The Water Dragons Box Set: Books 1 - 4 (Complete)

by Charlene Hartnady

  “You’re hurt?” Hail asked.

  “No…yes…maybe…I shouldn’t be.” She shook her head. “I have no right to be. He’s been nothing but honest with me, and still…I was stupid that’s all.”

  “You weren’t stupid.”

  “Trust me, I was stupid. I should never have…Never mind.”

  “Rutted? You should never have rutted the male, is that what you were going to say?” He raised his brows.

  “Yes,” she blurted. “It was a stupid thing to do.”

  “You have feelings for him, even if you don’t like those feelings, and you’re attracted to him. It’s normal to have sex in a situation like that.” Hail paused for a moment or two, looking at her pointedly. “You did nothing wrong. It definitely wasn’t stupid.”

  "Storm doesn't feel the same way about me, that makes me, sleeping with him, a stupid thing to have done. Again, it's complicated." She sighed. "I planned to come here, meet a sweet, kind guy like yourself and then to fall completely and totally in love. I want a house full of kids and lots of laughter and happiness. Instead, I'm attracted to an asshole prince who's quite happy to move on without a backward glance."

  “Have you asked him how he feels? Maybe he has also changed his mind.” Hail cut a piece of his steak. “You should eat that, otherwise, he will have ruined your dinner as well.” He pointed his fork at her steak.

  She laughed. “You’re right.” Jolene picked up her knife and fork. “I don’t need to ask him about how he feels. Trust me, he’s made his position very clear.”

  “Maybe you shoul—”

  There was another squeal. Louder this time. Great! Again, Jolene should not have looked. Storm had the blonde she-dragon over his shoulder. She had been over that shoulder not even a week ago. Storm headed out of the hall, moving quickly and confidently. No need to guess where the two of them were headed.

  “Have fun!” Beck shouted after them.

  Her heart hurt in that moment. It gave a painful squeeze. Why, she couldn’t say. Why she even had feelings for a guy like that in the first place was beyond her. Jolene was an intelligent woman. She owned her apartment. Her car was fully paid for. She had a really great position in her company. The younger staff looked up to her. She was in line for that promotion. Why was she stupid when it came to Storm?

  Her lip quivered so she stuck a big slice of steak into her mouth.

  “I’m really sorry,” Hail said in a soft tone.

  Jolene looked up into his eyes, which were filled with concern. That, and a good dose of pity as well.

  “Thank you,” she said around her food. Then chewed quickly and swallowed, using her napkin to wipe her mouth. “I’m not sorry though.” Yes, she was! No! She was not! “This is for the best.” She shrugged. It was. There would be no going back. No temptation to throw herself at Storm’s feet and to beg him to give her a chance. A real chance, not just a fling. It seemed like a fling was all he was capable of.

  Hail pushed his chair back and stood up.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll get us a couple of take-out containers. Let’s get out of here. We can read or play a board game or something. I can see you’re uncomfortable.”

  “No.” Jolene shook her head. “You’ve made so much effort. The food is delicious. I’m going to try to forget all about ‘you know who.' Sit," she looked at his chair, "let's enjoy our evening."

  “You sure?”

  She nodded. “Very.”

  He sat back down. “You know that you will be expected to stay with me for three weeks?”

  She nodded. “I know.”

  "I know you have feelings for… ‘he who shall not be spoken about,' but I would appreciate it if you would still give me a chance."

  “I like you, Hail. I really like you, but not in that way.” She felt so bad. “I wish I did but I can’t help the way I feel. I doubt that’s going to change.”

  Hail looked down at the table, when he looked back, his eyes had clouded. “Thanks for being honest with me. At least I haven’t developed feelings for you yet. That would have been bad.” He smiled.

  “You can take part in the next hunt, I’m sure there’s—”

  Hail shook his head, making her stop what she was saying. “I’m not very athletic.”

  “You’re not?” She widened her eyes. He wasn’t as built as Storm, but he was still seriously packing some decent muscles.

