Page 20 of Eliza's Cursed Dragon

“Ballroom,” Edward announced, but his voice sounded subdued, as if he was silently shaking his head at having a ballroom, which I didn’t understand, because it was one of the most important rooms to me. Fondly, I remembered many balls my parents had held, dancing and laughing.

“Living room.” We entered a long room, sectioned off with different seating arrangements. The left wall was filled with a large-screen TV, the right with a fireplace. Straight ahead humongous folding doors opened completely to a veranda, where pony walls were interspersed with short pillars carrying colorful flowerpots. A set of short stairs led down into a luscious, park-like backyard.

To the right was an Olympic-sized pool complete with a Jacuzzi, waterslide, and grotto. Behind it was a tennis court and, if I wasn’t mistaken, a golf course or very well-maintained park.

“I thought that would be the ideal spot to add a pond for the swans.” Edward turned my attention to the left where three weeping willows stood in the most picture-perfect spot for a pond.

“In the meantime, they can probably use the pool. I’ll tell the pool guy to lay off the chlorine until the pond is done.”

Immense gratitude swelled in my chest and I spontaneously grabbed his hand, squeezing it.

“It’s my pleasure, really,” he said, looking down at me with his deep green eyes as he squeezed my hand right back.

We didn’t let go while he showed me the rest of the house, the kitchen, pantry, laundry, and powder room as well as a guest suite before we went upstairs.

There he took me to a movie room, showed me his suite, several guest bedrooms—complete with their own bathrooms—until we reached the lavender room, which he declared mine. In between we ran into my brothers here and there, who under loud squawking ran through the house as if they owned it. I wanted to chastise them, and would have a few years ago, but unfortunately I couldn’t now and they took full advantage of it.

By the time we finished the tour, it was time for dinner, or so Edward declared although it was only five in the afternoon.

“I always eat early,” he said apologetically. “I hope you don’t mind.”

I shook my head, I didn’t. It had been so long since I sat at a table, eating a real meal instead of peanut butter sandwiches, that tears pricked my eyes.

They fell in earnest when I watched a maid bring in eleven silver bowls filled with greens for my brothers, who noisily ate with us.

“Don’t cry,” Edward stood by my side, gently wiping my tears. I grabbed hold of his hand and kissed it, not knowing any other way to show him how grateful I was for his kindness.

“Oh princess, you don’t know what you’re doing to me,” he groaned, gently pulling his hand back and encompassing mine with it. He leaned over and kissed my forehead. The contact sent currents of pleasure down my back. Something happened inside my private parts. A slow pulse took up between my legs. It was a never-before-experienced sensation that filled me with curiosity, anticipation, and longing for something I couldn’t quite define.

The maid returned with our plates and we drew apart. The skin where his lips had touched me burned and seemed to have a life of its own. My finger moved up to it, brushed against it, but it still felt the same.

Edward watched me attentively as I selected the salad fork from several others to begin eating.

Simon brought an assortment of wines, different from the ones I was used to, but they had a rich taste to them indicating they were expensive and well chosen.

“You have been raised in an upper class,” Edward observed when dessert was brought.

I smiled in confirmation.

“That’s not surprising, There’s such a natural grace about you…” He drifted off, his eyes resting on me and I felt my face blushing. “You intrigue me.”

“Sir, please forgive the intrusion, but you wanted me to remind you when it was six o’clock.” Simon appeared at the door.

“Oh, yes,” Edward looked startled. He placed his napkin on his dish and stood up. He looked at me apologetically. “I have to leave for… tonight. But I’ll be back in the morning. Please make yourself at home and if you need anything…” He stopped, remembering I couldn’t ask for it. “Just go get it,” he added with a crooked grin that made my stomach flutter.

I had an idea where he was going. I didn’t want to intrude on his time, but I also didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable around me or because of his secret.

Before he left, I caught his elbow. Questioningly, he looked at me. I pointed at him, then outside, then I made flying motions with my arms. He cocked his head, hope flared in his eyes. “You know?”

I nodded, biting my lip I tried to figure out how to make him understand how grateful I was and that he didn’t have to worry about me knowing his secret.

Just then my eyes fell on the picture of a dragon on the wall. I made sure I still had his attention when I walked over there. The dragon in the picture was red, but it would do. I pointed at it, him, and then for good measure at the green leaves of a plant.

“How do you know?” He looked stunned.

I pointed at his eyes.

“You are the most amazing person I have ever met,” he said, crossing the distance between us and putting his hands on my hips. “You don’t mind? What I am?”

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