“I apologize for my behavior yesterday. You didn’t deserve my anger,” he said, his voice moving closer to her ear.
She licked her lips, still glancing at the garden. Today, his voice sent delicious, wicked thoughts through her brain. A hot shudder slid down her back.
“I understand. We all have bad days,” she said, clearing her throat. What? She understood? Was she high? She should be antisocial right back, but she couldn’t. The mysterious man tempted her to find out more about him.
“Thank you for agreeing to come to dinner with my sister,” he said. “She’s very excited to have you over.”
She licked her lips and nodded. “I like Razzy. She’s a very sweet girl.”
“She’s so innocent,” he said, his breath hovering over her bare shoulder. “She doesn’t understand not everyone is redeemable.”
She frowned and turned, her breath catching in her throat. Holy mother of hot men under a shit ton of hair. Talk about deceiving. “You…you look different.”
His golden gaze raked over her face. This time, she saw the lust bright in his eyes. “I’m still the same person you saw yesterday.”
She nodded jerkily. Yeah, but now he was hot as fuck, with the face of a fallen angel. Hot damn! That shirt, opened at the top, showed off the muscles just below the material. “I’m sure you are, but now I can talk to a person instead of Cousin It.”
He frowned and then nodded. “Ah, yes. A movie reference. I believe I am taller than Cousin It.”
She grinned. “You are, but all that hair covering your face wasn’t really giving me the option to call you anything else.”
“Indeed.” He leaned forward, his body brushing lightly over hers. The reaction was instantaneous. Her nipples pebbled tightly. She’d wanted him when he’d been covered in hair. Now that he had his blond hair in short spikes and a smooth face showing his clean-shaven jaw, she had to fight her hormones for dominance. No way was she going to hump him in the middle of the hallway. For all she knew, that probably got her married to him on this planet.
“Are you…um…joining us for dinner?” she asked, hoping he’d say yes. She could stare into his eyes all night while Drayken talked nonsense.
“Depends,” he said, his face lowering closer to hers.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest. Need grew wings at her core, demanding she touch him. Kiss him. Go crazy and strip him.
“On what?” she asked, her voice a breathy whisper.
“On if you want me to.”
FOURTEEN
She glanced at his mouth, then back at his eyes. “I don’t think I should be the one making those decisions. I’m not sure how social you’re feeling.”
He raised a hand to her face, sliding a finger down her jaw and cupping her neck. “I’m feeling social. Really social.”
Her throat went dry. She leaned forward, her body taking a mind of its own. Possessive need filled his gaze, and a flash of triumph curled his lips into a grin right before his mouth crashed over hers. Why was she letting a guy who pissed her off kiss her? She knew why. From the moment she’d seen his eyes and been captivated by the sadness in them, she’d been caught.
His lips pressed hard on hers, his tongue sliding over the seam of hers, using her inhale to dive into her mouth. Her body yearned for more of his touch. He glided his other hand around her waist, pushing himself up against her.
She moaned into the kiss, taking more of his tongue into her mouth, loving the way he dominated the kiss, how every caress felt like he was touching her from head to toe.
He took her lips like a man starved, and it felt so fucking perfect, so wonderful to have him owning her body like she belonged to him. Breaths struggled in and out of her lungs.
“Becca?” Razzy called from down the hall. “We’re going to have dinner soon.”
He pulled back from the kiss, leaving them both panting for more. Her gaze ran down to his shirt, where she had clumps of the material in her grip.
“Becca,” he groaned, pressing his erection on her body, “I’m ready to eat, but it’s not food I’m after.”
Well, damn.
“Food is overrated,” said the woman who loved to eat. Right at that moment she’d give up every meal for more alone time with Vikter.
“I want you, Becca,” he groaned, his hand holding her face captive. “I want to spread your beautiful legs and feast on you for hours.”
