by Julia Mills
Taking full advantage of Holly’s momentary surprise, Tomas asked, “Whatcha say we get outta here, get warmed up, and get something to eat. Then you can tell me how you knew I was a dragon. Usually, I’m pretty good at hiding that fact.”
Not waiting for her response, the dragon rolled to his back and made his way to the side of the pond. Watching out of the corner of his eye, he had to bite the insides of his cheeks to keep from grinning as his mate shrugged and began swimming to the water’s edge as well.
Tomas thanked the Heavens, the Universe, and whoever had fashioned Holly’s frock as rational thought became almost impossible. He’d known she was beautiful from first glance. Had loved the way her light, shoulder-length red hair barely brushed her shoulders and the way her large curls bounced as she spoke. He was mesmerized by the way her deep blue eyes sparkled in the firelight, making him think of the stars in the sky.
She had a curvy figure just barely contained within the flowing white fabric of her dress and accentuated by the golden belt around her waist. Tomas had almost fallen to his knees in worship when she’d removed her long red cape before sitting by the fire, but now as she stood before him soaking wet, he was breathless.
Every erotic curve and sensual dip of her figure was outlined by the now nearly transparent cloth. His mouth watered as he imagined exploring all of his gorgeous mate with his hands and mouth. He knew eternity with his angel would never be enough. She was absolute perfection.
With her hair slicked back, Holly’s pure beauty was magnified. Her porcelain skin all but glowed and even from across the grotto, he could make out a smattering of tiny freckles across her nose and the apples of her slightly blushed cheeks. Tomas’ knees almost buckled as just the tip of her tongue slipped between her lips and wet her bottom lip. He dreamt of covering her luscious lips with his own, swallowing her sigh of contentment and tasting all that she was. There was no doubt Holly would be his addiction…was already becoming his obsession. She was his and there was nothing he wanted more than claim to her for all time, but Tomas knew his headstrong angel needed to be convinced.
His dragon chuffed his chagrin, pushing against Tomas’ mind, letting the Guardsman know the beast’s patience was wearing thin. Both man and dragon were in agreement, but it was the man who would have to tread lightly. He had no idea what Holly would do if he pushed too hard and too fast. Could she disappear? Could she paralyze with that damn light of hers again and then run? Speaking of that…
“I forgot to ask, what was that wall of light you nearly killed me with when we first met?” Tomas walked to his pallet on the floor, grabbed a towel out of his pack and handed it to Holly to dry off. Since he was so hot and bothered there was no doubt he’d dry from the inside out.
“It was my Shield of Light. It’s the only protection we angels carry when on Earth.” She used the towel to dry and fluff her curls before adding, “And I didn’t almost kill you, I never would’ve done that unless you attacked. I just got...distracted and let it shine a little longer and brighter than it I should’ve.” She bowed her head and lowered her voice. “I’m very sorry. I promise I meant no harm.”
It was all Tomas could do to not race to his mate, wrap her in his arms, and tell her everything would be okay. He’d even taken a few steps towards her before remembering he needed to go slow. “I know, mo chroi’, just messing with ya.” He winked and was rewarded with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen.
Note to self, make her smile every minute of every day…forever.
Needing to keep her talking, Tomas continued, “So how did you know I’m a dragon?” Then to cover the fact that he’d read her thoughts, he quickly added, “Most people can’t tell we’re any more than shifters. It’s the dragon magic. It’s so old most don’t recognize it.”
A myriad of thoughts and emotions crossed her expressive face before his angel finally answered. “Honestly, I have no clue. At first, in the tunnel, I couldn’t tell. It’s like you just said, I knew you were a shifter, just not what kind. But while we were falling into the water a picture of a massive golden red dragon flashed in my mind and I justknew.”
He felt her confusion, heard her trying to reason out where the information had come from, and watched her brow furrow so tightly he feared it might get stuck that way. It was all he could do not to laugh aloud as she ruled out every possibility, from had they met before to divine intervention, always careful to avoid the feelings growing within her. For a few brief seconds, Holly let her thoughts wander and he saw glimpses of them together, but she’d quickly shut them down.
