Dragon's Cowboy: Fated & Forbidden

by Rinelle Grey

  Chase gave a low laugh, and continued his teasing. His own breathing grew deeper and more ragged as his fingers explored deeper. When they slid between her folds, she couldn’t help a moan escaping her lips.

  This was amazing. She wasn’t sure how she could stand the mounting tension, yet at the same time she didn’t want it to stop.

  She wanted to do the same thing to Chase, but she wasn’t quite sure how.

  Her hands reached for him, sliding over his jeans, pulled tight in front. The groan that burst from his lips suggested that it evoked similar feelings in him. She was on the right track then.

  It was kind of hard to concentrate on teasing him though, when he didn’t pause in his own exploration. And when his lips lowered to hers and he kissed her deeply, she lost track of what she was doing.

  Chase kissed her one last time, then pulled back and unbuttoned his pants. Wayrian suspected she shouldn’t stare, but he looked magnificent. As he moved to cover her body with his again, she couldn’t help protesting. “Wait.”

  He paused and uncertainty flicked across his face. “If you don’t want to, we can stop.” His words were more than willing, but there was definite disappointment in his tone, and in the way his body strained towards her.

  Wayrian shook her head. “I don’t want to stop, I just want to…” Words failed her, so instead she reached out and ran her fingers along his length.

  Chase groaned, and his head tipped back, his eyes half closing. “Definitely don’t stop.”

  His words were all the encouragement she needed. She let her fingers explore, delighting in the strange contrast of soft skin covering the rigid hardness.

  Chase stayed still as a stone for a few moments while she explored, then his hand closed over hers, and he bent forwards. “That dragon magic is good for more than just playing with water, huh?” he said.

  Wayrian wasn’t sure quite what he meant. She wasn’t using any dragon magic. But it didn’t matter. She could tell from his tone that it was a compliment.

  Chase lowered his body over hers, and kissed her, hot and firm. His hardness nudged between her legs.

  Need and want filled Wayrian with a desperate urgency, for exactly what she wasn’t even sure. Whatever it was, she wanted to urge him to get on with it, but she also didn’t want to stop kissing him to say that.

  This was one moment at which dragon magic would come in handy.

  “I want you,” she said into Chase’s mind.

  Chase’s lips froze, and his eyes flicked open and stared into hers. He kissed her once more, then pulled back a little. “Can I do that back?”

  Wayrian shook her head. “Not unless we’re mated. Permanently mated.”

  Chase’s eyes were dark and deep. “Interesting,” was all he said.

  Wayrian didn’t want to read too much into his comment. Especially not right now. Right now, she just wanted him to mate with her. She’d worry about forever later.

  Chase seemed to have the same mindset, because he covered her lips with his and kissed her passionately, the intensity mounting with each moment.

  There was no doubt in Wayrian’s mind as to exactly what she craved. She wanted Chase. All of him.

  He slid his full length into her, and she gasped in pleasure.

  Chase’s eyes locked with hers as he thrust into her, building in intensity. Wayrian’s whole body arched towards his each time he pulled back for another thrust, wanting to stay as close as possible but at the same time, knowing each thrust was even more intense for the withdrawal.

  Chase shook his hair out of his eyes, and smiled down at her.

  Her eyes grew a little misty, and she blinked, not wanting him to see her tears, not wanting him to mistake them for something wrong, when in reality, everything was right.

  This felt right. Perfect.

  They fitted together like they were made for each other. She hoped Chase could feel it too, and that he would realise that they were, after all, fated mates.

  Then his rhythm sped up, and all she could think about was the way her whole body seemed to swell with need until she felt like she might burst.

  Her body moved in time with Chase’s movement, meeting him each time as he thrust into her. Intensity built until she thought she couldn’t stand it anymore, then it burst like a dam breaking, waves of passion washing over her, leaving her gasping in amazement.

  Chase thrust into her one last time with a groan, holding the position.

  His eyes met hers, dark and intense, and in that moment, she knew.