She had to take a step back and process what he was saying. “I don’t know what brought on this change of heart after yesterday’s rude outburst,” she gulped, “but we really need to get to the dining room.”
No way in hell was she acting like his dismissive attitude hadn’t happened. Okay, so maybe she’d gotten a little carried away by her hormones a few minutes ago, but she was in control again. Mostly.
He offered her his arm, but she worried touching him would just make her vulnerable again. She shook her head and slid from between him and window. She started walking, feeling the heat of his gaze burning her back.
Everyone waited by the large dining room table to take their seats. She met Razzy’s wide-eyed gaze and smiled.
“Look who I found on my way back from the bathroom.”
Razzy blinked, glancing back and forth between the two. She knew there was no smeared lipstick to worry about, but damn, the way Razzy looked worried her. Was it obvious what they’d been doing?
She glanced over her shoulder at Vikter and almost drooled. His face, much clearer in the dining room light, was even more breathtaking than at first sight. He had the chiseled features with a stubborn chin and piercing gold eyes. But it was his mouth that made her belly clench. His lips, set into that seductive smile, warmed her blood to a low boil.
“You’re back,” Drayken said, rushing toward Becca, only to stop dead when he got a good look at Vikter. “Vikter. I didn’t expect you for dinner.”
Becca bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything. She knew Drayken’s accusatory tone had sent the tension rising in the room.
“Do I need an invitation to have dinner in my own home?” Vikter snapped.
Laina cleared her throat, raising a brow high. “Of course not, Vikter. Dray doesn’t mean anything by that. We didn’t expect you is all.”
Becca saw Razzy continue to stare at them like they’d waltzed into the dining room naked. “Razzy, should we sit?”
Razzy nodded and glanced at Vikter. “Vik, could you show Becca to her seat?”
“My pleasure,” he said, his voice so close it raised goose bumps over her skin. He placed a hand on her waist and guided her to one end of the dining table. He pulled a chair for her and helped her sit.
Vikter stood beside her until Drayken pulled Razzy’s chair at the head of the table before helping his mother sit. Once all were seated, with Vikter beside Becca, dinner appeared to be starting on a good note…
…until Vikter placed a hand on her leg. Becca cleared her throat and jerked her face sideways to stare into his dancing, golden eyes.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
“I’d be very careful what you say, beautiful.” He leaned into her side. “You wouldn’t want to embarrass Razzy and ruin her special dinner. This table is full of very sensitive ears, and no matter how low you say things, they can hear you.” He leaned even closer. “And that goes for any noises you make.”
FIFTEEN
She had a quiet stare-off with him, watching his features go from slightly bored to intently seductive. A bowl of dark soup was placed in front of each of them, and Drayken asked Razzy a question Becca missed due to the hand on her lap. Vikter slid his hand higher up her leg toward her inner thigh. The pants she’d worn appeared to be perfect for whatever he had in mind. The stupid smart material created slits, giving his hand access to her bare skin.
She gasped and picked up her wine, taking a big gulp to stop herself from moaning at the little circles he made on her inner thigh. A hot shudder slid over her bare arms, up to the back of her
neck. She’d worn a soft strapless top to match the pants, and now she wished she’d worn a sweater.
Vikter grinned. “Thirsty, darling?”
That bastard. He wanted to play games with her after the way he’d treated her the day before. She didn’t appreciate it. The closer he got to her crotch, the less she could look away from him.
“What do you think, Becca?” Razzy asked.
She glared at Vikter and then met Razzy’s gaze, telling her with her eyes she had no idea what they were talking about.
“Should I cut my hair? Laina says yes,” Razzy added, helping her get caught up with the conversation. “I love yours. It’s short, but not too short, so it’s still sassy.”
Vikter glided his fingers up by the edge of Becca’s underwear. She inhaled sharply. “I say go for whatever you like, but I think your hair long looks beautiful. I would normally have mine longer too.”