  “Nope, I’m not that good a fighter and I’m not all that fast on my feet. Realistically, I don’t stand much of a chance against the other males. Quite frankly, it was a shock when you picked me.”

  “Don’t say that. Don’t put yourself down. You are a serious catch!”

  "Not to a dragon female." He shook his head. "They like the strongest, higher-ranking males."

  She made a snorting noise. “Forget the she-dragons. I’ve only met one or two and I don’t like them. They’re more spoiled than… ‘you know who’ ‒ and that’s saying something.”

  Hail laughed, he put a finger in front of his mouth. “Don’t let anyone hear you saying that.” He chuckled some more. “It’s true though.”

  “Let me tell you, you would be a serious catch to a human woman.”

  “You think so?” He looked at her skeptically.

  “I know so.” She waved a hand. “I’m clearly an idiot, so don’t judge anything based on me. Human women would lap you up.”

  “Okay.” He shrugged. “Maybe I will go on the next stag run.”

  “That’s the whole ‘go into town twice a year to shag’ thing?”

  Hail nodded. “I’ve never been to one. I didn’t think females would be interested in me. I thought it would be the same as here. The same as the way she-dragons treat males like me.”

  “They would be all over you.”

  Hail smiled and she felt somewhat better. There was still a tightness in her chest she hated though. And this little rerun of Storm throwing that blonde over his shoulder playing over and over in her head. Her mind also kept trying to conjure up images of what the two of them would be doing right at that moment, but she wouldn’t let it. Jolene squared her shoulders and smiled back at Hail. It was for the best!

  Chapter 15

  “Thank fuck!” the voice snarled.

  Jolene sat up in bed, her heart racing. A figure stood over her. “Hail,” she stammered. “Has something happened?” She tried to see his facial expression, but it was too dark. Why was he standing over her like that? She couldn’t see him clearly, but she could feel anger rolling off of him. Why?

  “U-um…” Hail stammered. Her eyes tracked his voice. The figure looming over her had not been the one who had spoken. Her blood ran cold when she realized that Hail was at the foot of her bed. If that was Hail, then who was this?

  “I’m taking the female,” the foreboding figure snarled.

  “Storm?” Her voice was laced with confusion. “Is that you?”

  “As you wish, m-my lord,” Hail stammered.

  “What are you doing here?” She pulled the blankets off, sliding her legs off the bed.

  “We’re leaving.” Storm’s voice was deep. Scary deep. He was using that commanding tone. The one that had gooseflesh rising up on her arms, her legs, her whole body. It could also be the cold causing the physical response. Yeah, right!

  Jolene shook her head. “No.” She sounded as confused as she felt.

  “Yes, we are.” He took a step towards her.

  “No, we’re not.” She shook her head, fiddling with the light switch and turning on her side lamp. Jolene gasped when she saw he was naked. He looked angry. Muscles bulged and his frown deepened by the second. “What’s wrong with you, barging in here like this?”

  “Let’s go.” He gripped her by the elbow, hoisting her to her feet.

  “Let me go.” It was her turn to snarl; she tried to pull free, but he held on firmly.

  “It doesn’t seem like the female wants—” Hail began, sounding petrified.

&
nbsp; Storm snarled at him. A terrifying noise that reminded her of a show she’d seen about lions of the man-eating variety.

  Hail stood his ground. By his silhouette, she could see his shoulders were bowed, his head tilted down. “But, my lord—”

  “But nothing,” Storm growled as he picked her up, reminding her of how he had hoisted that she-dragon over his shoulder just hours earlier. Anger bubbled through her veins.

  “Put me down!” she yelled. “Have you been drinking or taking drugs or something?”

  Storm ignored her and began to walk to…not the front door, but to the balcony.

  Hail stepped into their path. “I’m going to have to ask you…” he looked at his feet, “beg you…to let her go. Please, my lord.”

  “Move or bleed.” Gone was all trace of growling and snarling. His voice was calm. In many ways, it was even more terrifying. Storm tightened his arms around her. The muscles on his neck roped and his jaw clenched. His eyes were a dark purple, swirling and angry.

