by Starla Night
But it was impossible.
She pulled back and met his gaze with a tender smile. “Breathe.”
He sucked in a huge gulp.
She stroked his cheek. “Do you want to marry your empress?”
His answer stuck in his dry throat. He cleared it. “No.”
Her smile grew, then faded to seriousness again. “Do you want me to be your mate?”
“Yes.”
Her smile glowed. Sunshine in a dark storm. She nuzzled him. “Okay.”
Her fingers trailed to the hem of his shirt. She pulled, untucking from his pants. He peeled his shirt off one-handed and tossed it to the floor.
Her gaze dropped to his pectorals and continued across his abdomen to the rim of his jeans. “It’s smooth.”
“The attackers targeted my face.”
Her gaze returned there. “Can I see your dragon form?”
He shook his head. He didn’t want to ruin this moment with a vision that would sear into her mind and turn her stomach.
“Is it necessary to see your dragon to count as mates?”
“No.” He cleared his throat again. For some reason, every time she said that word, his throat filled with a painful lump and his heart squeezed as though she had stuck him with a pin. “Human form is enough.”
She accepted his answer and lifted her hands. “May I?”
He nodded.
She rested on his nude chest. Her fingers were cool and gentle on his burning hot flesh. She spread across his broad muscles, studying the mountains and valleys, as though truly enjoying his naked torso. His cock, iron-hard since he’d entered the room, filled tighter with heat.
She took a deep breath. Her breasts strained the blouse. “Turn around.”
He did.
Her soft touch claimed his lower back, his waist, his shoulder blades, and the curve of his spine. Up to the back of his neck, she skimmed across his knotted shoulders. And then she snugged her arms around his chest and pressed her soft breasts to his back. The pearled nipples rubbed a sensual torture over his shoulder blades. Her femininity teased his taut buttocks.
He sucked in another breath. Oxygen deprivation was the reason for his light-headedness. Not because she claimed him.
Right. Oxygen deprivation.
She unbuckled his belt, unzipped his jeans, and slipped her fingers under the rim of his briefs.
He clenched his teeth on his groan.
She felt like his dream. He wanted her so hard his scales threatened to burst over his skin.
“You’re shimmering.” She pulled one hand from his briefs and stroked the scales jumping under his bicep. “It’s beautiful.”
His heart pierced with another pin.
She made him vulnerable in ways he couldn’t guard against. And instead of protecting himself, he wanted to draw her close and hand her more pins.
Laura pushed on the briefs. The elastic swelled over his enormous, throbbing cock. He eased the fabric lower.
She paused. “Oh. Your boots.”
He did not have time for boots. Flexing, his calves elongated, hardening with scales. Razor claws burst the denim. They shredded his boots and the bottoms of his jeans.
“Oh!” She laughed. “That surprised me.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it was neat.” She stroked his distinctly inhuman form. “I’d like to see more.”
Was she referring to his face again? His arousal flagged. She would not like to see more, no matter what she said. He allowed a few exploratory strokes of the scales and then he flexed back to human skin.
Her breathing changed. Hotter, faster, as her fingers contacted his nude, hard-muscled thigh. “That was so cool.”
Her uneven tone made his cock harden right up.
“You can turn around again.”
He obeyed, stepping free of what remained of his soles and kicking off the shredded jeans.
Her lips parted and her eyes glistened.
He stood before her entirely bared. His half of the mating ritual was complete.
She focused on his arousal.
He swelled for her.
She swallowed and put her fingers to the buttons of her blouse. Then, she hesitated.
Nerves twinged. “What?”
“Is it okay if I undress myself? Or do you have to?”
Have to? “Either way.”
“I thought maybe.” She laughed self-consciously as she began to part the buttons and reveal her satiny bra. “But I didn’t want to do it wrong again.”
He watched her natural, totally unselfconscious strip tease with his arousal thickening and throbbing. “There is only one rule. Honest acceptance of male and female.”
“And light.” She slipped her blouse from her shoulders. “And nakedness.”
Those “rules” only expanded on the original.
She unsnapped her bra, releasing her gorgeous breasts, and let the satin fall to the carpet. Then, she unbuttoned and unzipped her trousers, revealing a slip of satin. Bending over to remove her boots gifted him with a deliciously naughty image to treasure.
She removed the last article, pulled something out of her trousers pocket, then stepped forward and took his lax hand in her empty one.
Her hopeful smile filled his chest with another pin of pain. “We’re both completely naked.”
His throat went dry.
“Turn around,” he said hoarsely.
It wasn’t necessary. He just wanted to see all of her as she had seen all of him.
She did as he asked, her head turning and golden curls fanning over her shoulders as she lost and sought his gaze again.
She was so beautiful. All creamy curves and luxurious softness. Her vee was topped by a thatch of gold just like on her head.
Stopping in front of him again, she stepped into his embrace. The object in one hand crinkled.
His hard cock brushed and then pressed into her silken waist.
