Dragon Collector (Dragon Hoard Book 2)

by Minerva Howe

  Tyson hooted. “It’s not like you don’t want both, you little fiend.”

  She jabbered at Ty, and for a second, Ollie thought he understood her. He shook his head, then handed Tyson the bottle once it was ready.

  “Hey.” Devon wandered in, yawning. “What can I do?”

  “Um, can you turn the bread in the custard? It should be almost ready to cook.”

  “Ooh. French toast. You rock. I’ll make the baby some eggs.” Devon kissed his cheek, then Ty’s and Arielle’s. “Good morning.”

  “Morning,” Ty said. “Bottle first.”

  “Yep.” Dev was so cheerful, ignoring Arielle’s growly grunts.

  She sure was firm about what she wanted. Beautiful baby.

  “Bottles are good for you, Danger Mouse.” He tried encouragement, and Arielle roared from Ty’s arms.

  “Hey,” Dev snapped. “No, ma’am. Hungry doesn’t mean rude.”

  She subsided, giving him a sad look out of golden eyes, and he had to turn back to the stove to hide his laugh.

  Oh, she was going to be the most glorious, wild and wonderful woman someday. He couldn’t wait to see it.

  She finally fell to sucking her bottle, and when she was done, Dev had eggs for her. “You want some, Ty? Ollie?”

  He nodded. “I’d take some. Then I can start the French toast.”

  His Eagan loved sweet bread. Loved it.

  “Have you had Ollie’s French toast, Ty? It’s better than sex.”

  “Hey!” And there was Brand.

  “Okay, better than sex with anyone but my mate,” Devon said, expression innocent.

  Tyson’s chuckle echoed around the kitchen. “Now I have to have a bunch. Is there more bread to soak? I am the only one not getting any sex.”

  “I’ll start the first round and get the second soaking. No problem.”

  “You are a gentleman and a scholar.”

  “Why thank you.”

  “What smells so delicious.” Eagan wandered in wearing blue silk jammies and his peacock robe.

  “Good morning, E. French toast. Bacon. Cinnamon rolls are rising, and cookies are in the oven.” He raised his face for a kiss when Eagan came to him.

  “My perfect mate.” Eagan’s lips crashed down on his, his dragon devouring him.

  Ollie moaned, grabbing at Eagan’s upper arms to keep his balance. It was Tyson loudly clearing his throat that separated them.

  “Problem?” Eagan asked, hand on his ass.

  “Ty is hungry. I promised him French toast.” He nuzzled in for a second. “He’s busy feeding the Danger Mouse, you know?”

  “Ah taking his life into his hands.” Eagan paused. “French toast. Yes, please. What can I do?”

  He loved that they all asked that. This was family, pure and simple. He adored them all. Together food was cooked, plates were filled, and the dragon baby was fed.

  Tyson moaned over the French toast. “That’s so good. Thank you, Ollie.”

  “Thanks for warming up the syrup.” He wondered how cinnamon honey butter would be. Next time. Oh, his rolls! He moved to roll and fill and cut, then put them in the pan for their second rise.

  “Busy Ollie. What’s on your plan today?” Eagan grabbed the coffeepot to refill all the cups.

  “Books. Nap. You.” Ollie beamed at his lover. “You look so good in that robe.”

  “What about you, Eagan?” Brand teased. “What do you have on schedule?”

  “Not a great deal that doesn’t involve Ollie.”

  “It’s the holidays. We’re allowed to be lazy. Let’s all watch a movie tonight.”

  “Yes, please.” That was Devon. “Something like White Christmas. You remember, Ollie? How we watched it together that first time in college?”

  Ollie beamed. “I do. I love Danny Kaye.”

  “Then we’ll watch it,” Eagan pronounced. “We can eat, and string, popcorn. It’s good luck.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Oliver was all in. “Absolutely.” It was like the stress and worry of his world was…gone. It was just gone.

  He popped the last cookies out, then the cinnamon rolls in. There was something so satisfying about feeding his family. “How are the white chocolate-cranberry-pecan?” he asked Tyson who, despite breakfast, had just stuffed two into his mouth.

  “Perfect. Make more tomorrow?” Tyson munched away like the Cookie Monster.

  “We’ll see how ambitious I am.”

