Page 21 of Rescued By The Dragon

By the look on her face, I figured he wasn’t in the picture anymore, and I planned to find out as much as I could in a short amount of time. “So,” I said, grabbing her desk chair, turning it around backward, and sitting down to face her. “Tell me about you.”

Amara looked uncomfortable for a few seconds but sat on the end of her bed near me. “What do you want to know?”

I tapped my fingertips against the back of the chair. “I want to know why you’re twenty-five years old and living in this attic.”

She chuckled humorlessly. “Well, it’s not because I want to be here. My father stated in his will that he wanted me to stay here so that Stepmother could help me. I had to take medication for a condition that my biological mother had. I see hallucinations and whatnot. So, I’m doing as he asked, but I don’t think he thought his new wife—Helena—would treat me this way. I was booted out of my room because Zella needed a room closer to the bathroom because of her made-up bathroom problem. Shortly after, I became the maid.” She shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I’m afraid that if I leave the restaurant she will let it go down. She only wants the money. Her business skills suck. I take care of mostly everything.”

My anger slid up my spine and took root at the base of my skull. She said it so nonchalantly as if it was okay.

“Oh, Little Mouse, you sound too okay with this. I hate to tell you that I can’t simply sit back and watch them treat you this way.”

She looked blankly at me. “Why is it that you just inserted yourself into my life? Why are you here, Dorran? Is that too blunt of a question to ask The Dragon Prince?”

Oh, formalities.

Lifting a brow, I leaned forward and tapped my fingertips against her knee. “How many times do I need to answer it? I want to get to know you.”

Amara leaned forward, as close as the alleyway, and whispered, “Why?”

Was she taunting me? Because it was working.

“I have to give you a reason to want to know you?” When she didn’t answer, I laughed. “I like to look at you.”

A blush crawled up her neck and settled on her cheeks.

“I like the way you didn’t fawn on me,” I said, “on the bridge. I like that you haven’t slipped me your panties, and you’re withholding information. Color me curious, Amara. Is that enough?”

“Don’t talk about my panties,” she whispered.

It was at that moment that I saw it. The truth. This girl had never been touched. It was leaking off her in a sweet innocence that woke my dragon. She glanced over at me, and her fingers curled into the covers beneath her. “Your eyes—,”

“It’s my dragon,” I said, feeling my voice drop to a lower octave.

Amara leaned forward, her blue eyes wide in shock, and whispered, “Why is he coming out?”

“Because you intrigue him, Amara.”

She swallowed deeply, her eyes moving from mine, she interlaced her fingers on her lap. “What else do you want to know, Dorran?”

Before I could stop myself, I lifted my hand and pressed my thumb against her bottom lip.

I loved the way her pulse jumped as I touched it.

“Have you ever been kissed?”

The question fell from my mouth, and it seemed to shock her. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out. “I’m sure it’s not because no boy has wanted it. Were you allowed to date?”

“No,” she whispered, turning her head from me. “No, to all of it.”

More for me...

My dragon rarely spoke. Only when we were in danger, or if he had something very important to say. Amara fell in that category. Important to my dragon.

“Hey,” I said, reaching over to grab her jaw. “Well, when I kiss you, I’ll make sure it’s something to remember.”

Amara sat silently still for a while before letting her head fall back into laughter. “The Dragon Prince is going to kiss me,” she whispered to herself. “Dear Lord, I’ve fallen into Wonderland.”

“I can give it to you now,” I said coolly. “Have you brushed your teeth?”

---