“You need to be careful.” Alex winked at Page, who blushed, giving the tiniest of headshakes. “What?” Alex asked. “Oh…” she added under her breath, making a face. “Sorry. I just…I assumed…I—”
“Congratulations,” Mountain interjected, forcing a grin. It was fantastic news after all. “On both the baby and your mating.”
Beck’s grin turned into an immediate frown. “No, we’re…um… We’re not mated.”
“Why not?” Mountain felt himself frown right back.
Beck glanced at Alex. “It wasn’t the right—”
“Beck wants nothing more than to mate me, and I feel the same.” She pulled in a deep breath. “But I can’t. Not when his people haven’t accepted me. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Well, that settles it. You need to come back. It might be tricky at first, but once you talk to them… Tell them everything. They need the facts. Ultimately, they will trust you, Beck. Your female is with child. They will have to accept her.”
“So you keep saying.” The male looked sad. “I just can’t take the risk though.” He shook his head vehemently, but at the same time, Mountain could see he was thinking it through.
Chapter 18
It felt strange to step through the threshold. The tables were all in the same places they had always been. The pastries were lined up in the display cabinet. Page didn’t have to look to know which ones were in there. It even smelled the same in here. Coffee, vanilla and freshly baked bread.
The barista waved at her from behind the coffee machine. “Hey, Erin. Good to see you.”
For a split second, she wanted to turn and look behind her. Then she realized he was talking to her.
Erin.
Right.
She waved back, her arm feeling stiff, her smile forced. “Hi, Sid.”
“Your usual?” he asked, poised to push a button on the machine.
“No, thanks. I’ll order in a few.”
Sid nodded and got back to wiping down the counter.
“You okay?” Mountain asked from behind her.
She realized that she was hovering in the doorway and stepped forward, glancing back at him. “All good.” Her voice sounded bright and breezy. This was all going to be just fine and dandy.
“Good.” His voice was clipped, his movements tense. His eyes were darker than normal. A direct correlation to his mood. Leaning more towards brown than that beautiful chestnut color she knew.
“Are you okay?” She touched his arm.
His jaw tensed up for a moment. “Yes. I will have a look around and then I’ll wait in the car out front.”
“You really don’t have to…”
“I must,” Mountain all but growled. “While I am on…here, I will protect you. I must do my duty.”
Duty.
She nodded once, her chest tightening. Everything had changed yesterday after the texts from Shaun came through. It was like someone had stuck an invisible barrier between the two of them. There was this tension that hadn’t been there before. At first, it wasn’t as noticeable, she’d been buzzing with excitement to see Alex. Then they’d had a light supper once they got back to the apartment, though they’d barely spoken. Mountain had insisted on sleeping in the spare room. She tried to bring it up, but he’d cut her off. He had hardly said two words to her. Page couldn’t blame him. This was a difficult situation.
“I know we had this discussion earlier,” she said. “I lived here for years. I’ve been perfectly safe. I—”
“I’m staying. I’ll keep out of your way. I’m not here to stop you. If you want to get back with your boyfriend, I won’t stand in your way.”
Why not?
Didn’t he even want to try to fight for her? Suddenly Shaun was her boyfriend and not her ex. She felt like groaning in frustration or throwing something. Instead, she nodded once. “Whatever makes you happy.”
He ground his teeth. “I’m going to do my checks. I might need to come back inside. If something looks suspicious or…if I need the restroom…ignore me. I’ll stay out of your way.”
The way he said that was almost final. I’ll stay out of your way.
“Okay.” Less bright and breezy, a little more high-pitched. His words stung. “Can I get you a coffee to go?”
Mountain shook his head. “I’ll pick something up on the way out.”
Page tried to smile but couldn’t. Not when he was frowning so deeply. Not when he looked so angry. She wasn’t sure why, since he was insisting that she do this. Now, suddenly, he seemed to have a problem with it. Thing was, she did need to face up to Shaun. This needed to happen. She watched him disappear behind a door that led to the restrooms.
