Skarlet Kiss

by Elise Whyles

  She was his...at least for the moment.

  Chapter 16

  “Why cannot you do a simple task?” Amuliana screamed at the cowering sorceress. “I bid you to kill her, to send her to her demise...and you and your wretched sister send her into the very hands of the male I have been trying to keep her from.”

  “Forgive me, mistress.” The sorceress bowed her head, her voice trembling. “How was I to know he could jump from realm to realm? No dragon had ever gone to the Ghors’ home world.”

  “And none should have. That dragon is not so readily swayed by the bindings others follow. He is a loner, a renegade, even his own people hunt him!” Amuliana tapped her fingernails on the arm of her throne. “Perhaps the situation can be saved. I shall grant you one more try, witch. Do not fail me. If we cannot kill the bitch, we will slaughter her sister.”

  “As you desire, my goddess.”

  “Yes, it is.” Amuliana leaned forward, her voice dropping to a low hiss. “I will not tolerate failure. Be thankful I have need of your gifts. If you fail me again, you shall join your sister in a fiery death. Now get out of my sight.” Amuliana settled back on her throne, her gaze sweeping over the crowded room. Those who followed her hovered in small groups, their chatter muted by fear. She would send forth an army to find and destroy Una and the cursed dragon who desired her.

  She pressed her steepled fingers to her lips and exhaled. Saltar would relish the kill, his men would have fun destroying what life Una had. But Amuliana wanted more. She wanted to have the girl’s blood before her.

  “Mistress, what do you desire?”

  Amuliana waved a hand at the hovering fey who bowed and scurried backward. She smiled, the darkness within her slithering and heaving at the plan forming in her mind. Bede was not beyond her touch, nor was Una. The different beings may have begun to gather the keys to keep Saltar imprisoned, but they were still unaware of how those keys would affect her. Without them, they would be easily destroyed...and victory would be hers.

  * * * *

  Liam stared at the simple brown building, a knot of unease in his gut. He could still smell the river so they were close to an escape route, but still, the thin walls offered little to no protection. He glanced behind him to where Una, wrapped in the silk sheets from the barge, waited for him. Shoving aside his doubts, he offered her a grin and held out his hand. She moved forward to take it, her fingers lacing through his. The contact sent a shard of heat through his body to wrap around his hearts.

  “It will do for now,” Una declared.

  “Aye, it will. Soon we’ll have to move on, but for now this will give us a chance to gather our strength.”

  Una snuggled against him, her heart racing beneath his touch. He caught the faint smell of her arousal and felt an answering kick in his groin. He’d yet to take her completely, but that hadn’t stopped her from learning every inch of his body. She was a very sensual mate...one he wanted beyond reason.

  “Let’s get settled.” Una tugged on his arm, pulling him from his thoughts. “I’m in the mood for our bed to be ready.”

  “You need food, my little one.” Liam chuckled as he followed her into the house. “I will have to go fishing, the river is bountiful,” he called as she darted through the simple four room house. He studied it with care. The entry spilled into a much larger chamber with four doors. Striding into the room, he studied the layout. A kitchen sat off to the left, several buckets and baskets still on the floor where the previous owner had left them. Two other rooms fanned out, empty save for the narrow staircase in one.

  “It is not fish I hunger for,” Una whispered, her fingers creeping up his spine. Her tongue licked along the corded muscles of his shoulder, teeth breaking the skin with each tiny nip. “Mmm, you taste delicious.”

  He shuddered when her nails found a sensitive spot beneath his shoulder blade. Her tongue slid over his skin, her purr going straight to his rapidly hardening cock. Closing his eyes, Liam struggled to retain control. Every muscle jumped as her palms skimmed over his shoulders, down his arms, and back to his hips. Hot and smooth, her hands slid around his waist, tracing over his abdomen.

  Heat seared his body. Frozen, he groaned when her fingers plucked at his nipples, her mouth scorching through the thin shirt he wore. “Una, little one…” he groaned when she ripped the fabric apart.

  His hearts pounded, erratic pulses that stole his breath. He sucked in air, his hands clenching and unclenching with each slow glide of her hands over his body. His ragged groan echoed in his head as he braced his legs. He grabbed for her hand, his fingers closing over hers when she cupped him through his pants. A shudder raced over him when she nipped at him, his hips rolling into her touch.

