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

by Charlene Hartnady

  “I’m not hanging you out to dry. You helped me escape. I’m staying with you. I’ll do my best to protect you. We stand a better chance together. Three days…if there’s no sign of anyone, I’ll leave.”

  “Will I ever see you again?” The question just came out. Then again, they’d always been straight with one another. Despite everything. Why stop now? Even though she knew the answer.

  “No.” He shook his head.

  It was weird, she felt closer to Beck than she ever had to her own father. Her and Harry were together for four years. They’d been engaged and she hadn’t felt nearly as connected. She barely knew this man, this shifter and yet…there it was. She could see in his eyes that he felt the same way. This connection. This thing.

  “It’s how it has to be, slayer.” He cupped her cheek, his eyes soft.

  “You shouldn’t call me that anymore.”

  “Alex then. If things were different I…”

  She nodded. “I know…I get it. I do! You don’t have to explain.”

  “Let’s rest up and then we’ll head for SoHo.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but you can’t go like that.” She looked him up and down.

  He grinned. “You like me naked…admit it?”

  She nodded, smiling. “I do but the rest of the city might not feel the same. In fact, you’d get your fine ass arrested.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Shifters own numerous properties across the US. Safe houses, if you will. I’ll head to one first…get clothing and cash.” His eyes darkened. “I won’t be able to take you with me, but I’ll be very quick. It’s the only time I plan on leaving you for the next few days. Otherwise, we stick together.”

  She liked the sound of that. “We have a plan then.”

  His green eyes stayed on hers. “Yes, we do.”

  She liked the idea of spending the next few days with him far too much. It was going to be hard to let him go. She’d think about that part of the equation when the time came. One thing at a time.

  Chapter 17

  Two days later…

  “Food’s here,” Beck said, jumping to his feet. He searched around their immediate vicinity, finding his jeans in a crumpled pile a few feet from the sofa. He stepped into them, pulling the garment up over his hips and doing up the clasp. There weren’t many men who looked as good in jeans as they did out of them. But Beck was one of them. The jeans fit him just so.

  He sniffed at himself, around the room, and then made a face. “I smell like sex. This whole place smells of it and you don’t need to have superior senses to notice either.”

  “Maybe because we did it three times,” Alex laughed. She was shocked at how carefree she sounded. How happy.

  Don’t think about it yet!

  She quickly pulled her thoughts back to the here and now. They didn’t have much time left, but she was going to enjoy every second of it.

  “Was it only three times? I’m going to have to up my game.” He winked at her.

  Alex snickered. “I didn’t think you could do it in so many positions on a sofa.”

  He gave her a panty-wetting half smile. Or it would be if she was wearing any panties. Then he frowned. “I suggest you put something on.” He looked around the floor again, searching for her clothes, but he’d have a hard time since she hadn’t been wearing any. Maybe she was still using sex. This time, to keep him there. And, also, for her own benefit. Sex with this man was – insert eyes rolling back in her head here. She felt sorry for the neighbors. That’s how good it was. They had a chemistry that didn’t come along very often. Another knock sounded at the door. “Coming!” he yelled, turning and widening his eyes at her.

  She put a cushion over herself. “There we go.”

  “Not good enough,” he growled. “I’ll have to gouge his eyes out if he sees you. You realize that, don’t you?”

  Alex felt warm and fuzzy at the thought of him jealous. His muscles bulged and roped, his eyes narrowed and darkened up. Then he smiled. “It’s fine!” Another half-smile. “I don’t want you covering up. You’re too damned perfect…” Another knock. “I said I’m coming,” he all but snarled. His eyes softening as they landed back on her. “I’ll hurt him if he tries to set a foot in this apartment though.”

  Alex laughed. More warm fuzzy feelings flooded her. “Be nice. He’s going to be plenty afraid when you open the door.” All that muscle. Exposed muscle. And at six and a half feet of raw masculinity, Beck was formidable. She could only imagine the poor delivery guy’s expression as he opened the door. He’d pale, swallow thickly, more than likely take a step back and then he’d stutter using plenty of polite terms. Alex had seen it a couple of times already. It was funny to watch.

