The kelpie was a mythical Scottish creature that often appeared in the form of a horse near streams and rivers. The outcome was usually in the kelpie's favor and bad for the humans who fell under their spell.
She chuckled. "I forgot about them. And I've even seen those two giant horse head sculptures called The Kelpies on the drive between Edinburgh and Stirling once. Maybe I need to see just how many different kind of horse-like mythical creatures there are. You know, to keep a list handy in case we need some more names."
He snorted—Blake couldn't remember the last time he'd done it so often in a conversation—and wondered what strange names the human would bestow on any dragon with even one tiny speck of another color in their hides.
And just like that, Dawn had relaxed him and made him smile despite sharing how strange his life had been as a white dragon with a black spot.
He'd been skeptical of true mates for a long time, but Blake was starting to think fate had been right in his case.
Sobering, Blake decided they needed to get back on topic. "That's a fun project you could do with Daisy. However, let's circle back to the part where you said you wanted to go through the frenzy with me. Are you absolutely certain?"
Dawn bobbed her head. "Yes. I went through all the reasons in my head earlier about what it would mean for Daisy, for me, and our lives in general. Daisy wants to live on Stonefire, and I'm far more open to it now. And spending more time with you hasn't scared me away or made me want to flee but rather quite the opposite. So what needs to be done to get the frenzy started?"
Maybe some would laugh at Dawn's naïveté regarding her question, but not Blake. It showed him that she made goals and saw them through. What male wouldn't respect that?
He motioned toward the mobile phone on the small stand next to his bed. "I'll need to call Bram and have a cottage set up for us. Mine is too remote, and we need to be closer to everyone for your sake."
She searched his gaze. "What do you mean for my sake?"
He shrugged. "Some humans scare easily when the dragon half comes out. And if you want to leave, others will need to ensure you can. Whilst my human half will fight to let you go, my dragon may not be so easily tamed."
"Oh."
He laid his hand an inch from Dawn's on the bed, loving how he could feel the heat of her skin even if they weren't touching. "I hope you won't run, though. I like you, Dawn. And it'd be nice to date you some more."
She smiled, vanquishing any anxiety that had been lingering on her face. "Maybe some would think it strange, but I did it all the right way before—dating, engagement, wedding, child—and it didn't work out. Perhaps I need to do it out of order. It'll certainly make things interesting."
Blake barely resisted closing the distance between them and kissing her.
He needed to call Bram ASAP and get everything in motion so he could do that, and more, to his beautiful human. "Then quickly eat a little of what you brought before getting something warm at the clan's restaurant. I'll call Bram and take care of everything."
She picked up the spoon and prodded the cold noodles. "Maybe I should risk the bland hospital snacks instead."
With a chuckle, he handed over what he had and simply enjoyed watching Dawn eat. She was so free with her emotions, making a face at the plain rice cakes and then moaning at the small piece of chocolate one of the Protectors had smuggled in for him.
Blake couldn't wait to see what other responses he could get from her.
The frenzy couldn't start soon enough.
Chapter Nine
Two mornings later, Dawn couldn't help but pick at the hem of her top as she waited in front of a stone cottage, the Protector named Nikki at her side.
She hadn't slept much the last two nights. No, her mind had run a million miles a minute with various scenarios of how a frenzy would play out.
Ever since Dawn had said yes, she'd been kept apart from Blake to allow his inner dragon to return. And even though they'd only met recently, she'd had a hard time staying away or not calling him.
Apparently, all the years she'd told herself that she didn't need a partner in life, how she could handle Daisy on her own and be perfectly content, had been a lie. Yes, Dawn could—and had proven—she could take care of her daughter on her own. But spending time with Blake, and even Sasha, had revealed how truly lonely she'd been.
Nikki's voice cut through her thoughts. "Do you still want to do this?"
She nodded and met the dragonwoman's brown-eyed gaze. "Of course. The waiting has been nerve-wracking, is all."
"Well, take it from someone who had the frenzy all of a sudden with a male who acted as if he didn't even like her, and I can tell you that being prepared is much better."
She'd met Nikki's mate, Rafe, only briefly. But he'd smiled and been nice enough to Dawn. "It's obvious he loves you now, regardless of what happened."
Nikki raised an eyebrow. "You're one very perceptive human, Dawn."
She shrugged. "Wait until your daughter is older. Then you'll learn that a parent has to be perceptive, especially if their kid likes to explore new things or go wandering."
Nikki sighed. "I'm sure Louisa will be a handful given who her father is. But for now, she's easy enough to keep track of." Nikki searched her gaze a second before adding, "So, are you ready?"
Taking a deep breath, Dawn bobbed her head. "Yes."
"Good. Remember to call if anything is too much or you get frightened. One of us Protectors will be stationed nearby, at a discreet enough distance to allow you a bit of privacy, awaiting any calls. Now, follow me."
They entered the cottage and went upstairs. Nikki stopped in front of a door and knocked. At Blake's muffled "Come in," Nikki opened the door.
Dawn instantly found Blake's gaze. His pupils flashed quickly, telling her his dragon was back.