  “It’s fine, Hail.” She could tell that Storm was taking her whether she liked it or not. Fighting it was futile. She only wished she knew what he wanted.

  Hail’s blue eyes flashed to hers. She read uncertainty there. “Are you sure?”

  Jolene forced a smile. “Yes.” She didn’t want to see a nice guy like Hail get hurt. When Storm said he would make Hail bleed, she knew he meant it. That he would do it.

  Especially since the dragon prince seemed to vibrate with anger. Literally. He even ground his teeth. What was he so angry about?

  She sighed with relief when Hail stepped to the side, his eyes still on the ground at his feet. Storm strode out onto the balcony.

  He put her down as he changed, his limbs lengthened. Scales sprouted up from beneath his skin. His jaw elongated. His arms stretched out into impossibly wide, yet soft looking wings. Within seconds, a formidable dragon stood before her. Eyes tempestuous and zoned in on her.

  Jolene shivered when he picked her up in his claws. It had nothing to do with the chilly wind that hit her skin.

  Her stomach gave a lurch as they took to the sky. Her nightgown whipped around her legs, as did her hair, which stung her cheeks. Within seconds they were freefalling. Jolene bit back a scream. Storm’s great wings beat slower as they neared the ground. Slower and slower still until her feet touched the soft sand. They could not have been in the air for more than a minute. She could smell salt in the air. Could hear how the waves beat against the rocks.

  Jolene hugged herself. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, watching as Storm folded in on himself. It was only his eyes that stayed the same. He turned those on her. With just a half moon to light the night sky, it was difficult to make out his expression. He stood tall. His muscles still bulged.

  “He didn’t touch you.” Storm sighed, his voice still had a guttural edge.

  She swallowed. “Is that a question?”

  “No, it’s a statement of fact. I can’t scent him on you.” Storm paced away, before walking back to her. He seemed relieved and yet agitated.

  “Why would you even care?” She didn’t wait for a reply. “Why did you bring me here? What are you doing?”

  “I couldn’t stand the thought of him touching you,” Storm growled out the words. “I would have killed him if he had.”

  “You have no right to even say something like that.” She pointed at him.

  “You are still mine.” He advanced on her.

  Jolene took a step back. “Don’t come near me.”

  He didn’t listen. Storm gripped her nightgown in clenched fists and began to tug it up. “Stop!” She pushed at his chest. “Isn’t one woman in one night enough? You disgust me,” she spat.

  Storm let her clothing go and raked a hand through his hair. He pushed out a humorless laugh. “I didn’t touch Mist or anyone else. I couldn’t.” He sounded angry. “All I could think about was you.”

  “What?”

  “Of how happy the two of you looked at dinner.” It sounded like he was gritting his teeth.

  Wait a minute. Jolene frowned. “You’re jealous?” She couldn’t believe how happy that made her feel. Jolene had lain awake for hours picturing Storm with the she-dragon. Picturing all the things they would be doing. She’d been wracked with feelings of jealousy herself, only to find out that it hadn’t happened. He’d been jealous this whole time too. Maybe he’d lain awake picturing her and Hail doing things together. She shook her head, could hardly believe it possible. “You left with her though. I saw you.”

  “I didn’t touch her. I told you! I wanted to but only to try to forget about you. I couldn’t.” He shook his head. “I’m seriously fucking jealous. I saw you holding his hand. It made me half lose my mind. I’m keeping you. Hail can go to hell!” he snarled, grabbing at her nightgown again and yanking. It shredded like paper between his fingers. Falling in tatters at her feet.

  The cold air abraded her skin. Her nipples tightened. “You can’t just—” She wanted to hug herself but didn’t, forcing her arms to stay at her sides.

  “I can,” he insisted.

  “Whatever happened to asking?” His whole alpha vibe shouldn’t turn her on, but it did.

  "I don't ask, I take." She could see that his chest was heaving, he looked down at her body, and she had to work all over again not to cover herself. This was the first time he was seeing her naked from head to toe. "Fucking beautiful." She didn't have to see into his eyes to know that he meant it.

  Her heart raced. They shouldn’t do this. They should sit down like rational adults and discuss things properly.