  The goddess hadn’t been making it up. They were fated mates.

  She couldn’t imagine being with anyone but Chase. Surely making love could not feel this good, this intense, with anyone else?

  Chase bent down and kissed her slowly, his lips soft and gentle against hers, and this time she ached with a different craving.

  She wanted this. All of it. The gentle, loving moments, the fiery intense ones, and even the ordinary, mundane ones, helping him out on the farm.

  She wanted to know she could have it forever, that she never had to doubt it.

  But they weren’t there yet.

  Chapter 13

  Chase stared down at Wayrian, hoping he didn’t look as stunned as he felt.

  Was sex with dragon shifters always like this, or was there something to her belief that they were fated mates?

  He didn’t want to go there, especially not now. He was still high from the intensity of their lovemaking. Floating so high he could be convinced of anything.

  Either way, one thing he was thoroughly convinced of was that once wasn’t enough to come up with a definitive answer. They needed to try that again. As soon as possible.

  Wayrian’s expression was as stunned as his was. And she clung to him like she never wanted to let him go.

  Right now, he had no issues with that. Except for one concern.

  “I’m not squashing you, am I?”

  Wayrian stared at him for a moment, then shook her head quickly. “No, I like it.” She blushed, then asked quietly. “Is it… is it always like that?”

  A sneaking suspicion hit Chase. That couldn’t mean…

  “You mean sex?” he asked.

  Wayrian nodded, blushing shyly.

  He had to know. “That wasn’t your first time, was it?” He held his breath, waiting for her answer.

  She nodded again, biting her lip.

  Chase was torn between feeling honoured that she’d chosen him for his first time, coupled with the weight of that honour. And a little guilty that he hadn’t realised. “You should have told me, I would have… I dunno, made it special…”

  “It was special! It was amazing.” Wayrian’s eyes shone.

  Well, he couldn’t exactly argue with that. “It was,” he agreed.

  But he couldn’t help wondering how she’d feel if he took a little longer, and really made it special.

  Next time. He’d remember that next time.

  If it wasn’t so uncomfortable here, he’d make next time right now. But as it was, his knees were getting sore, and his back a little cramped. He pulled back gently, and sat up.

  Wayrian followed suit.

  Chase waited. He didn’t want to be the one to end this moment.

  Wayrian heaved a sigh. “I guess we should go back now.”

  Chase nodded, as reluctant as she was.

  Their perfect morning was going to come at a price. Her grandfather was going to chuck a fit.

  The question was, what was she going to do when he did?

  They rode back to the ute in silence, then drove back to the house just as silent. As they pulled into his driveway, and turned off the engine, Wayrian said quietly, “I had a lovely time.”

  “Me too.” Chase stared into her eyes, a little startled to admit that it was the truth.

  Not once, throughout the entire morning, had he stopped to think that she might leave.

  Oh, it wasn’t that the thought wasn’t constantly there, in the back of
his mind, but it had been overwhelmed by sheer pleasure and enjoyment.

  The door to the house slammed open. “Just where have the two of you been? How dare you block me out, Wayrian. Get out of that car immediately.”

  Chase winced at the strident voice, and the immediate effect it had on Wayrian.

  She shrunk back into the seat, her eyes wide.

  Her grandfather didn’t stop there, he marched around the side of the ute, yanked open the door, and grabbed Wayrian by the arm, pulling her out of the seat.

  This time, Chase couldn’t keep silent. “Hey, no need for that.”

  Ostrian turned his eyes on Chase, surprisingly knowing. “My granddaughter is none of your business. I already told you that. Yet you ignored my instruction. You think I don’t know what the two of you have been up to?”

  Chase felt his face go red. It hadn’t occurred to him that the old dragon would guess what they’d been doing, though he supposed he should have. “Wayrian is an adult, she doesn’t need your permission.”

  Wayrian didn’t say anything, just shrunk back as though she were trying to avoid being noticed.

