“But you forgave him.”
“Yes, I forgave him.”
“I’m not sure I’ll get there.”
“I adore Quinn,” Clara said. “But I won’t tell you how you should feel. If it feels like a betrayal, then that’s a pretty big deal in a marriage.”
“We aren’t really married. I mean, we are married, but the whole thing started out as fake just to help me evade the people who came here tonight. Did Kellan tell you what was going on?”
“He only told me that people from your past we’re coming after you. I understand that on a very personal level, and so do they,” Clara said. “What do you mean your marriage is fake?”
There was no point in being delicate about it. She might as well lay all her cards on the table. “You knew I came here to escape. My parents and entire extended family are in the Romanian mafia in Boston. Heavily involved. My parents arranged for me to be married to a total thug. He wanted me because I was a virgin. I ran. I got here, and Quinn agreed to marry me and protect me.” She bowed her head. This was not the way she thought her honeymoon would end.
Clara’s arm landed on her back. “You’ve been through a lot. Anyone with eyes can see that you’re crazy about him, and he’s completely smitten with you.”
“Not smitten enough to be honest.”
“How do you tell someone that you’re not human? It’s a hard conversation.”
“The same way you tell them your family is hunting you.” Her mouth dropped open as she remembered all the quirky things that didn’t add up. “Do they have better hearing?”
“Yes.”
“So much makes sense now. Weeks ago, one of the mobsters showed up in my bedroom to drag me back to Boston. Quinn came bursting in like a White Knight and saved me. I even asked how he heard me screaming. Now it makes sense.” She frowned. “You probably think I’m ungrateful. I’m bitter about this, and your husband is a shifter, too.”
“No. I went through my own anger and frustration.”
“But you forgave him.”
“Yes.” Both of Clara’s arms wrapped tight around her. “I can’t tell you what to do. Quinn cares about you. Don’t be too hard on him.”
Juliana lay on top of the bed for hours. In the distance, she could hear cars and voices. Eventually, someone knocked on the door to her bedroom. “Come in,” she said.
The door opened. It was Quinn. Juliana sat up as he stepped inside the door.
“They’re all rounded up. Our security caught all ten of them.”
“Are they alive?”
“Yes. Our security has solid connections to the FBI, and they’ve arranged to have each of them charged with a federal crime. None of the crimes will be manufactured. All of them have a long list of crimes, and many of them were already under surveillance.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Juliana said.
Quinn looked as handsome as ever. He must have showered because his sandy blonde hair was curling at the edges. “I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you the truth. I know I should have. It’s probably difficult to believe, but earlier today, I decided to be honest with you.”
“Why didn’t you?” she asked.
“I just decided on the plane ride back.”
“What made you decide?”
“I’m in love with you. I love you. I don’t want our marriage to be fake.”
Juliana swallowed hard. She loved Quinn, too. She’d known it on their honeymoon, and it had solidified right when she’d thought he was about to be killed to save her. But could she be with him? Juliana had done exactly what Clara warned her about. She’d made herself completely dependent on this family. She had a job, but Kate was close friends with Clara and the brothers. She might not fire Juliana, but she wouldn’t be happy with her.
“I don’t know what to say. I am profoundly grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I don’t feel like your partner right now. Or your wife. I don’t feel like an equal. My family controlled me for twenty-five years. I ran away to escape that. I told you everything about my life. Every horrible, humiliating detail. Every detail about my crime-ridden family. The fact that my parents saw me as property. The fact that they wanted to trade me. The fact that I was a virgin.”
“You’re right,” he said.
“I don’t even know what you’re called.”
“Dragon shifters.”
“We were actually there. In Ireland. And you didn’t even attempt to tell me.”
“No. I should have.”
“I get that it’s not like other secrets. I understand that. But neither is having your parents trade your virginity in this day and age.”
He nodded.
“I don’t know what else to say. You’re a great guy, but I don’t trust you. You saved me over and over, but you lied to me over and over. You heard me screaming that night.”
He nodded again.
“You knew exactly where Anton sat in that diner booth.”
“Correct,” he said.
“Were all those security guards that look like secret service really vampires?”
“Yes. They’re the best.”
She didn’t really care about the damn vampires. “I would never have told anyone. You could have trusted me.”
“I know that. I never doubted you.”
“Then why not tell me?”
“It’s ingrained in me. I’ve been hiding that part of myself, who I really am, for thirteen years.” He walked to the bed and went down on one knee, just like he had when he proposed. He lifted her hand and held it in both of his. His blue eyes shimmered with emotion. “Forgive me, Juliana. I can guarantee I’ll never lie to you again.”
He was so beautiful. So sincere. Never in her life had she met a man like this. Although, she supposed he wasn’t a man. Maybe that’s why he was so exceptional. Yet, no matter how sincere, his deception had devastated her. She couldn’t promise him forgiveness. Not yet.
She brought their clasped hands up to her face. She kissed the top of his hand. His skin was always so warm.
“Do dragon shifters run hot?”
“We do.”