She rested her empty palm on his pectorals, gently squeezing. “Now we make love?”
Yes.
He caressed her from shoulders to thighs, filled his palms with her derriere, and squeezed. She moaned and tipped back her head. He claimed her mouth and then her jaw, her cheek, her slender neck, and her delicate collar.
Resting her hand on his shoulder, she arched her back and offered her breasts.
He took her invitation, kneeling down and pulling her to rest on his knee. She was wet, so wet he couldn’t stop his moan.
He took her sweet nipple into his mouth and rolled it with his tongue. Then, he suckled the other.
She rocked on his knee, pleasuring herself as he gave all he had to feed her hunger.
He squeezed her thighs, loving the way she tightened on him, and careful to keep away from the vee she had forbidden.
She captured his hand. “It’s okay … for you … to touch.”
He rested his palm against her mons.
Her belly tightened, and she opened her eyes to meet his, but he didn’t move, and her gaze softened into trust.
She canted her hips and gave him easier access.
He swiped his gentle thumb across her glistening pink. She sighed, opening herself and moving to his rhythm.
More. He wanted more. He wanted all of her.
He wanted to taste.
Rolling backward, he laid on the carpet, knees bent, and she straddled him. Bringing her wet cleft to his mouth, he—
“Wait!” She grabbed his hair, stopping him. Fear shone in her eyes.
He froze.
“I just — I’m not — I’m ready. Without that.” She laughed nervously. “Sorry. Next time.”
He released her, allowing her to sit back on his abdomen.
She feared him.
Fear.
He had frightened her.
Kyan swallowed. He didn’t know what to do. Lying on his back, flinching like he was a dragonlet all over again, he went limp and waited for it to be over.
Her brows drew together. She cuppe
d his face, raining kisses on his lips, his cheeks, his eyelids. “It’s not you. You’re the one I like. My favorite. I’ll get better. You’re beautiful. Sexy. Strong. Controlled. And I love you.”
Her tender words, along with her soft, earnest kisses, tingled in his chest like a healing balm.
She lifted her head. Her worried eyes searched his. “Kyan?”
His arms came up of their own will and crushed her to him. Their lips met in a tangle of hunger and need.
He was her favorite? She was his. The only woman he would ever desire. The only one he would ever need.
She wiggled down his body and cupped his hardening cock, encouraging him with long strokes and hot gasps to return to his full arousal.
He felt stronger. More controlled. Clear-headed, like he was going on a mission.
His mission was her.
She grabbed the crinkly packet she’d dropped at his head and unrolled the plastic barrier across his powerful erection. Then she positioned herself and sank onto his hard, long cock.
Sweet oblivion.
Pleasure soaked her smile and clenched his balls.
He fought for control. Her moans, her shimmies, her scent, and her smile all urged him to spill his seed.
He thrust into her tight, wet core. Timing his thrusts with hers, he watched closely. Her cheeks reddened and her moans increased. She arched her back, bucking against him. And then her channel clenched his cock, and she screamed.
His release poured into her.
She collapsed on his chest, breathing hard. Neither spoke.
He did not dare.
She was the mate he wanted. The female he craved. The only being in this entire universe who flayed open his vulnerabilities. Only she could sew up his wounds or rip out his heart.
He rested a hand on her back.
Such a small, fragile, beautiful back. The gentle curve had been targeted.
Because of him.
His life would always put hers in danger.
When he most wanted to protect her, like tonight, being with him brought her fear.
That was why he must leave her.
Soon.
Chapter Seventeen
They’d finally connected. Finally. And now they’d be together forever.
Laura snuggled closer.
Kyan stroked her back. His cock pulsed, still hard inside her, and if she had another condom, she might be talked into doing this again.
He’d been so amazing.
The first time had been earth-shattering, but the second time had been even better. What would the third time be like? She couldn’t wait to find out.
Her muscles twitched from the unfamiliar position and so they separated. She rolled off.
He dealt with the condom, dried himself with his shirt, and went to a wall cabinet that turned into a closet. Behind crisp dark blue suits, he pulled out a pair of black jeans and his usual black shirt.
No briefs.
He glanced back at her as though sensing her gaze.
Did she flush?
She reached for her crumpled trousers. Funny how they’d had sex but now they were mates she felt shy.
His gruff voice broke into her thoughts. “Were you truly treated well on the Gnashing Teeth?”
“Absolutely.” Once they’d gotten past the misunderstanding. She buttoned her trousers and reached for her bra. “I’m considering their offer. Seriously.”
He hesitated.
She snapped the closure on her bra and shrugged on her blouse.
He spoke while looking away. “Do not share your healing saliva.”
“My what?”
“Your healing saliva.” He closed the cabinet. “The part that makes it better in your kiss.”
Her jaw dropped. “I think there’s been a — I don’t know — do you mean the thing I said about kissing it and making it better? That’s not a real thing.”
“I had never heard of this phenomenon. However, when you pressed your lips to certain places, although there is no outward improvement, it feels better on the inside.” His blue gaze nailed hers. “Do not share this with any other males.”