Page took a seat close to the window as Mountain had instructed earlier. A few minutes later, he returned and bought himself a bottle of water. Not even looking her way as he left. She watched him get into the SUV, which was parked right in front of the coffee shop.
The minutes ticked by. Nine o’clock came and went. Maybe she should have ordered a drink.
Finally, she spotted Shaun. Ten minutes late. Typical. He grinned at her as he walked through the door. He walked straight over and hugged her, even though she stayed in her seat. Then he planted a kiss on the side of her mouth before she could react. Unexpected. “Good to see you, Erin.”
Erin.
It felt odd to be called that again, which was silly. She’d been known as Erin for ten long years. You would think being called Page again would be odd, but it was the other way around.
Shaun didn’t apologize, instead he headed for the counter and placed their order. A large, regular cappuccino for himself and a medium skinny for her. Then, he bought a sticky cinnamon bun and headed back, a smile plastered on his face. “Here you go.” He placed the coffee in front of her and the bun between them. “Just like old times.” He winked at her.
“Thank you.”
“You look different.” Shaun scrutinized her. “I can’t put my finger on it. It’s like you’re glowing. You’re…” His eyes widened. “That’s it. You’re not wearing your glasses.”
“I’m trying out contacts,” she lied, then shrugged. “Thought I’d do something different.”
“Well, you look great. My uncle tells me that you’re on vacation. What have you been doing? Did you go anywhere?” He scratched his right thigh, holding her gaze.
She shook her head. What could she say? ‘I headed into dragon lands, got shot from the sky and met a dragon shifter’. “No, nothing much. I needed some time off. That’s all.”
“Okay, so you haven’t done anything interesting?” He took a sip of his coffee, adjusting himself in his seat.
Shaun was alluding to Mountain. He was trying to get her to talk about him. Well, two could play at that game. “Nope. What about you? Any interesting news?”
“No,” he made a snorting noise. “Same old.” More squirming in his seat.
“And Daniella? Are the two of you dating? It would be okay if you were.” She took a sip of her coffee. It tasted bland.
Shaun pulled a piece off the cinnamon bun before offering the pastry to her. She declined. “I told you, we’re just work colleagues. It’s not like that.”
“We’re technically broken up, Shaun. I wouldn’t be upset. You might have dated other women, even slept with them.” She raised her brows.
He squirmed some more, scratching his left thigh this time. “Nope! Not at all. My uncle tells me you’re dating though.” A nice change of subject. “You brought some guy to work yesterday. Quite frankly, I find that hard to believe.” There was an edge to his voice she didn’t like.
“Why is it so hard to believe?”
“I don’t mean it like that. I mean, of course you’re a gorgeous girl, with plenty to offer.” He finally put the piece of pastry in his mouth. “I just can’t believe you would…that you’d…” He spoke around his food.
“Move on?”
He looked shocked for a moment but quickly composed himself. “I asked
you if you’d wait for me, Erin. I fully intended for us to get married. I still do.”
“We also agreed we were broken up. Free to see other people. I don’t see the problem.”
“Yeah, but that was just a formality. I didn’t screw around on you.” His voice took on a nasal edge. “I needed a breather. Some time to focus on me. I didn’t actually think you would start seeing someone else.” He took a breath, tensed. “You are dating someone else right?” He shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable.
“No, Shaun, I’m not dating anyone.”
He visibly relaxed. His scowl turned to a grin. “Of course not.” He threw out a laugh. “I should have known my uncle got it wrong. You would never pick some guy up off of Tinder. You wouldn’t,” he made a snorting sound, “do something so crazy. You’re a good girl, Erin, you…” He got this look of discomfort. “I need to use the little boy’s room.” He looked at the door that led there. “I’ll be back in a second.” Shaun stood up. “We can discuss our future when I get back. I want my ring back on your finger. We need to set a date. Something soon.” He bent at the knees a little, looking really uncomfortable. “I need to go. I shouldn’t have had three cups of coffee this morning.” He widened his eyes.
