by Jana Leigh
“I get that you don’t know me that well yet, and we are still in the whole getting to know you phase, but this is not happening. You don’t get to tell me where I can and can’t go. If I decide to go into town, then I will go,” she said firmly and crossed her arms and waited for them to turn back around and pay attention to her.
Drakk stood slowly, turned, and looked at her. Jex closed his eyes because he knew at this point that he was going to have start doing what he knew he was going to have to do for the rest of their lives—be the peacemaker.
“Uh,” Jex started and then stepped back and paused when Drakk held up his hand, stopping him.
“I told you it was too dangerous, and I meant it, there are no questioning decisions I make about your safety,” Drakk said firmly and Aislinn glared at him. He arched a brow when she moved up to glare at him, inches from his face.
“I don’t know what kind of women you are used to dating, but let me make one thing clear to you. Don’t ever tell me what the hell I can and can’t do. I am not one of your common whores. Now, get the hell out of my way before I knock the crap out of you.” She stormed around him with her little nose held in the air. Drakk’s head flipped to Jex with a questioning confused look.
“What the fuck just happened?” Drakk couldn’t believe that a little female had just laid down the law to him, an alpha dragon. Jex busted out laughing, failing to maintain a straight face. Laughter rolled from the other room and Drakk growled. With the dragons strong senses, all of the guys had just overheard him get slammed. He was never going to live this down. He looked first to the cave door she had stormed out and back at Jex, unsure which direction to stomp off in. Jex shrugged his shoulders and took off after Aislinn, leaving Drakk standing in a state of bewilderment.
Well that went great. What made me even think I could figure out what went on with women. Drakk smiled cause no one was there to see him. She was getting to him, her strength showing through when they angered her. She would make a fine mate for him and Jex, not that he would admit it to anyone. It would be his little secret. He enjoyed the fire in her eyes and looked forward to when the fire turned to lust. That he mostly could deal with.
*****
Aislinn had stormed off down the hillside, determined to walk the ten miles back to town if need be, just to teach that overgrown, egotistical self-centered lizard a thing or two about telling her what to do. She rounded the bottom of the hill, noticing the sun had already started its descent in the sky. If she followed through to save her pride, she would end up walking in the dark, which she hated. Dragons didn’t scare her. The dark did.
Jex had followed closely behind to keep an eye on her. He knew women, and this little pissed off hornet needed time to stew and simmer before he swooped in to save the day. Unlike Drakk, his manwhore days had been life lessons on the opposite sex. It killed him to watch her stumble and get caught on the briar bushes, but he knew if he tried to move in too fast it’d set her off all over again.
When her posture seemed to relax and her pace slowed, he jogged up to catch up with her. “Where you goin’ in such a hurry, good lookin’?”
Aislinn turned, surprised and although she wouldn’t admit it, relieved.
“I need to get a few things in town. If I can’t get you two to take me, I’ll go myself.” She huffed.
“Tell you what, how about we skip this walking shit and fly in?”
“But…it’s not safe for you in public.”
“No, it’s not safe to be seen in public. I have no intention of being seen.” He flashed his cocky grin she secretly adored and she couldn’t help but giggle.
“Well then, what are we waiting for?” She looked up at him through her lashes flirtatiously. “Are you going to take me for a ride or not?” This time, she held the mischievous smile.
Jex’s eyes lit up. He loved her feistiness. “Oh, baby, you can ride me anytime you want.” He pulled his shirt up over his head, tossing it carelessly in the grass, never breaking eye contact with her. His lips curled up when he lowered his hands to reach for the button on his jeans. Instead of turning away, she lowered her eyes to his hands and watched, looking up only to taunt him with her expression.
Not one to back down, he slowly flipped his button open, sliding down his zipper slowly. When she licked her lips, he decided to see how far she’d stand until she turned around. He kicked off his shoes, pulling his jeans down to pool at his feet and stepped out of them.
