No. He couldn't allow the clan to be unprotected or unprepared. When, not if Wes had his mate-claim frenzy, he'd know his clan was ready for his absence for a few weeks.
His dragon spoke up. Then start working on that today, too. Because the second she signals she wants us and we can claim her without putting people in danger, I'm going to do it.
Ashley gripped his hand a little tighter, bringing him back to their conversation. "Shadowing you will be the first thing I add to my list of things you'll show me later."
He raised his brows. "Now I have a list?"
She smiled, and he stopped breathing a second. How he'd resisted her for so long, he had no idea.
Somehow he caught her reply, "It seemed only fair since you have a list for me." She leaned an inch closer, her scent even stronger. "Although I'll make sure you carry out each item on my list. I'm hoping you won't go to extreme lengths to irritate me, though."
"Ah, but you see, it's fun to see your cheeks flush and eyes fill with fire. So I'm not sure you'll be successful with changing my mind there."
She whispered, "We'll see about that."
If not for his mother in the same room, he might've tried inching his free hand between her legs. He could smell her arousal and didn't think she'd say no.
However, his mother was there. What had been a smart idea to keep them acting like adults without their hormones getting in the way had turned into a nuisance.
Ashley was too tempting by half.
His dragon spoke up. Then let her eat so we can talk with her in private. Maybe then she'll let you kiss her skin, or maybe even more.
No mate-claim frenzies yet, dragon.
There's a lot you can do without starting one.
Not only was that true, but Wes was one of a handful who knew that dragon-shifters could have sex with their true mates and not kick off the mate-claim frenzy. Provided, of course, they could avoid kissing on the lips.
Not that Wes would claim his mate fully until he could kiss her, too.
Although savoring the sweet honey between her thighs was most definitely on the table.
With every bit of willpower he possessed, he released her hand and scooted her plate toward her a little more. "Finish eating, Ash. Quickly."
And given how she did so without the least bit of resistance at his order told him that she was just as eager to be alone with him, too.
Shoveling what was left of his food into his mouth, he sat and watched his human. There was so much he burned to know about her—from the little things of what she preferred to drink to the bigger things such as how she'd act in his bed—but he settled for the domesticity of watching her eat.
He wouldn't rush her, but he hoped like hell she'd finish soon. He wanted to claim every minute before her training session and make the most of it.
Ashley felt Wes's gaze the entire time she ate, but she still didn't eat any less than normal.
Sure, her stomach had a few butterflies, but she was hungry. And she wasn't going to set the tone that a glare or intense gaze from Wes would make her change course.
One of the benefits of working with dragon-shifters for so long was that she understood the dominance scale better than most humans. And while she didn't want to be on the top, above him, she wanted equal footing.
Well, for most things. The thought of him holding her wrists above her head in bed as he thrust hard into her pussy made her a little wet.
Stop it, Swift. He'll notice.
Peeking from the corner of her eye, she noted his intense, smoldering gaze hadn't altered. Not even his pupils were flashing. Maybe he hadn't noticed.
Once she was full and swilled some water around her mouth—she was grateful that she'd brushed her teeth already to banish her morning breath—she turned toward Wes with a smile.
This time, his pupils flashed between round and slitted. Some might run at the sight, but it only made her nipples tighten harder.
Being the focus of a dragon-shifter could be heady stuff.
Clearing her throat, she forced her gaze to Cynthia. "Thanks for breakfast. It was delicious."
"You're welcome. I expect you back for dinner tonight. Make sure it happens, okay, Wes?"
Wes grunted, and his mother added, "Now, go and hash out some things. As it stands now, I could use a knife to cut the tension between you two."
Even though all of Wes's stares hadn't made her blush recently, her cheeks heated at his mother's comment.
If she noticed the attraction sizzling between them, how in the world were they supposed to keep it from everyone else until they were ready?
And yep, she'd just all but admitted to herself that one day, she wanted everyone to know about her and the dragon leader.
Wes put out a hand. "Come on."
Not trusting her voice, Ashley placed her hand in his. The second skin met skin, she barely registered his heat before Wes tugged her out of the kitchen and toward a rear sliding door in the living room. "Where are we going? I'm not even dressed."
"Don't worry. I have a secret pathway between my place and my mom's, one where no one can see us without using a ladder or flying overhead."
As he unlocked the slider, she sighed. "That still doesn't address me not having shoes, let alone pants on."
Once the door was open, he turned toward her, his pupils flashing. "I'm going to carry you."
Before she could do more than open her mouth, Wes swept her into his arms. The second she crashed against his hard, warm chest, her entire body instantly molded to his form.
Damn the man. Even when she should put up a protest, her body had its own ideas.
Determined to at least have some control in the situation, she growled. "You're supposed to ask my permission before just carrying me around."
He raised his brows. "Would you rather walk on the cold ground?"
True, it was early spring, which wasn't exactly warm in the greater Tahoe area. "Of course not. But your chivalry has a massive flaw—I don't even have a coat on, which is even worse."
He held her closer against his body. "I'll keep you warm."
