“Argothorn admitted it all. I can’t believe Silas actually managed to locate a memory of Argothorn burying the knife he used to kill Murray. There’s enough proof to put him in prison for a long time.” Ivan let out a long breath.
“Are you okay? About your parents? Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.
“No, not today. I’m okay. I had a long talk with Valerie and Fiona before Fiona went home to her family. I’ve gotten my head around it all.” He sighed again. “I want us to start a family as soon as possible. I want to raise a handful of kids and give them a wonderful childhood here in Wishing Moon Bay.”
“A handful of children, huh?” Larisa lifted her head off the pillow, her tears gone as she stared at his lips. “Maybe I could stay in bed a little longer.”
“I like that idea a lot.” He turned onto his back and closed his eyes, pretending to snore.
“You are such a tease.” Larisa threaded her arms around his neck and lay across his chest. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.” She kissed his lips and he groaned before opening his eyes.
“Now that is a sight I’d like to wake up to every morning.” He fisted her hair and kissed her lips.
“That’s the plan, isn’t it?” She cupped his face in her hands and stroked his cheeks. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“And I can’t wait for you to be my wife.” He chuckled. “This is like a dream come true. A dream I’d hardly dared dream. When my brothers all found their mates, I figured that was it, that fate would never smile on us all.”
“Yet here we are.” She stared down at him, her eyes searching his face, or maybe she was trying to commit it to memory in the same way Ivan had studied Larisa, wanting to remember every detail about her. Not just her features but the sound of her voice, the touch of her hands on his skin.
“Yet here we are.” He pulled her head down and kissed her, while his free hand cupped her breast. She gasped as he tweaked her nipple, rolling the taut bud between his thumb and forefinger.
Larisa rolled onto her back and pulled him on top of her. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
“Some things shouldn’t be rushed.” He kissed her neck and nuzzled her ear before trailing kisses down her neck and lower.
“We have the rest of our lives.” She threaded her hand down between their bodies and curled her fingers around his hardness. It was his turn to gasp, and he bit his lower lip as he fought to stay in control. “But I want you now.”
“You’re very demanding.” He nipped her neck and closed his eyes as she guided him into her.
“Very.” She inched down on his hard length, her breath warm across his chest. “Are you complaining?”
Ivan thrust into her, taking control as her inner muscles gripped him tightly. “No complaints from me.” The breath hissed through his teeth as she grazed his chest with her teeth.
Larisa dug her fingernails into his flesh as she urged him on. Ivan responded. He pulled out of her before thrusting deep inside her, over and over, chasing the orgasm that hovered just out of reach.
He’d wanted to make love to her slowly, but an urgency filled him. He needed to claim his mate, he needed to fill her with his seed. They’d talked about their wedding, but what they both wanted more than anything was a child.
He’d waited so long for his mate, and nothing would make them happier than children to share in the life they intended to build together. A child who would be loved and cherished.
Ivan slipped his hand beneath her back and held her against him as he circled his hips. Larisa moved with him, caught in the rhythm as she curled her tongue around his nipple and teased it. Damn, she consumed his senses. When they made love, it was like they were alone in the world. A dragon shifter and his mate.
She nipped his nipple, and a jolt of electricity filled him, and he tensed. Larisa tightened around him, pushing him toward a shattering climax as she whimpered in his ear.
Ivan fisted the pillow beneath her head. He could hold on no longer. Heat flared in his belly as he came, his seed spurting deep inside her. She cried out his name as she tensed, her inner muscles pulsing around him.
He thrust deeper and deeper, impaling her as he groaned. There were no words to describe how he felt. Only a deep satisfaction that he was one with his mate.
They lay in each other’s arms, time creeping by as they kissed and stroked each other. He’d never known two people could share such intimacy.
“I really need to shower and get dressed.” Still, she didn’t move.
“Go, I’ll make us some breakfast and then we can head over to the hotel.” He kissed her lips and then carefully rolled her toward the edge of the bed.
“You are the best.” She grabbed her robe and slipped it on before leaning down and kissing him. “At so many things.”
“I love you.” He caught hold of her hand and kissed the back. “I’ll always love you.”
“And I’ll always love you, Ivan.” She smiled softly before heading to the bathroom.
Ivan lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling. If he pinched himself, would he wake up and find it all a dream?
Don’t pinch yourself, his dragon told him. If this is a dream, let’s stay asleep forever.
Agreed. Ivan got out of bed and dragged on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He’d shower after they’d shared breakfast. If he hurried, he’d have enough time. If he didn’t have time to shower that was fine, he’d rather make love to his mate than stand beneath a stream of hot water.
An hour later, they were heading for the hotel. Larisa sat in the passenger seat, a small box clutched in her hands. They had one stop off before they went to meet her dad.
“You’re sure this is a good idea?” Larisa’s fingers pressed tighter around the box.
“I am. It’s the least we can do.” He smiled softly. “We owe him.”
Larisa nodded as Ivan turned off the main road to town and drove toward the mountains.