  “Save some for Ollie, all of you. Devon and Brand ate them all last night.”

  “They were so good, though,” Devon pointed out. “And I did most of the making.”

  “True. We were…uh… Busy…”

  “You were indeed.” Tyson wrinkled his nose, an expression Arielle mirrored instantly. “These make up for the noise.”

  “Do they?” Brand took a cookie and nibbled. “Mmm. They do.”

  “Yeah?” Devon grabbed one too, and the next thing Ollie knew, they were all having second breakfast of cookies and tea while the cinnamon rolls baked.

  He’d never had a better Christmas season. Never.

  He curled up with little Arielle, trapping her with his body and occupying her while her uncles and fathers played.

  She leaned against him, making this lovely cooing noise, and he had to sing with her. Had to. In fact, it turned into a carol after a few moments.

  Devon’s voice joined his, then Brand’s soared in.

  He looked to Eagan, and he swore he could see eternity, a universe of love in his dragon’s eyes.

  Eagan came to sit with him and Arielle, petting them both gently as they sang. Tyson took up the next tune, and it was one Ollie had only seen written in old volumes of Latin, so haunting and beautiful that he blinked tears from his eyes. Sometimes he forgot that dragons were so timeless, and he marveled at how much the three of them had seen in their lives.

  I’ve seen what feels like eons, and this is my favorite Yule ever.

  Because you’re with me. He understood, bone-deep, finally. Is this forever, dragon? You and me?

  It is, my love. You’re the only one for me. I’ll just have to keep you.

  Arielle giggled as if she understood, then patted him on the chest.

  “Ah, come on, Miss Thing.” Devon held out his arms to Arielle, who launched herself at him. “Let’s get you changed and maybe we can bang on things a bit before you take a nap.”

  She clapped her hands, them mimed banging on things.

  Was it nap time already? Hmm. Time flew.

  “Don’t forget our movie tonight,” Ollie whispered.

  “Never.” Devon danced his baby out of the room.

  “So, we can go to the library. We can go for a walk. We can make snowmen.” Oliver was having a ball, because he could see the heat in Eagan’s eyes.

  “We could play Monopoly,” Eagan suggested, playing along even as he picked up Ollie and headed for the main stairs. He did tease them both by going slowly, so he didn’t use his magical speed.

  “I like Twister. Or Chutes and Ladders…” He turned his head, nibbling on Eagan’s shoulder, biting just a little hard.

  “Or we could play hide the sausage.”

  “Did you learn that from Devon?” That seemed a very modern thing for Eagan to say.

  “Tyson actually. Miners are crude.”

  “He’ll find his mate too, won’t he? I don’t want him to be lonely.” That seemed like it was terribly unfair.

  “He will. He’s happy for all of us, and I know he seems sad, but Tyson is the best of us. He’ll find someone amazing who will love and challenge him.” That almost seemed like another prophecy.

  He approved of how that sounded, all the way.

  Eagan dumped him back into bed, looking him over with a wicked gaze.

  Ollie preened, because Eagan was making him incredibly horny. “That’s why I ate so much.”

  Eagan raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  “I needed to regain my strength so you could knot me again.”
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br />   “Mmm.” Eagan began to strip, his robe coming off first. “Yes, that must be it.” First though, I’m going to make you beg me.

  “Are you?” He licked his lips, then pretended to lock them.

  “I am. I think I can make it happen.” Shirt, then pants, and Eagan stood bare before him, glinting in the light coming through the curtains. He was letting his dragon show through a little, so beautiful that he almost glowed. The mixture of blue and green on Eagan’s scales fascinated Ollie, and he found himself sitting up, reaching to trace his dragon’s patterns.

  “Mmm. That’s it, love. Feel how much I want you.”

  He did. He could see how much Eagan loved him, needed him. Ollie was always impressed with the…size of Eagan’s desire, in fact.

  “Are all dragons so big, or am I just super lucky?” he asked.

  “I think we’re more so than not, but you do inspire me.” Eagan crawled up on the bed with him.

  Oliver licked his lips, wrapping one leg around his dragon, a soft hum escaping him. He arched, feeling smooth skin, which was always weird, because he could see those scales. He stroked along one side of Eagan’s throat, letting his fingers dance.