With any other man, she'd roll her eyes. However, Wes radiated delicious heat to the point she inadvertently snuggled against him.
His chuckle rolled over her. "I think you agree."
She muttered, "I still like to be asked."
"Next time, I will." He kissed her forehead, and her heart skipped a beat. His firm yet soft lips against her skin made her belly flip and her core pulse.
What would happen when he actually kissed her on the lips?
Reminded of being his true mate at that, she found her voice again. "Fine. Then you'd better run before I freeze to death."
The corner of his mouth ticked up. "Just remember—you asked for it."
He stepped out, shut the door, and dashed down a pathway with tall hedges on either side.
Not that she could tell more than that they were hedges since everything became blurry super quickly.
As the wind chilled her skin, she leaned more into Wes, which he took as his cue to hold her even closer against his chest. His speed picked up even more until they soon reached another house and entered before she could tell more than it was a dark brown color.
Not even out of breath, Wes shut the door and asked, "Was that fast enough?"
She snorted. "Maybe. I'm sure you're even faster in your dragon form."
His pupils flashed a few times before he replied, "Don't encourage my beast. Now he'll think of nothing but shifting so he can show off."
Ashley had seen Wes's dragon once before and only remembered he was a black dragon. "Maybe he can come out later. I never really got a chance to study your dragon up close and personal."
Wes's pupils turned slitted a few beats before returning to round. "Great, now I'll have to keep negotiating to stay human for the foreseeable future."
He slid her down his body, and whatever retort she had on her lips was forgotten.
As soon as she was o
n her feet, she instinctively leaned against him. Wes wrapped his arms around her and whispered, "Let me warm you up, and then we'll talk."
Her body was already on fire thanks to being surrounded by a tall, muscled dragonman, but she merely nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder.
While he could no doubt feel the hard points of her nipples and smell her arousal, Ashley didn't care. Right here, right now, she was surrounded in heat, security, and something else she couldn't quite define.
She wondered how the hell she'd resisted him for all these years.
Wes finally broke the silence. "I wish I could hold you all day, but you know I can't. If you want to talk, we need to do it soon."
Hugging him close a second longer, she reveled in the mixture of feelings he provoked before raising her head. "Okay, so let's talk, starting with the complete change in your demeanor. Why is that?"
He shrugged one shoulder. "I decided to stop fighting it. I want you as my mate, Ashley Swift. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen."
Chapter Eight
Maybe Wes should've eased into his declaration of intent, but he had a limited amount of time to spend with his female and didn't want to waste it.
If she also wanted him, then only part of their time together this morning would be about talking.
His dragon grunted. I say less talking and more kissing, licking and lapping.
Ignoring his beast, Wes waited for Ashley's response to his statement.
She searched his eyes for about thirty seconds before replying, "Maybe it's crazy to say this, but I think I'd like being your mate, Wes. However, there's a lot to do before that can happen."
His beast roared in excitement. Wes cupped Ashley's cheek and said, "I know there is. But I want to make doubly sure about this, Ash. Because dragons grow extremely attached to their mates, as you well know. And I won't be able to just change my mind in a few hours if you get cold feet."
Fire flashed in her eyes and relieved his uneasiness a fraction. "I've known you for years. Hell, I ended my engagement because I realized it would be wrong to marry anyone else when I was still constantly dreaming of you. So instead, I just resigned myself to a life of wanting someone I could never have." She gripped his shirt and tugged gently. "So if I say I want you, I mean it. All I need is your promise that we do two things—one, find a way for me to still help dragonkind and two, you keep your alpha possessiveness in front of others mostly in check until we do."
Tell her yes. Hurry, hurry. Then we can at least taste her skin. Maybe even her pussy.
Stroking his thumb against her cheek, he answered, "I can agree to that." Wes leaned even closer. "And I think it's time to celebrate a little."
He heard Ashley's heart beat even faster. "I already know you're strong in more than just the physical sense since you've resisted me for so long. But what, er, kind of celebrations can you do without going over the edge?"
He took a second to nuzzle her cheek, both man and beast nearly groaning. Wes had dreamed of doing this, and so much more, for so long. And it looked like he was about to start making his dreams come true.
When Ashley's nails dug into his chest as a small moan escaped her lips, he smiled and answered, "I can't kiss you on the lips until we know for sure everything is safe and figured out, but let me show you just a fraction of how much I want you. Will you let me, Ash?"
Her lips brushed his jaw and Wes groaned. Her husky voice whispered into his ear, "As long as I get to show you, too."
Unable to hold back any longer, Wes leaned back and tore off her shirt. Ashley gasped but then arched her back, putting her beautiful breasts on display. Accepting the invitation, he leaned down and licked one taut bud and then the other.
When her nails dug into the back of his head and tried to move it downward, his cock turned to stone. She said, "Kiss me everywhere else you can, Wes. But hurry, because I want a turn, too."
For a split second, Wes thought he was dreaming. But then her nails dug in harder and reminded him that this was no dream.
Ashley Swift, his true mate, was naked except for her underwear, all but begging him to play with her nipples.
And hinting she wanted to suck his cock.
