Struck by Lightning

by Fel Fern

  “Can’t you feel it, Ron? This heat between you and me? Even my dragon knows the truth.”

  “What truth?” Ron entertained the notion that Striker might be kind of out of his mind. What sane person would come all the way here and— “Wait,” he blurted. “Answer this question first, how did you even find me? A-are you a stalker?”

  Striker snorted. “Nah, I wasn’t sure if you heard my question in BeastWorld because my PC went dead. So I invited Smoke over and got him drunk. Boy, the silver dragon wasn’t too happy about that.”

  His phone rang in the back pocket of his jeans. Ron placed a hand on Striker’s chest, took a step back, then another. It felt so much easier to breathe. Striker didn’t pursue him, merely crossed his arms, the muscles on his triceps and biceps bulging. Wow. He bet Striker could easily bench-press a couple of hundred pounds or something without any problem.

  What was he doing anyway? Admiring Striker’s muscles? Ron seriously might have a problem on his hands if Striker turned out to be—what exactly?

  He saw Toby’s name flashing across his phone screen. Ron placed some distance between Striker and himself. Shifters had incredible hearing, so he hurried inside his bathroom door, locked it, and put down his toilet seat. Needing to sit, he sat down and answered Toby.

  “Toby, you won’t believe who’s in my apartment right now?”

  “Shit. Ron, is it Striker?”

  “Wait, how did you—oh. Was it Smoke?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been kind of worried, because Smoke’s been over at Striker’s place, trying to fix his PC. Then it turned out that asshole lightning dragon wanted to get my mate drunk. Smoke’s so pissed, he threatened to wreck Striker’s caves.”

  “Caves? Lightning dragon? Toby, you never mentioned Striker was a dragon shifter, too,” he said. “You remember Will?”

  “The wolf Alpha of Burrell, is he causing you problems?” Toby sounded concerned now. “Damn. I knew it. I worry for you constantly, you know.”

  “No, actually Will’s been really nice, offered me a job recently and he, er, asked me out. He was walking me to my apartment and suddenly butted heads with Striker. They had this weird pissing contest in the corridor.”

  Toby took a deep breath. “Was there a lot of property damage? Anyone hurt?”

  “What? No, but thanks for the warning anyway.”

  “What’s the point, if Striker’s already there? Maybe you can hang on? Smoke can get there and haul his sorry ass back home.”

  He hesitated, remembering Striker’s words.

  You can’t believe how happy I am to finally see you face-to-face.

  The dragon shifter had no idea how much those words meant to him. After all his failed attempts at dating, at trying online dating apps, he gave up because a couple of times, his dates took one look at him and decided he wasn’t worth their time. Ron might not have model-looks, was average on all accounts, but was he that undesirable?

  Ron didn’t want to raise his hopes up, thinking this or that guy would finally be the one, only to be disappointed when his date failed to appear. Yet Striker stalked him all the way here, saw him, and decided Ron was the guy he married. It sounded absurd, crazy, and yet it wasn’t desperation that made him want to spend more time with Striker.

  In some ways, they weren’t just strangers. They spent a lot of hours together online, shared plenty of fond memories and silly ones. This was his Striker. Striker tracking him to his hometown and nearly starting a fight with a werewolf Alpha might not be a conventional romance, but then again, nothing in his life was normal, either.

  Part of him wondered why a guy like Striker, good-looking, cocky, and clearly not lacking in the self-confidence department, would even want him, but it didn’t matter. When presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, one either embraced it or ran from it. He touched his chest, where his heart beat fast. Ron could give Striker and himself a chance. He deserved some happiness in his life, didn’t he? Some adventure?

  Time to take that leap of faith, to be brave, because he’d always been one of those guys who sat on the sidelines, never getting picked during prom or gym class. Time for his lucky break.

  “Ron? You still there?” came Toby’s voice.

  “Thank you for your offer, Ron, but I think I can handle Striker on my own.”

  Chapter 5

  This human thought he could handle Striker? Amused, Striker pretended to be interested in Ron’s desk as Ron came out, looking anxious, shy almost.

