Dragon Lord by Kaitlyn O'Connor Read Free Book Online Page A

longer did. It was all she could do to drag the things. He had both under one arm, and they practically looked like briefcases--ok, slight exaggeration, like overnight bags instead of full size suitcases. She preceded him from the apartment, surreptitiously peeling her shirt loose from her skin and fanning it to try to dry it a little. He’d used all the towels to mop up the water.
    She just hoped she didn’t run into the ‘gang’ on the way to her room.
    It made her uneasy when they looked at her. She couldn’t see their eyes and she was pretty sure it was just paranoia, but she felt like they were sizing her up for dinner … and she didn’t want anything that big humping her leg.
    Catching her arm as she headed to the main entrance, he guided her through the garden and in the back way, leading her up a narrow back stairway. When they reached the upper floor, she stepped aside to allow him room to exit the stairs and then followed him down the hallway. Opening the last door at the end, he pushed the door wide and indicated with his hand for her to enter. She went in cautiously, glancing around.
    She shouldn’t have been surprised that it was as elegant as the rest of the house, but she was. A huge king sized bed was the focal point, mostly, she supposed, because it was the biggest thing in the room. A tall armoire claimed much of the opposite wall. Beyond that, there was a long dresser with a large mirror, a small chest on either side of the bed, and a desk.
    Raina looked around the lavishly furnished room uncomfortably. “You sure it’s ok for me to stay here?” she asked doubtfully.
    “Yes, you stay here. Shower dere.”
    She followed the direction he’d indicated with a nod of his head and then went to the door and opened it. The bath was beautiful, the room huge. Pleasure welled inside her, and then more doubt. “Maybe we should ask Ms. Hatchet … uh … Higgenbottom? I mean, this looks like a guest room. Aren’t there other, smaller rooms?”
    He shook his head. “Go. Bath. Is ok.”
    She smiled at him tentatively. “Bathe--you should work on your English.”
    He straightened from settling her suitcases, smiling faintly. “You teach, yes?”
    Riana chuckled, but wryly. “I’m not sure I’d be a very good teacher.”
    It was impossible to tell much about his expression with the glasses, but she could tell he was studying her. “You teach you speak. I teach my speak.”
    It was easier to translate that time. She was getting used to his broken English. She decided to ignore the suggestion, regardless. He was way too interested. She wasn’t going to encourage him. “How long have y’all been here, anyway?”
    He frowned faintly and finally nodded. “Five.”
    Raina looked at him curiously. “Five what? Months?”
    He looked puzzled. “Full cycle,” he responded finally, extending a finger and drawing a circle in the air.
    Raina studied the motion for several moments in complete confusion. “ Years ?”
    He thought it over and nodded.
    A shiver went through her. She glanced down at her wet clothes and decided that was reason enough to be shivering. “Uh … I guess I’ll just go get that bath and get some dry clothes on.”
    He didn’t move. After chewing her lip for a moment, Raina finally decided he’d get the idea that it was time to leave when she went into the bathroom.
    She hoped he got the idea.
    When she’d locked the door, she moved to the shower to turn it on. A heavy blast of water shot forth instantly and relief flooded her. Stripping off her wet clothes while she waited for the water to warm up, she kicked the pile into a corner and finally climbed in. Pure bliss filled her as the heated water beat down on her, washing away the chill from her wet clothes and the tiredness and tension from her muscles. It felt so good, she almost hated to get out.
    Finally, reflecting that there were bound to be some really pissed off people if she used up all the hot water, she shut the water