Once Upon A Valentine

by Emma Roman

  He reached out and pulled the beautiful red sweater over her head. The matching bra nearly took his breath away. She shimmied out of the skirt and lay on her back. Now it was his turn to lean over and capture her lips.

  Her hands on his shoulders, she pressed against him. The feel of her hot skin against his sped up his breathing.

  “I don’t want you to think I’m using you to get over Wayne. I really don’t even like him anymore.”

  Propped on his elbow, he glanced down at her beautiful face. “I know. You’re not the type of woman to do that. It’s Valentine’s Day. Isn’t that a day for lovers?”

  Her eyes fastened on his. “Are we lovers, Eric?”

  He looked into her brown eyes and they glistened with trust. “Hopefully.”

  12

  Jennifer had never felt such intense need before. She yearned for his touch, his kiss, and his body. As she struggled to breathe, she discarded her remaining clothes. He followed her lead and kicked off his pants and his socks.

  They were finally naked and both so aroused she wasn’t sure how to control her desire. Leaning over, she wrapped her lips around his nipple and sucked. He growled and hoarsely called her name. She spread her fingers through the fine hairs covering his chest.

  Pulling her closer, he kissed her passionately and deeply, allowing his tongue to search out every crevice in her mouth. Fire ignited low in her belly and traveled downward. Her arms wrapped around him and explored his body, mapping the hard planes of his muscular shoulders, the taut muscles of his ass, and the slight dips in his lower back.

  His penis jutted between them, reminding her of his virility and masculinity. His hand cupped her right breast, molding it, kneading it, and finally covering the nipple with his wet mouth. The tug of his tongue shot molten lava between her legs and she fought to keep from squirming.

  His knuckles brushed her belly on their way further down. When his strong hand cupped her, she gloried in the intimacy of his possession. He kissed her earlobe, trailed his mouth down the side of her neck and down to her left breast, where he lashed the nipple with his tongue.

  She arched her back and threw back her head, wanting him to take more. His fingers played a clever tune between her legs. When he removed his hand and stared down at her, she nearly groaned when he boldly licked her cream from his fingers.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him gently, enjoying his musky scent, the taste of salt on his skin and the roughness of the stubble on his jaw.

  When he entered her, Jennifer instantly tightened, then relaxed to take in all of him. He was big, but slow and deliberate. They lay there, joined and still. He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. “You’re sure you want to do this?”

  She lowered her eyes. “It’s a little late to ask that, isn’t it? Besides, if you stop now, I’m not sure you’ll get out of here alive.”

  His deep chuckle carried through the room. “I don’t think I want to.”

  Staring deeply into her eyes, he moved. In deeply, out slowly. Heat ran like fire through her veins, igniting a flame deep inside her. She ran headlong into a climax that shattered her. Her brain and body were his. They rode wave after wave passionate ecstasy until he shouted her name, then she fell completely over the edge and exploded.

  He lay heavily on top of her, but she loved every second of it. Their bodies were misted with sweat. Both were breathing heavily and their bodies languid in sexual repletion.

  Lovemaking had never been like this before.

  He pushed up on his arms with a groan and rolled off her. Lying on his side he pulled her close and stroked her hair gently. Wrapped in his embrace, she’d never felt this loved in her whole life. This man was something special——loving and caring, and damned good in bed.

  He kissed her nose. “You know, I’ll have to go check on Pooch.”

  “Okay.” She smiled, too relaxed and content to say much more.

  “You mind if I bring him back with me for the night?”

  The comment startled her and at the same time made her heart sing. She gazed up at him. “You’re spending the night?”

  He grew serious. “Yeah.” Caressing her cheek, he nibbled her bottom lip. “I mean, Valentine’s Day isn’t over. Right?”

  She smiled, thinking how handsome he was with his hair all tousled, his mouth wet, and his muscles taut. “I think we gave Cupid a run for his money.”

  He propped up on his elbow and winked. “I think we outran that little bastard and he needs to catch up.”