  There was a brief exchange and then Beck returned, carrying the take-out bag. “You stay there.” He lifted a hand. “I’ll get it.”

  Beck placed the bag on the table and headed for the kitchen, returning minutes later with plates and cutlery. He made quick work of setting the table while Alex made her way over.

  After briefly contemplating getting dressed, or at least throwing a t-shirt on, she decided against it. The garment wouldn’t stay on long and might even end up shredded like quite a few of her clothing items had already. She couldn’t help but smile.

  Also, she loved the greedy look that appeared in Beck’s eyes when he looked at her. It was there right then and it had nothing to do with the food. “I know what I’d like to eat.” Beck whistled low.

  “First the food.” He unpacked the contents of the paper bag. Two large steaks, a big portion of buffalo wings and a rack of ribs. There was also a side salad, which was for her, along with half of one steak. The rest, well, it took a lot to keep a body like that going strong. Beck ate like a horse.

  His gaze moved over her, a look of appreciation appeared on his face. “I love how content you are in your own skin,” he said as he put a big piece of the steak he’d just sliced onto her plate. “Not many human females…humans in general…are like that. Then again, you’re like no human I’ve ever met.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve never had a problem with my body. I probably should though,” she smiled, “since it’s far from perfect.” Truth was, she’d never been this carefree before. She’d never undressed completely when she’d had the odd hook up over the years. It was too awkward. Too many questions always ensued.

  That was the thing, Beck had never asked. She’d felt his hands on her, or his gaze, although never lingering. She’d seen the question in his eyes, just like she did now, but he’d never actually asked her about it. “My father beat me.” She wanted him to know.

  His eyes narrowed and he dropped his fork with a clang.

  “It’s okay. It happened years ago.” She touched a hand to her lower back. To the scars there. Thin white lines lashed across her skin.

  “It’s not okay.” His hands were bunched into fists. “It’s so far from being okay, Alex.”

  “You’re right,” she nodded. “I’m over it…mostly over it. I guess some things you never truly recover from. I should have known how evil he was…is.”

  “You were brainwashed,” his voice was softer. “Don’t make me keep repeating myself.” He smiled. “I’m sorry, that was a stupid joke to make when you’re opening up to me and yet, it’s true. You’re a good person.”

  She nodded once. They sat in silence for a few seconds. Beck was waiting for her to carry on. To tell him more. She knew he wouldn’t push her. That if she decided to leave it at that, he wouldn’t try and get more out of her. Alex inhaled. “I used to be the apple of my father’s eye. This, despite being born a girl. He had hoped his first born would be a boy. I did everything to please him. By the time I reached sixteen, the training we were receiving stepped up a notch. We studied everything to do with dragons. We learned skills needed to ‘protect’ humans.” She shook her head. “Things like martial arts training and shooting. We were told it was time to go out and prove we were capable of doing what it took.” Sh
e dished up some salad. “Now you need to understand, we were studying all about torture – the theory, that is. The best ways of extracting information. All for the cause. I was a top student. I told myself I’d be capable of doing what it took to save the human race but, in the end, I couldn’t do it.” She pulled in a breath. “We went hunting. A week long trip. All I had to do was shoot a deer. That was it! Not such a big deal. Shoot one and eat a piece of its heart.”

  Beck sat patiently, all of his focus on her.

  “I couldn’t do it. I had two opportunities and I couldn’t do it. The first time, I froze. I waited too long and missed the chance and the second time…” she licked her lips. “I pretended to miss. Everyone knew it was bull. I didn’t miss, even then. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t look down the scope of my rifle, into those big brown eyes, and pull the trigger. My father was so disappointed when I got home.” She shook her head, thinking back. “He called me out on my bullshit. He told me I was weak. That it didn’t matter how well I could shoot, or how intelligent I was. I would never amount to much within the organization. He did this…whipped me”—she pointed at her back— “to toughen me up.”

  “It didn’t work though?”

