ROMANCE: SHAPESHIFTER ROMANCE: Dragon Baller's Bride (Dragon Shifter Alpha Male Romance) (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)

by Summer Cooper

  Liam bent down, cupping her face, he kissed her softly. She covered his hand with her smaller one, returning the kiss as she felt it tingle through her body. Liam’s soft kiss, not demanding of more, awakened her desire. Meagan parted her lips, inviting him to demand more. Liam responded, his tongue explored her mouth gently. Meagan’s arms slid around his neck as Liam’s arms snaked around her waist, pulling her against him.

  The soft kiss intensified. Meagan could hear her parents’ voices chiding her for kissing a man she barely knows. Her desire drowned out the continued scolding. Meagan’s tongue glided against Liam’s, sending growing warmth through her, ending at her centre. She let go to embrace the danger and excitement Liam embodied.

  Liam lifted her against him; her bare feet hung just off the floor. His arms were strong and held her tightly, but they didn’t hurt. She felt his arm muscles contract, her soft breasts crushed against Liam’s solid chest. Meagan loved the feeling of being in his arms. Her imagination paled in comparison.

  An unexpected whimper escaped when Liam pulled his mouth from hers. It turned to a groan when Liam shifted, claiming her neck with soft kisses. One hand moved up to stroke Meagan’s hair, pulling the tie holding it back so it fell over her shoulders. His fingers played with the now freed locks. “Where?” Liam’s voice raw and demanding in her ear contrasted the gentle touches.

  Meagan had to catch her breath to answer. “Up…upstairs.” Liam swung her around, catching her legs. He carried her easily up the stairs cradled against his chest. Meagan pointed to the bedroom; Liam stepped inside, kicking the door closed with his boot.

  Once safely inside, Liam placed Meagan on the edge of the bed. She could feel wetness trickling inside, making the cotton panties she wore damp. Glancing at Liam, standing in front of her, her eyes fell on his crotch. Meagan could see the outline of his hard cock straining against the material. Liam cupped her face, “This is your choice.” Meagan heard the words, but the way Liam made her feel silenced any sense of logic. He spoke to a deeper part of her; a part mute before she met him.

  Meagan responded by kissing the palm of his hand, her other hand reached over, and traced the outline of his cock. Liam let out a soft growl. She had never been with a man before; she only knew her own fingers. Pulling her eyes away, Meagan looked up at Liam, “Show me how to please you.” She watched his expression shift from what she took as desire to something deeper. Liam captured the hand teasing his cock, kissed the palm, and then her wrist. His tongue dipped out teasing her pulse point.

  Liam placed a knee on the bed beside Meagan, bent down, and kissed her deeply. Meagan went limp in his arms, as a shudder rippled through her. Liam pressed her back onto the bed, continuing to kiss her, one hand caressing her breast over the warm sweatshirt material. Meagan’s nipple hardened under his touch, her back arched looking for more contact. Liam obliged, slipping the same hand under the hoodie, to tease and caress her bare breast. After the craziness of earlier, she didn’t think of propriety and pulled the hoodie on without a bra.

  She felt Liam smile into her neck, easing the hoodie up to expose her breasts to his mouth. Pulling her up to sit, Liam removed it, tossing it to the far corner. The first blush of exposure hit her. Meagan’s arms moved to cover her breast, but she forced them to stop, instead she tugged at Liam’s shirt. He smiled, slipping it up and over his head. Meagan’s eyes widened, seeing what only she earlier imagined. Emboldened, Meagan leaned up, kissing his firm stomach and up to the nipple she could reach. She played her tongue over it, feeling it harden.

  The fingers playing in her hair tugged a little. Meagan smiled, realizing Liam liked it. She discovered she liked the tug. Meagan was learning a lot about herself tonight and wanted to learn more. Liam gently pushed her back onto the bed; he shifted as his fingers hooked the waistband of her sweats. He pulled them off in a single motion. His tongue, hot and demanding, caressed up her now bare thighs. Meagan’s hips arched of their own volition, wanting to feel his mouth on her, drinking in her wetness. Liam didn’t rush.

