Drakon Unchained

by N. J. Walters

  She trailed her fingers down his arm, following the intricate design of his tattoo all the way to his wrist. “Why has your tattoo changed?”

  He grinned and rubbed his nose against hers. “Skin patches and waterproof makeup. Shifting to my dragon form made it disappear.”

  She blinked. “It’s also on your—” She motioned to his penis. “Why hide it?”

  “It bisects the left half of my body from ankle to neck. It’s a birthmark. All drakon’s have one.”

  Now she understood. “So if anyone had seen it—” She couldn’t finish the thought as the horror of what might have happened became apparent.

  “They would have known,” he finished her sentence. He grabbed the soap and started to vigorously rub at his lower arms and then his legs. “If anyone saw the partial tattoo and knew the significance of it, they’d assume I had it tattooed on because of my association with the Knights.”

  He’d taken such a huge risk, but she knew why he’d done it—his parents. Luther had risked his life to save theirs. That kind of bravery and dedication was admirable. Luther had a code of honor that he lived by, and she respected that.

  The swirling design was a thing of beauty, the silver appearing almost metallic at times, the outline of blue really bringing it out. “It’s like your scales, isn’t it?”

  They hadn’t really talked about him being a drakon. There’d been no time. They’d been too focused on survival, not to mention there’d been no privacy.

  “Yes.” He met her gaze. The steam filled the air around them like some primal mist. “How do you feel about that?” he asked.

  “About what?” She rested her fingertips on his chest and followed the swirling design down his abs all the way to his hipbone. His cock twitched.

  “Damned if I know.” He caught her hand and slid it toward his erection. “Touch me, Victoria.”

  She did. He was big and hot and hard. The blue vein running up his shaft pulsed against her palm, a silent encouragement to keep going. She could have died. They both could have. It was time for her to keep her promise to herself. She was going to make love with Luther.

  She wrapped her fingers around him and pumped. He groaned and braced both hands against the tiled wall, caging her between his arms. “Having sex in the shower is dangerous,” he told her.

  “I don’t mind a little danger,” she shot back. And she didn’t. Not this kind, at least.

  He gave a short laugh and leaned down to nuzzle her neck. “I’m so close to the edge it won’t take me long to come.”

  Most men would never have admitted something like that. She liked that he let her know how much he wanted her.

  “I don’t mind if you don’t.” She loved the wet slide of her fingers over his erection. She was still fascinated that half of it was tattooed. She was grateful it was a birthmark. She couldn’t imagine any man willingly allowing a tattoo needle to be used on such a sensitive area.

  He straightened and took a step back. “As much as I want to keep going, the water is starting to turn cold.”

  He was right. The steam was dissipating, and she was starting to feel a slight chill. Luther reached around her and turned off the taps before stepping out. She followed and reached for a towel, but he already had one in his hands.

  “Allow me.” He took his time, carefully drying her from head to toe, paying special attention to her breasts. She sucked in a breath when the rough material rubbed her nipples.

  “That’s not fair.” She moaned and leaned against the wall for support.

  “What isn’t fair?” He went down on one knee and dried her calves and then her feet.

  “You touching me like that.”

  He stood and smiled. “I like touching you.” She liked it, too. Very much. She started to reach for him, but he shook his head. “Your hair.”

  It was still wet. No way could she go to bed like that. Luther found a hairdryer in the vanity drawer and plugged it in. She could have dried her hair herself, but she was so tired it was too much trouble to fight him on it. And it was actually nice to have someone want to tend to her.

  She’d been alone for so very long.

  The glide of the comb and the heat from the dryer had her nodding off before she jerked awake.

  “Let’s get you into bed.” He tossed the dryer down on the vanity and slung the towel over the rod.

  “How are you dry?” He hadn’t used a towel.

  Luther chuckled. “Get into bed and I’ll tell you.”

  He didn’t need to coax her there. She was more than ready to lie down. She pulled back the covers and slid in. The sheets were cool, and she shivered. But he was right behind her, and the bed was magically warm within seconds. He settled on his side and rested his head on his hand. “I can heat my body enough to dry it.” He motioned to the bed. “Or heat the sheets.”

  “You don’t need drakon heat to warm the sheets.” She laughed as soon as she said it. She was so tired she felt slightly drunk. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  “No? I like it when you say things you didn’t mean to say out loud. They’re always so interesting.” He brushed his lips over hers, making every bone in her body melt. She sighed and wrapped her hand around the back of his head to hold him close.

  “Victoria,” he whispered her name and then proceeded to leave a trail of kisses along her jaw and down her neck.

  “Yes.” As tired as she was, she knew she wouldn’t rest until she’d made Luther her lover. He was unique. She’d thought that long before she’d known he was a drakon, able to appear as a man or a dragon. He was strong, dependable, and sexier than any man had a right to be.

  He groaned and moved lower, running his tongue over her collarbone, leaving a trail of wet heat behind him. He knelt over her and cupped her breasts in his big hands. She shuddered at the sensation of being touched by him. But he wasn’t done. He slid his hands down her sides all the way to her hips and back up again. Goose bumps danced over her bare skin.