  “Every dragon in the clan needs my permission to mate. That’s why we have the elders. To help guide young dragons, and prevent them from making a mistake that can never been undone. Do you understand the seriousness of a dragon mating? Are you really prepared to mate with my granddaughter forever? To die when she dies?”

  “I am aware of the seriousness of a permanent dragon mating, yes. All of us were made aware of it, both when Karla and Taurian mated, and when I volunteered to wake a princess. I would not make that decision unless I was sure of my intentions.”

  “Well…” Ostrian stammered for a minute, then his face hardened. “In this case, there are more important matters at stake. Wayrian knows her duty to her clan, and though she might have been momentarily distracted from her mission, she will mate with a prince. That is her destiny.”

  “But, Grandfather…” Wayrian’s voice was small, but grew in strength as she talked. “Chase is my fated mate. And if I don’t mate with him, the goddess will turn our whole clan human. Surely that is a worse fate than a few dragons mating with humans?” She straightened her back, and stared her grandfather in the eye.

  Chase felt proud of her for at least attempting to make a stand.

  “What nonsense are you talking about, child?” her grandfather asked.

  “My dream. Remember?” She pulled her arm out of his grasp, and he was so surprised that he let her. She held it up, showing him the mark on the inside of her wrist again. “I realised what this is. It’s not a wattle flower, it’s one of Chase’s fireworks. Like he used in the battle. This means he’s my fated mate.”

  Her grandfather stared at her for a moment, his eyes wide.

  Chase held his breath. Would the old man give in?

  The thought both excited and terrified him.

  If Wayrian’s grandfather dropped his objections, then he would have to seriously consider what his choice would be.

  Ostrian shook his head, and gave a slight growl. “It was a dream, youngling. Nothing more. There’s no such thing as fated mates. Or goddesses. No one is going to turn our clan human.”

  “But the mark,” Wayrian said desperately. “How do you explain that?”

  “Scratches,” the old dragon insisted. “You’re just seeing a pattern in them because you want to. Now get inside. I’ll talk to you more in a minute.”

  Wayrian froze for a second, then she deliberately straightened her shoulders, folded her arms and stared back at him defiantly.

  Chase’s heart swelled. She was doing all this for him.

  Oh, she might be saying she was doing it for her clan, and maybe that was helping her justify it, but he could see it in her eyes. This was about him. About them. About what they were together.

  And he was sitting here afraid because his mum had run out on his dad fifteen years ago. How long was he really going to hold onto that bitterness and let it ruin his life? Let it stop him from ever really living?

  Wayrian’s grandfather drew himself up and stared at her, his expression frosty. “Are you disobeying a direct order from one of your elders?” he demanded. “Do you believe in this dream enough that you’re willing to accept banishment from your clan?”

  She wavered then.

  Chase didn’t blame her. What a threat to hold over someone’s head.

  “I…” She looked at him, searching for something. Chase didn’t know what to offer her. He couldn’t ask her to leave her clan. For him. Not when he wasn’t even sure.

  Oh, he’d had a moment there when he’d seen everything so clearly, but with the weight of her being thrown out of her clan over him? That seemed suddenly far more serious than any of his fears.

  He could see it in her eyes. She wasn’t sure of him either. And that was enough for her to drop her eyes, and murmur, “No, Grandfather.”

  Chase’s heart ached as she turned and walked into the house, her shoulders slumped.

  It was his fault. All his fault. He’d been trying to blame her, saying she lacked commitment, but he was the one who had frozen at the critical moment, unable to make the commitment.

  That could have just cost him the most amazing thing that had ever happened to him.

  “Where is that phone?” Ostrian demanded. “I must call Taurian immediately. It’s clear that we can’t stay here.”

  Chase’s heart constricted. No. They couldn’t just leave. He’d thought he have a few days to talk to Wayrian at least. To see if there was any way they could get around this.

