Dragon Collector (Dragon Hoard Book 2)

by Minerva Howe

 

  He went, but he knew he would worry about Oliver the whole time.

  He did that even when there was no vampire to worry about.

  It was snowing.

  Like hard-core snowing.

  It had been the longest Autumn in history. Ollie hadn’t seen Eagan in forever—Devon and Brand had kept E up in the mountains, because DiMarco’s people kept coming and threatening the baby.

  He’d gone to Halle’s for Halloween and cried himself to sleep.

  Still, he was living. He was—Fuck this, he was worried.

  It was dark, it was snowing, and that man who had been there all day was still sitting in his car and watching him. It was creepy.

  Ollie had noticed him back in late September, about the time that E had left for Dev’s. The first snowstorm had hit up there not long after. In late October it had started dumping on Denver, and his baby car wasn’t safe on ice or he’d just…go to Brand’s.

  He peeked out the window again, and he’d be damned if the guy didn’t turn to look at him.

  With red eyes.

  Fuck.

  He grabbed his phone, dialing Eagan. “Please answer. Please.”

  “Hello? Oliver?” Eagan answered on the first ring. Thank heavens.

  “E. I—” He dropped his voice. “There’s a guy. He’s got red eyes. He’s watching me. Has been. I don’t know what to do.” He was trying not to break down and cry.

  “Red eyes?” Eagan sucked in a hard breath, and he would bet steam was pouring out of his nose. “Watching you how?”

  “He’s sitting in front of the store. I’m sorry, E. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Are you locked in?” He could hear Eagan moving around. “The shop is closed?”

  “Yeah. Yes, I’m locked in. The shop is closed. But I don’t feel safe. I feel like he’s just waiting.”

  “I’m coming for you, love. How bad is the storm where you are?”

  The relief made him sag. Eagan was coming for him. It was his fault he wasn’t with his lover, but Eagan was coming.

  “It’s snowing too bad for me to drive my little car, or I would have come to you already. I have a bag packed and everything.”

  “I’ll be there in no time. Dress as warmly as you can. Put on heavy layers.”

  “Okay, Eagan. Should I wait downstairs in the shop?” He started gathering his electronics, his cords, the last bits.

  “No. No, stay upstairs. I don’t want to scare you anymore, but I don’t trust this. Make sure your windows are all locked.”

  “Just—Please, I love you. Just in case, you need to know that.” Just in case that man got in.

  “I love you too, Ollie. I’ll be there. Just don’t open the door. You’ll be fine. I bet he’s just there to watch for Devon. Okay?” That voice was so gentle. “Text if anything changes. I’ll feel it vibrate.”

  “I will. I won’t open the door until it’s you. I swear.”

  “Good. I’ll be there. Just breathe. If anyone comes through but me, hit them hard and run to something that’s open and has people in it.”

  “I will. Just hurry. I need you.” He could have guilt over that need, but regardless, it was true.

  “On my way.” Then Eagan was gone, and Ollie was antsy and nervous.

  He turned the television on, so it looked like he was in for the night, then he grabbed his little safe and pulled everything from it. He packed up as economically as he could with space. If he needed something else, Halle could ship it to him.

  Once Eagan grabbed him, he was hanging out for a while. He didn’t want to deal with this alone again. If someone was after Dev, Ollie didn’t want to be a liability, or a red shirt, for that matter.

  More than anything, he wanted to sleep with his dragon, curl up in Eagan’s arms. He might be a wimp, but he’d held out as long as he could.

  God, he wanted to go look out the window, but he stayed away. If he could see the guy, the guy could see him.

  Come on, E. Please, I need you.

  The snow came down harder, and he could see it even with everything closed up tight. Maybe the vamp would freeze.

  He froze when heard someone rattling the door, testing it. He checked his lock and headed to the third floor. Then he felt a little like a horror movie heroine, going up when he should go down.

  Still, his dragon had said to climb, so climb he did. He would go to the roof if he had to.

  Oliver waited, the minutes ticking away, the sound of someone scratching at the door making him twitch.

  Please. Please, E. Please just come for me.

  He closed his eyes, listening hard, praying, knowing logically it would take Eagan forever to get there, and—

  The sound of something landing on the roof shook his whole apartment.

