Dragon Heart

by Susan Arden

  She reached behind and undid her bra, allowing her breasts, now round and heavy, to be free. Drake rose and pulled off his shirt and she bowed her forehead to his smooth chest.

  “From what I know of simple math, you got pregnant on August fifteenth ... Shay, we need to get you checked out. An ultrasound. Tomorrow.”

  She lifted her head at the note of concern in his voice. “You didn’t answer my question. You said back in Harmony that you thought Trish was off. How off?”

  He raked both sets of fingers over his scalp until his hair stood up on end. “Next month. But there’s different parameters.”

  “If this were a leopardess shifter pregnancy I’d have four months—maybe five but Trish said based on each baby’s growth, she estimated more like a human pregnancy. So you’re saying for a dragon … it’s six.”

  “We aren’t anything like humans. We develop much faster. Can be less than six months, but don’t quote me. It’s not like I have called home and asked.” He removed his boots and undid his pants. Naked, he stood before her with his cock ramrod straight in front of him. “Baby, bend over.”

  She bit her lip and God, no argument—not one—resounded in her mind. “Over the bed?”

  “Yeah. I’ll do all the work. Fuck, Shay. I’m going to need a couple of rounds after all we’ve been through. Can you take it?” He wedged apart her legs and slowly drove his cock into her inch by inch. He’s driving me wild! She shuddered from the jolts of mind-blowing pleasure he unleashed in her body and mind. The deeper and slower he thrust, the stronger bliss blossomed into a howling tsunami threatening to overtake her senses. She clawed the bedspread, feeling her body grow hotter and she noticed talons formed on her fingertips.

  A pressure mounted in her head, at the center of her forehead, and she growled, “More.”

  “That’s it, Shay. Baby, you’re mine. Let me claim you.”

  She felt him inside her body. Inside her mind. He poured himself into her, but instead of overwhelming her, she felt her being fill with light and she clenched around Drake, drawing him deeper into her body. He shuddered, holding onto her hips, and ground himself into her, filling her with semen and his essence. Together they rode a wild wave, and she bucked, squeezing him and shattering as the pressure built within her head. Not painful, but something was going on and she saw flashing stars and closed her eyes, her knees buckling, and Drake picked her up. He had her in his arms, and then she was lying on cool, clean sheets and he was tugging apart her legs.

  “Shay. Oh my God. You’re beautiful. Your skin is glowing. It’s dragon power. Dragon magick.”

  She didn’t understand. Was he talking about himself? She gazed up at him. The vulnerability she’d once glimpsed in him was back and she opened her arms to him. She swallowed the sizzling words on the tip of her tongue and said instead, “Come to me.”

  He leaned over, planting his palm next her shoulder, and he plunged his cock back inside her body all the way to the root, and simultaneously he fondled her folds. She arched her back, like a sensuous cat without shame and clenched around him, watching him pause momentarily and shudder. Withdrawing his cock partially, he pinched her erect and sensitive clit and drove his cock back into her. Her whole body clenched, filled with a rush of erotic pleasure. Oh he gave as good as he took. “Please, Drake,” she moaned, her craving for more of him spiraling, untamed and out of control.

  “Baby, I want you to come apart for me.” With a cocky grin, Drake lifted up on her legs to give him better access. He pumped his hips, and she came for him. A second orgasm and he toggled her clit until she screamed his name. “Tell me who does this to you. I want to hear you say it, kitten.”

  “You. Only you. Please. I—” She met his incandescent eyes and nodded, swallowing back a stream of words. Unsure what she’d almost admitted, she glanced to the side. This emotion had to be his commanding personality and a cocktail of hormones swimming in her blood—surely whatever she felt was a case of potent sex scalding her brain waves. “Uh … nothing.”

  Undeterred he asked, “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”

  Her heartbeat thundered in her chest as she clutched the sheets, battling her hyped up urge to escape. Slow down, Shay! She trusted him to keep his word about mind linking. Didn’t she? “You’re pretty amazing when it comes to rocking my boat,” she said.