  But maybe it was better this way. If this really couldn’t be, and if Wayrian’s grandfather was going to oppose them, then it appeared it couldn’t, then a clean break would be less painful for both of them.

  Wouldn’t it?

  “Here,” he said dully, holding the phone out.

  Ostrian just stared down his nose at him.

  Chase sighed, dialled the number, then handed it back to him.

  He couldn’t make himself walk away though. He was too tied to this to just move on until it was completely done.

  “Prince Taurian?” Ostrian’s voice was brisk. “I need you to come and fetch us immediately. We can no longer stay where we are.”

  There was a silence as the old dragon listened to Taurian on the other end. Apparently the reply was not what he was expecting, as he frowned. “I understand that there are risks to moving at this time,” he said stiffly. “But this is an emergency.”

  He broke off, listened for a minute, then continued, his voice increasingly irritated. “No, we haven’t been discovered. We haven’t seen any sign of Ultrima or the reporter. That is why it is safe for you to come and fetch us.”

  Chase couldn’t help enjoying the old dragon’s increasing agitation. Perhaps it indicated some hope for him and Wayrian?

  Ostrian’s next comment dashed any hopes he’d been building.

  “Yes, there is a problem here. This human has been making improper advances towards my granddaughter, and I will not tolerate it.”

  Ostrian’s eyes met his then, and Chase saw the satisfaction in them.

  This old man was nasty. Real nasty.

  “No, tomorrow will not be sufficient…” Ostrian broke off, listened for a minute, then sighed. “I suppose that will have to do then. I expect to see you bright and early.”

  He hung up the phone, and handed it back to Chase without a hint of thanks.

  “Stay away from my granddaughter,” he said flatly. “You have already lost any chance you had at waking a princess. Keep pushing this issue, and you might just lose your life.”

  His words dripped threat, but Chase didn’t care. He wouldn’t be where he was right now if he was afraid of dragons. The old man should remember that.

  “If Wayrian wants me to stay away, I’ll stay away. Otherwise, I’ll do whatever I like on my own land. I suggest you remember that right now, until Taurian gets here, you’re dependent on
my hospitality and my protection.”

  Ostrian’s eyes widened, and Chase suspected his brain was churning, trying to come up with a suitable comeback.

  Chase didn’t give him the chance. He turned on his heel and stalked away.

  Chapter 14

  Wayrian knew she shouldn’t cry. Her grandfather would tell her she was too old for tears. But to go from such a magical morning, feeling so sure that Chase was her fated mate, to this, in just a few short hours, wrung her heart out like someone wringing water from a cactus.

  All that was left was a dried out, crumpled up husk.

  Her grandfather didn’t even care.

  All he cared about was the dragons remaining pure, and not mating with humans. That was more important to him than her happiness would ever be.

  She felt a strange kind of pleasure that if her dream was right, and the goddess did exist, then he’d soon be human himself. They all would. Then where would they be? There was no way they’d fit in in the human world without the human’s help, and without their dragon wings and magic power, they couldn’t survive on their own.

  There would be no hunting for food. They wouldn’t even be able to get up and down from their lair.

  It would serve them right.

  Some of them at least.

  Then she felt guilty. It wasn’t just her own clan that would pay. Or even just the dragons. The goddess had said that all the shifters who were present would be turned human if one of them failed. That seemed grossly unfair to her, but who was going to argue with a goddess?

  If she even existed. The dream seemed so faint now, it was hard to remember why it had felt so real. Maybe her grandfather was right, and she’d imagined it all because she wanted an excuse to find someone she truly loved. Maybe it didn’t matter that she’d failed.

  Even if it was true, there was every chance that she wasn’t the only one who had failed. Even if she had succeeded, her clan still might be turned human if someone else failed.

  Chances were, there was no way to win a challenge like this.

  She took a small comfort in that.

  The door to the bedroom opened, and her grandfather stalked in.

  No matter how hard she tried, Wayrian couldn’t keep the glare off her face as she stared up at him, even though she knew it would only anger him further.