  “Sorry about that. Where were we? Right, about why you’re here,” Ron said.

  It was cute, Striker thought, the way the human kept a good distance from him, as if he was terrified he’d do something audacious again. Striker could easily eliminate the distance between them, finally taste those lips. He’d been wanting to kiss Ron since they entered Ron’s apartment, to imprint his scent all over Ron while running his hands up and down Ron’s lithe body. Striker wanted to mark that smooth, creamy skin, leave souvenirs of his passion.

  Hell, Striker wanted to do plenty of dirty, naughty things to his mate, and he bet Ron wouldn’t fight him, didn’t need to. Striker would make Ron feel so good that Ron wouldn’t want another cock inside him but Striker’s.

  “Um, can you, like, not look at me like that?”

  “Like how, exactly?”

  “I’m flattered, but you look kind of predatory.” Ron shivered, but at the same time, Striker didn’t miss the woody Ron sported in his jeans. Ron must have noticed where his gaze lay, because Ron coughed and turned to one side, as if that did anything. Striker could still smell the human’s need.

  “Dragons are on top of the food chain for a reason, and to answer your other question, you told me in-game you’d marry me, so we’re doing that. I found us a nice little church and a priest willing to tie the knot.”

  “Hold on a second, it doesn’t work that way.”

  Striker frowned. “Don’t lie to me. I know you have the hots for me, too.”

  “Okay, but lust doesn’t equate to, I don’t know, love and marriage.” Ron shifted from one foot to the next. “What if sex might be hot but we’re not compatible in the end?”

  Striker studied Ron critically. Ron was human and probably didn’t understand that when dragon shifters find their mates, well. Ron was it for him, his soul mate, but the human couldn’t see it yet. That also meant Striker couldn’t afford to screw his one chance up. He considered knocking Ron out, taking Ron to his den like some kind of primitive caveman and biting Ron. What would that make him, a monster?

  His dragon approved of that decision. If he left Ron here alone, then the chances were high that Will might worm his way into Ron’s heart. Striker couldn’t have that.

  “I planned on kidnapping you,” he said bluntly. “Taking you with me and bringing you up to my mountain. Spend time getting to know each other there.”

  “You wanted to kidnap me?” Ron demanded, looking shocked. “Why are you telling me all this?”

  “As a courtesy, because mark my words, you’ll become mine sooner or later. It’s inevitable, so why don’t you go and pack a bag and come with me right now?”

  * * * *

  “Are you for real?” Ron blurted. Striker just outright admitted to wanting to kidnap him, and where did all that confidence come from? The dragon shifter’s narrowed gaze told him Striker wasn’t kidding around, either. If Ron had to be embarrassingly honest with himself, he had to admit he found it kind of hot Striker knew what he wanted and went after it without hesitation—him.

  “Striker,” he began, “I need to know one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That I’m not some kind of game to you.”

  Striker let out a rumble. “Why the hell would you think that?”

  “Have you looked at yourself in a mirror lately?”

  “Of course. I value personal grooming. I shaved and shit because I knew I’d be meeting you today.”

  Striker did? He didn’t think any guy would
make so much effort for him. Striker walked up to him, took his hands in his, and without warning, leaned in close. The moment Striker’s lips touched his, Ron knew he was doomed. This man who had a way of getting under his skin, Ron didn’t think he could say no to Striker.

  Striker pulled his mouth back only to whisper in his ear. “I promise you this, Ron. I’ll never betray you or lie to you. You’re born to be mine, and now that I’ve found you, I’m never letting you go.”

  He shuddered in anticipation. He should have been terrified of this insanely possessive, arrogant, and yet endearing dragon shifter, but he wasn’t. Ron believed Striker, knew this dragon shifter would never go back on his word.

  “Okay,” Ron murmured. “I’ll come with you, but kiss me again?”

  Striker tipped his chin upwards with his fingers and kissed him roughly, ferociously, like he’d been holding back before. Ron couldn’t help but respond with equal passion. He clutched at Striker’s biceps, parting his lips so Striker would thrust his tongue down his throat. His dick thickened in his jeans.