  He squeaked and headed to crouch in the shadows, hoping that was his own dragon and not some vampire landing a…a…crypt on the building. Could vampires fly? He thought that was just a myth. He knew Dev said garlic didn’t work, but ripping off pieces of their ears helped…

  Oliver. I’m here, love. Are you dressed warmly? That mental voice was low, growly, and full of concern for him.

  Eagan! His relief was almost unbearable. He nodded and threw on a final layer of his coat and hat and everything, then he made his way up to the roof with his bags. “I’m here, E!”

  His dragon crouched on the tar papered surface, shimmering, almost transparent. Not beautiful blue and green like he’d been in his deep basement den at all.

  “Are you okay, E?”

  Stealth mode, my love. I’m much harder to see this way. Can you climb on? It will be more comfortable than riding along in my claw. Eagan bent his long neck low along the roof.

  “Yeah. Let me put my backpack on, then I can hold the rest.” He didn’t let himself worry or stress, no sir. No, he climbed up and cuddled in. “Take me away from here, E. Please.” He found it surprisingly easy to hold onto the ridges along Eagan’s neck, and the joint at the base where it met the solid dragon body was almost saddle like.

  Hold on, love. I told you we’d fly. Eagan turned to touch his nose to Oliver’s leg, steam warming him through his clothes, then that big body was poised at the edge of the roof. With a jarring whomp of big wings, they were airborne, and moving up fast.

  When he looked down, the vamp was climbing out the window after them…

  Devon is calling the police to go secure your apartment and shop…

  “Good. I have clothes and my laptop, some important things from my safe.” I missed you. I missed you so bad, E. I thought I was going to die with it.

  You keep hiding from me, love. I won’t have it anymore.

  He grinned, resting his cheek against Eagan’s neck. So imperious.

  I was trying to—He stopped, because it didn’t matter right now. Right now it was snowing, and he was flying with his own personal dragon. He needed to be right here, enjoying this freedom.

  He watched the ground speed away, stunned at how fast they were out of the city and flowing over the pass toward Brand’s mansion. The mountains were white, the peaks seeming to brush Eagan’s feet.

  “We’re going to Dev’s?” That was fine—they could go wherever, as long as they went. He loved Eagan’s house, but more distance between him and the vamps also seemed like a good idea.

  We are. He’s not out of danger yet, and Tyson isn’t back. Off somewhere to the East Coast chasing rocks. He says he needs to find the perfect one. Brand needs us, and there’s safety in numbers.

  It made sense. And he liked things that made sense.

  He almost dozed off, but then he forced his eyes open to not miss a bit of the flight. The lights below were so bright at times that he had to laugh with delight. Apparently vamps couldn’t fly, because no one came after them.

  The vision of Brand and Dev’s home was like a fantasy—lit up and glorious.

  Ollie almost cried, but the tears might have just frozen if he had. He was prett
y sure his hair was icy.

  They landed in the back, and it didn’t take but seconds for Devon and Brand to be there with warm towels and blankets, wrapping them around him and Eagan, helping him out of his icy coat, taking his bags.

  All he could see was Eagan, and as soon as he could, he was in his lover’s arms.

  Eagan buried his face against Oliver’s hair, breathing deep. “My Oliver. How I’ve missed you.”

  “E. I’m sorry. I was…I was trying to let you…but I can’t. I need you.”

  “Shhh. No, you’re here now. You’re safe.” Eagan stroked his back. “I have you.”

  “Take him to bed, brother.” Two mugs of cocoa appeared like magic. “We’re fine down here. We’re just going to lock up and put wards up.”

  “There was a vampire there trying to get him,” Eagan murmured, then lifted him up. “Be careful.”

  “I have the cocoa, E.”

  “We will.” Dev growled deep and low. “They’d better watch themselves. This is my home.”

  “Fierce Devon.” Eagan’s voice held amusement. “Watch the cocoa, my love. No spilling.” Eagan moved fast, but not so fast the stuff sloshed on him, which he was grateful for.

  The fireplace in their room was going, the light warm and welcoming, and Oliver almost sobbed, because he wasn’t sure he deserved to be welcomed here.

