Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2)

by Charlene Hartnady

  “Hi.” Candy trembled against him. She really was nervous to meet his grandmother. The lady in question with talking with Storm, Lake and Sky. Tide wasn’t there yet.

  His grandmother smiled. Crinkles appeared around her eyes. She still looked relatively young except for her shock of white/grey hair.

  “Well.” His gran raised her brows. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to the female that has stolen your heart?”

  He choked out a laugh. “Of course, Gran.” Trust his gran to put it out there. He let go of Candy’s hand, putting it to her lower back instead.

  She moved forward and put her hand out. “I’m Candy.”

  His grandmother took the outstretched hand, her eyes on his female. “I’m Rain. It is a pleasure to meet you. You have a lovely name.”

  “So do you and it’s a pleasure to meet you as well.”

  “This is Lake.” Sky interjected.

  Candy turned towards his brother. “I feel like I already know you. I’m very excited for you guys with the pregn—”

  Lake growled. It didn’t matter that the male was acting on instinct. It pissed Torrent off. He stepped forward and growled back.

  “Now, now.” His gran tsked. “Enough of that.”

  “My female is not familiar with our ways.” His voice was deep and threatening. It couldn’t be helped.

  Lake nodded. His shoulders dropped as he relaxed. His brother locked eyes with Candy. “It is considered bad luck to talk of such things.”

  Sky put her arm around her mate. “It’s okay, love.” She looked up at him with such love and devotion. “Candy is a human so it doesn’t count.”

  Lake dropped a kiss on her brow. “You are right, sweets.” He turned his gaze back to Candy. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

  His female put her hands up. “I really need to learn the traditions and what nots. It’s my fault entirely.” She was talking too quickly. “It won’t happen again.” She mouthed sorry to Sky when Lake wasn’t looking.

  “It’s one of those really touchy subjects.” Storm interjected. “Better to not say anything.” He winked at Candy. The little shit. “We can talk about other things. More fun things.”

  Torrent gave a small shake of the head. Storm grinned at him and gave the tiniest little nod. This was going to end in blood shed. He could tell.

  His grandmother had always been good at intercepting a conversation. More like hijacking one. “So, dear…” she directed her attention to Candy. “Tell me about yourself. Wait just a minute.” She glared at Storm. “Why haven’t you offered our guest a drink?”

  “She’s Torrent’s date.” He smirked.

  Gran gave him a hard glare. “Exactly, he needs to stay at her side. You’re being rude.”

  Storm took a step back and seemed to cower a little under their gran’s death stare. “What can I get you to drink?” Storm smiled at Candy. His look and demeanor was a little too friendly for Torrent’s liking.

  “Some fruit juice would be great.” Candy seemed oblivious to the tension.

  “I’ll have a glass of red wine, brother.” It was Torrent’s turn to smirk at Storm who scowled at him as he handed him his glass moments later.

  Torrent might be the king, but at family gatherings, they were a family like any other. At least Candy looked more relaxed. Gran was telling stories about when they were kids. He’d given his brothers strict instructions not to give him any shit. Not tonight. Not while Candy was here. The problem was that he’d asked them as a brother and not as the king so all bets were off. If they started in on him, it would make her uncomfortable.

  Things were going well. They all laughed as Torrent’s grandmother recalled another story about one of her grandkids.

  “The best story is of Tide, when he first found his dragon.”

  Torrent turned to Candy. “Dragons don’t shift until we’re about twelve.”

  Torrent’s gran laughed. She was remarkably beautiful. Her hair was snowy white. She looked like she had the same coloring as Torrent and Lake. Her white-blond hair had turned grey-white with age. Aside from the hair and maybe a look of wisdom in her eyes, she was still young looking. “Tide couldn’t wait to change. He used to practice every day.”

  “It was so funny. He’d meditate and actively try and bring on the change.” Lake laughed.

  “Well, one day”—the older lady continued— “he managed to somehow get it right, only, it didn’t go quite as planned.” She turned and whispered to Candy. “The process should not be rushed or forced.”