She was given a second’s reprieve when Vikter raised his hand to her hair and grabbed a curl from the high ponytail she’d done. “Sounds like there is a story behind the short hair.”
Razzy nodded. “I was about to say the same. Why did you cut it?”
Dammit. She didn’t really want to talk about that episode, but now she had everyone at the table staring at her with curiosity.
“It was a dare,” she said.
“You were dared to cut your hair?” Laina asked.
“I wish,” she said with an embarrassed laugh. “No. I was dared to get extensions in multiple colors for a Halloween costume last year. The extensions knotted so badly in my hair they needed to be cut out. That meant my hair had to be cut. It was a really bad idea.”
“What kind of costume would require you to get extensions like that?” Drayken asked.
“It wasn’t really the costume itself that did it. But I don’t think the entire idea helped.”
“What did you dress up as?” Vikter asked, laughter clear in his voice.
“Cousin It.”
“Who?” Laina asked. It was hard to hear over Vikter’s booming chuckles.
“It’s a movie character from Earth,” Razzy grinned. “I’ve made Vikter watch The Addams Family many times.”
Becca smiled at Razzy. “My goal in life is to find a man who will love me like Gomez loves Morticia.”
Razzy sighed. “Yeah, I agree. Those two have a love nobody can beat.”
“You should aspire for more than a copy of some silly movie relationship,” Laina said, her voice chastising.
Becca opened her mouth to reply, but shut it quickly at the feel of Vikter’s hand in her crotch.
In.
Her.
Crotch.
He’d gone straight for the goodies, slipped his hand under the slit of her pants, and pushed aside her panties.
“Vikter!” she squealed, ignoring her new plate of food and picking up the wine again.
“Yes, darling?”
“What…um… Where do your people get such unusual eye colors?” She didn’t know what the hell she was saying anymore. Words popped out of her mouth without warning.
“Our eye colors are dependent on our dragons,” Razzy supplied the answer.
“So you’re all dragons?” Becca asked, glancing around the table, until her gaze lingered on Vikter.
“Each and every one.” He grinned.
Becca sucked another gulp of wine and did the unimaginable. She widened her legs on her seat, making it easier for him to touch her. Well hell, if he was going to do this, she might as well enjoy it.
Vikter picked up his wine and sipped. She loved watching him lick his lips after a drink. She wanted to be the one to suck the wine off his mouth. Dinner had never been this enticing in her life.
SIXTEEN
Vikter watched the play of emotions cross Becca’s features—horror, shock, and pleasure. The last appeared to be her body finally giving in to his ministrations.
He’d been consumed with being around Becca since he’d had words with her in his office. The dinner had given him the opening to sit with her. To touch her. After the episode in the hallway, he’d wondered if maybe she was his mate.
Could she be? He didn’t feel the instant connection from his animal with a mate like he knew he would. It was disheartening but he had his answer. She wasn’t the one. The man in him wanted her. Oh, so fucking bad. That would have to be enough.
He’d purposely sat so close to her and at an angle, so that it wasn’t noticeable he was touching her. Fuck, how he wanted her. She pushed closer to his fingers, widening her legs so he could reach the center of her heat. She was slick, hot, and ready.
Another smile grew on his lips. At the rate she drank the wine, he’d have to carry her to bed. Her skin had to be the softest he’d ever touched. Smooth like the finest silk produced in the Nedar caves.
She did another quick intake of breath, and his erection pressed at the fly of his pants. He’d give up the few weeks he had left of life to get a taste of how good she’d feel wrapped around his cock.
“Becca, would you like to join for the first flight of the season?” Drayken asked.
Vikter snapped his gaze to her face. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was breathing a hint heavier than before.
First flight meant Drayken had ideas for Becca—something Vikter didn’t appreciate. He couldn’t give her much, but he wanted her for himself, even if it was only for a short time.
“I’m sorry,” Becca said, sipping on her wine again. When she put the glass down, Vikter saw her hand shake on its descent down to her lap. “What is a first flight?”