  She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know what I think?” He shook his head. “Tonight was better than any honeymoon I could’ve imagined.”

  He grinned that lopsided thing she’d grown used to. “I sure as hell hope so.” He squeezed her tightly against his chest. “We won’t be getting married on Valentine’s Day.”

  She blinked then looked up at him. “Married?”

  His brow wrinkled. “You asking me to marry you?”

  She sat up, wishing for at least a sheet to cover her chest. “I didn’t... I mean, I wouldn’t...I’d never.”

  “What?” a devilish glimmer sparkled his eyes. “Marry me?”

  She fought to keep from grinning. “Oh, you won’t get off that easily, mister.”

  He held out his hand. “What?”

  “You think you can sneak in a proposal on Valentine’s Day and me not notice?”

  His mouth spread into a wide grin as he pulled her close. “I was hoping.”

  “You just keep right on hoping.”

  7. Kiss of Her Dragon

  Julia Mills

  Dare to Dream! Find the Strength to Act! Never Look Back!

  Thank you, God.

  To my girls, Liz and Em, I Love You. Every day, every way, always.

  Introduction

  There Are No Coincidences.

  The Universe Does Not Make Mistakes.

  Fate Will Not Be Denied.

  Language of the Dragon Kin

  Mo chroi’……….My heart

  Mo ghra’……….My love

  Mo stór……….My darling

  Mo maité……….My mate

  Mo Dragon……….My dragon

  Iompróidh……….Bear

  Is brae liom tú……….I love you

  Mo iompróidh beag ……….My little bear

  Mo stóirin……….My little treasure

  Tá mo chroí istigh ionat……….My heart is within you

  Teacht chugam……….Come to me

  Is brae liom tú……….I love you

  Agus is brae lion……….And I love you

  Bheith a bheith ciúin fós……….Be silent, be still

  Le chéile go deo deo i ngrá……….Together forever, forever in love

  Prologue

  “How much longer, Brann? This sitting around listening to you tap on that bloody computer is driving me mad.”

  At least three days, Lenn. I told you that before we left the lair. Now, go find something to blow up.” Brann pushed his glasses up on his nose. “Or better yet, go back to the lair and I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

  “But what if you need to go somewhere? I’ll be taking the only wheels.”

  Brannoc, the Dragon Guard’s resident computer expert, knew his longtime friend was itching to get the heck out of the woods and back with the others. They didn’t call Lennox the mad bomber for nothing. He lived on adrenalin, loved the rush, and looked for ways to up his game at every turn. The Heavens knew if he wasn’t blowing something up, he just wasn’t happy.

  “I’ll be fine. If worse comes to worse, I’ll take Rian’s Harley. It’s in the barn.”

  Raising his eyebrows, Lennox whistled then snickered. “Living life on the wild side, huh?”

  “No, he told me I could if I needed to. He trusted me with his cabin, so why wouldn’t he trust me with his bike?”

  Brannoc had been trying for weeks to make headway into his research but was getting nowhere with th
e daily chaos of the lair. It had been a godsend when his friend and leader, Rian, had suggested Brann go up to his vacation home in the woods. Not only had the younger Guardsman missed the scenery of the forest but the peace and quiet was perfect for what he was trying to accomplish…that is if his brother would ever shut up.

  “No reason,” Lennox held his hands up in surrender before grabbing his duffle, throwing it over his shoulder, and asking, “Are you sure? I mean, if you…”

  “Get out of here. The Goddess knows I’ll get more done without you asking ‘how much longer’ every twenty minutes.”

  “Well, if you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Thanks, Brann. You’re the best,” Lennox hollered over his shoulder as he crossed the threshold and disappeared off the porch.

  “Thank the Heavens he’s finally gone. Maybe I can finally get something done,” Brannoc mumbled to himself as he opened yet another encrypted file from the O’Baoill’s torture chamber.