  “Shay Barclay, you’re so incredibly stubborn, more than amazing. And one other thing … ”

  She laughed, plucking the sheets between her fingers. “Oh yeah and what’s that?”

  “You’re the woman who means more to me than anything in life. You’ll never be alone,” he said softly, easing the tip of her chin back until their gazes reconnected. “Don’t be afraid to give yourself to me completely.”

  “I’m not afraid.”

  Drake lowered her leg and lowered his body—not all the way—caging her between his arms as he brushed his hands over the sides of her face and held her head, not letting her escape his searching dragon eyes. He lowered his mouth to hers and kissed softly. Sweetly. He drew out the caress of his lips with the sweep of his tongue, sucking hers into his mouth. He groaned in a husky voice and the note became a long, echoing vibration he infused in his kiss so that her lips resonated with the sounds he made.

  “Mine.” He exhaled deeply. “Do you understand that concept? Forever mine.” He groaned and began to piston his hips with a newfound urgency.

  She felt the pressurized pleasure building and raked her nails down his back—gently, since she had newly sheared dragon-like talons and he roared a sign of his own raw pleasure. The whole bed shook, the headboard knocked against the wall, and at first she tried to brace herself as he slid in and out of her, moving faster and with longer strokes. What Drake did felt so good. His face was ablaze with a savage ferocity as he spoke about claiming her. With his body, he carried her away. Far, far away, and she didn’t fight his possession. Together they were carried off with uncontrollable fervor, something ancient and untamed. He didn’t stop but sped up, driving himself into her as she matched him in his primal rhythm, and the pleasure so delicious, the walls echoed with carnal sounds she shouted.

  He continued until he yelled at the apex of his climax and released, searing her nerve endings while he held onto her hips, hoisting her up to him. He appeared wrecked. He sure wrecked her! She smiled as he pulled her into his arms, murmuring her name, over and over again.

  CHAPTER 15

  Drake heaved a heavy sigh. It was mid-morning and he’d been up for hours, contemplating their future.

  “Shawn phoned. He’s on his way up,” Shay announced and smoothed a hand down her dress again.

  He stood next to her, absorbing her emotional state of being on edge and knowing he had a pretty big part in her discomfort. Last night they’d been so close and he’d almost spilled the truth, but he’d held back sensing her own emotional upheaval. Didn’t matter, there was no way he could hide from the fact he’d fallen in love with her. The question was simple. Was his love for her greater than his pride? In an instant, he committed to the direction he’d travel tomorrow and lengths he’d go for his mate.

  “You look beautiful,” he said, taking her hand. “If you want to stay here in Denver and start your business, we can do whatever it is you’d like. We just need a security system and I’ll work out the details.”

  Her eyes widened. “But you said we’d have to live where no one knew. Disappear like smoke.”

  “Even smoke leaves a trace.” He laughed and it sounded hollow to his ears. He kissed her hand, inhaling her scent—the one he carried within him. “It’s possible to live in a city and no one actually is certain where that same person is staying. Even a small rage of dragons. Trust me, I won’t falter. All the plans will be worked out and finely tuned.”

  “Seems like we’ve both been doing some thinking.” She sighed. “Well, regarding accounting. I can do that anywhere. So I’m still open to possibilities so long as the plans permit you and me to make a
ll the decisions about the upbringing of our twins. I won’t be secluded within an off-the-charts group of crotchety dragons—all vying for control of our children.”

  “We’re in total agreement on that one,” he said, squeezing the tips of her fingers.

  A knock on the door startled her, but she quickly wiped any sign of nervousness from her face. If he’d been anyone else, he might have fallen for her outer appearance of tranquility. Dialing her hair behind her ear, smoothing her dress, or the twisting to her lips along with the tiny nibble to the corner of her mouth when she believed no one was looking. Definitely his lovely leopard spoke volumes, telltale enough for him to get the drift.

  He opened the door and was immediately reminded of the sibling bond Shay shared with Shawn. They both had the same eye shape and golden gaze, only now Shay’s was becoming tinged with an emerald-colored sky burst pattern around her irises. They’d both been born with a unique skin color, light golden. Both had long, lean limbs, although Shay was built more like a runner where her brother had some brawn.