Despite her anger and sadness, she wanted him. He’d saved her yet again. Her mind was a mass of swirling confusion. She didn’t know what she was going to do, but she loved Quinn, and she wanted him one more time.
She’d thought he was going to die tonight. The panic she’d felt had consumed her, and despite her despair, she was grateful to him and always would be. Maybe it wasn’t fair, but she leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.
He met her with an intensity she hadn’t felt from him before. He stood up, pulling her with him. He grabbed her face and kissed her, and with one arm, tugged her body close to his.
“I love you,” he said. “I always will.”
A hot rush of arousal went straight to her core. She shoved her hands under his shirt, rubbing over his hard abs. There was still one thing she hadn’t done, and she wanted it to be with him. It might be her only chance. If she wasn’t with Quinn, then she wasn’t interested in any man at all.
She popped the button on his jeans and unzipped them. She pushed his jeans down and then pulled his boxers down, as well, while he stripped off his t-shirt. In front of her, he stood naked, with his gorgeous body all for her. She dropped to her knees.
His large cock was right in front of her face.
“Juliana,” he said. His hands tangled in her hair.
She’d read about this in magazines and heard plenty of friends talk about it over drinks. She could do this. She wrapped one hand around the base of his cock and opened her mouth, licking the tip of his cock.
He shuddered. “Feels so good.”
She opened her lips and took his cock into her mouth. He groaned, and she was fueled by his desire for her. She took more of his cock into her mouth until it was full, and she liked the way his cock filled her mouth. She hollowed her cheeks and sucked. He began to rock his hips, just the barest amount thrusting h
is cock in and out.
Arousal shot through her veins. Her pussy ached with need. She wanted his cock inside her pussy, just like it was inside her mouth.
She never dreamed that she would enjoy having Quinn’s cock in her mouth. She thought she was doing it to give Quinn pleasure. The longer she went on, though, the more turned on she became. Her nipples tightened. She longed to have his mouth on her breasts again.
Maybe for the last time. The thought broke her heart, but she wasn’t sure yet how to move forward. That didn’t matter right now, though. Right now, all that mattered was the feeling of Quinn’s chiseled body and his hard cock between her lips.
She reached up and grasped his thighs. She pulled her mouth away to say, “You can thrust if you want to. It feels good.”
He groaned at the sound of her words. “I want to come when I’m in your pussy.”
“I want that, too. After you finish with my mouth.”
He placed his hands on the side of her head and began to rock his hips, pushing his cock into her lips. He was careful, rocking gently over her lips. He didn’t push too far, but each time his cock slid into her mouth, her pussy got wetter.
She clamped her thighs together, desperately seeking friction. He took her cheeks in his hands and pulled out, then crouched in front of her.
“I’m ready to see you naked. Let’s get these clothes off.” He turned her hands, palms up. “How are your hands?”
“They’re fine. I don’t feel them at all.”
He pulled her shirt off and then pushed her pajama pants down until she was left in a pair of cotton panties and matching bra. “I could look at you forever,” he said, unsnapping her bra and letting it fall to the floor.
He put his hand between her legs and pushed his fingers into her panties. “You’re soaking wet.”
“I liked having your cock in my mouth,” she said.
He surged forward and captured her mouth with his. “It’s been too long since I tasted you, too.”
He lifted her, as he always did, and laid her on the bed. He yanked her panties down and pushed her legs apart. “You turn me on so much.”
He brushed one finger over her clit, watching her face while she shivered. He moved his finger to her pussy, brushing over and over it again until she couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Please,” she begged. “Don’t tease me.”
He pushed his finger inside, first one, and then a second. He lowered his head and took her clit into his mouth. He lapped at her engorged flesh, licking, and sucking, and flicking his tongue. Her muscles seized. She was on the cusp of her orgasm, just waiting. Then he rubbed his fingers over her sweet spot, and she crashed over the edge, coming on his fingers. He kept his fingers inside her body until the last wave passed over her.
He kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear. “I love you,” he said. “So much. I’m going to make love to you now.”
Tears stung her eyes. Her throat burned. She loved him, too.
She should tell him no instead of leading him on, but she wanted him inside her body one more time. She wanted to feel the weight of his masculine strength, and she wanted to feel his big cock stretching her pussy. She wanted everything, but she’d never have it. She could forgive him, but she still didn’t trust him.
20
Quinn
How the fuck had everything gone so wrong at one time?
Just a few short hours ago, he’d been on top of the world. He’d returned home with his new wife and been ready to start their lives together. But because he’d been too slow to tell her the truth, she’d had to watch him transform into a dragon right in the middle of a battle.
Quinn listened as Juliana’s heart rate increased. He glanced up at her face as he grabbed a condom. When he saw the tears on her face, he dropped it on the bed and crawled up to lie beside her. He swiped his thumb over her cheek and brushed one of the tears away. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t stop,” she said.
“Tell me what’s wrong, and I won’t.”
“It’s just been a crazy day.”
“I’m so sorry,” he said. He cradled her in his arms, rubbing her back until her heart rate slowed back down to normal.
“I want you inside me,” she said.
“I can’t if you’re sad.”
