Ella had spent the entire evening yesterday working. First in the garage with her equipment, analyzing the bone fragments, and then in her room working with data software, trying to get all the baselines done. Sal had brought her dinner, which was still sitting on the table, and Draven brought her dessert, which she did eat before passing out in the chair, face down on her desk.
At some point, someone had moved her to bed, because when the alarm went off, she sat up warm and cozy tucked into the soft blankets. No time to wonder though, she needed to get herself up and going. Today she was going to try to get those talons out.
In the kitchen Ella met Draven and Arcus, both looked like they had just come in. "Hard night of partying?" Ella asked as she pulled out a bottle of OJ. "It was a hard night alright." Arcus wiggled his eyebrows and Draven hit him in the chest.
"Oh, hook up with some cute little hottie?" Ella teased. "You could say that." Draven took her OJ, which she had just opened and drained it. "You're welcome." She groaned. "Thanks." He winked and took off towards his room. She shook her head and took out another bottle, only to have that one snatched from her grasp.
"Arcus!" Ella tried to reach for it, but it was too late, and pointless with his height. "Thanks." He laughed as he took off too. She turned around and pulled one more out, holding it tight as Bo came into the kitchen. He also looked a little worse for wear. "NO." She held her bottle to her chest as he approached.
"I don't like OJ anyway." He grinned as he took out a coke and drained it in one drink. "What is it with you guys and downing everything in one drink?" "Growing boy." He laughed as he took out an apple and tossed it in the air, but she was quicker and grabbed it, causing him to pause. She took a big bite out of it, but he took it right from her hand.
"Now it will taste like you. Thanks." Bo laughed as he walked away too. Damn these boys were fine, she smiled as she watched him walk down the hall. One night and she could...
"You have a thing for Bo now too?" Sal asked, making her jump. "Don't do that!" She grabbed her chest. "NO! I do not have a thing for any of you. Draven stole my OJ, Arcus stole the second one, and Bo stole my apple. I have nothing left for you to steal." She rolled her eyes as she turned away to hide the flush in her cheeks.
"Then I guess I better find my own." Sal chuckled. "I guess you better." She huffed as he opened the cabinet and she snatched out the donuts that were sitting there. "Those are horrible for you." Sal laughed at her.
"I'm hungry. I didn't eat dinner last night." "Why not? I brought you a plate." Sal was surprised. "Because I was way into what I was doing." "Well, why don't I whip us up something quick." "That would be really nice." She smiled at his kindness, and he gave her one in return. She could easily fall for him if it wasn't for the stupid rule. No, not stupid, she was here for the dragon and needed to remember that. Boys could wait. They always had before. Dragon first.
He made them omelets and toast, which she lost a piece to Torsten when he arrived in the kitchen. "You guys suck." She reached over and stole a piece off Sal's plate, where he gave her a look of surprise. "I learned from all of you." She grinned as she ate it.
Erik came into the kitchen next and Ella covered her plate. "Back off or I will stab you." She warned. "What's with her?" Erik looked at Sal. "Everyone keeps stealing her food." Sal laughed. "I won't steal it, well not your food anyway." Erik leaned over and tugged her ponytail so she looked up at him.
"God you smell like dirt and...ugh, what is that?" Ella held her nose. He smelled himself and shrugged. "I smell fine." "Compared to what, a dead pig?" "Cow." Erik gave Sal a glance and then laughed.
YOU ARE READING
Finding The Red Dragon
FantasyPaleontologist Ella Harding is a hard-headed, stubborn, spitfire of a woman that has fought her entire life against those that tell her something cannot be done. So when she is passed over for a promotion that she has been working on for years, to g...