could zoom in close.

  She smiled, realizing she could make out the logo of the restaurant. A quick search led her to their website, and her heart quickened when she saw a small line of text on the main page.

  Delivery drivers wanted.

  Petra slid her phone in her pocket and nodded at Jason, hoping to look casual. “Deal. I’ll locate the guy, get some kind of interview that draws in views, and you’ll promote me.”

  Jason frowned. Then smugness got the best of him, and he extended his hand toward her. She came forward to shake it, and he held on just a little longer than she liked. “You’ve got gumption, Petra. I like that. We’ll see how this goes.”

  She jerked her hand back as quickly as she could without being rude and gave him a smile she didn’t feel before making a quick exit.

  She had a delivery driver job to apply for.

  Trevor watched the rain fall on the sprawling green lawns outside the mansion.

  Rainy days always made everything feel particularly lonely and cold.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out, scanning the words with only half his attention once he saw that it was from Xander.

  The talkative red dragon was full of bullshit and seemed to rejoice in bringing as much of it to Trevor’s and Chadwick’s life as possible.

  This time however, it seemed like he had something relevant to say.

  LOL. Is this you?

  Trevor scowled as he opened the link beneath Xander’s text, and a movie loaded on his screen. As it played, Trevor felt the blood leave his face and his heart speed up rapidly.

  After so many years of hiding, so many years doing everything perfectly, he’d finally been noticed by humans at the worst possible moment.

  For his embarrassment, anyway.

  Trevor cocked his head as he watched the screen, forcing himself to endure the deserved punishment of seeing his tantrum live.

  In the video, he was in an alley not far from where he always picked up sushi for him and Chadwick. It was his one vice and always comforted him after a long day of chasing down the worst of shifter kind.

  Unfortunately, while he’d been on the way home, he’d gotten a call from the oracle, one that had made him upset enough that he’d finally lost his patience.

  Trevor glanced down to watch the tiny Trevor on the screen throw one of his boxes of sushi against the wall before letting out a frustrated series of curses and drop-kicking the rest of the sushi around the alley.

  At least he hadn’t done anything to reveal he was a dragon.

  Dots appeared beneath the video as Xander typed another text.

  That’s you, right? You’re the Sushi Douchebag! Amazing!

  Trevor sucked in an angry breath and got ready to text back but exhaled in defeat. Screw you, he texted back because there was no way to defend himself.

  No way to solve their current problem either.

  The door to his study opened, and Trevor knew before even glancing over that Chadwick had entered.

  Who else would be in the cold, lonely house?

  Trevor leaned on the windowsill as he turned to face his partner. His best friend for countless years. The person he was born to protect with his gold shield and his powers.

  The purple dragon and head of their area.

  Chadwick brushed back his short dark hair as he walked over, his footsteps quiet in the high-end loafers he liked to wear on the marble floors to keep his feet warm.

  “How are you doing?” Chad’s tone was gentle. “With… everything?”

  “You mean since the leader of the shifter world basically said we were worthless for not having a mate?” Trevor asked dully.

  “She didn’t say that,” Chadwick said calmly. “She was only suggesting we’d be stronger if we found one. And we would be if we mated a dragon heart together and got a third power. I’m sure you see that too.”

  Trevor’s throat felt tight. “Of course.”

  They’d gone longer than any other pair in the region without finding someone, and usually, they never talked about it.

  They were the best at policing their area, a well-oiled team when it came to taking down the worst things the shifter world could offer.

  But when it came to succeeding where every other dragon pair in their area had by finding a mate to protect and love, they had failed.

  And it was all Trevor’s fault because he was no good at sharing.

  He sucked in a breath, glad he’d gotten used to guarding his thoughts from Chadwick, since dragons could read minds. They were open with each other about everything… except this.

  “We’re strong enough without a mate for now,” Chadwick said mildly, though Trevor could detect the stress in his voice. “I’ll help the oracle see that.” He put a hand on Trevor’s shoulder, gently massaging. “Try not to worry too much.”

  Trevor jerked away. He couldn’t help it. He liked his partner. If there was anyone he could have shared a mate with, it would have been Chadwick. And Trevor had hoped in time they would find the right person.

  But after so many years, he was beginning to think it wouldn’t happen.

  That they would be alone for a thousand years in this empty house that was so big for no reason except to keep out the outside world.

  With everything money could buy and nothing of real value.

  “Why is this bothering you so much?” Chadwick asked, sitting in a chair languidly and crossing one leg over the other. As usual, he was immaculately dressed and groomed, wearing a purple sweater with tailored slacks, his short dark-brown hair closely cut on the sides and a little longer on top. His purple eyes were hidden behind his glasses. “You know we’ve been fine without a mate. We can convince her—”

  “No,” Trevor said. “Not after her last call. Clearly, she thinks we’re incompetent.”

  Chadwick scoffed. “You’re the last person anyone would think that about, Trevor. She’s just trying to get us to move on, since she thinks our work has been delaying us.”

  Trevor turned to face Chadwick. “And what is delaying us?” He wanted to hear it. Wanted to know if his partner knew how defective Trevor was. Wanted to hear him say it out loud.

  Chadwick flushed slightly, pink tinging his high cheekbones, accenting his full lips. He was a few inches shorter than Trevor’s height of six feet six inches and somewhat leaner but still the type of man that instantly drew female attention.

  “I don’t know,” Chadwick said carefully.

  They stared at each other as silence fell over the room. Well, except for the rain outside.

  Trevor turned back to stare out the window. “So much of th
e world is at stake, and she threatens us over who we’re sleeping with—”

  “It’s not only that,” Chadwick said. “It’s the power. The solidarity. The—”

  “I know,” Trevor said more sharply than he meant to. “But honestly, Chad. If we haven’t found her by now, then when will we find her?”

  And deep down, how could Trevor ever convince his heart to do its duty and share its love?

  Chadwick was quiet, and this was the only topic that seemed to do that to him.

  Trevor glanced over his shoulder at him. “Have you had a vision? Have you seen her? Have you seen anyone?”

  Chadwick shook his head, then slowly pushed himself to his feet and walked over to stand beside Trevor. “It’s going to be okay,” he said calmly, looking out over the swaying grass.

  “How?” Trevor asked, his heart pounding.

  Chadwick gave Trevor a small smile. “We’re good dragons, Trev. She’ll see that, with or without a mate.” He stared down at the lawn. “Though, it might not be bad to find one.”

  Trevor nodded, throat tight. “We are good dragons.” And he would just continue to hope that being competent and doing their job well would end up being enough, as it had so far.

  Trevor glanced at his phone as it buzzed again, hoping Chadwick didn’t notice.

  “What was that?” Chadwick asked.

  “Nothing,” Trevor said, grabbing his phone and sliding it back in his pocket before Xander could blow his cover. The last thing Chadwick needed was more stress.

  He had enough of that in meetings with the oracle about the new fae emissaries they might be hosting.

  Besides, the video would blow over. Humans would move on to the next thing. They always did.