Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“To find someone who’s been working on the team with these record types and get their suggestions. It isn’t wise to label these with what I think is appropriate. Then only I will be able to find it.” To Aurora’s delight, she saw Brandon seem to unbend a bit.
“What were these files?” Brandon asked.
When she’d detailed each type of file and showed him the subfolders she’d created in her odd file folder, he actually smiled. “That’s brilliant. When you know who deals with each record, you can tailor your questions to that individual.”
“That was my intention, sir,” Aurora answered quietly.
“You set a record for the quickest time in correctly labeling and storing files. Most spin their wheels when they hit something sent incorrectly to them. You did not. You created a system that is logical and efficient.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I think you should call me Brandon, Aurora. It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the team.”
She smiled at the man on the screen and answered, “Thank you, Brandon.” Aurora watched as he pressed a button on his laptop.
Her screen illuminated with seven new people. Everyone smiled and clapped. “Hi, everyone,” she greeted the newcomers.
“Way to go, Aurora. Isaac may never forgive you for beating his time, but we couldn’t believe how fast you worked,” another woman told her.
“Sorry, Isaac!” Aurora said quickly.
“Not a problem. I need to be challenged. The rest of the team are slackers,” Isaac answered. His friendly grin told her he was teasing the others.
Aurora had a feeling she was going to love her new job.
Chapter 11
By the time she finished her first day, Aurora was mentally exhausted and physically invigorated at the same time. She definitely wasn’t interested in sitting down to watch TV. Standing in the large gathering area, she tried to figure out what to do with herself. Drake was still working.
There weren’t any windows to look out. She loved walking… Now, unless she wanted to scale mountains, she was out of luck for that kind of activity. Heaving a big sigh, she considered her options.
“That doesn’t sound good. Did you not have a good first day? Everything seemed to be going well for you,” Drake commented as he joined her.
“It was a great day. I really think I can help the team. It’s exactly the position I would have given my eyeteeth to get.”
“No dental sacrifices needed, mate. So, if that’s not the problem, what is?”
She wanted to snap at him for not understanding, but the thought jumped into her mind that this was his normal. He didn’t understand what she enjoyed doing.
“It’s hard to change my life so drastically. I usually like to go for a walk or a drive if I need to get outside. You know… Get some fresh air and exercise. Here…”
“That’s impossible,” he finished for her. “I can show you where the gym is. There is a treadmill there. But I have a better idea.”
“Really? What else could I do?” Aurora appreciated that he was actually listening and trying to help.
“How about something we could do? I thought we’d go pick up your desk this evening. Would you like to go to dinner?”
“Like at a restaurant? I’d love that. I’d actually kill for pizza from Angelino’s,” Aurora admitted.
“I don’t think violence will be necessary,” Drake commented with a smile. “Go to the restroom and grab anything you need. I would recommend a jacket. Pizza sounds like a good way to celebrate your first day.”
Rushing back to join him, she shrugged into her jacket as she walked. “I’m ready.”
“Me, too,” he said as he drew her into the empty chamber outside their residence. “Remember to hold on. I think the anger at my finding a mate so quickly will have subsided, but the black dragon…”
“I know. He’s holding on by a thread. I hope he finds a mate soon.”
“I do, too. I can’t imagine what he’s going through. I am not making any excuses for him. It’s intolerable for him to put you at risk,” Drake said with a dark expression that made Aurora shiver.
“It’s okay, mate. I will not allow anything to happen to you,” Drake assured her. “Nor will the other dragons.”
After watching him unseal the barrier with an enticing view of bulging muscles, Aurora allowed him to steer her into the empty entrance chamber. “The silver dragon tried to distract him.”
“Yes. Argenis has suffered without a mate for a long time as well. He is determined not to allow himself to follow such a dark path.”
“How many dragons are there?”
Instead of answering, Drake motioned her to step back. In a shimmering transformation that happened too fast for her to follow, he morphed into his dragon form. A thought formed in the back of her mind, making her wonder if there was a reason he didn’t want to answer. The allure of his shimmering scales wiped that away as she walked forward to touch him.