  Striker stopped first, grinning. “Gotta stop you there, because any further and I might just fuck you right here.”

  He let out a breath, heart still racing. “Are you always this crass?”

  “Always. Go get your things before I toss you over my shoulder and carry you away.”

  Ron grabbed a duffel bag from his closet, all too aware of Striker curiously looking around his apartment.

  “Help yourself to anything in the fridge. Sorry I didn’t offer you a drink.” Ron remembered the groceries he dropped and placed them in the fridge. “Where do you live anyway?”

  “Near Horn. It’s about four hours if you drive, but we’re not doing that.”

  Ron recalled hearing about the small mountainous town that was famous for its hot springs, but like most people in Burrell, he seldom left Burrell. Ron once had dreams of working in the big city but soon came to the conclusion that it wouldn’t work, simply because he couldn’t deal with crowds. So, he chose to stay and work here, but small towns came with cons, too, like the fact everyone knew each other.

  To everyone else, he was probably just that nerd who lost his job and stayed in his apartment most of the time. Yeah, he could certainly use a change of scenery. Then he focused on Striker’s words as he tossed some boxers in his bag.

  “How are we getting there then?”

  Striker rolled his eyes. “Flying, of course. I’m a dragon shifter, remember?”

  “Huh, you’ll let me, um… Ride you? Don’t dragons only let their mates do that?”

  Striker looked at him curiously. “How did you know that?”

  “Well, let’s see. My best friend’s mated to one and Toby tells me everything?”

  “Sassy. Oh, I like.”

  He coughed. Did nothing get to Striker? “How long will I be gone?”

  Striker chuckled. “For as long as you want. You’re not my captive.”

  “Funny, coming from a guy who outright confessed to nearly kidnapping me.”

  “I thought you wanted me to be honest?”

  Ron had no answer to that, and besides, privately, he was really excited for this trip. From what he remembered of Horn, that town was surrounded by gorgeous woods, and the pictures he once saw online were idyllic.

  Burrell had forests, but those lands were claimed by the wolf pack and were closed to humans. Last but not least, he added his laptop in his bag, in case he needed to do some work, or maybe, Striker and he could play BeastWorld together. Oh, that would definitely be fun. He sometimes envied Toby when Toby mentioned playing with Smoke in the same room.

  He slung his bag over his shoulder only for Striker to snatch it from him.

  “I’ll take that,” Striker said as they exited his apartment.

  Ron locked up and bit his lip. “I might be human, but I’m not helpless or weak,” he stated.

  Striker gave him an odd look. “I don’t underestimate humans at all, but I want to show you I can be a gentleman, too.”

  “Oh, okay. My bad. Sorry.”

  “No need to apologize. Come on, let’s head to somewhere where I can shift so we can be on our way. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome in Burrell, as well.”

  “You threatened to turn Will to crisps,” Ron reminded him. “Will’s a good guy, you know?”

  Striker growled. “To me, he’s competition.”

  “Why? Will’s nice, but I don’t feel any attraction to him. Not like, you know,” he ventured. “Well, that kiss just now, I never thought kisses could feel that way.”

  “That makes me feel so much better.” Striker beamed at him for some reason. “Ready to fly on a dragon?”

  “I have a fear of heights.”

  That wasn’t a deterrent, though, because Ron was looking forward to this unplanned trip. This was so unlike him, agreeing to a stranger, well, a very sexy stranger’s proposal. He’d never owned a reckless bone in his body, someone he dated once said. That he was boring but hah! Look at him now. Ron didn’t even know this adventurous side of him existed and he liked it. It was like Striker was capable of drawing out this hidden him from the shell he’d been hiding in for his entire life.

  Striker frowned. “Doesn’t matter. I’ll carry you safely my den, even if you fall unconscious mid-flight.”

  Ron believed him. “Let’s do this.”