Ivan flexed his hands on the steering wheel. Was this the right thing to do? It had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now he wasn’t so sure.
If it doesn’t work out, we can just get it back, his dragon said.
“Is this it?” Larisa peered out of the window as they left the road, drove along a short driveway, and stopped outside a large mansion.
“It looks like something out of a movie.” She opened the car door, the box in her hand.
“This is it.” Ivan held out his hand and she took it. Together they approached the house. Ivan had been here a few times but not during the day.
“Ivan. Larisa.” Colton opened the door, his suspicious gaze lingering on them before he forced a smile. “What can I do for you?”
“We have something.” Larisa held up the box. “A gift.”
“A gift?” Colton didn’t let go of his suspicion.
“It’s a ring. From my treasure,” Ivan explained. “Grandma Hannah has managed to imbue it with the daylight spell.”
Colton’s face paled and he held out a trembling hand. “How long will it last?”
“Forever.” Ivan whirled his finger around. “Something to do with the rubies and energy. It all goes over my head. But she promises it works.”
“And if it doesn’t? If it fails?” Colton’s mouth was a thin line.
Ivan shrugged. “Maybe that’s a decision Silas needs to make. Is it worth the risk?”
Colton nodded. “Thank you. I’ll pass it on to him.”
“Great.” Ivan tugged at Larisa’s hand, and they hurried back to the car.
“This place gives me the creeps.” She shuddered as she glanced over her shoulder at the house.
“I think that’s the point.” Ivan opened the car door for her, and she got inside.
He closed the door and hurried around to the driver’s side while she buckled her seatbelt. Larisa was right, the house was creepy. Or maybe it was just sad.
“Do you think Silas has ever been in love? Do you think he ever had children? You know, when
he was alive.” The sadness of the house echoed in her voice as if the sorrow had seeped into her soul.
“I don’t know. Silas isn’t the kind of man you sit down and share life stories with over a beer.” He drove away from the house. They’d done their best. It was up to Silas if he decided to risk wearing the ring in daylight. But Hannah was certain it would work. Forever. Which was as long as Silas’s life would last.
Immortality must be a lonely place.
But family wasn’t. And when they arrived at the hotel, his family members were all there waiting.
“You’re here!” Valerie held out her arms and hugged them both as they got out of the car and crossed the parking lot. “I thought you were going to be late.”
“We had an errand to run,” Ivan explained.
“Dario texted to say your dad and Simon have arrived in Wishing Moon Bay,” Helena said, her hand cupping her swollen belly. She was due to give birth any minute.
“Did they see the sign or did Dario have to show them the road?” Larisa asked.
Helena grinned. “They saw the turn-off.”
“They’re meant to be here,” Aiden assured her.
Larisa nodded and clutched Ivan’s hand. “I hope we can persuade them to move here.”
“I think a trip to the dragon isle will convince your dad this is the place to be.” Ivan squeezed her hand.
“After all this time, I can’t wait for him to start living again.” Larisa dabbed her hand to her cheeks. “Oh, there’s the car.”
“With a horse escort.” Helena went to meet Dario as he trotted down the road beside Simon’s car.
Larisa pressed her shoulder against Ivan as if seeking comfort as Simon parked the car in front of the hotel. This was the first time she’d seen her dad since news of Argothorn’s admission of guilt. Would he have finally gotten rid of the emotional baggage and guilt he’d carried for so long?
“So this is Wishing Moon Bay?” Davy got out of the car, a sunny smile on his face.
“Hello, Dad!” Larisa went to him and flung her arms around his neck.
“It’s good to see you. So good.” Davy hugged his daughter, tears misting his eyes as he held her tight. “Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Thank you. For everything.” Larisa wiped her eyes and stepped away from her father. “Simon.” She embraced her brother and then turned around. “Come and meet everyone.”
“Hello.” Valerie was the first to meet Davy and Simon.
“Oh, here’s Logan and Penny!” All attention switched to the approaching truck.
Inside was the most precious family member of all. Baby Ben, Valerie’s first grandchild and a new generation born from the bond of brothers and their mates.
Egan’s story is coming soon.
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The Dragon Defender’s Destiny
Dragon Protectors of
Wishing Moon Bay
Book One
A silverback shifter romance
Working for the Wishing Moon Bay police department is nothing if not interesting. Especially when your mom is dating the chief of police. Or was... But that’s another story.
When Luna is sent to investigate an assault and robbery, she’s surprised to find the chief suspect is a dragon shifter.
She’s even more surprised when the dragon shifter she tackles to the ground says he’s not the criminal she’s looking for. But he is her mate.
Two dragon shifters in one day? Can she trust Egan when he says he isn’t responsible for the crime but he’s willing to help her solve it?
Egan flies to Wishing Moon Bay to clear his head. After a couple of weeks involved in council meetings, he knows politics is not for him. But when he meets his mate, he soon realizes walking away is not going to be easy.
But maybe there’s a new role for him. One where he can help his people and be with his mate.