Aislinn hadn’t expected him to strip in front of her but when he did, she wanted to show him up. What she wasn’t prepared for was the lack of underwear under his jeans. There, out in the great outdoors, in broad daylight, stood a six foot six, two hundred and sixty pound hunk of delicious man muscle…with the biggest dick she’d ever seen. Instead of turning in embarrassment, she watched. He walked a few steps backwards and she thought he had changed his mind. For a brief second, she had almost forgotten what he had removed his clothing for, until he grinned and said, “Come ride me.” His eyes seared into her, heating her to the core. Seconds before she took a step toward him he shifted, changing into the radiant red and black beast. Her cheeks flushed, but she walked to him, waiting for a boost onto his back. “Spread your legs.”
“Excuse me?” Her eyebrows shot up. Before she had time to figure out what was happening, he had curled his tail around and laced it between her legs, hoisting her up into the air. Instead of setting her down immediately, he held her suspended and grinned. “Okay, big talker, let’s see what you got,” she challenged.
“You shouldn’t have said that.” He set her on his back between his wings and shouted, “Hold on tight!” before leaping into the air. He soared up to the clouds, spinning and dipping until he had her squealing in delight. With the invisibility cloak on he gave her the ride of her life, enjoying every second of her touch.
*****
Jex had remained invisible even after he switched to a man, a now naked man, following closely beside Aislinn to protect her. When he refused to allow her to go into the lingerie store alone she groaned. “You have got to be kidding me if you think for a second that I’ll let you go in somewhere like this without me,” he whispered quietly in her ear. She couldn’t respond without either appearing totally insane talking to herself or tip off anyone who might be watching her. She just shook her head subtly and went straight to the most modest rack she could find. He groaned, making her have to cough to hide her giggle. She reached for the full coverage panties and he pushed the rack, then knocked four items off onto the floor. She gasped, cussing under her breath. “Keep picking granny panties like those and you’ll be picking up a whole rack,” he threatened, knowing he’d probably pay for it later.
“Asshole,” she mumbled through clenched teeth. He snickered in amusement.
“Keep walking. I’ll tell you when to stop.” She huffed and turned, walking back through the store, casually stopping to look. With each stop she made, he’d grunt disapprovingly until she got back to the skimpy sexy section. The first rack was black pleather, and when she went to pass it up, he grabbed her arm. She glanced around nervously, checking to see if anyone had seen or knew he was there.
“Stop it. Someone is gonna see you!” she whispered. She knew she already looked red in the face because she could feel the heat of her blush, but how was she supposed to be so nonchalant shopping with a naked man, even if no one else could see him.
“No one can see me, Ais. Now, leather is more like it.”
“Hell no.” She walked to another rack that held little lace boy shorts and matching bras. Black and with hot pink ribbons and bows, purple and white with little dangling hearts.
“Now we’re talkin’. Get one of each.”
She grabbed her size and went to cash out when he stopped her again. Aislinn tried to walk around him but he stepped in front of her again, kicking his leg in her path like an ornery teen. “Seriously?” she muttered.
“Try them on.” She froze. He couldn’t be serious
. “If you don’t, I promise to make you look like a total clutz and knock over every rack you walk by.”
“You’re seriously not threatening me right now.” She turned to flip through a nearby rack and faked him out, darting around him.
“Ooh, you can run, Aislinn, but I will see you in those before the day is over.” She tilted her nose in the air and walked to the cash register, setting the two new sets of undergarments onto the counter. She reached in her pocket to grab her money and felt a wad of cash where only two bills had been before. When she looked back up, three other bra and panty sets and a sheer baby pink nightgown lay on her stack. The lady began ringing up her purchases and sacked them before she had a chance to put them back. She felt his hand rub up her back and she relaxed. She was buying it for them anyway, why not let him fantasize about her wearing his selections in the meantime…
*****
Drakk had paced the four hours they had been gone, contemplating how he could dismember Jex when he returned. Not only had he found amusement in Aislinn’s ass reaming, he had flew in to the rescue and left him the bad guy. He had begun to worry about them after they had been gone for so long and even though he was ready to blow when they walked in, the glow on her face melted him. If he played the ‘me man, you woman’, asshole role again, she’d push him away even more. Instead, he sat down before they entered and pretended to be absorbed in a book. He could do this if it killed him. And as he sat there he thought the odds were even going either way.