  “Dude, mission accomplished,” Drake said, holding out his hand.

  “Never had a doubt, where you’re concerned.” Shawn clasped his hand and came forward with a one-arm hug. “You’re looking well.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Shay standing off to the side, observing them. Shawn must have noticed his sister for he heard him exhale sharply. “Sis,” he said.

  “I’m home.” She came forward as Shawn went to her.

  He engulfed Shay in a hug, lifting her up a few inches from the floor. “Damn. I can’t believe it.”

  “I can’t believe you and this place,” she replied, patting his back. “So amazing.”

  Shawn grinned and glanced back at him. “Drake helped with the security features. Many are still in play.”

  “So I saw. Glad to be of service.” Drake walked forward. “Need to address one small issue, but we can do that later.”

  “What? You found a weakness in our system.” Shawn’s forehead creased but his eyes narrowed. Ah yeah, he also remembered that his old friend relished perfection. Type-A personality all the way just like Shay.

  He smirked back at Shawn. “Hardly. Maybe the opposite. This is personal.”

  “Oh.” Shawn nodded, then he said, “I get where you’re coming from. And sure thing. Definitely we need to talk. There’s a sentinel outside the door up here and at the elevator. We’ve beefed up security.”

  “Excellent news. We were met by Quinn and Sherry last night.” He was already aware that Tristen and Fin were onboard. But now, he wanted to get the rooster on recent hires and run a thorough background check. His to-do list was growing by the minute.

  “No worries. We all remember your speeches. Trust me. We take security measures seriously around here. We’ll discuss specific parameters after we have a chance to chat.” He drew his sister out from under his arm. “But how are you doing, young lady?”

  “Feeling fine,” Shay said and blushed. “Come and let’s sit down.”

  Shawn followed his sister into the living room area and sat down in a chair opposite the sofa. Drake joined Shay on the couch, and watched her scoot forward. “Coffee?” she asked her brother.

  “Love a cup. I’m beat. Sorry I couldn’t stick around this morning but I do rounds all over this city. Tristen has me on a schedule for site visits, thanks to you.” Shawn jutted his chin to him.

  Drake laughed in response, unfurling his arm along the back of the sofa, behind Shay. He thought about offering his services to help alleviate the burden of what Shawn had to be going through. “He’s a good man. Let me know if you need any help. It hasn’t been that long since I did a few surprise visits.”

  “Might take you up on it,” Shawn said as he accepted a cup of coffee and gazed back at Shay, his eyes taking on a serious expression. “You probably want to see Mom. I told her you were coming and she’s happy.”

  “Happy,” Shay shot back. “Are you being truthful? ’Cause something sounds a little off.”

  “Mom doesn’t do extreme emotions these days. She’s highly medicated and with Sherry working with her, hell I don’t know. The doctors and Sher keep assuring me, but they also have said over and over that everything takes time. I don’t know much about spells and charms. It’s all a mystery. The shifter doctors have one theory and Sherry is trying to work in concert with them. Truthfully, I feel out of the loop. Sometimes, I wish she’d be a little more aggressive, but easy for me to say. Right?”

  “I bet Mom will improve when Dad gets back. How is he doing?” Shay poured another cup of coffee and handed him the cup. Their fingers touched for a second, her eyes lifted to his and she smiled. Drake fought the instinct to drop his hand positioned on the sofa back onto her shoulder and pull her close to him. “Thanks,” he said softly, forcing his focus back to Shawn.

  “Not the best. The doctors phoned this morning. Dad came out of the coma and his condition isn’t what the doctors had hoped for.” Shawn grimaced and shook his head. “He’s in Mexico—state-of-the-art facility—and still in some kind of twilight sleep. Per Drake’s recommendation the location of his treatment still hasn’t been disclosed publically. Only a few of us know the details. Today’s the final day and soon he’ll be brought out of it. We’re all keeping our fingers crossed.”

  Shay turned to him. “Did you know where my father is? All this time?”