But while she was still a little unsure of how everything would play out, it didn't scare her anymore. If anything, she was curious about getting to know his second half better.
Blake murmured, "You came."
She sighed. "Why does everyone keep acting surprised that I'm here today? If I can raise and take care of my daughter on my own for nearly a decade, then I can handle one man's dragon."
Blake's pupils flashed again. "I hope so."
Nikki moved to the doorway. "Have fun, you two. And Blake, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
With a wink, the dragonwoman shut the door, leaving Dawn alone with Blake.
He motioned for her to come forward. "It's taking everything I have to control my dragon right now. But I'll hold him back as long as you need. Come to me when you're ready, Dawn."
Eager for the next phase of her life to begin, she crossed the distance and stood a few inches away from him. Looking up, she murmured, "I think it's time for you to kiss me again, dragonman."
And she waited to see if he would.
Both man and beast had scented Dawn the instant she had entered the house.
She'd come after all.
His dragon growled. Of course she did. She's our true mate. Why wouldn't she?
Saying yes and then having two days to think about it? It's possible she could've changed her mind.
Well, she didn't. She's here, and she's ours. Don't waste too much time talking or I'll take control.
Before he could reply, Nikki and Dawn walked into his room.
He met Dawn's gaze and his dragon hummed. She's here, and so close. I want to touch her, kiss her, fuck her. Now.
He barely noticed the short exchange he had with his human, replying on autopilot since he needed to keep his dragon in check.
Then his female finally walked up to him and murmured, "I think it's time for you to kiss me again, dragonman."
Not needing any coaxing from his dragon, he reached out and pulled her up against his body. Despite the layers of clothing between them, heat surged and his cock turned to stone.
His beast said, Kiss her. Now. She's here and waiting. She's more than ready for u
s.
Somehow resisting the sweet scent of her arousal, Blake raised a hand and cupped her cheek. He said to his dragon, Give me a minute or two. She's human, and I don't want to scare her.
Fine. But not more than a few minutes. I want her.
As he stroked the soft skin of her cheek, he whispered, "You're so lovely, Dawn. It's hard to believe you're mine now."
The corner of her mouth ticked up. "Yours for the frenzy, but we'll see how it goes after. Remember, you haven't lived with Daisy full-time yet."
"It'll take more than a child to scare away a dragonman."
Before she could reply, he lowered his head until he was a hairbreadth from her mouth. Her breathing quickened against his lips, and he asked, "Are you ready?"
Her reply was to close the distance between their faces, pressing her lips to his.
At the contact, a driving need once again coursed through his body, like it had the night of the play. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and fuck her until she carried his scent and their child.
His dragon hummed. Yes, yes, rip off her clothes and fuck her. Now. She is ours to claim. We need to make sure no one else tries to take her away.
Blake managed to push his dragon's need to the side for a few seconds, sliding his tongue into her mouth. He groaned as he slowly explored it, stroking her tongue with his, loving how she tasted.
A male could get lost in her mouth alone.
His dragon roared. No, no, no, her mouth isn't enough. I want her naked, and under us, and our cock inside her.
As Dawn threaded her fingers through his hair and kissed him back, matching him stroke for stroke, he moaned and pulled her even tighter against him.
The feel of her hard nipples against his chest made his dragon stand up and roar. Not wanting to lose his chance, Blake broke the kiss and asked, "Are you attached to these clothes?"
"Not really."
"Good." Extending a talon, he sliced the back of her top and then her skirt. As the pieces gaped open, he ran a hand against her bare skin and kissed her neck. "So soft and warm." He arched away from her to let the skirt fall to the floor.
Afraid he wouldn't be able to stop his beast from flipping her over and fucking her from behind if he saw her in nothing but her underwear, he took her lips again. He licked, stroked, and desperately tried to let Dawn know how she drove him crazy.
He'd never tasted anything so perfect in his life. Crazy as it was, he didn't think he'd ever tire of his human.
His dragon growled. Stop stalling. Shred her panties and fuck her. She needs to be claimed. She's ours. No other male should have her.
He finally broke the kiss and stepped away slightly. Before Dawn could ask anything, he flicked a talon to remove the scraps of her underwear as her top fell to the floor. His mouth watered at her small breasts encased in lace. Unable to resist, he leaned over and took a tight bud between his lips and suckled.
Dawn groaned and arched her back.
His dragon grunted. No, no. She needs to be naked. You can suck her nipples later. I need to be inside her. She needs to carry our young.
As he released her, he cut through the side of her bra and slid it off her shoulders.
And for a second, they stared at one another. He was fully clothed, and she naked, but he couldn't tear his gaze from her slightly swollen lips or flushed cheeks.
Then she smiled and said, "Take off your clothes, Blake. It's my turn to touch you, too."
Without hesitation, he stepped back and ripped off his clothes.
As soon as he moved closer to her again, she reached out a hand and lightly caressed his chest, rubbing back and forth in his small patch of light brown hair. She murmured, "You're so strong."
Taking her hand, he kissed her palm and then yanked her against him, loving how she sucked in a breath when their skin touched. Her soft belly against his cock nearly made him come right then and there.