Jex did a double take when he saw Drakk reading but hid his grin. Aislinn was right behind him and instead of acknowledging his presence, she passed him by and went straight to her room. Drakk glanced up, the worry growing in his chest. “She still pissed?” he mouthed silently. Jex shrugged his shoulders, nodding toward her door.
“What?”
“Go look,” Jex whispered. Drakk got up and eased to her door, focusing on what lay on the other side. He narrowed his eyesight, using the magic in his vision to see what had Jex so cheeky. Behind the other door stood an almost nude Aislinn, wearing nothing more but a tiny pair of lace panties and bra. She turned and looked from each side into the floor length mirror before turning her back to remove them totally. His heart skipped a few beats. Jex leaned against him and sighed. “Damn I’m good.”
Drakk wanted to punch him but couldn’t peel his eyes away long enough. She went through two more sets before shimmying back into her clothes and walked toward the door. He and Jex ran to the sofa and plopped down, attempting to appear casual. No way would he be able to explain that if they focused and used a little magic they could see through walls and doors. Something they only used when necessary because they understood everyone's need for privacy. However, he didn't think she would go with that explanation. When she came out they both stared, unable to hide their desire and excitement.
“What?” she asked. She stared at Jex with a funny look. “Why are you reading a book upside down?”
Drakk shot him a dirty look. “I’m hungry. Jex, go get dinner,” he ordered. Jex growled, ready to argue when Aislinn smiled.
“I’ll come with you. I found a patch of wild mushrooms yesterday that’ll be good with dinner.”
“Never mind, I’m going.” Before Jex could protest, Drakk had grabbed her hand and proceeded to lead her out of the cave. He was older, he had more skills than the fledgling, he just chose not to flaunt them.
*****
“Okay, what the heck was that about?” Aislinn asked Drakk when they were walking to where she had seen the mushrooms.
“Nothing,” Drakk said absently, he could only think about what she was wearing under her clothes. It was distracting at best, and he wasn’t sure if she was feeling the same thing as they were.
“Yes it was,” Jex called from behind them and the two turned as the man jogged to where they were standing. “I am pretty sure we need to just throw this out there and get shit on the table.”
“What are you talking about?” Aislinn asked with a frown.
“The attraction we are all feeling.” Jex smiled and Drakk glared at his friend.
“Oh, well you two should not feel bad about that. I mean, I am open-minded, so don’t worry, your guys’ relationship is okay with me.” Aislinn smiled.
“Huh?” Drakk said as he glared at Jex.
“You two, as a couple, I mean I am okay with it,” Aislinn said with a smiled.
“WHAT?” Drakk roared and Jex looked at her with a horrified expression.
“Baby, no,” Jex said quickly, took a deep breath, and then said, “I am not, nor have I ever been, attracted to Drakk in that way. I am into cream pie, not sausage.”
“You don’t have to hide from me,” Aislinn giggled. She was messing around with them, and it was too easy. She did feel the attraction to the two of them, but seriously, she had no idea what to do with it.
“I am not sexually attracted to Jex,” Drakk roared and Aislinn began to laugh harder.
“Awww, don’t hurt his feelings by denying your love in front of me,” Aislinn said.
“Not funny,” Jex said, folding his arms over his chest and glared at her, but she saw him fighting not to smile, and so she knew it was fine.
“Oh my God, you should see the look on your face.” Aislinn laughed harder.
Drakk stepped back and looked at her, then sighed, and put his fingers to his nose and squeezed. “Woman, that is no joking matter.”
