Dragon Claimed (Dragons of Mount Rixa Book 1) by Riley Storm

Author:Riley Storm [Storm, Riley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: High House Press
Published: 2021-02-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Elly

“Sorry,” he muttered just as they got settled on her couch.

“Why?” she asked as he shifted to one side and reached into his pocket.

“Phone’s going off,” he said. “That’s rude.”

He took out his cell, glanced at the caller ID, and then with a snort, hit the button to silence the incoming call.

“Shouldn’t you take that?” she asked. “I don’t mind.”

“I have my priorities straight,” he said, giving her a reassuring wink. “They can wait. It’s not an emergency, even if they want to pretend it is.”

Elly gave him a questioning glance, but he refrained from saying any more, so she let it go with a shrug. After all, it was heartwarming to know that she was his priority.

“If you say so.”

“I do,” he rumbled. “I want to hear what’s bothering you. I can tell it won’t be easy for you to talk about, hence wanting to come back here. The least I can do is give you my full, undivided attention if you’re willing to let me in.”

“Handsome and smart,” she murmured, unable to stop herself from smiling, even if it was a tense, fragile thing. “What a combo.”

“I wouldn’t expect it all the time,” he said with a chuckle. “But I have my moments.”

Elly smiled and snuggled in closer, taking solace in his strength, the safe feeling that embraced her as he draped an arm over her shoulder, muscles squeezing her tightly.

“Now, what is it about all this stuff that’s really bothering you?” Dres asked, gently prodding. “Because I don’t think it’s all about your mother, is it?”

She shook her head. “Not entirely. I mean, I’m sure she would be less than enthused if my dad got married. I think everyone would freak if she’s pregnant, but Mom’s reaction would be no different than the rest of us, I think.”

“So, what is it then?” he said, pushing her. “Why would you be so upset if he got married to this woman?”

“Besides the fact that she’s a psycho?”

Dres smiled. “Yes,” he said, nodding slowly. “Besides that. I can see it in your eyes, in the corners of them. It’s eating at you. What is it?”

Could he really read her that well? She shivered. Dresdin pulled her in tighter. She felt safe around him. Protected.

“It was my fault,” she said in a tiny voice.

Dresdin was quiet at first, probably waiting for her to go on. When she didn’t, his chest vibrated under her head as he spoke.

“What do you think was your fault?” he asked, phrasing it ever so slightly different.

“It was my fault,” she said more forcefully. “I was the one who said it. Who caused it. Nobody else but me.”

Again, Dres was quiet. “The divorce,” he said at last. “You think it was your fault.”

“I know it was,” she said, blinking back hot tears. “I’m the one who picked up the phone when my dad was on it. I’m the one who asked him in front of my mom who the woman he was talking to was. I caused it.

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