by Minerva Howe
“You feel like silk and fire.” Steamborn, like him. Ollie was fully recovered, so he sank two fingers deep into that tight channel, opening Ollie up. His cock needed its home.
“I never—I didn’t crave before you. I didn’t crave anything.”
“Not even pizza?” he teased. His Ollie did love cheese and red sauce.
“Mmm…okay. Maybe pizza. A little.” Oliver’s laugh rang out, filling the room.
“I’ll take a second to perfect food.” He rubbed and pushed and opened Ollie up, loving how wet he was. So perfect. His lover had no idea, but one big acknowledgement a day was enough. Knotting was so not a human endeavor.
Denial was a real thing and pushing wouldn’t help.
But reminding Ollie how flexible he was, how wet and ready? Couldn’t hurt.
“I don’t want to wait. Is that bad? Naughty of me?”
“No, love. I think it’s perfect.” He helped lift Ollie up, his fingers sliding free.
Ollie slid down on him, taking him, inch by delicious inch. The feeling was just enormous, Ollie’s wet clench making his head spin.
A soft groan filled the air, and Oliver rocked, moving nice and slow on him and making it last. He took a kiss, drawing Ollie down to possess that sweet mouth. Lean legs wrapped around his hips, Oliver’s fingers in his hair keeping their lips together.
He rocked his hips, feeling his knot start to swell. They might not be rutting, but his dragon knew what it wanted.
“I dreamed about you last night. About flying with you.” The words were carefully offered over.
“Oh, love. Anything. Anything you want.” He kissed Oliver tenderly, so proud of his lover for telling him. “We’ll fly.”
“I want to be yours. That’s everything.” Oliver held him in every way—his body, his arms, his gaze.
“You are, love. I vow it.” He had to honor that with giving Oliver everything right back. Heart and soul.
“I love you too, E.” Ollie winked at him, easing down on his cock, rocking sweet and easy.
“Oliver. Love you.” He took Ollie’s hips in hand, moving him a tiny bit faster, the urgency starting to push at him.
They were rattling the bed, rattling the breakfast tray, and shaking the room. The earth itself might quake with the force of this lovemaking, and the thought made Eagan want to roar.
The only thing that stopped him was the baby who slept there in the house.
He moaned instead, urging Ollie to rise and fall faster, to take more of him. All of him. His love did it so well.
It was slow going, but Oliver’s body spread and spread, stretching around him to take him in. He worked them until his knot was fully seated, then arched up, making Ollie gasp.
“I feel you everywhere.” Oliver arched, squeezing him until he groaned.
“Inside you, love. I’m taking you. You’re mine.” He needed to say it over and over.
“Yes. Don’t stop.”
Eagan couldn’t if he wanted to.
They were too far gone for that. He gritted his teeth, steam trying to pour out. Eagan tilted his head back so Ollie wouldn’t get a face full of the stuff.
Oliver pushed their lips together, demanding a wild, hard kiss.
Eagan moaned again. His lover was demanding things he’d hardly dared to hope for. Sweet man, so giving.
He growled, pushing Oliver onto his back, rocking into him. Eagan needed more pressure, more of Ollie around his knot, gripping him like a fist.
“Dragon!”
“Yes.” He bared his teeth as his hips thrust in shallow motions. He knew he was rubbing mercilessly over Oliver’s hot spot as Oliver’s cries became louder, his grip on Eagan’s shoulders tighter.
“Don’t stop. Don’t stop, E. Fuck, I need!” Ollie was wild underneath him.
“No. No, love. Not stopping.” He bit, more gently than he wanted to, at Ollie’s shoulder, pounding his thrusts into his mate.
Ollie groaned, body squeezing him almost violently as seed spread between them.
Eagan lasted just long enough for the last spurt of Ollie’s orgasm to fall on his skin. Then he came inside his lover, locking them together as he filled Ollie deep with hard jets of his come.
Oliver whimpered softly, one hand on his belly, body relaxing under him.
“Mmmm.” His low growl vibrated against Oliver’s neck, and he licked where he’d bitten. “I left a mark.”