  She walked her fingers up his arms, loving the contrast between the unmarked skin on one side and the swirling design on the others. It was fierce and sexy. The muscles in his arms bunched and rippled.

  He growled. The sound vibrated through her, a reminder that he wasn’t all human.

  “I want you.” Those three words made her heart soar.

  “I want you, too.” She’d never wanted any man the way she did Luther. They’d been through so much together. He knew who she was, what she could do, and he wasn’t afraid. Of course, he was a drakon. Maybe she should be afraid, but she just couldn’t bring herself to fear him.

  He’d protected her. She knew he cared for her. Where their relationship would go was anyone’s guess.

  Luther rubbed his thumbs over her nipples before covering one of the pert buds with his mouth. He dragged his tongue over the nub, sending a blast of sensual heat down to her core. She was wet and aching.

  “Luther.” He shuddered when she said his name and raised his head.

  “Again,” he demanded.

  “Luther.” She whispered it this time, letting him hear all the need pent up inside her.

  He kissed a path down her stomach, dipping his tongue into her navel before going lower. She parted her legs to make room for him. His eyes seemed to glow. It was only then she realized the overhead light was still on. She’d normally be self-conscious about being naked with the light on, but all the rules were changed with Luther.

  He wrapped his big hands under her thighs and lifted her toward his mouth. She gasped when his hot breath skimmed over her. Cried out when he licked at her slick folds. She fisted the sheets beneath her and bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming when he sucked her clit.

  “Now,” she moaned. “I need you now.” She ached to have him inside her.

  “Come for me,” he demanded.

  She wrapped her hands around his upper arms and tried to drag him over her. It was like trying to move a house. He wasn’t budging.

 
; “Luther. Now. Please.”

  His nostrils flared, and he carefully lowered her back onto the bed. He moved closer until the head of his shaft nudged the opening of her body. Anticipation thrummed through her. Every cell in her body quivered with expectation.

  He rested his hands flat on the bed and slowly pushed inward. The pressure was intense. Then the broad head slipped past the tight opening of her channel.

  He stretched her as he filled her one slow inch at a time, his eyes never leaving her face. She knew he’d stop if he saw any discomfort reflected there.

  She reached up and cupped his face. “I want you.”

  He hung his head and huffed out a breath, still taking his time.

  Victoria lifted her legs and wrapped them around his flanks. She knew she couldn’t move him, so she used the leverage to lift up, impaling herself the rest of the way on his erection. It was a tight squeeze, her inner muscles contracting and relaxing to make room for him. Pure pleasure radiated out to every corner of her body.

  He grunted and held himself still. His cock pulsed inside her, causing her channel to clench him tighter. He groaned and rocked slightly back and forward. As he did, he ground his pelvis against hers, stimulating her clit.

  That was all it took. She came hard and fast, her entire body spasming with pleasure. Luther groaned and then began moving faster, driving harder and deeper with each thrust. He stiffened, and she felt the hot flood of his release inside her. She wasn’t sure if she orgasmed again or if the original one never stopped.

  Panting, he dropped down beside her, his body still half covering hers. She stared up at the ceiling and started to laugh. The release from her orgasm broke open the seal on her emotions. She couldn’t stop.

  Luther raised his head and stared at her, looking slightly concerned. That made her laugh harder, but her laughter quickly turned to tears.

  “Sweetheart.” He was still hard inside her and rolled so she was lying on top of him with them still intimately joined. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  She shook her head. “No, you didn’t hurt me. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

  He sighed and rubbed his hand over her hair and down her back all the way to her butt. “Delayed reaction. It’s been a hell of a twenty-four hours.”

  That was an understatement. The tears stopped as quickly as they’d begun, and she dried her eyes. “I’m sorry.” No man liked a woman who first laughed and then cried after they made love.

  He squeezed her butt. “Don’t worry. You’re entitled.”

  She wanted to bring back the mood from before, wasn’t ready to talk about reality, not yet. Tomorrow would be soon enough. They deserved the rest of today and tonight to just be together.

  She rubbed her nose against his and then kissed him before resting her head on his shoulder. It was incredibly intimate to be able to feel him inside her while they talked. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” His entire body seemed to vibrate when he talked. She found it comforting. She rested her hand on his chest, feeling the heavy thump of his heart.

  Victoria didn’t want to sleep, didn’t want this moment to end.

  “I didn’t mean to go so fast.”

  If she didn’t know better, she’d say he sounded not embarrassed, but disgruntled. She traced one of the designs on his chest. “I don’t mind. In case you don’t remember, I was the one in a hurry.”

  “Next time, I won’t rush.”

  Next time. She held those two words to her heart. She wanted a next time with him. She closed her eyes so he wouldn’t see the emotion reflected there. Luther had made her do the one thing she’d sworn never to do—lose her heart to a man.

  She loved him. And nothing would ever change that. Some people might think it was the life and death situation making her feel things that weren’t real, but she knew herself well. Furthermore, she trusted her instincts. And there was no denying how she felt about Luther.

  She’d risked her life to rescue her friend and his wife, but the mission had become even more important when she’d learned they were Luther’s parents. She’d done it not only for herself, for her friend, but for Luther.