Chapter One – Luna
“I have to go, Mom. I’ll see you this evening.” Luna planted a kiss on her mom’s cheek as she washed the dishes in the sink.
“Why are you leaving so early?” her mom asked.
“Because I’m trying to get on Chief Armstrong’s good side.” Luna mentally cursed herself as she hurried to the front door.
Too late. Saffron Fredrickson turned the full force of her ire in her daughter’s direction. “And why do you need to get on his good side?”
“Because he’s my boss.” Luna pulled the door open and stepped outside before she turned to face her mom.
“I know he’s your boss.” Saffron grabbed a towel off the counter and dried her hands as she followed Luna out of the house. “But why do you need to get on his good side?”
“Why do you think, Mom?” Luna glanced longingly at her truck. She should have just kept her mouth shut. But she was tired of being caught in the middle of her mom’s on-and-off relationship with Chief Colin Armstrong.
Which, at the moment, was firmly off.
“He knows that all he has to do is apologize and I’ll forgive him.” Saffron folded her arms across her body.
“And that’s exactly what he says about you.” Luna sighed heavily as her mom’s expression darkened. “And since neither of you is willing to do that, I am driving up to Sanshae Mountain View Hotel to question a guest about a robbery.”
“He’s sending you all the way to Sanshae Mountain View Hotel?” Saffron asked indignantly.
“Does he know what day it is?” Saffron’s face turned red with indignation.
“Of course he does. That is why I am going to Sanshae Mountain.” She unlocked her truck and dumped her pack on the driver’s seat.
“Do you want me to call him and ask him to send someone else?” Saffron padded toward the truck with bare feet.
“No, Mom.” Luna smoothed her hair back from her face. “I want you to figure out a way to work it out with him.”
Saffron wagged her finger at Luna. “I am not going to apologize.”
“And around and around we go.” Luna shook her head. “There has to be a way of working this out without either of you having to swallow your pride. Which seems to be so big, it gets stuck in your throat.”
“I’m sorry, Luna.” Saffron’s jaw tightened. “But this is on Colin.”
“Is it, Mom?” She got in the truck and closed the door.
“You think I was in the wrong?” Saffron placed her hand on the truck roof and leaned inside.
“I think you have both blown this out of proportion and now neither of you want to admit that you’ve acted like children.” Luna turned the key in the ignition. “I’ll see you later. If I leave early, I should be back in time.”
“And if you aren’t?” Saffron asked.
Luna shrugged. “This is my job, Mom. It has to come first.”
She put the truck in drive and left her mom staring after her. There was no time for an argument, not if she wanted to get back.
As she drove, she went over the details of the crime Chief Armstrong had sent her to investigate. Someone had broken into the safe, stolen some cash, and then assaulted the hotel owner as he made his escape. There was a very brief description of the male assailant and Luna was heading up there to see if there were any other witnesses who hadn’t come forward.
For whatever reason.
And she could think of a few. Sanshae Mountain View Hotel was a small hotel in a remote setting. Natalie Walsh, the owner, was known for her discretion and so the hotel attracted couples who wished their relationship to remain private.
Luna cast a sideways glance at the passenger seat and notes she’d taken which were attached to a clipboard. If Natalie had decided to report the crime, then Luna suspected the attack must have been bad.
Worse, perhaps, than she’d told Chief Armstrong.
Or the cash taken was a substantial amount. Something else that the chief hadn’t passed
on to Luna.
She groaned and rubbed her hand over her face as she left the town of Wishing Moon Bay behind and took the road that followed the foot of the mountains for a couple of miles. From there she’d take a left turn and climb the narrow winding road across the lower slopes and then higher until she reached the Sanshae Mountain View Hotel, nestled in a sheltered valley with magnificent views of the higher peaks.
At least that’s what the website said. Over a quick breakfast this morning, Luna had checked out the hotel and Natalie online. She’d checked the hotel website and social media. Nothing jumped out at Luna, no aggrieved guests or disgruntled employees.
In fact, there was little about the hotel online. People who visited there liked to keep their trip private.
Which might make her job difficult. Guests wouldn’t want to speak to her. They wouldn’t want to give their names and other details. Not unless she promised to keep them private.
This was not going to be an easy job. No wonder Chief Armstrong had given it to her.
There was little she could do about the case on the long drive. Instead, she rolled down the window and enjoyed the fresh mountain air. She loved it up here, the peace and serenity soothed her. Maybe she’d come and stay up here for a few days when she had some time off work.
Not that she could afford to stay in the Sanshae Mountain View Hotel, but then hotels weren’t really her thing. Luna preferred to sleep under the stars.
The rest of the trip was spent planning a mini-vacation in the mountains. There was a trail that headed deep into the mountains that was rarely walked by anyone on two feet. It had been a few years since she’d been up there, perhaps now was a good time to revisit old haunts.
While she was away, her mom and the chief might come to their senses and work things out.
The Dragon Shifter's Desire: A Wishing Moon Bay Shifter Romance Page 28