  Storm laughed. “No it shouldn’t.”

  “You wouldn’t even remember,” Lake said. “You were too young.”

  “I do remember.” Storm pulled a face of irritation. “How could I forget something like that?” He was the only brother with brown hair. He had the same pale blue eyes. They all did, including Torrent’s grandmother.

  “He shifted but only got half way.” Torrent chuckled.

  The older lady nodded. “He had a long tail, wings instead of arms and a whole lot of scales. Everything else was still very human.”

  Candy covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. “I can picture it.”

  “No need, dear.” The older lady winked at her. “I have pictures. He was like that for a day or so before finally changing back. Come for tea and I’ll show them to you.”

  “I don’t even want to know what pictures those would be, Gran.” Tide walked in. He strode over to his grandmother and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Although I can guess.” He looked up at her. His blue eyes filled with humor. “Candy.” He smiled. “It’s good to see you.”

  “You too.”

  Torrent growled.

  “Relax, brother.” Tide gave Torrent a slap on the back. “I like my intestines where they are… thank you very much.”

  “Ah.” Rain, gestured to the table. “The first course is being served. Please try and behave boys.” She looked at each of them in turn. “No swearing or fighting.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it, Gran.” Tide’s grin looked mischievous. He glanced at Torrent and his grin grew wider. There was something going on between them, Candy wasn’t sure what it was. Sibling rivalry, good humored teasing? She didn’t know.

  Dinner comprised of five courses. Candy felt like she might burst by the time they finished the dessert round.

  “Let’s take our tea in the living room.” Torrent’s grandmother gestured towards the overstuffed leather sofas.

  The evening had turned out to be fun. It was easy to see how much this family loved one another. How much they respected each other.

  Rain put her cup down. “It’s time for me to take these old bones to bed.” Each of her grandsons gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’ll walk you.” Torrent held his hand out to his grandmother. He helped her to her feet. In this moment, he wasn’t the king, he was the grandson, the brother.

  Rain smiled and gave him a tap on the arm. “Such a good boy. I’m fine. Candy…”

  Oh shit! “Yes?” She stepped towards the older woman. “You can take me to the door and see me out if you will?”

  She nodded. “Yes, of course.”

  Rain linked her arm with Candy’s. “Good night, all.”

  They wished her a good night right back and then Candy heard Lake suggest whiskeys.

  “I’ve enjoyed meeting you.” Rain looked down at her to maintain eye contact. These dragon women were huge. Even the old ladies of the species.

  “Thanks for being so nice and for making me feel so…” She wanted to say part of the family but that didn’t quite gel. Not yet anyway. “Welcome.”

  “Walk out with me.”

  Candy nodded, feeling nervous. This was the part where she got into trouble for breaking Torrent’s heart.

  Rain led her into the hallway and shut the door behind them.

  “I do care for your grandson… I swear… I…”

  “Of course you do, dear. You love him,” she stated. “It’s easy to s
ee that the two of you are crazy about each other. My grandson explained that he did something out of jealousy. He said that”—she looked up in thought— “ah yes, he said he was an arrogant asshole.”

  Candy burst out laughing. It was partly because she had been so tense. “Is that what he said?”

  “Yup, and I believe it too.” The older woman took ahold of both her hands. “I also married the king, it feels like just yesterday.” Her eyes clouded in thought and a small smile took residence on her face. “I know all about it. It takes a certain kind of male to lead a kingdom and they really do need to be taken down a rung or two early on in the relationship. They try and rule everything, including their relationship. It should be a partnership, but you know that don’t you?”

  Candy nodded. “I’m glad you understand. I was a bit worried about what you would all think.”

  “Well, I do understand and it doesn’t matter what we think. It only matters what you and Torrent think and feel.” She paused. “My mate respected and loved me all the more in the end and so will Torrent. I’ve never seen the boy smitten.” She shook her head. “Of all the boys, I never expected him to fall the hardest.”

  “Tide and Storm don’t have mates yet.”