  “Gods, woman, you’re tempting me beyond all reason.” He growled.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it.” She licked at the bite before she moved, her silk covered breasts dragging across his back. Coming around his shoulder, Una looked into his eyes, hers filled with a heated promise. Keeping her eyes locked on him, she pressed a kiss to his collarbone before moving downward.

  Her tongue swirled around the tip of his nipple before sliding down. Scalding kisses painted a path across his heaving abdomen, licking and suckling at the spots she’d already discovered, driving him mad. His knees threatened to buckle when she reached for the lacing at his waist. With a wicked grin, she untied the leather, pulling it free of his pants.

  Liam’s hearts stuttered when she licked her lips. His breath caught in his throat when she tugged the material over his hips, his cock springing free of the confines. He felt the tickle of a fang along his hip, her tongue painting over the faint mark.

  His breath ground to a halt when she licked along his cock. He gulped as she took the head between her soft lips, her tongue laving it slowly. She purred against him, her hand coming up to cup his sac, fingers toying with the tender flesh as she suckled on his length.

  Heat blossomed, spiraling down his spine to the base. Tension built with it until he wasn’t sure where she’d developed such a talented tongue.

  With a trembling hand he reached for her head, his fingers tangling in her hair. “Gods, little one, you’re so good...ah, oh.” He jerked, his hips thrusting forward when she eased him deeper into her mouth, humming softly as she toyed with his balls.

  Growling, he tugged on her hair, his eyes narrowing when she backed away, her eyes widening. “Up.”

  Letting him go, her breasts heaving beneath the dress she wore, she climbed to her feet. Her hand catching his wrist when he tugged on her hair. “Did I not...”

  “So good,” he muttered against her lips. “I didn’t want to come in your mouth.” He thrust his tongue into her mouth. Hot, slick, the faint hint of his own flavor rested on her tongue as she kissed him back. Silk melted away beneath his hand. He cupped her breast, his thumb teasing over the hardened peak. A low-pitched growl escaped when her nails bit into his skin, her body undulating beneath his touch.

  He pulled her head back, baring her throat as he lifted her with one arm banded around her waist. Pressing her into the wall, he licked and sucked at the pale column of her throat. His kisses skimmed over the sweat slicked skin, pausing to suckle at the racing pulse in her throat before moving on to her collarbone.

  “Ah, please.” Una whimpered.

  Liam ground against Una as she clawed at his back, her body wiggling against his.

  “Liam, gods help...oh, don’t...yes. More. More.”

  Hurried, almost rough, Liam sucked on her breast. He pressed her nipple to the top of his mouth and growled. The spike in her arousal drew another growl as he trailed a hand down her body. She moaned through her ragged breathing, and her head twisted against the wall.

  Letting the nipple slip from his lips, Liam looked at her. Eyes closed, pink lips swollen and moist, a delicate flush on her sweat slicked skin...she looked debauched, and he loved it. The delicate skin of her pussy stretched as he slid his fingers through the curls at the apex of her l
egs. He caught the shudder when he rubbed over her clitoris. Her palms slapped against the brick, her hips rocking on his hand as he toyed with the erect bundle of nerves.

  She whimpered in dismay when he slid his hand free, her keening whines filling his ears as he lifted his fingers to his lips. Sweet, spicy, with a hint of bitterness, her essence lay light on his tongue.

  “Sweet. Delectable.” He nuzzled into her neck, his wet fingers painting a trail down her body.

  Untangling his fingers from her hair, Liam moved his hands down her body, grasping her soft ass and lifting. With her legs draped over his shoulders, he pressed her back against the wall. He looked up, drawing her attention with a nip to her thigh.

  “I’ll drink from you...as readily as you drink from me,” he whispered.

  Her eyes widened with shock and lust when he cupped her ass tighter, his hands stretching across her flesh. She wiggled when he pulled her lips apart, exposing the moist, pink skin. Sucking in a quick breath, he exhaled, a faint fog drifting over her pussy. She gave a garbled scream, her back taut as a bow. Liam dipped his head, inhaling the rich sweetness of her scent before he touched his lips to her skin. Tiny flicks of his tongue teased her clit while he worked the tender opening. He slid his tongue inside, lapping at the nectar flowing. Moaning, he shifted, bracing his feet as he let go of one hip to reach around and toy with the bundle of nerves peeking from beneath the pink hood.