  No matter what happened going forward, she would not have any regrets about what she’d done. Love was rare. She knew that better than anyone.

  She’d take what she could get and not worry about tomorrow.

  With his heart thumping against her ear and his warm breath brushing her face, she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Luther was more content than he’d ever been in his life. He still couldn’t believe how fast he’d lost control, but considering how long he’d wanted Victoria, he supposed it wasn’t really all that surprising. The reality of being with her was so much more than he could ever have imagined.

  She might not know it yet, but he had no plans to ever let her go.

  Victoria didn’t just fill his heart. She was his heart.

  He loved the way she was draped over him as she slept. The trust in that simple act almost overwhelmed him. As much as he wanted to stay, he knew he had to get up and go talk with his father and Oscar. It had been a couple of hours, and while Victoria and his mother would probably sleep for quite some time, he knew the men would be up and prowling around, trying to decide their next move.

  It was torture to slide her off him and pull himself away from her warmth.

  She mumbled against his chest. “Where are you going?”

  “Shh.” He kissed her temple and eased her onto the sheets. She shivered and rolled onto her side as he tucked the covers around her. “Sleep. I’ll be close.”

  She rooted around a few seconds and then settled. Her hair was like a cloud around her. It would be tangled, but there wasn’t much he could do about that. He longed to feel the silky tresses running over his body. He shuddered and forced himself to get out of bed before he rolled Victoria onto her back and made love to her again.

  He didn’t want to risk making noise searching for any clothing in the dresser drawers or closet, so he grabbed the sweatpants he’d worn earlier and pulled them on. He didn’t bother with a shirt.

  He took one last look at Victoria curled up in the bed and made himself open the door. He didn’t close it all the way since it was soundproofed. He wanted to be able to hear her if she stirred.

  He smelled coffee and heard someone moving around. Sure enough, Oscar was standing by the living room window. The sun was out. Luther figured it was sometime after lunch, but he really had no idea what time it was. Not that it mattered. None of them had anywhere they needed to be.

  Oscar turned and nodded. “The coffee is fresh.”

  “Thanks.” He grabbed a mug and helped himself. “My father up yet?”

  Oscar pointed out the window. Sergei was standing in the yard, his face and arms raised to the winter sun. Luther could only imagine what his father was feeling right now. After years of confinement, he was finally able to feel the warmth of the sun on his face. He was free.

  Something warm unfurled inside Luther. His woman was safe and cozy in bed, his mother and father were here. This was everything he’d ever wanted. More. He’d never counted on Victoria, not in any of the plans he’d made. She was an unexpected gift, but one he would cherish.

  His father suddenly lowered his arms and stared toward the dirt road, the only access in and out of the property unless you came by foot. Something was wrong.

  Luther was heading toward the door when his father slammed it open. “Someone is coming.” Sergei followed his pronouncement by glaring at Oscar. “I thought you said this place was secure.”

  “It is.” Oscar went to a cabinet in the living room and pressed a panel in the side. A secret compartment was revealed. In it was a selection of automatic weapons and handguns. “I think I know who it is, but let’s be sure.” He grabbed one of the rifles and went to the window.

  Neither Luther nor his father bothered with the weapons. If it came down to a fight, t
hey were more effective in their dragon form.

  Tension radiated from all three as they hunkered down to wait. “Should we wake Victoria and Mom?” Luther asked his father.

  Sergei shook his head. “Not yet. I only heard one vehicle. I don’t want to wake your mother unless it’s necessary. She’s been through enough.” Luther saw the strain in his father’s face. It must have been pure hell all those years being imprisoned, knowing he couldn’t protect his mate from whatever was being done to her.

  Luther hadn’t considered that, hadn’t wanted to. He’d focused all his thoughts and energy on their rescue. What had his mother been through? She was physically fine, but that didn’t mean anything. An infusion of drakon’s blood would have cured whatever harm they’d done to her. But that didn’t mean she hadn’t felt the pain of whatever torture Caine had inflicted.

  Pure fury flowed through Luther, feeding the fires deep inside him. He knew he’d want to destroy the world if someone hurt his Victoria.

  He placed his hand on his father’s shoulder and squeezed. Sergei looked at him and an unspoken accord was struck. They would allow nothing and no one to threaten the women. No matter what it meant they had to do.

  The vehicle rolled into sight. Luther had expected to see a truck or an SUV, but it was a classic American muscle car. Oscar immediately relaxed and lowered his weapon.

  “Who is it?” Luther asked.

  “Our host.” Oscar went out through the front door. Luther and his father followed. It wasn’t one man in the car, but two.

  The driver opened the door of the Dodge Charger and unfolded his large body from the seat. He was a big man with black hair, olive-toned skin, and eyes as black as night. He was also familiar. This was the man from Victoria’s vision. This was Nic.

  The man getting out on the passenger side was just as big. He had black hair as well, but his was cropped short. His features were refined, but it was his eyes you noticed first. They were an icy blue and missed nothing.

  And they were both drakons.

  “Oscar, is everything okay?” the driver asked.