“I’ll tell my boss it’s a birthmark.” Ollie winked up at him.
“Oh, now, that’s a fine idea.” He loved to laugh with Ollie, even when he was still buried in that tight ass, his knot showing no signs of going down.
“I’m super understanding. Super.” Oliver pulled him down into an embrace. “Stay?”
“Yes. I want to go back to sleep right here.” He wanted to smell Ollie, feel him, for as long as possible. “We’ll have second breakfast instead of lunch.”
“Sounds like the best plan ever.” Oliver was already dozing again.
Eagan licked at the spot where he’d bitten, healing it a tiny bit. He’d broken the skin, and Devon would yell if he saw it as it was.
Ollie had never even peeped, however. He’d taken it beautifully.
“Mmm…” Oliver held him close, nuzzling in. “Sleep, Dragon.”
“Yes, love. So demanding.” He was a dragon, though. Heavens knew, he could bask and nap. So he lowered his head to Ollie’s shoulder and did just that.
It was a week after the solstice, and Oliver wasn’t pregnant. He’d talked to Dev and Dev swore he’d had symptoms almost immediately.
He knew he wouldn’t—after all, he wasn’t a dragon, no matter what he hoped. Thank God he hadn’t said anything to Eagan about thinking that maybe he had been changing, because he wasn’t.
Still, he’d had this tiny little hope.
Dammit.
He got up from the desk where he’d been doing some inventory, going to search for Devon. He found his bestie in the library as he’d known he would, pouring over some giant tome in what he was told was a language called “Middle Dragon”.
Not that he didn’t believe it, but it was all Greek to him. Of course, Devon read Greek too.
Ollie had been a Latin and French guy.
“What are you learning about, man? Anything fun? Care and potty training of young dragons?”
Devon scoffed, eyes dancing as he glanced up. “Sheah. Like these medieval dragon assholes would be so kind as to share any of that with me. All they do is talk in circles. Look at this.” Dev shoved his notebook over. He remembered that from college. Paper notes first, then reorganized as Dev typed them in.
He bent to look. “Six births. Six men. Why six? I mean, it’s not like a magic number, is it?”
“Not unless you mean 666.” Devon sighed. “Then there’s all this stuff about hiding and concealing, and Tyson assures me that dragons of that era didn’t hide like they do now.”
Ollie’s eyes widened. “Is he that old?”
Devon pursed his lips. “I’m not sure, but I know the moms were around.”
“So… How do they explain you? I mean, where did you come from in this mythology?” That seemed important, and he wasn’t going for mean.
“I think I’m a hybrid. I mean…” Devon rose, then went to pull out a smaller volume with a gorgeous gold and black binding. “So, this is a treatise by a dragon scholar in the eighteenth century. He has all these theories about why dragons started to disappear, and a lot of it seems to be about hiding their magic inside human hybrids. Dragon magic is… I dunno, not easy to contain once it’s truly triggered, but this Moissonneur guy thinks it can be hidden under a bushel. So to speak.”
“Wow. So there could be dozens of dragons running around? Hundreds?”
“Yeah, if you go with that theory. And some might be able to become dragons and some not… I don’t know. Apparently we tend to be, like, solitary, so comparing notes is an oddity.”
“Well, you’ll have to write down your experi
ences. That’ll be a great project and incredibly cool for your kids.”
Devon’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea. I can do an illuminated manuscript. That would be so cool. I mean, you know I’ll do an electronic version too, of course.”
“Right? That would be amazing.” And it didn’t hurt his feelings at all because it didn't matter that he wasn’t a dragon.
“You can help me, right? Like put together a fancy volume.”
“Of course, I can. You know I’ll do anything for you, man. You’re my best friend.”
“Thanks.” Devon got up and gave him a spontaneous hug.
He held on for a long time, reminding himself that he needed this family, and that he didn’t need to be more than himself to fit in, right?
Devon didn’t let go or wiggle or any of the awkward things. He seemed to know Ollie wanted this time to breathe and feel supported.