  Decoding the files wasn’t the toughest part of the job he’d been given by Rian, the leader of their clan. It was reading the clinical notes of the torture shifters of every shape and species had received in the name of science that made his stomach turn and his blood boil. At least that’s what Tariq and his demented twins called what they were doing. In all actuality, they were on a quest to extract that special part—the magic—that gave shifters their enhanced abilities. From what Brannoc had found so far, it looked as if they were trying to create super hunters in their fight against all things paranormal.

  “Did no one teach these idiots the law of supply and demand?” he asked himself. “If you kill off all your supply…” His monologue was cut short by the sound of a tree limb snapping under someone’s foot just outside the cabin.

  Saving his work, laying his glasses on the table, and closing his laptop, the Guardsman got up and headed to the back of the cabin. Looking out the bank of windows, he searched the wildness for any intruders or, Heavens forbid, another of his brethren coming to help him.

  It didn’t take but a second before he was caught up in looking at the scenery. The rays of the setting sun over the mountains shining through the leaves was beautiful. Every time he visited Rian’s cabin he was reminded of why the Dragon Leader and his mate loved it so much. The view was spectacular, the quiet was wonderful, and the privacy was absolutely perfect for the couple who had been mated for less than a year.

  The sound of another twig snapping and a low growl pulled the Guardsman from his thoughts. Opening the back door, he stepped out onto the wooden deck and searched the grounds. It took several minutes but finally, about a hundred yards away, he caught sight of beautiful chocolate-colored fur shining in one of the last bits of sunlight as a brown bear scratched against the trunk of a huge maple tree.

  Watching the magnificent creature, Brannoc was shocked when the bear turned, raised its head, and looked right at him. There was a twinkle in her dark brown eyes as she wrinkled her snout and moved her head from side to side. The Guardsman had no idea how he knew the bear was female, only that there was no doubt in his mind or his dragon’s that she was.

  He took a step off the deck as visions of another bear, the one who had claimed his heart from the moment he carried her from the depths of the O’Baoill’s dungeon, flooded his mind. He pictured her just as he’d last seen her, sitting at the picnic table behind the clinic at the lair talking to Calysta, Maddox’s mate, who is also the Grande Priestess of all Earthen Witches and an amazing healer, about being discharged and returning to her family. The sun had been at her back highlighting the caramel streaks that ran through her long dark hair and framing her lovely face in an angelic glow that made it hard for him not to approach.

  He admitted to shamelessly staying hidden and eavesdropping on the ladies’ conversation. Annie was questioning whether she was ready to leave and Calysta was reassuring the bear shifter that she needed to return to her normal way of life.

  “Normal way of life,” Brann scoffed. “Is there such a thing?”

  The bear gave a grunt, demanding the Guardsman’s attention, and motioned with her head for him to follow. Standing, Brannoc carefully walked toward the animal, not sure what to make of her behavior. The closer he got, the more magic filled the air, until from one step to the next, the bear became a woman. Before he could ask what was happening, she grabbed his hand and tugged, pleading, “Please come with me. We need your help.”

  1

  “Is it too much trouble to know where you’re taking me?”

  “No.”

  “And…”

  “It’s not too much trouble, I’m just not supposed to say,” the bear shifter answered over her shoulder.

  Brannoc had been following her in total silence for the better part of an hour. He’d used up all his patience and was quickly heading toward irritated. The only reason he’d put up with her stupid game of follow the leader for as long as he had was because of her scent, that of a delicate mix of rain-kissed roses and the freshness of the forest, was almost an exact duplicate of Annie’s. They had to be relatives; probably sisters. It was the only explanation for the similarity and the Guardsman wasn’t too proud to admit that he wanted to see his little bear more than anything in the world.

  “Can I at least know your name?”

  “Tabitha,” she quickly answered, ducking under a low-hanging branch before stopping, turning, and glaring at him. “And before you ask… No, Annie didn’t send me. Yes, Annie needs you and yes, I’m her sister.”

  Shocked into silence as he watched the bear spin back around and resume her forward march, Brannoc jogged to catch up while remembering the woman who’d captured his heart with a single glance. It had been almost three months since he’d watched her shift into bear form and head off into the woods behind the lair in search of the family she’d been taken from. He knew Annie needed her kin to complete the healing process. Calysta, Niall, and Dr. Camille Danvers had done all they could; it was now up to nature, her family, and the Universe.