  She shook her head. “I still couldn’t do it. People go hunting all the time. It’s not a big deal,” she shrugged. “And yet…” Alex widened her eyes.

  “After that, he called me weak at every opportunity he got. The harder I tried, the less it meant to him. It didn’t matter how hard I worked or how much I achieved, it was never good enough.”

  “Your father knew you’d never be able to carry out his disgusting plans…the real ones. That’s why he called you weak.”

  She nodded. “That’s exactly it, but I didn’t know that at the time. To think there were days when I believed him.”

  Beck clenched his jaw for a few seconds. He got a murderous look that soon disappeared. “I’m glad you realized what was going on and that you got out of there.”

  Alex swallowed with difficulty. “Me too, and it’s all thanks to you.” She put a hand on his thigh and squeezed, their eyes locking. His eyes softened up, filling with affection…with more. Maybe?

  Then the look was gone and he was glancing down, between her legs. “I’m hungry,” he announced.

  Then the chair was scraping back and he was lifting her onto the table. Next to all the food. He buried his face between her legs, laving at her clit.

  Alex’s back bowed. She moaned, threading her fingers into his hair. Then she was forgetting all about her past and the fact that she had no idea where her future was going. Heck, at one point there, she even forgot her own name. It was a good hour before they finally ate. Their food cold. It was worth it. It was worth all of it.

  Chapter 18

  Five days later…

  Beck gripped her hips, a deep groan torn from him as she ground back down on his cock. Her pussy slid up and down his shaft as she rode him. Stretched, pink with a tiny sliver of fur. Fucking beautiful. Just like the female. Her breasts bounced gently. Her moans were soft. He could listen to them all day.

  She squeezed his shoulders, her nails digging into him. Her mouth was open, her eyes wide.

  “Does that feel good, slayer?” he panted out the words, thrusting into her from below, their bodies perfectly in sync.

  “I said…” she pumped a few times on his cock, her tits bouncing harder at this point. Most beautiful thing he had ever seen. From the way her lush thighs straddled him, to her gorgeous blue eyes. She moaned. “I said…not to…call me that,” she pushed out, still riding him.

  “You do slay me though,” he groaned. “You are…”—grunt— “killing me right now. I’m loving…every second,” he groaned again, deeper this time.

  She laughed, the sound turned into a keen as his thumb found her clit. “Oh god!” she moaned. “Oh!” More moaning.

  He kept his touch very soft and his thrusts short and punchy, just how he knew she liked them. Deep and hard.

  She was so damned sexy. Being ridden like this…by her…by his slayer…he was ashamed to say that he wasn’t going to last very long. A sexier creature didn’t exist.

  Good thing she was biting her lower lip, letting her head fall back as she ground onto him. Alex made that little noise. The one she always made before she…her eyes widened. She pulled in a lungful of air, holding it. Then she groaned his name, followed by “Oh god!” and “Yes!”, the last she shouted.

  Thank fuck!

  Her pussy spasmed hard around him. Her channel sucking him in. Wet, soft, hot, velvety. “Fuck, Alex, fuck.” His balls exploded, together with his mind. His movements became jerky. He had to work to keep his hands from tightening even more on her hips. She made him lose his mind. Every. Single. Time.

  She eventually fell against him, her breasts mashing against his upper chest. Her breath harsh and ragged. Her pussy still fluttering, just a little, around his girth. He ran his hand up and down her back, enjoying the closeness. Loving and hating this moment in equal measure.

  “You’re sure you have to go?” she finally asked.

  It was the same question she had asked two days before. And then again yesterday.

  No!

  No. No. No. It was on the tip of his tongue and was also how he had answered twice before. Instead, he’d told her that maybe he should wait one more day. Just to be sure. She’d answered, ‘Sounds like a good idea. Just to be sure, of course.’ Then he’d flipped her over and fucked her again. They’d spent long, lazy days together. They rarely made it more than a few hours without reaching for one another. Tearing at one another’s clothing, when they even bothered to dress. Both insatiable. He’d learned so many things about her too. Thing was, there were so many more things he wanted to know. “I wish I could…Alex.” Beck lifted her off of him, placing her on the bed next to him.