He closed his eyes and tried not to cry. Dev was cool though, and if a couple of tears slipped out, he didn’t mention it. His friend just rubbed Oliver’s back, the smell of smoke comforting, almost like patchouli mixed with sage.
“Better?” Devon said, as he eased up.
“Yeah. Better. Thanks, buddy. I was being ridiculous.” He felt deflated, but also a little less wound up and more stable.
“Hey. You were being in love and emotional. Trust me, I get it.”
“I know.” And he wasn’t sure that was true, exactly, but…he knew Devon meant it. His friend had been through things he couldn’t even imagine in the name of love.
“It’s cool, man. And you have the best ideas.” Devon gave him another squeeze.
“Thanks. I’m going to find my dragon.” Maybe they could go for a walk, get some air together. He wanted to hold Eagan’s hand.
“Okay, man.” Devon smiled, then headed back to his books, humming softly.
Ollie made his way downstairs, kind of following his nose and looking for his dragon. He knew the scent well, all steam and pepper.
“…not pregnant. I thought for sure. I’m serious, we were connected in a way I didn’t think he could handle otherwise.”
Ollie stopped short, holding his breath.
Tyson rumbled. “That doesn’t mean it will take, Eagan. The first time can be tricky. You heard all of the old tales about why we live solitary lives blah blah. That kind of magic takes just the right circumstances.”
“I know. I know, it was ridiculous. I love him. I will love him forever, I just…hoped. I wanted to be a father.” Eagan sounded…not disappointed, but definitely a bit sad. A tinge. Maybe more than a little.
Ollie closed his eyes for a second. He had wanted fatherhood too, but he wasn’t a dragon. He just couldn’t be.
“Don’t give up,” Brand said softly. “You said there are signs.”
“I’m not giving up. But I’d give up being a father for him. You know that. He’s everything to me.”
“Yes. You love him so.” Tyson sounded proud, not worried, but it made Ollie want to cry. These men were proud, magical, and so kind.
“More than anything.”
Dammit. Ollie bit down hard on his lip. Eagan had just declared his undying love, but all Ollie could do was fight down panic. He couldn’t let Eagan just give up on his dream of being a father because Ollie couldn’t do it. He wasn’t capable, but that wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was just fickle damn fate.
What did he do? Run? Eagan would find him. No. He couldn’t break it off, either. Ollie knew he wasn’t brave enough, or strong enough for that. No, he would just…let their relationship peter out. He needed to stay home, stay in his space, stop calling so much. Stop being so needy.
Eventually, Eagan would understand it was for the best. Ollie would just get old and die on him, right? Eagan would find a new mate, someone else. Have babies.
He would run the bookstore, visit with Dev in the city. Arielle was getting older. Dev would be able to travel back and forth more.
No, he wouldn’t be cold. He would just—when he wasn’t around all the time, Eagan would look other places for what he needed.
Right?
Right. And if it hurt, then he could dream about flying.
He lifted his chin and headed into the kitchen. “Hey, guys. I was going to grab a… Coke.”
Tea was all about Eagan for him.
“Oliver!” Eagan’s smile almost broke his heart. Arms out, Eagan came to him, then enfolded him in a hug.
“Hey, you. I was talking to Devon about the store and our plans for starting a bigger mail order face for it.” He held on tight, inhaling his—Eagan’s scent.
“Oh, wonderful. I think that will be the wave of the future.” Eagan didn’t seem stiff or weird.
He let himself have this. He wouldn’t have it for too much longer. “I do too. No one goes anywhere anymore.”
“I do.” Tyson thumped his chest dramatically. “Have rocks, will travel.”
“Yay rocks!” He winked and extracted himself, grabbing a Coke. “I’m going to get back to work. You boys have fun.”
He was going to get his laptop and find a window box and settle in for a few hours.
Eagan followed him when he fled the kitchen. “Are you all right, love?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I’m a little headachy and blah, that’s all.” That was the truth, too.
“Oh. Would you like me to rub your back? I know that helps sometimes.”