  “There is no way they’re beating that boy.” She squeezed Candy’s hands in both of hers. “He really does love you.”

  “I know.”

  “Don’t do that. I can see the guilt. You take the next step when you are ready. He’ll wait for you.”

  Candy nodded. “Thank you.”

  They said goodnight and Candy went back inside. The atmosphere was tense. Or, at least Torrent was tense. The others were laughing.

  “Stop,” he said, his voice had a hard edge. He shifted on his feet, his abs were so ripped. His chest broad.

  They all stood by the fire. Except for Sky who was sitting on the nearby sofa.

  “You should take your female home now,” Tide said. He took a big swig of his whiskey and chuckled. “Oh yes, I forgot, she’s your friend.”

  Storm laughed before turning serious. His mouth twitched. “What’s it like anyway, having a female that’s a friend?”

  “Stop your shit,” Torrent spoke under his breath. “She’ll be back any minute and you’ll embarrass her.” He glanced towards the door. His eyes widened as they landed on her. “Hi… you’re back. Can I get you anything? My brothers were about to leave.”

  So they were all giving him grief about the fact that they hadn’t actually mated.

  “We’re not going anywhere.” Tide swirled his drink. “We were just talking about—”

  “Nothing.” Torrent narrowed his eyes on his brother.

  “Uh oh.” Sky rolled her eyes. “I can see where this is going.” She locked eyes with Candy and pulled a face. “They’re about to fight. It won’t take long and they’ll be beating the scales off of one another.”

  “There will be no fighting.” Torrent folded his arms across his chest. “My female might get hurt.”

  “Except, she isn’t your female.” Storm smirked.

  “She’s your friend.” Tide choked out a laugh. “There was no sealing of any deal.”

  “Should I get some of those human pills for you?” Storm asked. “The ones that…” He pointed to his… man part.

  “I don’t need any goddamned pills. Shut up already.”

  “Yeah, because then he’d have a hard dick and a best friend. How awkward would that be?” Tide took a sip of his whiskey, smacking his lips.

  “I don’t need pills.” Torrent spoke carefully, like he was using every bit of resolve to stay calm. “I’m”—he cleared his throat—“very happy to be friends with Candy.” He gave her a tight smile. “So much so that I could be friends with her for… a very long time and be happy with it. No, thrilled.”

  All three of the guys laughed. Tide doubled over, spilling his whiskey. He wiped at his face and had to sit down. Sky rolled her eyes and mouthed ignore them to Candy.

  Torrent clenched his jaw so hard Candy was worried he might end up cracking a tooth. He looked like a lost little boy. He was sucking it up for her. She knew in that moment that he would crawl through hot coals for her. He would do anything for her. All of her. The good parts, the bad parts and the ugly parts.

  Candy cleared her throat and stepped forward. The guys stopped laughing. The room became so quiet. The only sound was of the crackling fire. “I think we should go now.”

  “Your friend is tired,” Storm said. Tide chuckled, as did Lake. Sky hit her mate on the arm so he stopped, looking guilty.

  “Actually, I’m not in the least bit tired.” She looked at Torrent who was frowning. “I was thinking that maybe we could go back to your place.”

  The frown deepened, turning to more of a confused look than an angry one.

  “I don’t know.” She twirled the pearls between her fingers, his eyes dipped to her cleavage. “Maybe we could have hot, sweaty sex.” They flashed back to lock with hers.

  His mouth fell open. All of their mouths fell open.

  “All night, bed-breaking, sheet-tearing sex.” She whispered, knowing full well that they would all hear her perfectly.

  Sky giggled.

  “That would be great.” He yelled. Then he turned serious. “Um…” He swallowed thickly. “I mean, yes, definitely. Only if you’re sure that’s what you want?”

  “Pussy.” Tide coughed the word into his fist.

  Candy turned her gaze onto Torrent’s brother. She gave him what she hoped was a seriously dirty look. The guy had the good grace to look sheepish.