  Eagan arched for him, stretching out long, allowing him to explore.

  “I love your scales. They’re beautiful. So shiny.”

  “Thank you, love. I like to show off for you.” Eagan sounded so happy. His joy was infectious.

  “It’s our first Yule together. Our first Christmas.”

  “It is, love. I’m very excited to share it with you.” They twined around each other.

  He nibbled and licked along E’s collarbones, loving the low sounds that escaped his lover. Maybe he’d make Eagan beg instead.

  “Mmm. You can try, my love.” E flipped them so Ollie was on top, stretching out underneath him.

  I can. He showed off, teasing Eagan’s tiny nipples, pinching the hard nubs the way he liked himself.

  Eagan growled happily, his body twisting, his skin flushed. Ollie plucked and leaned down, tracing one nipple with the tip of his tongue.

  “More.” Eagan cupped the back of his head with one big hand.

  Make me. He traced again, flicking the very tip.

  Eagan held him in place, his lips on Eagan’s skin. That little bit of exerted force was so damn sexy, making him gasp.

  He rocked against Eagan’s thigh, and he wrapped his lips around Eagan’s nipple, beginning to suck. Eagan tasted so good, his skin a little salty, hotter than fire now that they were moving together.

  Eagan fed him a happy little sound that rang out, making him buzz, balls to bones.

  He smiled against Eagan’s skin, then bit gently, feeling Eagan jump with surprise.

  “Hungry boy.”

  “I have to keep up with my dragon, don’t I?” He growled playfully, then bit again, harder.

  “You do.” Eagan’s growl echoed around them a little.

  Oliver chuckled and let one hand slide down to cup Eagan’s balls, rolling them in their velvety sac.

  “Dangerous boy. I do love this adventurous side.” Eagan actually spread for him, letting him have access.

  He didn’t feel like he had to be careful, like he needed to stay buttoned up and cautious. In fact—he let his mass of his hair down. He could be himself here, with his dragon.

  “Yes.” Eagan combed through his hair with gentle fingers, careful not to snag. “Beautiful. So silky.”

  “I think so too,” he admitted in a whisper. “I think it’s pretty and fine.”

  “It is.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Eagan draw up a handful and smell it. Such a sensual man, his E.

  He rolled his cock over the ridges of Eagan’s belly, licking his lips as he moved. E made him burn, made him understand his own beauty, his own power. It was heady.

  Balancing carefully, he slid down a little more, tracing down Eagan’s sternum, then along the little trail of dark auburn hair on his belly.

  “My beautiful dragon…” He dragged his hair over Eagan’s cock, teasing his lover, pushing to see how far he could go.

  The sound that tore out of Eagan was amazing. Almost pained, but so much pleasure too. “Evil Ollie. Do it again.”

  That was an order, and he followed it, just because Eagan couldn’t control his voice or his hips, clearly.

  “Over and over.” This time he let the mass pool on Eagan’s groin, slowly moving his head, moaning as he rocked.

  “Oliver!” That shout almost rocked the bed and rang off the rafters. Oh, man, why hadn’t he tried this before?

  For his next trick he swung his head, slapping his hair against Eagan’s cock.

  Eagan grunted, the sound hard and desperate, and he literally felt Eagan’s cock grow.

  That was going to fill him up, good and hard. All the way. He pulled pack, his hair falling around Eagan’s cock like a curtain.

  “Oliver. You’re teasing.”

  “Moi?”

  “Yes, you, my love. I want your teeth. I want you to ride me.”

  “Mmhmm…maybe.” He kissed the tip of E’s cock, then nipped, the barest bit.

  That got him another one of those guttural grunts, Eagan rocking up and back for him. There was a heady sense of control to this.

  Underneath that, the knowledge that Eagan would, eventually, take what he wanted, was even headier, making him almost dizzy. E’s power was always there, a sense of leashed magick that could come alive at any second.

  He felt it, nose to tail, buzzing through him.

  “Ollie.” Eagan was huge, hard, so hot.

  Oliver licked at the head of Eagan’s cock, then took as much as he could into his mouth and slid his lips up and down. He swallowed convulsively, dragging his tongue over the shaft.

  That was it.

  Eagan lifted him up, rolling him to his back once more. “No more playing, love. Spread for me.”

