Author:
Cindy Spencer Pape firmly believes in happily-ever-after and brings that to her writing. A multiple award-winning author, she has published almost sixty novels and stories. When not hard at work writing, she can be found restoring her 1870 house, dressing up for steampunk parties and Renaissance fairs, or with her nose buried in a book. Visit her website: www.cindyspencerpape.com.

Computer science professor Eric Gordon has to find the hacker responsible for a virus on campus. When his investigations show some sort of reptile may be living in the steam tunnels under campus, he turns to biology professor Lori Tremain for help. 

Lori’s life is crazy with her tenure review looming, but she’s too curious and way too attracted to turn down Eric’s request.  Together, Lori and Eric uncover things that their scientific minds can barely imagine, along with a passion they never expected.  She doesn’t have time for love or dragons, but adventure and romance find her anyway.

Dragon in the System

After giggling at Eric's lame attempt at a joke, Lori cast her eyes back down to her hands, and his gaze followed hers. Short, stubby fingernails held only a trace of the pink polish she'd applied for their date Saturday night. Had she been chewing on them?


"I'd like to make you dinner, as a thank-you," she offered shyly. Eric had to strain to hear her.


"Sure," he answered swiftly, not about to miss the chance to get her alone in her apartment. "That would be great."


At Lori's gesture, he booted down her computer while she quickly refilled her iguana's water bowl and gave the lizard fresh greens and apple bits from her small refrigerator.


"I've got my car today," he told her. "I had some errands to run earlier, so I drove to campus this morning. I'll follow you to your place."


"Okay," she agreed readily, hefting her briefcase. "Is pasta all right?"


He grinned, boyishly he hoped. "As long as you make lots."


Chapter 22