So far she hadn’t interfered with his touching her. Her hand landed on top of his. He wondered if she’d finally pull him off her and stop his slow caresses around her clit. Instead, she pressed his fingers into her pussy.
The scent of her arousal curled around them like a fog. Oh, how he wanted her. She was the perfect woman, but with the problems with his dragon, he knew it was bad timing for a relationship…especially with what he knew his outcome would be soon. That didn’t stop his heart from developing feelings. Feelings he didn’t share with the dragon. Feelings he knew wouldn’t solve his problems.
It wouldn’t matter if he fell in love with Becca. His dragon was the one who needed a mate. With the link between them growing weaker by the day, he knew that was going to be impossible to find.
“First flight is when we change into our dragons, giving them control and flying over Dragosland to see the season as it changes over our land.”
Razzy’s firm shake of the head made Vikter finally pull his hand from between Becca’s legs. His sister’s annoyed glare told him she knew what he’d been up to. Vikter didn’t normally give a shit, but he didn’t want Razzy’s dinner to go badly.
“I…” she cleared her throat. “Sure. Why not? I bet it will be fun.”
Vikter wanted to growl. He didn’t like the idea of Becca being held in Drayken’s grasp or anyone else’s for that matter.
Once he decided to behave, the rest of the meal became a lot more interactive, with a lot less heavy breathing.
***
Vikter had just changed from his dinner outfit when a loud knock sounded at his door. He’d always been able to tell when Razzy was angry. She had the same three knocks in rapid succession indicating her short patience.
“Come in, Razzy.”
She threw the door opened and rushed inside, slamming it closed behind her.
“What were you doing tonight, Vikter?” she demanded. “Becca came here as my guest, and you were sitting there manhandling her like…like…a pervert!”
He would have laughed at her outrage if she didn’t sound so upset.
“I’m sorry, Razzy. I lost control of myself.” He lied. He knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted to touch Becca, wanted her to spend the entire dinner thinking of his hand on her pussy.
She started pacing his room, her long hair flying around behind her. “I have never seen you so…intent on a female.” She s
topped and looked at him. “You obviously want her.”
He nodded, not willing to deny it.
“So what the hell are you doing in here?”
Her words pulled a frown to his face. “What?”
She smiled. “You want her. She’s a wonderful woman. Why aren’t you in her room, you know, seducing her?”
The last thing he’d expected was for his sister to encourage his pursuit of Becca, especially knowing he couldn’t give any female forever at this point. “I can’t give her what most women want, Razzy. I don’t have the time for a relationship with many years together. This would be one night.”
Razzy ran over to him, threw her arms around his neck, and hugged him. “You have one life, brother.”
He wasn’t sure what to say and didn’t get a chance to voice his confusion. She let go of him and rushed out of his room with the same speed she’d arrived with.
Vikter knew his desire for Becca would be short lived. His dragon had shut down most emotional connections and the ability to form bonds due to his limited time left. It was surprising he found his desire for Becca to be so strong that it broke through some of the walls the animal erected in his heart.
His desire for her burned in his veins like the hottest lava. He shouldn’t give in. Lusting after a woman was dangerous when he had so little to offer, but he wouldn’t stay away.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He’d have Becca. Tonight. Now.
SEVENTEEN
Becca had never been so glad to strip out of her clothes and get ready for a bath. Vikter and Razzy might be dragon shifters, but they lived in one of the most comfortable castles she’d ever imagined. Top-of-the-line technology that adjusted to their guests’ comfort filled every room.
One of the things she’d come to love in Alyx’s castle was the mood sensors in the bedrooms. Her room in Vikter’s castle was different. Not only was it larger, but it had the bathroom of her dreams. She’d been dying to try out the giant whirlpool tub from the moment she arrived.
Scaling Her Dragon: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Paranormal Dating Agency Book 8) Page 5