Fix it, his dragon insisted. Fix your mate.
Quinn would give anything to go back in time and do just that.
“I can’t just turn my emotions on and off. Please. I want to be with you.”
She was his mate, and in her distress, he couldn’t deny her what she wanted. He crawled on top of her and positioned his cock at her entrance.
“I love you,” he said as he pushed in.
“I love you, too,” she responded.
His heart swelled.
Mine. Mate.
If she could love him after all of this, then maybe she’d eventually forgive him. He thrust his hips, angling his body to give her as much pleasure as possible. She was as responsive as always. She never lay passively but met his thrusts each time, lifting her hips. She moaned and thrashed, and he lowered his head to her breasts.
He licked and sucked at each nipple. He got his hand between her legs, and he rubbed his fingers in circles over her clit. “You can come again,” he said.
“I’m so close,” she said, panting. “Your cock is so big. It feels good.”
He was close, too. Her pussy gripped his cock, creating an almost unbearable tension. He softly pinched her clit while he nuzzled her neck. She smelled so good.
“Come,” he said.
She did exactly as he said. Her back arched, and her hips bucked against him, and she came. Her pussy walls pulsed against his throbbing cock, over and over until he spilled himself inside of her. His vision whited out. Stars danced behind his eyelids as he breathed heavily through his release. He kissed her forehead, her cheek, and then her mouth as he pulled out of her body. He lay down next to her and covered them both up.
She curled on her side, scooting close to him and nestling her smaller body into his larger one.
Quinn woke up as day broke. Light filtered in through the expensive blinds on Kellan’s windows. Quinn opened his eyes, reaching out for Juliana, but the bed was empty. He sat up, scenting the room for her, but she wasn’t there.
On the dresser, there was a piece of paper, and on the paper sat a shiny object.
Quinn’s stomach dropped. He crossed the room slowly. Just as he feared, the shiny object was her wedding ring. He moved it to the dresser and picked up the paper.
Dear Quinn.
I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you while we were awake, but I wasn’t certain then. As the night went on, it was clear to me that I need to spend some time alone.
Please know how much I love you. You saved me.
—Juliana
Quinn picked up the ring and curled his fingers around it.
His dragon roared. Go get her. Don’t let her go. She’s yours.
He wished he could, but he knew Juliana well enough to know that she was resolute. She would not appreciate him showing up and intruding into her life.
If he’d only told her on the plane ride back, then maybe she wouldn’t be gone right now. If he’d told her back when she trusted him enough to share her story, she’d still be curled up to him in bed right now.
He sat down on the bed in despair. As he scrubbed his hands over his face, his eye caught something on the floor. He reached down.
Oh, fuck.
It was the foil packet containing the condom. He’d never put it on. He’d seen Juliana’s tears and sensed her distress, and he’d dropped it, only to forget to use it later. He would have to tell her. He would give her a week or two, and then he’d break the news.
Maybe nothing happened. It was entirely possible that the timing hadn’t been right, but shifters, both male and female, were notoriously fertile.
He just hoped he hadn’t created one more reason for her to hate him.
The days marched on, but without Juliana, they were gray and flat. Quinn went to the clinic, and he took care of his patients, and he hung out with his brothers. He went to Declan’s soccer games and watched him sing in the school play.
Nothing made up for the loss of Juliana, though.
As October drew closer to November, Declan began to chatter about his Halloween costume. He wanted to be an astronaut one day, and the next day, he wanted to be a scientist. At one point, he suggested going in dragon shifter form and telling everyone he was a dinosaur. That had gotten a laugh out of Quinn when nothing else had.
The hot, muggy days turned cooler, and Quinn found himself lingering outside his home. Quinn lived for the moments when Juliana came home. She’d purchased a car, and she’d gotten a job at the school district as their finance manager. She still spoke to Clara sometimes, and he did his best not to pester Clara for details. He wanted Juliana to feel like she could exist in Cedar Lake without him breathing down her neck. The last thing he wanted to do was drive her away.
He’d taken on watching Declan frequently. Anytime Kellan and Clara needed to go out or even wanted a date night, he volunteered. Having Declan around helped him not sit around and think about how much he missed his mate.
“Uncle Quinn?”
He tried to shake off the melancholy. “Yes?”
Declan opened the front door and pointed outside. “You don’t have any pumpkins.”
“I don’t?”
“Nope! You don’t have any.” He did a cartwheel. It was still a little haphazard, but he’d gotten better while taking gymnastics. “We need to carve some tonight!”
“Okay. Let’s go.”
Declan launched himself into Quinn’s arms. “Yay!”
They walked to the store to use up some of the kid’s boundless energy, and they bought two big pumpkins and a carving set. They sat on the front porch and got to work. About twenty minutes in, Declan was covered in pumpkin innards, and Quinn was trying to cut a simple triangle for the pumpkin’s eyes. He had no clue how people made those complicated designs. He’d already accidentally punched a hole in the pumpkin’s side.
Doctor Dragon's Fake Bride (Irish Dragon Shifter Brothers Book 2) Page 11