So you’re trying to ignore what you feel, my sweet. Let’s see what we can do about that.
“No worries. I’m sure it was just meant to be. You know…Fate or kismet.” He used the very words he’d pulled from her thoughts. “Kinda like the way I knew you were an angel.”
“What do you mean?” Again, her brow furrowed, but this time Tomas thought about kissing away her stress and took a step forward.
“I mean it’s a like calls to like kinda thing.”
“But we’re not alike. I’m an angel and you’re a dragon. Pretty different if you ask me.” She scoffed and Tomas grinned, taking another step towards her, all thoughts of going slow and giving Holly time to come terms with their attraction evaporating into thin air.
“Really? You think we’re that different?” One more step closer, only three to go.
She nodded but didn’t speak, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. He listened as she battled with her attraction to him and wondered if he knew the effect he was having on her. Tomas let his grin grow into a knowing smile and took another step.
Feigning confusion, he squinted his eyes and asked, “But we both have wings.”
“Yes...yes we do.” Holly stuttered, barely above a whisper.
“And we are both older than we appear.” One step closer. Only one to go.
“Yes, that’s also true but…”
One last step and their bodies were so close the electricity sparked between them. Holly’s quick intake of breath told the Guardsman everything he needed to know…she was feeling absolutely everything he was. A war was raging within her mind. She knew she should step back, should run screaming from the cavern, should get as far away from him as possible, but didn’t have the will to move.
Still not touching, Tomas whispered, “And you want me to kiss you just as much as I need to kiss you…” His statement was left hanging in the air as attraction won out over intellect and his lips touched hers.
It was everything he’d imagined and so much more. She tasted of cinnamon and honey spiced with cloves, sweet and spicy. She filled a part of him he hadn’t known was empty. Her lips were soft and warm, a perfect fit for his. She surrendered to his kiss, opening to him without reservation. Their passion grew. Her fingernails scratched the nape of his neck as she wound her fingers through his hair, burrowing even closer, their bodies so entwined he felt her hardened nipples even through the layers of their clothing.
With a contained urgency his hands roamed her body, committing every curve and swerve to memory. She was everything a woman was supposed to be and she was all his, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
Tomas thanked the Heavens for Holly’s height. At almost five-foot-ten, she fit against him perfectly. They were two pieces of a puzzle, meant to be together for all time. No longer able to contain his hunger for the woman in his arms and with his dragon pushing so hard the man was sure his angel could see his scales, Tomas lifted Holly into his arms. Her legs immediately wrapped around his waist. The heat of her arousal caused his erection to grow even harder. His cock ground against the fabric of his long underwear with such force Tomas was sure the texture would be forever embedded in his skin, but he couldn’t care. He was whole for the first time in his almost ninety years.
Moving towards his pallet on the floor, he carefully lowered them to his sleeping bag, never breaking their kiss or embrace. The scent of pine and cloves filled
the air as Holly’s arousal soared. It was as if Christmas had bloomed right there…just for them.
Needing to taste more of her, Tomas moved along her jaw to her ear where he paid extra attention to the special little spot behind her ear he instinctively knew would drive her wild. Moving to her neck, he kissed her collarbone, moving the still damp fabric of her dress as he went. He needed to touch all of her, every inch. He needed to make her his in every way.
Dipping under her neckline, Tomas paid homage to the top of the abundant swells of her breast, reveling in the way Holly arched her back, begging for his attention. Needing to be closer to her, needing to see all of her, needing the skin-to-skin contact only his mate could give him, the Guardsman reached between their bodies, unbuckled her belt, and threw it over his shoulder. Moving down her body, pulling her clothing up as he went, his heart soared and his mouth watered when he finally reached her naked stomach.