  Meagan found her hands playing in his hair, this time it was her turn to tug on the long brown locks as her arousal grew. In a quick pull, he freed the last barrier between his mouth and Meagan’s wet lips. The first stroke of his tongue brought a moan of pleasure from her. Meagan pressed on his head, urging him to do anything he wanted. He licked and sucked her clit and swollen lips, until her body writhed under him. Meagan cried out with her first strong climax, holding him against her.

  As her body settled, Liam stood up, and removed his pants. Meagan reached out to him, wanting to give herself to him completely. Liam took her hand, laid back on the bed, settled between her thighs. Wrapping his fingers around his hard cock, Liam teased her opening with the head, coating himself with her.

  Liam entered her slowly, she gasped when he pressed against the final barrier. He looked at her; Meagan nodded. “Please, make me yours.” Liam lowered his mouth to hers, rocked his hips building up her arousal more. Just as Meagan felt another climax start, Liam pushed through the barrier. He didn’t stop thrusting, as her climax exploded coating his thick shaft. The exquisite feeling had her mind reeling. Liam thrust again, filling her with his seed.

  The shroud of the past fell away as Meagan embraced her desire. Her hips continued to move taking in every drop. A tear streaked down her cheek. Liam pulled back and kissed the tear. “No tears.” Meagan smiled, still catching her breath. Liam rolled off her, pulling her against him. Meagan snuggled against him, head resting on his chest, listening to his heart pound. Liam’s arms remained wrapped around her. Meagan never felt this free.

  She listened as his heart slowed with his breathing as Liam drifted off to sleep. Meagan followed quickly after.

  Chapter Seven

  Liam’s eyes flew open searching the room. Glancing to his left, he saw Meagan still sleeping as strands of her dark hair hid her face. He moved the hair gently caressing her cheek at the same time. Meagan sighed softly as she cuddled more against him. Liam smiled.

  She was beautiful, not just on the surface. He saw the beauty she protected so carefully. His first impression was frailty, but that was squashed quickly. Liam could see the strength Meagan had, even if she didn’t act like it. He listened to her breathing, feeling her wrap around his heart. Jules was his mate, but he needed to let her go and move forward. Devon was right; it had been too long.

  Gerard came to mind dampening the pleasant moment Liam knew he would never stop coming after him and that meant Meagan was at risk. Liam refused to put her in danger; even if it broke his heart to leave her. Liam kissed the top of her head. “I won’t be far, but I can’t risk his hurting you.”

  He slowly extricated himself from her sleeping form and quietly slipped out of bed. Liam found a piece of paper and pen, wrote a note to Meagan and left it, along with the silver chain and pendant he wore for her on the pillow. Turning to leave, he caught sight of his leather jacket lying on the chair. He glanced back at Meagan, then headed to the door, leaving his jacket with her.

  Without making a sound, Liam headed downstairs, and disappeared into the full darkness of night. Liam knew Gerard came after her once, but decided to count on his wanting Liam enough to come after him first. He mounted his bike and headed off.

  * * *

  Meagan woke, still feeling the warmth of Liam’s body on the sheets. She smiled thinking of him. “Liam?” Meagan called out, confused when no answer came. She sat up, noticing the note and silver chain. Her hear stopped, afraid to read the note, but more afraid not to. Pulling her knees up to her chest, she read words scrawled on the paper.

  “Forgive my leaving you to wake alone. If I could, I would change the world to be there when you wake. The pendant belonged to my mother, it’s yours now. Trust me. Liam.”

  Meagan pressed the note to her chest; tears stung behind her eyes. She didn’t understand what he was talking about, but something told her it had to do with Gerard. Pushing the sheet off, Meagan climbed out of bed
and dressed. She pulled her hair back in a ponytail, and fastened the pendant around her neck. Meagan grabbed the leather jacket and tried it on. Looking at herself in the mirror, she shook her head, “If Mother saw me like this…” Meagan rejected the thought as she smoothed her hands over the new form fitting jeans; something else her mother wouldn’t approve of. Time to let the old Meagan go.

  Meagan headed down the stairs, collecting her car keys along the way. She wasn’t going to let Liam stand in this alone. Meagan’s parents would have thought she’d lost her mind; she met him on the side of the road, slept with him after he saved her from an attack, and now she was rushing out to find him. Yup, crazy didn’t come close. Climbing into her car, Meagan started the engine, as she started a new life.