Page watched as he practically ran from the room. She glanced at the SUV, expecting to see Mountain, but he wasn’t there.
What?
The door to the coffee shop opened and he sauntered in, looking murderous. He glanced at her as he headed for the restrooms.
“No.” She shook her head. “Don’t!” she said more forcefully, but Mountain didn’t listen to her.
“Stay here,” he instructed as he pushed the door.
“No! You can’t...” she begged.
“I won’t…do anything stupid.” Then the door was closing behind him.
Holy crap!
Should she go in after them?
Oh god! Was Mountain going to kill Shaun?
No! He said he wasn’t going to do anything stupid. That wasn’t a given though. Maybe he just needed to go to the bathroom.
Yeah, right!
She strained to hear…anything…something. There was no screaming. No crashing or bashing. No noise whatsoever. Maybe it would be okay. Page put the tips of her fingers to her temples and pushed. The next four minutes were the longest of her life.
Chapter 19
Mountain entered the bathroom. There were two urinals against the far wall and two stalls. He caught the strong smell of cleaning detergents. He could also scent the male, the smell pissed him the fuck off. One of the doors was closed. He heard what sounded like scratching and then a low moan. It was both a moan of pleasure and frustration. Then more scratching.
Odd!
What the fuck was the asshole doing in there?
He gave the stall door a hard shove, the flimsy mechanism broke, and the door opened with a crash, smashing the side of the stall.
The male sat on the toilet, jeans pulled around his ankles, he was vigorously scratching his balls, his face contorted in pain and pleasure. The male snatched his hand away and then fumbled with his pants. “What the— What the heck?” He sounded indignant. Hard done by.
Fucker!
Mountain could put two and two together about what was going on in there. His nose told him everything else he needed to know.
“You need to listen, and you need to listen good,” Mountain said, voice low.
“Who the fuck are you?” the prick said, as he tucked his pencil dick into his pants. His eyes brightened as he pulled up the zipper. “It’s you…the asshole from Tinder. Gary,” he said the name with a sneer. “My uncle described you. What the fuck are you doing here? Erin and I are in the process of getting back together, so you can turn around and leave. You’re wasting your breath.”
“Okay. No problem.”
The prick’s face scrunched up in confusion. “You’re leaving?” He didn’t sound sure.
“Yes, I’m leaving, and I won’t pound your face into the floor if you do one simple thing.”
The asshole gasped like a girl. He even put a hand to his chest.
“Just so we are very clear, if it was up to me, I would smash your nose into your face.”
Shaun’s mouth fell open.
“Did you know that the nose is made out of cartilage? Cartilage is softer than bone. It makes this beautiful crunching noise when it breaks.”
The crybaby made a squeaking sound, his eyes growing wider by the second.
“It’s quite possible to punch it flat.” He smirked. “I could make it look like a bloody pancake on your face.” Mountain couldn’t hold back his grin, it quickly turned into a sneer though but only because of how badly he wanted to hurt the SOB.
The fucker put up both hands. “Please don’t…please…” His eyes filled with tears.
“I will leave. I will turn around and never look back if you guys decide to get back together. That will be fine with me.” It would be so far from fine, but he’d deal. “I won’t lay so much as a finger on you, but you need to come clean.”
“Come clean about what?” His lip wobbled and he sounded panicked.
“You know what. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”
He shook his head, shaking it so quickly it was comical. “I don’t, I have no clue. I swear!”
“You may have been on a break. Not together as a couple, but I want you to tell…Erin…” It felt wrong calling her that. “I want you to tell Erin exactly what you were up to during your break.”
“Erin dated you. She said you guys are finished, but she dated you. You can’t tell me the two of you—?”