“Hey, you left that wide open.” Aislinn laughed
“Let’s close that door then,” Drakk said and pulled her to him quickly. So quickly that Aislinn didn’t have a chance to say anything before he kissed her.
Shit, he was kissing her, she thought and froze for a second, then she was on fire. His mouth demanded a response from her and she gave it to him, she didn’t know why this felt so right kissing him, but it did.
His tongue swept into her mouth, tasting her and letting her taste him. When he pulled back she was breathless, and then she was turned quickly and Jex smiled down at her.
“Locking it too,” he said and kissed her. Shit, she thought, they were both amazing kissers. Jex teased her lips though until she parted them and then he became more demanding.
They were so different and yet gave her the same feeling of need and want. What was going on here? I am a slut, she thought and pulled back.
“Oh well, yeah that door is closed,” she whispered and looked at Drakk, he wasn’t pissed like she thought he would be. Instead, he was looking at her as if he was a starving man in need of a meal.
“Baby, you are gonna have to get used to us.” Jex smiled gently and then kissed her nose. “Don’t overthink it, just let it happen.”
“But, two of you?” she said worriedly and Drakk interrupted her.
“Get used to it,” he said firmly and she frowned.
“Uh, yeah, that is so not the way to talk to me,” she said.
Jex glared at his friend again and then nodded. “Yeah.”
Drakk rolled his eyes. “Sweetheart, I am not a smooth talker, I say it the way it is, if you want roses and candles, talk to Jex; me, I am going give it to you straight. I want you, and I am not going play games to have you.”
Aislinn looked at the two men, they were so different. Jex was happy and playful while Drakk was serious and brooding. It was as if the perfect male was separated in two.
Drakk and Jex just stared at her, waiting to see what her final reaction would be, and she just shrugged and turned to walk away.
“Hey,” Jex said. “Aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Nope, just going to go with the flow,” Aislinn said and looked over her shoulder. “But just so you know, be an asshole to me, and you will see what a bitch I can really be.”
Drakk shook his head, he figured she would have run for the hills when they both kissed her like that. To say she was going with the flow was a bit of surprise. Maybe he was making this more difficult than it needed to be. If she were meant for them, then
she was, who the hell was he to question fate? Picturing her in those undergarments, he was figuring fate hadn't treated them so bad.
*****
“Did you feel it?” Jex asked quietly and Drakk paused and stared at Aislinn as she picked mushrooms. Yeah he did, damn it.
“Yeah,” Drakk said with a grumble.
“So we are gonna do this?” Jex said, hoping his friend was going to listen to him finally.
“Yeah,” Drakk said. “Just take it slow.” He didn't know if he was speaking to Jex or more to remind himself.
Jex smiled and watched as Drakk walked to Aislinn and began to help her. Wow, the big guy is gonna fall.
They spent the afternoon together gathering mushrooms and talking to one another. Aislinn wanted to know about the days they spent in the facility.
“So you just stayed there because you could?” she asked, as if trying to make sense of why they did what they did.
“Yeah, after being alive for so long we just wanted a break,” Drakk said. “Humans are high maintenance. Women even more so apparently.”
Aislinn laughed and then said, “No we aren’t, only need the simple things to be happy.”
“Such as?” Jex asked.
“Well, I am sure you know that creature comforts are important to women,” she teased.
Drakk looked at Jex and shrugged. “What have we not provided for you?”
Aislinn rolled her eyes, “I can’t tell you, that is the point to it all. Duh?”
“So men are supposed to guess what their females need?” Drakk asked.
“No, you are supposed to get to know a female and then figure out what would make her happy,” Aislinn said.
“It seems a little too much,” Drakk said.
“If you want a woman, then…” Aislinn shrugged.
Jex popped around to stand in front of her and held out a hand with freshly picked wildflowers. “Here, they reminded me of your eyes.”
Aislinn grinned and winked at Jex, “See, you know exactly what I am talking about.”