Lavishing her bare skin, Tomas knew if he were to die in the next few minutes he was sure to reach the Heavens a happy man. Holly’s hands, once again wrapped in his hair, pulled so hard he was sure he’d be bald and didn’t care in the least. He was loving his mate, branding her as his, marking her so all would know to whom she belonged.
Kissing along the lace topping her white silk panties, Tomas bathed in her scent. She was hot, wet, and ready, but he needed to be sure. He had to know Holly was onboard for all that was about to happen. It was important he hear it from her lips not pull it from her mind. She had to say the words.
He knew once he tasted her there would be no going back. Both man and beast needed to mark her, even if it was only temporary. The Guardsman needed to see his mark upon her flesh. They could discuss the official mating as soon as they got out of the snow, which he knew from her thoughts could be a week or longer.
A week alone…together…making love, learning about one another, building a relationship that will last for all time. What could be better?
Breaking contact, he lifted his head. Tomas held back a chuckle as Holly’s eyes popped open, spearing him with a look of utter disappointment at the loss of their connection. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, her cheeks blushed from her arousal, a look of total adoration quickly replacing her initial displeasure. He drew a ragged breath, unable to believe the beautiful creature before him was his.
“You okay there, sweetheart?” he asked, his hands massaging the tops of her thighs as he looked into her eyes.
“Yes,” she sighed just as he slipped his thumbs under the lace of her panties on either side of her mound.
Her squeak of surprise was quickly followed by a moan of sheer pleasure as just the tips of his digits touched her outer lips. She was hot and wet. Her mouth was drawn in a perfect circle as she rolled her hips, trying to force his hands where she ached to be touched.
Moving a fraction closer, the wet curls tickled his fingers. Once again she moaned and her eyes slid shut. “Holly,mo maite’, look at me.”
Her eyes snapped to his but what he saw confused him. Caught unaware, Tomas almost landed face first on the sleeping bag where less than a second before his mate had been laying. Holly used a preternatural speed he hadn’t known she possessed to slide out from under him and plaster herself against the cave wall.
Shaking her head and looking so frightened it broke his heart, Holly cried, “No! That just can’t be!”
Completely clueless, Tomas asked, “What’s wrong? What happened? Are you okay?”
“No! I am absolutely not okay and I am not your mate.”
Guess she understands Gaelic. Probably should’ve asked that earlier.
“I was just about to talk to you about that.”
Her expression said she found that hard to believe and her words backed it up. “You most definitely were not. You were about to make love to me.”
Knowing he should feel embarrassed but finding nothing except the need to reassure his mate within him, Tomas cajoled. “Actually, I was about to do both. If you don’t believe me, search my thoughts. I know you can, just as I can read yours.”
Shock colored her beautiful features but was quickly replaced with a look of determination. Tomas felt her reach into his mind and opened completely to her. Because of their connection, he knew she saw it all, felt what he felt, even touched the mind of his beast, who wholeheartedly agreed that she was the One the Universe had created just for them.
Quickly pulling out of his mind, Holly spun on her heel and began pacing. Tomas thought about reading her thoughts but immediately decided against it. She needed time and no matter how difficult, that was what he’d give her.
Several moments later, his angel dropped to her knees at the head of the sleeping bag. He noted the distance she kept between them but was glad she hadn’t realized she was still dressed in just her bra and panties. Tomas was enjoying the view and prayed she didn’t cover her gorgeous figure.
“I can see what you and your dragon believe and believe me I’m very flattered, but you are mistaken. I’m a Christmas Angel and Christmas Angels only mate with other Christmas Angels and only after they’ve completed their final mission. So you see there’s no way you can be my mate. I haven’t completed my task, heck, I don’t even know what it is yet. And…you…” She cleared her throat and tried to look away but Tomas leaned forward, taking her hands into his. There was no way he was going to let her run from this. It was something she had to come to terms with, something they had to face…together.