  Meagan stopped at the tavern; motorcycles still littered the parking lot. She took a deep breath before heading to the double wooden doors. Then took another breath as she opened the door and walked inside. The multiple conversations stopped as Meagan stood in the doorway covering the panic threatening to send her running. Meagan swallowed, let the door close behind her, and headed to the bar.

  Ginger smiled, “You lost honey?” Meagan leaned on the bar, “No. I’m looking for someone.” Ginger’s eyebrow shot up, “He’s not here.” Meagan was surprised at the response. “I didn’t tell you his name.” Ginger snorted, “Didn’t need to. I recognize that necklace. You must be something special to have that and his jacket.” Her expression softened, “What can I get you to drink?”

  Meagan glanced at the woman sitting a few stools down. “Just a beer.” Meagan didn’t know anything about beer, but didn’t want to sound like she didn’t. Ginger drew a beer on tap for her. The smile she gave Meagan suggested she understood. Meagan took a sip of the dark liquid; it tasted bitter. She tried not to make a face to give herself away.

  The silent conversations started again and surprisingly Meagan relaxed more. “Hey,” she called to the bartender. “Have you seen him tonight?” Ginger stepped back over, “Not since earlier this evening. He had a few then took off. Seemed to be running from ghosts.” Ginger stopped as she glanced at the women who sat next to Meagan.

  “You looking for Liam?” The voice was hard, sounding older than she should have. Meagan glanced to her right. “Have you seen him?” The blonde smiled, “Not since we fucked in the bathroom.” She leaned closer; Meagan could smell the heavy alcohol on her breath. “Honey, he was so hard for it. I was happy to oblige.”

  Meagan glared at her. She thought about Liam, their night, and the note. She didn’t believe the woman, but inside, she wanted to run. She wanted to turn her car back to the city and her old, safe life. Something kept her planted on the barstool.

  “Wendy.” A lean man with crystal-blue eyes leaned on the bar next to her. “I’ve had enough of your shit. Donny!” At the call, a young, red-haired guy moved toward them. “You brought her here, you get rid of her. I don’t want to see her skinny, lying ass around my pack again. Understood?” The kid he called Donny nodded, not hiding the fear in his eyes.

  The woman, Wendy, started yelling at them both. “I am not yours to command, Devon McSween.” She stood, the alcohol sending her stumbling back onto the stool. Meagan watched as Devon lowered his mouth to Wendy’s ear. Meagan couldn’t hear what he said, but the look in Wendy’s eyes told her it wasn’t good.

  Donny took her by the arm and escorted her out. Devon didn’t move, forcing her go around him. Donny pulled Wendy through the doors, he could be heard yelling at her until the doors closed them out.

  Meagan took another sip, not sure of what to do. She swallowed hard when Devon took the stool next to her. “Nice jacket.” Meagan pulled it around her more. She watched as he motioned to Ginger who poured a drink and slid it to him. “What’s your name?”

  “Why do you want to know?” Meagan tried to sound brave and unconcerned by him. Inside her heart fluttered wildly, her stomach threatened to expel the small amount she drank. Devon shifted closer, but not threateningly. He lowered his voice. “He’s a brother to me. If you have his jacket then you’re something to him.” Tipping the shot glass back, Devon emptied it in one swallow. “Don’t listen to Wendy. She’s a liar and a whore.”

  Meagan tried to cover her shock at his language. She never heard anyone call any woman that. There was rawness to both Devon and Liam that Meagan found appealing. Taking another sip, Meagan started to understand how they embraced life and she only existed on the surface. She wanted to dive into life’s ocean without fear. Turning to Devon, “Yes, he means something to me. I can’t explain why, especially since we only just met. I only know that I need to find him.”

  Devon must have understood the emotion in Meagan’s voice and expression. “Liam can take care of himself.” Feeling the frustration as well, Meagan took a longer drink and put the glass down harder than she intended. “Look, I know what happened to Sasha and to Jules. Gerard is going to try to kill him. Please help me find him.”

  Devon’s mustache twitched at the mention of Sasha and Jules. “He told you?” Meagan nodded. She glanced around the bar, noticing the other men and women were engrossed in their own business. “Gerard attacked me earlier tonight. Liam saved my life. Liam said he needed to end things with Gerard once and for all.” She couldn’t mask her fear for Liam.