  Chapter 6

  Striker thought Ron harbored second-thoughts when he confessed about his fear of heights. Just as Striker lifted off to the skies in dragon form, with Ron on his back, the human gasped, clung to his neck tightly, then fainted. No joke. Striker flew slow and sure, careful not to drop his treasure. He didn’t think Ron would go along with his crazy plan and yet here they were.

  At least Ron gave him a chance and didn’t outright call him nuts for inviting him over. Striker just didn’t tell him that Ron wasn’t leaving his den without his mate mark on his neck. No chance he’d let Ron out of his home without letting the world know this human was his to claim, to protect. Striker spotted his mountain, the Red Horn, in the distance an hour later.

  He made good time. Excellent. The next time Ron woke up, it would be in Striker’s bed. Striker made his descent, dropping into his landing cave. Once Striker sunk his talons into the ground, he used one wing and rolled Ron gently to the floor. He shifted back to human, grabbed Ron’s pack, and carried Ron back to his bedroom, wondering what the human would think of his home.

  Striker exited the landing pad and went inside. The walls of his home had been literally carved out of stone by his ancestors, according to his mother anyway. He went right inside his room and laid Ron on his bed. Ron’s backpack he set by the foot of his bed. Striker took a couple of moments, admiring Ron on his bed.

  It would be amazing to wake up each day with his mate so close. Even now, being in the same vicinity as Ron stabilized his dragon. Before, he hardly ever went to the closest town, only made supply runs because his dragon wanted to fight any dominant shifter it laid its eyes on. Striker took a quick shower and put on some boxers before slipping into bed.

  Usually, he slept nude, but Ron might freak out if he woke up and realized he was next to a naked dragon shifter. Striker grunted, about to lay his head on one of his pillows, but Ron snatched it and hugged it to his side. Greedy mate. Didn’t matter. Striker had a much better pillow. He circled his arms around Ron’s waist, pleased the human only snuggled close to him, and let out a moan of assent.

  Striker wondered if Smoke was still mad at him, or could he ask the silver dragon for some romance advice? Screw it. He’d call Smoke later. He’d shelve his pride and apologize to Smoke for getting him drunk. Striker might even tell Smoke his motives—it was all to get his mate in his den. Smoke would understand, any dragon shifter would have done anything to keep their mate close by, and he had zero intentions of letting Ron go anytime soon.

  Besides, looking around Ron’s tiny apartment depressed him. How could Ron stand such a small space? From
their conversations online, he had the distinct feeling Ron didn’t love his town or have any attachments to the people there. The exception being Toby, but Toby had moved in with Smoke.

  Striker closed his eyes, pressed his lips to the side of Ron’s neck. He could hear it. Ron’s steady pulse. It would be so easy to bite Ron now, and his dragon willed him to do it. Ron had nowhere to go, nowhere to run to but him. In other words, Ron was trapped, but Striker didn’t want his mate to feel like a prisoner.

  “I’ll wait a little longer, but it’s hard,” he murmured more to himself than the sleeping temptation in front of him. Okay, unconscious man, but Ron seemed happy enough, and snores filled the room. He’d teased Ron about that later on.

  * * * *

  When Ron came to, he not only woke in an unfamiliar bed, but in the arms of someone. That had never happened before. He tried to wiggle out of the muscular arms that caged his body, but no give. So warm, Ron thought, and big. This, he decided, wasn’t so bad. Ron slowly turned so he now faced Striker. He sucked in a breath, studying his golden dragon.

  Did anyone ever tell Striker he was perfection? He reached out, hesitated, then ran his hand down Striker’s left pectoral, traced those firm six—or was it eight?—pack. Striker could be a Greek god in human skin, even with those old scars on his skin, while Ron was just himself. Average. Boring. No one special, except for some reason Striker thought he was.

  Striker opened his eyes to slits, formed a smile that practically melted his insides.

  “You were awake this entire time?” Ron demanded, gathering his wits.

  Oh. This close it was so tempting to keep touching Striker, but before he let his hands wander, Striker took them, pressed a kiss to them. Gentle gestures like these caught him completely off-guard and told him his Striker was capable of being both rough and gentle.