Nodding, Holly finally spoke. “You’re a…a…dragon…”
Tomas laughed aloud. He knew it was inappropriate, and on some level, he should probably be offended by her tone, but he laughed long and hard anyway. At least Holly didn’t look upset anymore. For the first time since meeting her, his angel actually shivered, the lost look in her eyes nearly gutting him. Touching her mind, he found her more than a little scared but still trying to reason away all she felt and all she’d seen in his mind.
Searching for a patience that other times eluded him, Tomas spoke as softly as he could while looking her right in the eye. “I assure you we are mates. I can feel it.” He laid his fist on his chest over his heart. “And I know you can feel it, too.”
Holly’s chin fell to her chest. She took a long, ragged breath and let it out, as if the world was crumbling around her. When she looked up, there were unshed tears in her eyes and her voice was low and shaky. “But legend says I am to wed an angel.”
Looking at the one woman in the entire world who completed both him and his dragon. The person who brought light to his soul. The individual he would forsake all others for. The one he’d waited for all his life. Tomas said the only thing he could. “Holly, I know as sure as God made little green apples that I am your mate and you are mine. But I can assure you of one thing… I’m damned sure no angel.”
Chapter Four
Holly could feel the strength of Tomas’ conviction and had to admit he affected her as no other ever had. The feel of his hands upon her skin and his lips upon her mouth were burned into her memory for all time. Not to mention the slow burn within her only he’d ignited threatening to obliterate her common sense. Could all the stories have been wrong? Could her mate really be a dragon?
Not having an answer for the handsome man looking at her with such incredible adoration it made her ache, Holly did the only thing she could think of…she paced. After her second trip around the grotto, she realized she was parading around in her underwear. Unwilling to show her embarrassment, the angel calmly made her way back to the sleeping bag, grabbed her dress and slid it over her head, all without missing a step. She could feel Tomas’ eyes following her. The heat of his stare kept her libido in a constant state of turmoil and made it difficult for her to breathe, let alone think.
She was confused…and frustrated, and wanted nothing more than to turn back the hands of time to when all that mattered was completing her final mission and going home. Holly wished she’d never come back to the cave, never met the sexy
stranger, and most definitely never let him kiss her.
And… I’m lying to myself. Way to go, Holly!
Okay, so maybe she wasn’t as upset about meeting Tomas as she wanted to believe. But being upset was the only way she could keep her wayward feelings in check and get a clear thought in edgewise. If the angel was honest with herself, meeting the darned dragon was the best thing that had ever happened to her. He made her feel truly alive, complete, loved.
Shaking her head, Holly continued her laps around the pool. If only her mother was still alive. Momma always knew what to do. Merry had been the wisest of all the angels and the best mother in all of Heaven to boot. There’d never been finer. She was always there for all her daughters with love, support, and most of all, the answers to every question they threw at her. For the first time since Merry had passed on, Holly truly wished for her presence. The angel knew it was wrong, knew her parents were together and happy in the Afterlife, but just really needed guidance, the kind that can only her mom could give.
Somewhere between ten and fifteen laps, Holly recognized that she was stalling, just plain putting off a conversation that had to happen… but what was she supposed to say? Glancing at the man professing to be her mate, she realized he’d changed from his thermal underwear to a pair of well-worn jeans and a faded, long sleeved, grey T-shirt. She admired his physique as he bent at the waist to straighten the blankets they’d mussed during their short time together.
The cotton of his shirt stretched perfectly across the well-toned muscles of his back. Holly’s palms ached with the need to feel their raw power under her hands again. The denim of his pants caressed his butt and outlined his legs as if they’d been made just for him. No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than Tomas looked over his shoulder and winked.
Busted!
It was then that she remembered they could touch one another’s mind and wondered if he’d been listening to her chaotic inner rambling. It wouldn’t matter if he was. Maybe it would actually be for the best. He’d know for sure that she had a screw or two loose and probably leave her alone. That one thought made her sad, sadder than she had a right to be, since just a little while ago she’d vehemently denied their connection.