  “Ollie. Love.” Eagan set him down, then took the cups of hot chocolate to set them aside. Then he got a kiss that stole his breath and curled his toes.

  He climbed Eagan’s body, desperate and cold and hungry, begging for a touch, for Eagan’s care.

  Eagan grabbed him under the ass, walking him to the shower, the kiss never letting up. Yes, they needed to get warm.

  Warm, naked, wet—and he needed to know that Eagan forgave him. All the important things.

  Oliver. Eagan held him tight, his strength so amazing.

  Eagan. I’m so sorry. I was trying to give you a chance to be a father. He was being ridiculous. Utterly.

  Oh, love. I just want you. Eagan got the water going, got them both under the spray, which felt so good on his skin. Where had his clothes gone?

  He didn’t care. He had layers. There was plenty to wash for later. I love you. I belong with you. Oliver had learned everything martyrdom could teach him. Everything. He was done with that shit now.

  “You do, you know. I want to say it out loud. I want you with me. I love you.” Eagan kissed him deeply, lips and tongue possessing his. The kiss was inexorable, completely possessive.

  Yes. He opened up—not just his lips, but his body, his heart. Yes, dragon.

  Eagan moaned, lifting him, and he grabbed the showerhead, wrapping his legs around Eagan’s waist. He could feel Eagan’s cock rising against him, and Oliver panted, his ass clenching, wanting his lover inside him. He felt empty, almost cramping with the need he felt.

  “Now. Now, dragon. Hard!” Ollie demanded.

  “Yes.” Eagan bit his neck, sharp teeth stinging him even as that long, thick cock spread him, opening him right up. He was so ready, had been since Eagan had first touched him. His ass was soaking, open, and Eagan slid right in He bore down, his legs tightening where they clutched Eagan to him. Every inch burned up inside him.

  Eagan lifted him and let him back down, holding him as if he weighed nothing, just like when they were flying. The steam around them went even hotter, Eagan’s growl sending shivers up and down his spine. The water beat down on him, sensitizing his skin, and he could feel Eagan’s scales, just a tiny bit of roughness against his skin.

  “Yours. Yours, E.” He was out of his mind, so happy and whole, Eagan’s knot swelling against his ass, then in it, trapping him where he most wanted to be.

  “Mmm.”

  He loved that sound. So possessive and satisfied, and Eagan filled him until there was room for nothing else, that impossible big cock slamming into him until he cried out, his fingers feeling like claws as he held the showerhead so hard he heard it creak. He gritted his teeth, his belly rippling, his ass clamping. His muscles felt stronger, more defined, holding him up easily.

  Eagan’s roar sounded, and Ollie’s entire body shuddered with his orgasm when Eagan slammed that knot into him, sticking right there in him. He pumped his hips, Eagan with him on every jolt and twist, his seed arcing into the water raining down on them.

  Then Eagan thrust into him one more time, coming so hard he couldn’t feel anything else but Eagan filling him up. The harsh sound of Eagan’s breathing drowned out even the shower, and they were so hot they could burst into flames at any moment.

  “Love. Love, let me stay.” He wrapped about Eagan and held on tight, clinging to his dragon. “Let me stay.”

  “I never wanted you to go, Oliver. I swear.” Eagan helped him ease down but didn’t let his feet touch the floor. He was whisked out of the shower, dried, and they were in bed before he realized Eagan had never pulled completely free. They had moved so fast he was sure they’d flown again.

  It felt right, to lean in and breathe, feel Eagan inside him.

  “I have you, Ollie. You can rest now. You’re safe, and I won’t let you go again. Never.”

  Tears stung his eyes. His E made him feel so amazing. Wanted and loved and maybe a lot silly for running. He just hadn’t known what else to do to make up for not being a dragon.

  “I’m sorry, love. Forgive me? I wanted you to be able to be a father. I know you want to, so much.”

  “Oliver, I love you.” Eagan kissed the mark on his neck that burned a little now they were not in the heat of the moment. “No matter what. I want you. I want to wake up with you every day and fuck you every night. We’ll have amazing nieces and nephews to help care for. Will you stay with me?”

  Would he? Of course he would. He was selfish, but he also knew he’d love Eagan more than anyone. “Yes. Forever. You have my word.”