  “Oh gods!” Una cried out. Liam caught the faint scratch of her nails digging into the wall and nuzzled closer. Her heels dug into his back, pressing him closer.

  He growled, the feel of her walls clenching around his tongue adding fuel to the fire raging in his blood. Liam straightened two fingers, licking them quickly before trailing along her vagina. Taking her clit in his mouth, he suckled, his attention darting up to catch her reaction. He slid two fingers inside, curling them upward. He petted her, his mouth never leaving her clitoris.

  “Liam...ah...I’m…” Una dropped forward, her arms wrapping around his neck as she clung to him. Her hips pitched and rolled with each thrust of his fingers, her channel clenching around them. Liam licked faster, drinking the sweetness flowing over his fingers.

  Limp, dazed, Una clung to him as he eased her down his body. She shivered, her lips dancing over his skin. He stared into her eyes, the sparkle of lust still bright. “Mmm, little one, you’re delicious.”

  Una offered a shaky smile as she wrapped her legs around his hips. “As are you.”

  Liam felt a flare of emotion when she lowered her gaze, her cheeks taking on a pink hue. His shaft pulsed at the sight of her tongue gliding over her full lips.

  “I want you,” Liam whispered against her lips, his hips thrusting as he rubbed his cock against the soft flesh of her ass. “Want to be inside you, buried so deep you don’t know where you end and I begin.”

  “Yes, yes.” Una rained kisses against his face, her grip tightening slightly.

  Hefting her in his arms, he glanced around for a bed. The only place was the pool of silk from the colorful fabric she’d wrapped around her to get from the barge. Easing to his knees, he stared into her eyes, his heart thundering in his chest. A trembling hand cupped her thigh, lifting it over his arm. The move spread her wide, and his eyes took in the glistening proof of her arousal. The sight was enough to make his cock lurch.

  Bending over, he nuzzled against the underside of a breast, his tongue darting out to lick at the sweat on the flushed skin. Reaching down, he groaned at the grate of his calloused palm on his sensitive cock, his body aching with need. Staring into Una’s eyes, he rubbed the head along her slit, teasing both of them.

  Una’s eyelids fluttered, her head lolling back. She clutched at his shoulders, her body trembling, hips rolling against him. “Please.”

  “Tell me what you want. Say it.” Liam growled, the head of his cock bumping into her clit. “I want to hear it from your lips.”

  “You. I want you.” Una whimpered. She blinked, a flash of something in her eyes as she looked at him. “Will it hurt?”

  Liam froze at her soft whisper. His hearts thundered in his chest as he stared into her worried gaze. “Ah, sweetness. It may hurt a bit, but you need not fear me or the pain.” Stunned, he couldn’t help but wonder why some other hadn’t seduced her, why she was so skilled, so seductive...yet untouched. He felt a flare of jealousy at the idea of another teaching her any of the pleasures to be had between a man and woman.

  Shame flared in her eyes before she lowered them to stare off to the side. The longer he remained silent the more she withdrew until she wiggled free of his grasp. Shock, need, played through him as she pulled away. Only when she curled her legs up, her arms crossing over her heaving breasts, did he move.

  Lurching forward, he took hold of her wrists and pulled them away from her chest. “Never hide from me, little one. I’d hunt for you ’til the ends of both our worlds.”

  “I’m sorry. I do not...”

  “Do not apologize.” Liam brushed her lips with his, soothing her fears with a touch. “I admit I was shocked, but if I’m honest, knowing I’m your first, your only, gets me hotter than the fires of the underworld.” He licked at the column of her throat, nuzzling gently. Gone was any raging urgency, every instinct guided his touch, his kiss. “It may hurt, but I’ll go slow. Tell me if it is too much.”

  “You would stop?” Una panted, her eyes filling with renewed desire and trust.

  “Aye.” Liam swore he would, even if it killed him, and it very well could. “I would not hurt you.”