  “Not precisely.” Drake felt his whole body constrict. He’d been through the fire with Shay’s family and still he wasn’t treading on terra firma yet.

  Shawn interjected, “Sis, we’re all trying to figure out how we can work out what we’ve all been through. Mom. You. Drake. Me. And we have the voting to attend to.”

  “When is the justice council meeting?” Shay asked, and stirred her cup of tea.

  Drake shot Shay a message.

  Be sensitive to what Shawn’s going through. Maybe now isn’t the time.

  She flashed him a smile. I won’t do anything to rock the boat. Promise. I can see plain as you that Shawn looks like he’s been through hell. I’m not that big of hardass.

  He arched his brow.

  Cough—yes you are—cough!

  “End of the month. I thought we’d start slow. How about an informal dinner tonight? If you’re feeling up to it? Dad might be back by early evening,” Shawn said, glancing between them. “Then we can address your concerns. All of them.”

  “Sure. Are we staying here?” Shay asked. “The suite and club are beautifully appointed.”

  “Not if you want to stay at the house. It’s your call but I’ll need time to prepare Mom, especially with our father coming home.”

  “Of course.”

  “Not to be insensitive to Amelia and Richard, but there’s a bigger issue. What about security?”

  Shawn trained his focus over to Drake. “I’m addressing that for Dad, but you must be equally concerned. Mind explaining why you think Necrodemas has it bad for my sister?”

  “Now is as good a time as ever. You okay with that?” Drake set his cup down and squeezed Shay’s hand. “We need to lay down a few cards. I trust your brother.”

  Shall I tell him about our children or do you want to? He is your brother.

  “I’m carrying twins,” Shay said without missing beat number one.

  “Like you and our sister?” Shawn’s face darkened with concern.

  Shay blurted out, “Don’t worry. The babies are doing fine. Strong.”

  “Man, that’s something. Twins run in families.” Shawn nodded, shifting his gaze between Shay and him. “I bet yours are going to be dynamos.”

  Her face turned bright red. “They are, but the babies aren’t like us. Not exactly.”

  Shawn’s head snapped upward. “What do you mean? Are you all right?”

  “Our children are dragons. Same as me,” Drake said, squeezing his mate’s hand.

  “Oh. Christ,” Shawn said. “As in size and temperament?”

 
“Shawn,” Shay hissed.

  “It’s all right,” he said with a laugh. “Shawn has a point. And to be fair, your guess is as good as anyone’s. I’m not like my family, not where my temperament is concerned.”

  “One of our children is a girl,” Shay said softly. “And of course the other is a boy. I’m going to give birth soon.”

  He leaned forward, still clasping Shay’s delicate hand. “The problem that we’re faced with is dragon infants are extremely rare. And a few individuals who dabble in the black market would go the distance to kidnap our children.”

  “But wouldn’t abduct you? A full-blooded dragon,” Shawn articulated the obvious question: why wasn’t Drake walking around with a security team?

  “Apparently they don’t want to bother. As you already mentioned there’s my lovely personality to contend with.”

  Shawn’s eyebrows flexed upward in agreement, then he swung his focus across the sofa to Shay, his eyes locking onto his sister. “And you’re in extreme danger then.”

  Should I tell him I was almost kidnapped?

  I would. We need to spread the word without arousing the wrong people.

  “You need to hear what I’m about to say and not lose it. All right?” Shay asked.

  Her brother flexed his jaw and nodded curtly. “What happened?”

  “I was chased and almost kidnapped,” she said. “But I’m fine.”

  “Holy fucking damn!” Shawn features hardened. His eyes glowed more leopard than human.

  “The reason we came here in the middle of the night is because one of Necrodemas’s marauding associates tried to abduct Shay.” Drake clenched his jaw, the muscle along his neck tightening. “I met this SOB and confirmed he’s not anyone that Necrodemas can control, but they work together. Confirmed, as in Deutsche Bank accounts and wire transfers. He goes by Gustov Pestrolii and he’s underhanded. Stealth.”

  “I’ve met the man. Aloof as shit, and yeah, he’s a bit out there in how he stands around, staring without saying a single word. Fucker is cold.”