  Devon nodded. “I know where he is. I’ll take you there.”

  Chapter Eight

  Wendy pushed on Donny’s back, pointing to the tavern. “Let me off here.” Donny looked back at her, “Are you insane?” Wendy rolled her eyes, “Don’t pretend like you care now.” She climbed off the bike when Donny stopped; the sound of gravel crushing beneath her knee high boots. Wendy glanced back, blowing a kiss to Donny before she stopped outside the screen door. Wendy smoothed down her leather pants and adjusted her shirt to reveal more cleavage.

  Hearing the roar of Donny’s engine made Wendy glance back again before opening the door. “Time for you to learn a lesson, Handsome.” The screen door banged closed behind her. Wendy scanned the sea of bikers looking the new piece of meat over. Wendy smiled when she spotted her prey. Striding over, making sure all eyes were on her, she stopped at the table with one man sitting and drinking.

  He looked up, “What do you want?” He watched in surprise when she sat down. “I know where he is, better yet, I know where you can find the woman.” Gerard watched her, “Why would one of Devon’s old ladies walk into my tavern to snitch?” Wendy smiled, leaning closer to him, “I don’t belong to Devon or any of his boys. I could belong to you.” Her tone was suggestive.

  Gerard smiled, “Come on.” He grabbed her hand and led Wendy through the back door. Pressing her against the concrete wall, Gerard ran his hand up her stomach. He captured her breast, fingers and thumb teasing a nipple roughly. Wendy smiled, groaning with the touch. “I like a man who knows how to handle a woman.”

  Gerard snorted, shoved his booted foot between her legs, he kicked them apart. “Don’t worry sugar; I know how to handle a woman like you.” Gerard’s other hand slid down, cupping her between the thighs. His fingers dug into the leather as Wendy ground her hips against them. “Where?” Gerard growled in her ear. Wendy’s breath came in short bursts, not expecting him to take her like this but enjoying the feeling.

  She gasped when the hand groping her breast suddenly moved up to envelope her throat. “Where?” Wendy looked at him and smiled, “You like to play rough.” Gerard put more pressure around her neck. Wendy’s eyes widened, she told him what he wanted to know. Realization of her mistake came too late, as her lifeless body crumpled to the ground.

  Gerard took off on his bike, allowing his rage to wrap around him. Maneuvering his bike along the desolate road, he stopped, and abandoned his bike. He disappeared into the woods, hunting Liam.

  * * *

  Devon stopped his bike along the road. Meagan pulled up behind him. Climbing out of the car, she followed Devon into the woods. Meagan’s eyes widened hearing a loud howl. It was like nothing
she’d ever heard. It sounded full of grief. “What was that?” Devon didn’t answer, only continued moving through the trees. The howl came again, but this one was different; it was full of rage. Meagan put her hand on Devon’s arm, “Do you know what that was?”

  Devon looked in her eyes. Meagan was sure the crystal-blue eyes shifted to something more amber. “You have to be prepared to take him as he is.” Meagan’s brow furrowed. “I told you…” Devon cut her off, “No! Liam is not an ordinary man. Are you sure, you want to know? This is the time to turn back, disappear, and forget about all of this.”

  Movement behind Devon caught her attention. It was so fast, Meagan wasn’t sure what she saw, but would have sworn it was a wolf. Not like a normal wolf, this was twice the size of any she’d ever seen. “What was that?” Devon grabbed her arms, turning Meagan toward him. “Answer me; do you want to know Liam?”

  Meagan yanked her eyes away from the continued movement. She locked eyes with Devon, “Yes.” Devon nodded. What he told her was unbelievable. At first, she thought he was telling her a wild story that mythological werewolves rode motorcycles in northern California. It was impossible, but what she saw just beyond the trees told her differently.

  Meagan moved forward, captivated by all of it. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight in the small clearing. Two huge wolves circled each other, fangs bared. One had darker fur with grey streaks, it reminded Meagan of Gerard’s long salt and pepper hair. She looked at the other one, “Liam?” The larger wolf growled menacingly before launching himself at the other. The two rolled, vicious growls filled the air. Both stood back up, Liam attacked Gerard again, this time his jaw closed around Gerard’s throat.