He wanted that more than anything, but he shook his head. “I need to get some of this web stuff done so Dev and I can talk about it.”
“Are you sure?”
He kissed Eagan’s cheek. “Go visit with your brothers, E. They miss you. I’m just going to get some things done.”
Eagan gave him a searching look, then nodded. “Come get me if you change your mind.” He got a sweet, lingering kiss.
He watched Eagan walk off, and he told himself not to cry. He loved Eagan, more than anything, but he had to do the right thing and give his lover a chance for the children he wanted.
It was a prophecy, for God’s sake. He’d wanted to believe he was one of the six in that illuminated manuscript Devon had been reading, but he wasn’t. Dragon mate did not equal Ollie. Period.
He really did grab his laptop and work, even if he wanted to pack his back and call an Uber. Was there even Uber here, or would he have to walk down to the highway and flag a passing pickup truck?
He didn’t need to be a psycho. This wasn’t Eagan’s fault; it wasn’t his fault. It was fate, pure and simple.
Why did he have to be fated to fall in epic love with the one guy he couldn’t keep?
That was just the story of his life.
6
“How about dinner?”
“Would you like to go to an auction?”
“Are you well, Oliver?”
Eagan stared at the phone, which had just been hung up on, though not rudely. Still, Ollie had turned him down. Again.
He’d been so subdued on the trip back from Brand and Devon’s, and ever since then, he’d been…distant. He’d stopped spending the night first. Then it was lunch instead of dinner most times when they did meet.
And now Ollie was flat turning him down more often than not.
He knew Oliver loved him. It rang through their bond, but something was wrong. Something that Oliver wasn’t letting him help with. He had tried to push a little, both face to face and by probing the bond he knew they had, but Ollie had been high up, as if he were in a tower and Eagan couldn’t reach him even by flying.
He wasn’t sure what had happened, but he feared Oliver was feeling insecure again in ways he thought they were past.
His phone rang, and he picked it up. “Yes?”
“Brother, it’s Ty. That bastard’s been up near the baby.”
Wait, what?
“Which bastard?”
“Vampire DiMarco’s little minions.” Tyson sighed. “I’m in Maine on a buying trip. I need you to go on up and help. Devon fried one. Literally. Sh
ish-kabobbed him.”
“DiMarco! Oh, damn it all. Let me collect Ollie, and I’ll be on my way up immediately.”
“Good man.” Tyson rang off, so he dialed Oliver again, wanting them all in the same place. Anytime vampires got involved it made things tricky, and he didn’t trust DiMarco.
“Hello?” Oliver sounded exhausted, worn.
“Love, I have to head up to Devon’s. Will you come with me, please? I don’t like leaving you here alone, and Tyson is in Maine.”
“Oh, honey, I can’t. I have two huge shipments coming in tomorrow morning. Devon would kill me if I didn’t stay to deal with it, and there’s a storm coming. You’ll be snowed in.”
“Oliver.” He didn’t want to get growly or beg, either one, but he had the terrible urge to protect his mate.
“I know. I’m not being a bitch, E. I can’t afford to be stuck on the mountain with this storm. I have to deal with the store.”
“I—” Eagan took a deep breath. “Yes, I can see that.” He was shaking his head as he said it. “Will you please call me, though? Or answer me when I call. I’m not sure what I did, but I need to know you’re safe.”
“I will. You be careful driving, and kiss Devon and the little one for me?”
“Of course. I love you, Ollie.” He meant it with every particle of his magical ass being.
“I love you, E. More than you’ll ever know.”
Then why are you running from me? Again. “I’ll call you tonight, love.” He hated to leave things this way, but he had to help Brand.
“Let me know when you’re safe. I’ll be waiting to hear.”
“I will.” He hung up this time. He had to or he would find himself rampaging to the apartment above the store and flying off with his lover.
At least the vampires wouldn’t be bothering Ollie. No one knew he was a dragon yet. Or so he hoped. He would like Ollie to come because DiMarco knew about the shop, but he’d never shown up there again…
He texted his lover.