  Physically, Annie had a clean bill of health. Magically, she was at a hundred percent. It was her psychological and social wellbeing that needed the forest around her and the camaraderie of her kin to return to the once happy-go-lucky woman he’d glimpsed from memories.

  Visions of how she’d looked when Brannoc carried his bear from the O’Baoill’s underground bunker flooded his memory. Guised as a research facility, but actually a torture chamber where an especially twisted bunch of hunters under the leadership of Tariq O’Baoill and his psychopathic twins, Adam and Eve, tested and abused shifters of all species in the hopes of creating Super Hunters, the underground barracks had thankfully been destroyed, but that didn’t stop the nightmares. The Dragon Guard either rescued or laid to rest thousands of shifters that day. It was one of the worst things any of the dragons had ever seen. Thankfully, Annie was one of the few they were able to help. She had been so frail, so timid, barely able to hold her head up from the constant abuse and malnourishment.

  Both man and dragon had roared from the mere sight of their mate amidst all the equipment and machines. From one heartbeat to the next, he’d snapped the silver cuffs that were eating away at the flesh of her wrists and ankles, then carefully removed the needles from her arms and the wires attached to the top of her head before lifting her into his arms and holding her to his chest, absorbing her scent and breathing a sigh of relief that he’d found her before it was too late.

  Annie hadn’t moved, hadn’t cried out, hadn’t given any indication she even knew she’d been freed as Brannoc raced from the room, down the winding corridors, up the ladder, and out into the warm sunlight. Stopping several feet from the hole he’d just climbed out of, the Guardsman breathed in the fresh, clean air in an attempt to soothe not only his abraded senses, but also his aching heart and soul. He focused on the slow, deliberate beat of her heart, felt her shallow breaths upon his chest, and thanked the Heavens she was still alive. But, worry immediat
ely followed when she still did not move.

  Praying to the Universe, he had quickly moved to the edge of the forest where the healers of his clan had set up triage for the victims. Kneeling, Brannoc had come to a sudden stop as an agonized whimper reached his ears and Annie shook in his arms. Holding his breath, he waited for her to move, to speak, to give any indication that she had awakened.

  Finally, his little bear summoned all her strength, opened her big brown eyes, and glanced up at him through her impossibly long eye lashes. That moment, that blessed moment, was indelibly etched upon his heart. She had marked both man and dragon as her own and the two powerful warriors swore right then and there to protect her at all costs.

  It didn’t matter that she was covered in cuts and bruises and scars, or that dark circles ringed her expressive eyes, or even that her lips were so chapped that they cracked and bled. To him she was the most beautiful creature in the world. There was no one like her. She was the other half of his soul, the light to his darkness, and the one woman in all the world made just for him. She completed him like no other and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to see her happy and healthy.

  Days turned into weeks as he found every excuse to visit the clinic just to catch a glimpse of Annie and check on her recovery. His heart broke to see her struggling to find her magic and to call her bear. Calysta and Niall had repeatedly warned him not to help her or allow his dragon to lend her any magic. It was something she had to do on her own. She had to stop being afraid and let the magic she had tucked away, hidden from the hunters, return to the surface and once again regain its rightful place within her.

  He vividly recalled the day she’d unknowingly used mind speak and called to him in fear as her magic returned in a rush of power. Brannoc stood outside her room listening to Calysta’s soothing voice as she’d instructed Annie to relax and let her bear come forward. He felt the unadulterated joy as woman and bear were reunited and had laughed out loud when in her Ursa form, his mate had strutted down the corridor and out into the courtyard. From there, her recovery had been nothing short of miraculous. It was amazing to watch her come out of her shell, embrace her bear, and experience joy again. It was her smile and the twinkle in her eye every time she looked in his direction that kept the Guardsman in a perpetual state of what his pain-in-the-ass brethren called love struck.