  “You can though.” He hated the hope he saw in her eyes. “One more day wouldn’t hurt.”

  Beck shook his head. “I need to get back to my people. They will be worried.”

  “But you said you left word at the safe house. They will know you are fine.” She tried to sound nonchalant and failed dismally. Her heart beat too fast and he heard a hitch in her voice.

  “I want to. I want to so damned badly.” He cupped her jaw, ran a thumb down the underside of her plump bottom lip.

  Alex turned her head away, breaking the contact. “Then stay. Send word that you’re not ready to return yet.”

  “What then? I have to return eventually. The longer we…the longer this…”

  “You don’t have to say it.” She shook her head. He could see the hurt in her eyes. “It’s fine! Go then. Go now.” She got up off the bed and walked into the bathroom.

  Beck followed her. “I don’t want to.”

  “You don’t have to keep saying that.” Alex yanked on the faucet and the shower spattered to life. “I know you don’t want to.”

  “I mean it.” He gripped her upper arm, running a hand down her other arm. “I want this to continue. I want us…this…all of it. We can’t though.”

  Alex was breathing heavily, her shoulders suddenly slumped and she turned, hugging him. Burying her head in his chest. “It’s just that I’m…we’re…” Just like him, she didn’t further articulate what was going on between them. It ultimately couldn’t be said out loud because it couldn’t ever be. “…it’s not fair.” She finally muttered. “More than anything, it’s not fair.” She looked up at him, her eyes filling.

  Fuck!

  Slaying him at every turn. “I know, sweetheart.” He pulled her in close for another hug. “I’m going to miss you too.” His throat felt thick. His voice was scratchy. He shouldn’t have stayed the extra days. Probably shouldn’t have stayed at all. This thing between them was like a living, breathing thing. It fed on their time together. It grew. It grew quickly, becoming something that should never have been allowed. It needed to end right then before it got out of hand.

  She pulle
d away. Fuck! It was too late for that. It was out of hand already. His chest squeezed tight as he saw the hurt in her eyes. “You do have a choice. You know that, don’t you?” her eyes pleaded with him.

  “I don’t.” He shook his head. “My people…it wouldn’t work. They would never accept you…us.” He cupped her face in his hands. “Please don’t be angry, Alex. I can’t leave with you angry at me, but I have to go. I don’t want this to end this way.”

  She bit down on her lower lip, like she was trying to stop herself from saying something. He could well imagine what it was, since he had to chew down on his tongue to stop himself from agreeing to one more day. One more would never be enough. Hell, a hundred more would still be far too little.

  She smiled. It was sad but he’d take it. “I’m not angry at you. I’m angry at the situation.” Then he was mashing his lips against hers. Putting every bit of emotion into it. Saying with his body what he couldn’t say with words. This female. His slayer.

  Chapter 19

  Four weeks, four days and six hours later…

  “Hi, Beck,” Torrent smiled over his computer, “come in and sit down.” He gestured to the chair across from him, closing his laptop.

  Beck took a seat. “Thank you for agreeing to see me.”

  “Of course.” His king narrowed his eyes.

  “I needed to talk to you.” Shit! How did he explain this?

  “Tide tells me that you have been struggling since returning.” His king paused. “You have difficulty sleeping and I can see you’ve lost weight. If you need more time off or…”

  “No, that’s not it.”

  They sat in silence for a half a minute. “Okay, well…I know you don’t want to talk about your time in captivity but I’m glad you’re here…if you change your mind, if…”

  “I fell in love.” Way to go, he hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that.

  Torrent sat back in his chair. He gave Beck a quizzical look. “What do you mean?” his king frowned heavily. “You said you captured a slayer. The one who has caused us so much trouble…Alex…that you spent a few days holed up with her before being captured by the slayers in turn. That you managed to escape from them. You spent a few days on human soil but you couldn’t…wouldn’t give more details. Did you meet someone? Was there a female in the cell with you? Was it while you were recouping? You had the scent of human on you but I thought that was…nothing.”