She shut her mouth with a click. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
He nodded, satisfied, and then he stiffened and strode around her.
She turned to ask where he was going.
An instant later, his door rattled. A knock sounded on the outside. “Sir?”
“Report,” he said gruffly.
His slight glance back at her explained everything. She furiously buttoned her blouse to be presentable.
“We analyzed the distress calls. And we have a new lead on the medkits.”
She twirled to show she was dressed.
He opened the door. “New lead?”
The younger male nodded eagerly. “It’s the Tourmaline group. We have proof.”
“And the attacks on Chrysoberyl?”
He shook his head.
“Keep investigating.”
“Sir.”
“And contact the Gnashing Teeth.”
The employee nodded and left.
Kyan turned to Laura. “Put on the trench coat.”
“Your trench coat?”
“Yes.” He waited for her to do so and then pulled her into his arms and flew them up the glass shaft. The moon hung low in the dark sky. “Stay with your parents tonight. Tomorrow, you may go home.”
“Can I go back to work?”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure it’s safe?”
“The medkit sales records will confirm what I tasked my employees with tracking — that the cult members are identified to human authorities.”
How long had he been watching her apartment? She asked, but he didn’t exactly answer.
“It is safe,” he repeated and stepped back.
“Kyan.” She stepped forward and grabbed his hand.
He did not flinch.
Progress.
She placed a kiss on his lips.
He lasered on her with dark blue intensity.
She grinned, happy all over, and stepped back. “Be safe.”
He nodded shortly. Then, like Superman, he rocketed into the night.
Seeing her parents was wonderful. She shared her adventures and basked in the loving glow of her family. The next day, she repeated her tearful reunion with her housemates, who were still stunned and amazed by all that had occurred. And the school was accommodating and even the Director didn’t yell.
“You’re certain the danger is over?” Bob pressed.
“Kyan is.”
“And you have how many weeks of clinicals left?”
“With the extension? Five.”
He shook her hand. “Let’s make them uneventful.”
She agreed. Whole-heartedly.
To top it off, Dr. Richard had taken a week’s vacation. It was a great homecoming. She slid into her routine as if she’d never left.
The only problem was not hearing from Kyan for three days.
Three days.
On her next day off, she looked up the Onyx Corporation in the directory. An older woman with a smoker’s growl transferred her call to Kyan.
He answered on the first ring. “Have you been attacked?”
“No.” Like that was the only reason she’d call? “I haven’t seen you. Can you come over?”
Silence.
“If you’re too busy, we could schedule—”
“Why?”
Seriously? “Because people who are … seeing each other should see each other.”
She’d almost said “mates” but that was his word, not hers. She didn’t want to use it incorrectly and make this awkwardness worse.
“So, what time works for you?”
“I’ll be there in four minutes.” The line went dead.
Four minutes!
She splashed makeup on her face and shoveled dirty clothes off her bedroom floor. Sexy outfit, sexy outfit … she hadn’t planned for this! No lover should visit i
n less than an hour.
Kyan tapped on her second-story window three and a quarter minutes later.
Laura opened the window, flushed. “Hi.”
He looked as gorgeous, impenetrable, and serious as the last time she’d seen him. Maybe even more so in his trench coat and rigid arms at his sides.
“Come in.” She was only a little breathless. “This is my bedroom. We could watch a movie. Are you hungry? I made—”
“You’ve seen me.” His terseness cut her off, and he made no move toward the open window.
Oh. “You can’t stay?”
He floated back as if he were going to leave.
“Wait!”
He looked at her, his shoulder already turned away.
She searched for one of the many, many questions she’d wanted to ask. She’d planned on talking a lot. It was hard to compress her hunger for his presence into a quick question.
“How did everything turn out? Did you catch the bad guys?”
He floated to his original position. “The Tourmalines confessed. They and their accomplices are in the brig of the Gnashing Teeth, soon to be transported back to Draconis. All medkits were confiscated and the lizard alien cultists were put on watch lists.”
“Great! I knew you’d catch them.”
His expression did not look pleased.
She sobered. “Any luck with the bomb maker that attacked Chrysoberyl?”
“No accusations. But a repeat is impossible. We are always watching.”
A little shiver crawled up her back.
Kyan in the cloud-muffled sunlight was the most lethal, gorgeous, dangerous male she had ever known. And he was using all his hard lethality to protect.
Her feminine parts flushed with awareness.
“Are you sure you can’t come in?” She squeezed her thighs together. “Just for a minute.”
“I cannot.”
Ugh. How frustrating. But wasn’t it a stereotype that cops were always married to their work? She shouldn’t be surprised. “Then, just come closer.”
He floated a foot closer, still out of her reach. “Why?”
“So I can kiss you.”
His blue eyes flared and he finally looked away. “That is not a good idea.”
A heavy weight settled in her stomach.
She tried to ignore it. “What do you mean?”
He remained silent.