  She yelped when Storm plopped himself down in the sand in front of her. Like he’d read her mind. Maybe about the sitting part but not about the talking part. His hands gripped her thighs lightly. “Ride me.” His voice was gruff. So sexy.

  He pulled her onto his lap so that she straddled him. She put her hands on his shoulders. His finger immediately found her clit.

  Screw talking.

  Her head fell back and she moaned.

  “I want you so badly.” He kissed the pulse at the base of her throat as his finger breached her. He somehow managed to rub on her clit and finger her at the same time. His hot mouth found one of her nipples. He suckled her, hard before nipping at her flesh. She yelped feeling the sting. Then mewled as he licked the same spot better.

  Then two, maybe more fingers were crooked inside her. She panted and moaned, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

  “Ride me,” he commanded again, placing both hands on her hips so he could lift her. She fumbled for his cock. Desperate to have him inside her. “Yes,” she moaned as she circled his thick girth. “Oh yes!” she moaned louder as his tip breached her.

  Forget going slow.

  Forget her setting the pace.

  Forget her doing much of anything.

  Storm yanked her down, thrusting up simultaneously with his hips. She cried out, thankful he had prepared her. Not enough though. Her flesh stretched to accommodate him. Her ass hit his thighs. She bit down on her lip as pain blossomed.

  Storm grunted loudly. “Fuck yes,” he snarled, lifting her and thrusting into her again.

  She yelled again as his cock hit deep inside. Hitting nerves that sent her spiraling out of control from the start. She yelled even more loudly on the next thrust. Her boobs bounced. She tried to take over the movement, but he wouldn’t let her. He growled, low and deep, a warning, his fingers digging into her hips. It turned her on. His thrusts became more urgent. Her body seemed to suck him in, it made wet noises. Her breasts jerked hard. She grit her teeth, trying to hold on. Her orgasm close. They had only been going at it for less than a minute. She couldn’t come so quickly, so easily. Could she?

  “Now,” Storm groaned. “Come for me,” he snarled.

  It was like he owned her body because it obeyed; an orgasm ripped through her. Jolene groaned. He kept thrusting. Then his finger was rubbing on her clit. It was too much. Sensory overload. �
��Again,” he demanded.

  “No,” she bit out.

  “Yes.” His finger moved quickly but softly. His dick thrust deep and hard. “Now,” another growled command that sent her tumbling over the edge all over again.

  Jolene shouted his name. This orgasm was harder and faster. It tore through her, taking no prisoners. She finally slumped against his chest, forehead damp, breathing heavily.

  Storm rubbed her back. He kissed the top of her head. It was almost tender. She didn’t know what to make of this.

  Storm felt better inside Jolene. He wanted her again. Maybe this time on her back with her legs hooked over his shoulders. Then again, he had enjoyed watching her ass bounce when he fucked her from behind. “I told you it was a mistake to leave me.”

  “You didn’t put up much of a fight.” She sounded like she was smiling. He pulled back a little so that he could look at her and her full lips were indeed curved in a smile.

  “I didn’t want to hold you back.”

  She nestled back into his chest. “And taking me from my bed in the middle of the night isn’t holding me back?”

  Storm chuckled. “You didn’t hold back. My ears are still ringing.”

  “Hey.” She whacked the side of his arm.

  “I rescued you.” Storm grinned.

  “What did you rescue me from exactly?” Jolene sounded skeptical.

  “Hail is boring as fuck.”

  She tensed up, a frown creased her brow. “Don’t say that, I happen to like him.”

  Storm felt everything go cold. His muscles turned hard as steel as those same feelings of jealousy returned and with a vengeance. He snarled as he tossed her onto her back. The sand would be soft against her skin. “You can’t possibly…like Hail.” Not a fuck! “Tell me you don’t actually feel something for the male.”

  “I do like him but not in that way. I think he’s a good guy.”

  Something eased in him. “I’m surprised your ears didn’t bleed earlier. The way he went on and on about tactical movements and perimeter patrols.” Storm rolled his eyes.