  With a soft sigh, Una reached up to pull him closer, her trembling thighs easing open to allow him to lay between them. “I want you, my dear dragon. Want to feel you within me.”

  Liam cupped her jaw, his thumb tracing over her bottom lip. He bent his head, his lips ghosting over her mouth. Nuzzling closer, he sipped at her lips, tasting without taking. Seducing without claiming. Only when she growled at him and grabbed his head to hold him steady while she thrust her tongue between his lips did he deepen the kiss.

  He dominated the kiss, sucking on her tongue before releasing it. Again and again until the only sounds were their ragged breathing, the wild thump of their hearts. His hands trailed over soft flesh, learning each curve, every spot of pleasure. Fingertips danced beneath the curve of her breast, his thumb tweaking the nipple into hardness.

  With a rumble of regret at leaving the sweetness of her mouth, he trailed hot kisses down her throat, down her chest to take her breast in his mouth. His hips rolled and pitched between hers, the head of his cock brushing over the slick heat of her pussy.

  “Now.” Liam moaned against her. “Please, gods, I ache with my...”

  “Yes, yes. Now.” Una thrust her hips up, crying out at the brush of his head against her clit.

  Slick heat enveloped his shaft as he slid into her. Sensations exploded, pushing him closer and closer to the brink. With gritted teeth, he withdrew only to thrust deeper. Liam froze, his eyes widening at the physical proof of her innocence. He stared into her gaze, shocked and humbled by the trust, the devotion in her eyes as her fingernails scraped down his back. He bucked forward at the flare of pain as they dug into his ass, seating himself to the hilt.

  A flash of pain darkened her expression before it was quickly hidden. He inhaled, the scent of blood seeping past the burning lust raging within him. Liam eased back, gasping when she tightened her grip. “Ah, little one, you should...” He forced the words out past dry lips. He shuddered at the look of satisfaction on her face.

  “It fades even now,” Una whispered tightly. “Please. Give me your fire, teach me.”

  Liam nodded. He could refuse her nothing. Rolling his hips to bump her clit with each thrust, he began to move. Slow, a gentle rocking motion that quickly burned too hot for him. With a muffled roar, he grasped her hips, pounding into her until he was surrounded by sensations. The hot clasp of her silk flesh around his cock. The slick heat of her previous orgasm. Her ragged brea
thing echoing in his ears, nails digging into his flesh.

  Each only added to the hurried rush of his lust. He could feel the tingle build, the coiling of his need in the hardening of his cock as it drove into her. Reckless abandon took over and he pressed her deeper into where they lay.

  Flames danced around, skirting over her chest, over his wrists. Orange and red, they leaped and played until they were surrounded by a circle of fire that climbed higher and higher the closer he came to his orgasm. In a blast of color and heat, Liam surrendered to the pleasure as he came in hot spurt after spurt. He purred as his body registered the pulse of her channel around him, milking him. Sated, he collapsed on her heaving chest, his tongue darting out to lick at the beads of sweat clinging to a breast.

  “Mmm, my lord.” Una wiggled, her legs slipping from his hips. “Sleep.”

  “Yes, sleep,” Liam whispered against her skin. Exhaustion, the haze of pleasure, and the slow glide of her fingers across his shoulders soothed him into a deep slumber.

  Chapter 17

  An amber sky stretched out over the sand as Liam stirred. Rising from the makeshift bed he and Una had spent the night in, he tucked her in. If his touch lingered, he tried not to think of why. Instead he huffed a quick breath and grabbed for his pants. He found them tossed into the corner, wrinkled and a mess.

  “Liam?” Una’s soft whisper stroked along his senses. He paused, his pants halfway up his legs, his gaze sliding across the room to land on his woman. Una lay tangled in the fabric he’d covered her with, her curved body barely covered, the dark shadow of the curls between her legs teasing him. Obviously whoever had thought of silk had never imagined the way it would taunt a male dragon in the throes of lust.

  “Shh. It is too early to get up. I’ll get some water,” he promised and pulled his pants on before desire could override any sense he had.

  Stepping out into the early morning light, he breathed deeply. A light breeze stirred the air, whistling through the tree branches. The river gurgled and splashed along its channel. He tilted his head, the sound of a bird’s cry weaving through the silence.