His beast said, Do you want to waste your chance that way? Because our deal was the first orgasm was yours, then it's my turn.
Knowing his dragon was serious, Blake placed a possessive hand on Dawn's soft arse and murmured, "You can admire me at length later, love. But you can feel how much I want you. Do you really want to talk right now?"
She snorted. "I could if I put my mind to it."
He moved his hand down from her arse to between her legs, loving how wet and swollen she was. Dawn gasped and he asked, "But do you really want to?"
Digging her nails into his back, she shook her head. "No."
"Good."
He took her lips in a hard, crushing kiss as he gently stroked her center.
His beast hissed. She's so hot and wet. Toss her on the bed, spread her legs, and fuck her already.
Blake decided to stop fighting his beast. And so as he continued kissing her, he moved them toward the bed. When they were close enough, he broke the kiss and gently laid her down.
He took a second to take in her body, loving every curve and even the stretch marks on her belly. She was a female who had lived life a little, which made her all the more perfect for him.
His beast hissed. Hurry up. Your turn is almost over, and I'm not going to remind you again.
His dragon's words snapped him back to the present and the fact he was about to start a mate-claim frenzy with the human lying on his bed.
Wanting to enjoy her while he was still in control, Blake covered her body with his. He reached down and stroked her pussy slowly, attune to every movement she made as he did it. He murmured, "Let's make sure you're nice and ready. Because once my dragon takes over, it's going to be hard and fast, love."
And so he entered a finger inside her and watched her face as she squirmed.
Much like during their two "dates," she displayed her emotions freely. He couldn't wait to see what others he could get out of his female, too.
Dawn had been kissed many times in her life, but nothing compared to how Blake devoured her mouth as if he could never get enough.
She barely blinked when he shredded her clothes—it actually sent a tiny thrill through her body—and soon enough, she was on a bed with the dragonman on top of her.
And his wicked fingers made her forget about anything but how close she already was to coming.
Then his fingers were gone and he murmured, "You're more than ready, I think." She felt the head of his cock at her entrance. "You're about to become mine, Dawn. All mine."
She threaded her fingers into his hair and moved his head until she could see his eyes. His pupils flashed a few times before remaining round. However, the hunger in his gaze—like he would die if he didn't have her—made her heart skip a beat.
No man had ever looked at her like that, not even her ex.
No. Right here, right now, it was all about Blake and only him. The rest of her life would return soon enough.
She arched her back, loving how his cock slid against her. "Then fuck me, dragonman. I'm ready."
If her words surprised him, he didn't show it. Instead, he kissed her as he slowly entered her.
She'd barely gotten a glance at his cock, but she groaned as he stretched her in a good way.
He broke the kiss and swore. "You're so bloody tight, Dawn."
Not wanting to reflect on just how long it'd been since she'd had sex, she lightly scratched his back and moved downward until she could grab one of his firm arse cheeks. "Don't stop, Blake. Don't you dare stop."
With a growl, he plunged the rest of the way inside her, and Dawn moaned. Then his finger brushed her clit, and all rational thought left her head.
As he moved his hips and swirled her tight bud, Dawn wanted to feel his mouth on hers and yanked his head down. She didn't care that their teeth clashed lightly. She licked and tasted, moving in time to Blake's thrusts.
Damn, she'd missed sex, and kissing, and merely being this close to another person.
All too soon, the pressure began to build as Blake learned how she liked to be touched. A little harder there, a
bit softer that way.
She was groaning and barely able to focus on kissing him as the orgasm crashed over her, sending pleasure throughout her entire body.
And just as she hovered on the edge of so much pleasure it hurt, Blake stilled, and another wave crashed over her.
She did cry out then, but Blake kept his mouth on hers, caressing her all the while.
When she finally came down and slumped against the bed, boneless, he broke the kiss and murmured, "You're about to meet my dragon now."
In the next second, she was on her stomach, her hips raised, and a huskier version of Blake's voice said, "You're mine. All mine. And now I'm going to claim you."
Damn, sex with Dawn was unlike anything Blake had ever experienced. And not just because she was interested in him for more than a chance at touching his dragon's lucky spot.
No, she tasted so bloody good, felt good, and made him want to do more than merely fuck her.
He wanted to taste her, cherish her, hold her close, and never let go.
However, as soon as he and Dawn finished their orgasms, his dragon roared, pushed to the front of his mind, and took control.
If it were normal circumstances, Blake could wrestle it back since mentally he was the slightly stronger of the two. However, his dragon was determined to claim Dawn and try to get her pregnant because she was their true mate. And if Blake tried to fight his beast to keep control over him, then the whole thing could backfire.
In other words, his dragon could keep Dawn all to himself for the entire frenzy. And there was no bloody way he was going to allow that to happen.
So he watched as his beast turned Dawn over, lifted her hips, and say, "You're mine. All mine. And now I'm going to claim you."
She arched her back, and both man and beast groaned. Their human wanted all of them and wasn't running for the hills.
His dragon entered her swiftly and pumped their hips, murmuring over and over again, "My female. Mine."
Given how his beast was usually more levelheaded, the instinctual mutterings were a bit of a surprise.
Treasured by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 13) Page 7