  “You don’t want my mouth?” He spread, even as he asked, because his entire body ached to be filled.

  “I want all of you.” Eagan didn’t bother with long, drawn-out prep. He just pushed against Oliver’s hole. The huge head popped in, no friction, just heat and stretch.

  “More.”

  “Yes, love. Always more.” Eagan’s muscles flexed, and more of that huge cock pushed into him. All he could feel and see and touch was Eagan. His lover surrounded him, became his whole world.

  Arching, Ollie dug his fingers in against Eagan’s shoulders, knowing the tiny pain would drive Eagan on.

  “Mine!” Eagan slammed into him, making him scream with primal pleasure.

  The sound tore from him, deep and huge, ripping through the fabric of the world.

  Eagan roared in return, vibrating the rafters. They slammed together, and Oliver held on, trying to find something solid because they were flying. Just soaring. The clouds accepted them, allowed them both to twist and turn, the pressure inside him turning to a pure, azure light that filled him into his cells, driving through his nerves.

  Ollie panted, feeling Eagan fill him over and over. Every thrust made Eagan swell to even greater proportions, his knot filling Ollie so much that he felt like he would surely explode with it.

  He growled, his words lost in a wild snarl and rumble that made no sense.

  Eagan kissed him, a toothy, wild expression of love and desire. His lips felt swollen, hot, and Ollie moaned into it, his tongue dancing with Eagan’s. Eagan’s eyes were mirrors, and inside them were dozens of dragons, all turquoise, all beautiful.

  He stared, caught, just stunned by what he saw. Eagan. The light.

  Beautiful. My so beautiful love.

  I love you too. Why argue? He loved how Eagan saw him, how his dragon needed him.

  Eagan bared his teeth, the cords standing out in his neck. His lover wouldn’t last much longer.

  “Fill me up.” The words seemed to have sharp edges on them, catching on his teeth.

  “Yes. My Ollie. Only mine. Only I get to see you this way.”


  This way. Yes. Naked. Ecstatic. In love.

  Perfect. You’re perfect, love. That voice echoed all inside him.

  “Yours.” He bucked, taking Eagan’s cock, the heavy, thick knot. It opened him up, pushing him to his very limit, and Ollie cried out, so happy.

  His entire body lit up, fire flooding him as Eagan shot, roaring again.

  When he came, it was a flood in its own right, and he clamped down on Eagan, desperately holding them together. God, yes.

  The sensation of soaring didn’t fade, and he rocked and hummed, his whole world lit up. He closed his eyes, and he could see the sky all around him, the ground far below, just like he was riding Eagan again, but there was nothing blocking his view now.

  Nothing underneath him.

  Nothing but sky.

  My sweet love. Feel the wind

  What a wondrous thing it was that Eagan was sharing with him. The wind. He sighed, allowing himself to sink into the dream.

  He knew Eagan would never let him fall.

  9

  “Happy Yule!” Devon popped up in front of Eagan, looking utterly adorable wearing a headband with a candy cane and a tree on it. “Are you ready with your wishes for the Yule log?”

  “I am. You almost made me drop my phone.” He showed Devon the auction he was looking at.

  “Ooooh. Nice bookshelf.”

  “Isn’t it? It will go perfectly in our third floor reading room. I want to get it for him.”

  “If you want me to bid against you and scare anyone else off, let me know. That way you won’t have the snipers.” Devon waggled his eyebrows. “Where is Ollie, anyway? We were supposed to meet for coffee and sales figures this morning.”

  Eagan grinned, steam pouring from his nose. “I wore him out. All night. And this morning.”

  “Oh, good for you!” Devon clapped and climbed into his life. “He is so happy. It’s like he’s turned a corner.”

  He glanced at the stairs before drawing Devon toward the kitchen. “I think so. He’s the most lovely turquoise color. His scales.”

  “Turquoise is—Wait. Wait, what? Really? Eagan!”

  “Yes!”

  Devon whooped, dancing him around the kitchen. “Oh, Eagan. Yay! I mean, I was happy for you no matter what, but I know how long dragons live, and if Ollie was all human, it would have eventually been an issue. Wow. That’s so cool.” Devon stopped, tilting his head. “Do you think that’s why he and I became besties so fast?”