His dragon roared. Stop thinking and wondering. Just do it already.
With a growl, Wes took one of her firm nipples between his lips and suckled. Hard.
Ashley cried out, the scent of her arousal growing stronger.
Unable to resist, he ran a hand down her belly and cupped her pussy over her underwear.
Releasing her tit with a pop, he murmured, "I think there's another part of you aching, no, burning for my lips, my tongue, my teeth. Am I right?"
"Yes," she breathed.
He rubbed the palm of his hand against her clit, loving how she moved with him. His voice was husky as he said, "Say you want me to lick that pussy like there's no tomorrow, until you scream my name and explode on my tongue."
Some females might tense or grow cold at his dirty talk, but not his human. She reached a hand down, pushed his away, and then pulled aside the crotch of her panties. "Please, Wes. I've been wet for you for years. Touch me."
Not needing another reminder, he kneeled, tore off her underwear, and slowly pushed her back against the wall. Hitching one of her legs over his shoulder, his mouth watered at her dripping pussy.
He ran a finger through her center, his cock letting out a drop of precum at how wet she was. For him.
His beast grunted. Hurry and taste her, lick her. Let her know how much we want her.
Soon. But first, I'm going to torture her a little.
Wes lightly pushed his finger inside her, and Ashley arched her back as she blurted, "I wish it was your cock, Wes."
So it seemed his human was a little dirty when naked. She was too fucking perfect for him. "Soon, Ash. But not today."
She whimpered, and he nearly risked turning her around and taking her from behind.
But somehow, Wes restrained himself. Not until he made her orgasm from his tongue would he put his cock anywhere near her pussy.
Using her own wetness, he swirled around her hard, little clit, loving how her hips bucked, almost as if trying to make him touch her where she ached.
Removing his finger, he finally lowered his head and lightly flitted his tongue against her hard bud.
"Wes! Oh, god, please. Harder."
Not ready for her to come just yet, he kept his tongue light, swirling her clit before heading down to her center. He lightly thrust inside her a few times, groaning at her sweet taste. He finally couldn't help but whisper, "You're so fucking perfect. I could eat you all day."
She tugged his hair once before pressing him toward her. "Later. You can take your time later. Please, Wes. Finger me as you make me come."
His beast hummed in approval, but Wes didn't pay him any attention. His mouth descended on her tight bud as he pressed one finger inside her. She was so wet, and hot, and tight.
Fuck, he wanted to feel her heat around his cock.
Since that wouldn't happen right now, he suckled her clit as he added a second finger. As he thrust his hand, he licked, swirled, and even bit her clit until Ashley was breathing hard and about to draw blood from how her nails dug into his scalp.
He thrust hard one last time as he bit a little harder. Ashley screamed as she spasmed around his fingers.
Needing to taste her orgasm, he removed his fingers and replaced them with his tongue, moaning at the taste of her sweet nectar, loving how she gripped him as if she never wanted to let go.
He could do this a thousand times, and he'd never get tired of her.
When she finally relaxed against the wall, Wes removed his tongue and looked up at her, loving her flushed cheeks and heavy breathing.
He quickly unzipped his jeans and took out his cock. Stroking it, he moved to tease her pussy again with his mouth. Once was most definitely not enough.
However, Ashley took his chin in her hand and tilted
his gaze upward. "No," she stated.
For a second, he wondered if she'd regretted what they'd just done. But then she smiled slowly and licked her lips. "It's my turn."
He nearly came right then and there but squeezed the head of his cock to tame it back.
Ashley said, "Stand up."
And Wes could do nothing but obey, eager for one of his most desired fantasies to come true.
Ashley had never been so confident with a man before, but there was something about Wes that made her bold, demanding, and honest.
And more attracted to someone than she'd ever been in her life.
As her orgasm haze faded, she wanted nothing more than to give him the same as she'd gotten. Not just because it was owed, or some other such bullshit. No, she actually craved to taste Wes and have him at her mercy for a short while.
He didn't say no when she said she wanted a turn, and he stood up with his hand still around his dick. She stared at his flashing dragon eyes a few beats before lowering to her knees.
And even then, Wes kept his hand clenched over the head of his cock. She placed her hand over his and murmured, "Let go and show me."
He did, revealing the long, hard shaft jutting out from his body. She'd heard rumors of dragon-shifters being well-endowed, but Wes was long and thick, and she swore she saw his dick twitch the longer she stared at it.
Wes's strained voice garnered her attention. "If you keep staring and licking your lips like that, Ash, I'm not going to last."
She hadn't even realized she'd been doing those things. "So I guess that rumor about a dragonman's stamina isn't true then?"
He growled. "Of course it fucking is. But I've wanted you for years, thought of how your sweet mouth would feel around me. And with your taste still on my tongue, it's all too much. After this first time to get it out of my system, I'm going to make it last until you beg for it."
She glanced upward. "I'll add that challenge to my list."
However, before Wes could say anything, she lightly ran her finger over the head of his dick, swirling the wetness there and barely noting Wes's quick intake of breath.
The Dragon's Bidder (Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 3) Page 6