  “Further more.” She closed the distance between them and looked into Torrent’s eyes. His beautiful pale blue stare. He took her breath away. Made her feel tingly all over. “I don’t want to be your friend.”

  “You don’t?” The look on Torrent’s face was almost humorous. “No. People who have hard sweaty sex can’t be friends… not really.”

  Torrent made a choking, growling noise.

  She licked her lips and his eyes tracked the movement of her tongue. “I want you and I choose you and…”

  He put his hand over her mouth. “You’re publicly choosing me... again.”

  She nodded.

  He leaned forward until his mouth was hovering over her ear. “If I choose you back, then us having sex would mean…” She had to strain to hear him. So sweet. Torrent was trying to give her a way out.

  She pulled his hand away before he could finish. “I know exactly what it would mean.”

  He smiled. “We would be officially mated if that happened.”

  “I know, Torrent, and I choose you and I want you.” She threaded her hands around his neck.

  “I’m going to be sick.” One of Torrent’s brother’s announced. Someone else gagged and Sky sighed.

  “I’m so damned happy right now.” Torrent’s chest heaved as he pulled her against him. “I choose you, Candy. I love you so damned much…”

  There were more gagging noises behind them.

  “Excuse me, just a second.” He turned and there was a slapping noise.

  “Owww!” Tide complained. “It wasn’t even me.”

  Torrent turned back to her. “Where was I… oh yes… I love you and I can’t wait to… spend forever with you and… I can’t wait to have all night, sweaty sex with you.” He picked her up and she wrapped her legs around him.

  “Tide.” He growled as he strode towards the door, his eyes were still locked with Candy’s.

  “Yeah, yeah…” Tide said. She looked over Torrent’s shoulder and saw that Tide was smiling. “I’ll take care of things. Go and claim your female. It’s about damned time.”

  “Lucky bastard!” Storm muttered.

  Torrent nuzzled into her neck. “I am. I so am. Tide…”

  “Yes.” Bored sounding.

  “You might not see me for a few days.”

  “Go already.”

  “Inform me if anything…”

  “Go,” Tide growled.r />
  Sky laughed. Candy struggled to breathe, she could feel Torrent hard and ready between her legs.

  Chapter 23

  They’d first gone to his place and then realized that the dogs were at hers. “You’re moving back in with me.” He said, as he picked her up and practically ran to her chamber.

  The moment he put her down, Candy pulled her dress over her head. She was wearing human coverings. White lacy material that was completely see-through. His dick lurched in his pants. Her nipples were so pink. They pushed hard against the thin fabric like they were trying to cut free.

  He growled as he suckled one of her nubs through the lace. He cupped her other breast, feeling its weight in his hand. Then he pulled back so that he could look at her sex. A thin strip of thatch beneath a small white triangle. “I don’t know where to start.” Then he took a step back and licked his lips. “Are you sure about this?” This was all so unexpected. He needed to be sure that she was really ready, that she was doing this for the right reasons.

  Her heart rate kicked up a notch. “Why? Aren’t you?” She frowned.

  “I’m more sure than I have been about anything ever… as in ever before.” He tripped over his words but he didn’t care. He was so wound up it was scary.

  She huffed out a breath. “Good.” She nodded. “I want you and I want us. I’m very sure.”

  “We agreed to a cold shower before…”

  She narrowed her eyes. “We’ve waited long enough dammit. Take me already.”

  “Thank fuck.” Torrent groaned as she gripped his cock through his pants, and fisted him from base to tip. He had to grind his teeth together to keep from swearing.

  “I think we should forgo foreplay and skip to the main event. We’ve waited long enough.” She dipped under the elastic and circled his tip with her finger.

  Torrent squeezed his eyes shut and groaned. “I’m so damned wound up. I can only make you two promises… no make that three.”

  “What promises?” She licked one of his pecs.

  “Fuck, Candy. You need to stop touching me or all bets are off. I’ll come like a teenager.”

  “That’s fine.” She reached up and kissed him. “I wouldn’t mind.”