  Eagan’s smile was like dawn breaking over the mountains, and Oliver received a tender kiss, Eagan’s knot seeming to throb in him again. “Thank you, love. Now I feel like I can breathe.”

  “Breathing is good. We’re safe here?” He’d been so terribly frightened of the whole vamp thing, especially when the guy had started scratching at the door.

  “Yes. I’m more worried about Tyson now, honestly, being out there alone. Although I doubt DiMarco could find anyone who’s a match for him.” Eagan kept stroking his skin, loving him, those fingers tracing every little dip and hollow of his body.

  “Okay. I tried to wait him out but…” The watchers hadn’t stopped. There wasn’t a point where they weren’t watching. Everything he’d done, everywhere he’d gone.

  “I’m sorry, love. I thought you were safe there, or I would have come for you sooner.” That deep timbre was almost a growl.

  “You came.” That was the important part. Eagan had come for him when he’d asked, had swept him away and flown him to safety.

  “I did.” Eagan held him so tight for a moment he could barely breathe. “You’re here now.”

  “Yes. And we’re together. We have cocoa, bed, a fire.” He blinked nice and slow, his body relaxing muscle by muscle. Suddenly he was utterly exhausted, worn out from all the stress and the utter pounding Eagan had given him.

  Eagan thrust against him gently. “Sleep, love. I will have stern words for you when you wake, no doubt, because you scared me so, but right now I just want to hold you.”

  “Okay, E.” He patted Eagan’s back as softly as he could with sleep-clumsy fingers. Then he closed his eyes, sinking into the comfy bed he loved so much. It wasn’t the bed at Eagan’s house, but it was so good anyway because Devon had gotten the mattress just for him and E. No one else had slept on it.

  For the first time in days, he could finally, blessedly, rest.

  Eagan held his Oliver all through the night, easing him back to sleep when a nightmare woke him. He only dozed, keeping his lover safe, but also fighting his own guilt.

  He’d been stung a bit, and he’d let th
at keep him from going to get Oliver when he should have, when Tyson had first called him and said he needed to come to Devon and Brand’s.

  His mate was skinny and exhausted, the bags under Ollie’s eyes black and heavy. He’d waited too long. Oliver had needed him, and he had been too stubborn in his hurt to just go get him.

  Eagan took a deep breath, then let out a stream of steam. No getting all ramped up. It would wake Ollie. They were together now. That was what mattered.

  Oliver snuggled closer. “E. E, you came. I knew you would. I knew you would come.”

  “I did. I’m so sorry I waited.” He stroked Oliver’s back, settling him again. He might have to see if Lyle would bring them something to munch on. That cocoa had been a while ago, and he was peckish, but he didn’t want to leave Ollie or make him get up.

  “I was stubborn and silly. I’m so sorry.” Ollie reached up to cup his cheek. “I’m so glad I’m with you.”

  “I am, as well.” He took another kiss, needing the connection. Then his stomach growled, snarling like a cornered tiger. “Are you hungry, love?”

  An answering growl came from Ollie. He thought it came from his belly, but Eagan wasn’t sure. “I guess I am, yes. You want me to go down and find something?”

  “We’ll go down together. Let me see.” He rolled out of bed. “I know Devon left us both some cushy robes. My peacock one is a bit thin for naked underneath.”

  Ollie propped up on his elbows, admiring him with a hot stare. “It’s a good look, though.”

  “You are wicked, my love.” And he adored that happy, wanton smile.

  “I am? I always wanted to be, but I always kinda felt like a dork.” Ollie reached for his glasses on the side table. “Fuzzy robes ahoy. I really am hungry.”

  “Leave your hair down? I’ll brush it later.”

  “Silly dragon.” Ollie did it though, didn’t he?

  “I am. But I do love your hair.” He wrapped Oliver in a plaid robe done in his colors, blues and greens. He liked to see Ollie draped in such a garment.

  “Oh, it’s so soft and warm.” Oliver cuddled right in, hugging himself.

  “It is lovely.” His was a smoky gray with thin blue stripes. The fleece was like a cloud. They stepped into slippers, then ventured downstairs. He needed to find perfect morsels to feed his mate.