Read Online Dragon's Touch (Book 1 Linty Dragon Series) by J.M Griffin, Kristina Paglio - Free Book Online

wasn’t ready. I looked down at my clothes, saw my disarray and wished I’d been more cognizant of the time.
    When a second rap sounded, I rushed over and invited Cullen in. His eyes took in my attire, a displeased look crossed his features, and I said, “Don’t get upset, I’ll be right back.”
    I left him standing in the doorway, while I raced upstairs, freshened up and threw on a dress that I’d left hanging in the closet the last time I’d visited Gran. Thankful for small reprieves, I combed my hair, ran lipstick over my lips and stood gawking in the mirror for a moment. This would have to do.
    He flipped through page after page of photos as I descended. His attention seemed especially intent upon one or two photos. Before I could get a gander at them, he closed the book and turned to me, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. It seemed I passed muster and was glad of it.
    We’d left the property behind and careened over the narrow road. At one point, I gripped the armrest and said, “Do you think we’ll arrive at our destination safely, or do you always drive like a madman?”
    He glanced over, gave me a cool grin and said, “If you hadn’t been tardy, we’d be on time.”
    Okay, so I’d been reprimanded, big deal. I shrugged and stared out the passenger side window. “No need to get your knickers in a twist.”
    “If you’d have been ready as I asked, we wouldn’t be rushed,” he remarked.
    Still feeling bitchy over my father’s lifestyle, and how it had affected mine, I took my irritation out on Cullen.
    “If waiting was too much of an imposition for you, why not take me back home and leave me to my own devices for the evening?”
    Tension filled the car. I’d been cranky to the one person who’d treated me well since I’d arrived, other than Mrs. Douglas, that is. Contrite, I murmured, “Sorry, just tired. Where are we going for dinner?”
    “I think you’re more than tired, but we can discuss that later. Tonight you and I are on a fact-finding mission, so get your head together and pay attention. A man named Arwin Perkell will be the guest of honor at a dinner party. Listen to what he says when he has conversations with others. You’re an unknown at the party, attractive, and well spoken. He’ll find you interesting, especially since you are assumed to be the new dragon keeper.”
    He thought I was attractive? Really? The rest of his words slowly sank in, and I gaped at him as he smoothly negotiated a sharp curve in the road that led into a deep valley, where an enormous mansion loomed, imposing on the entire area. 
    Windows blazed with light, cars were strewn willy-nilly across the estate in a haphazard manner. Apparently no one cared who parked on the lawn or where they left their cars. I imagined how the grounds keeper might cringe in the morning when he had to groom the property to return it to a pristine condition.
    We left the car near the edge of the grounds, sauntered across crushed stone, and walked into an ostentatious vestibule that made me gasp. Gilded walls reminded me of mansions that I’d seen on a tour of Newport, Rhode Island. Velvet furnishings were accentuated by petite marble-topped tables, and rich tapestries hung everywhere.
    I felt the grip of Cullen’s hand tighten on my arm as he whispered, “Show time. Keep your wits about you and don’t gasp again.” He turned to the man on his left, who ogled me as I stepped back, and gave him a cool smile. “Good evening, George.”
    I peeked around Cullen’s elbow and stepped forward. Before introductions could be made, George gave Cullen a brief glance and centered his attention on me as he said, “I see you brought the dragon keeper.” He leaned forward, offered me a razor-sharp smile, and took my hand in his. His crepe paper skin gave me the willies, and left me with a sense of having touched a long-dead corpse. His features were sharp and bony, the skin covering them stretched tight.
    He led me away from