“I’m not going to tell you shit!” Mountain interrupted. “That’s for Erin to discuss with you. For you to discuss with…with—” Fuck! “With your girlfriend.” It hurt to say it. Page had said she and Mountain weren’t dating though. It did look like she and this bozo were getting back together, but the fucker needed to be very honest first. Mountain knew Page would be. Just as he knew that if left alone, this fucker would lie through his teeth.
If Page decided she didn’t want to be with Mountain, which it seemed like she had, it was fine. It fucking killed him, but it was her decision. She just needed to have all the facts before deciding how to proceed with this loser. “I know what you’ve been up to and I’ll know if you don’t come clean about all of it.”
“All of it? How could you possibly—” His eyes were filled with shock.
“I just do!” Mountain bluffed. He knew enough, maybe not all, but enough. Mountain growled, taking a step forward.
The prick cowered in the back of the stall. “Please don’t hurt me. Please.”
“I won’t, but if you don’t come clean, all bets are off.” He clicked his knuckles. “Plastic surgery wouldn’t be enough to save it.” He looked down at the asshole’s nose.
The coward covered his face with his hand. “Okay! Okay! I’ll tell her. Please, just don’t,” he whined.
“Don’t try to bullshit me. I’m listening in and I’ll be waiting for you if—”
“I said I would do it,” the male sounded pathetic, “and I will! I swear it.”
“Go then,” Mountain moved out of his way.
The prick left the stall, heading for the door. “Wash your hands first,” Mountain said.
“What?” He frowned.
“You heard me. Wash your hands.” He grimaced. “And use soap.”
* * *
Shaun walked out first. He looked fine. As in, there was no blood and no bruising. None that she could see, at any rate.
His face was ashen, and he was sweating profusely. Something had gone down in that bathroom. That much was very clear.
He leaned in and put his hands on the edge of the table. Tension radiated off of him. It didn’t look like he planned on sitting down. His eyes were wide. Shaun glanced back over his shoulder, looking at the closed door for a few beats.
Then he looked her in the eyes and licked her lips. “I
had sex with her,” he finally said, between clenched teeth.
“What are you talking about?” she asked. “Who did you have sex with?”
“Daniella from work. I had sex with her. I had sex with her that same day you saw us. I’ve had sex with her every day since.”
Page frowned. What on earth?
There was the sound of a door closing, it drew their attention. Shaun glanced back. Mountain stood in the door jamb, arms folded, a scowl on his face. “Jesus!” Shaun whimpered squeezing his eyes closed. He seemed to fold in on himself. His shoulders rounded. Sweat poured off of him. “Um…I…um…I had sex with her this morning before coming here,” he whimpered. “I had planned on breaking up with her when we got back together. If we got back together. There! I said it!”
There was a soft growling from behind them.
Shaun choked out a sob. “Please don’t let him hurt me.” He sniffed loudly. “Oh, Jesus, please…um…” He sniffed, sobering up. His eyes glistened. “I had sex with two other women, during our break,” he blurted.
“Other than Daniella?” she asked.
“Yes. Girls I picked up. One-night stands,” he sobbed. “It didn’t mean anything. I love you, Erin. Please, I want my ring back on your finger. Please don’t let this be the end.”
“You lied to me,” she said. “I asked you straight out if you were seeing Daniella and you lied.”
“You lied too.” Shaun stood up straighter. “You fucked that guy.” He waved a hand at Mountain.
“Yeah, so?” He didn’t need to know that it technically wasn’t true. Thing was, they may as well have slept together. At least, in her eyes.
“So, you lied too.”
“No, I didn’t. We didn’t get that far in our discussion yet. I planned on telling you. You never asked me straight out though, Shaun. You asked if we were dating and I said that we weren’t. Look, it doesn’t matter anyway.” She stood up, her chair scraping. “It’s over between you and me.”
“No, you can’t be serious.” He sounded shocked. Even after his admission, he still expected her to just bow down and accept him back. How had she put up with this for so many years?
Dragon Guard: Earth Dragons Series: Book 1 Page 16
