“Col!” She screamed again.
The man lunged forward.
She closed her eyes and tensed, waiting for him to pull her out. Waiting for him to hurt her.
But nothing happened.
Instead, there was silence and then warm air being blown across her body.
She opened her eyes to an enormous black snout, bigger than the entire outhouse moving toward her. “Holy shit!” Naomi kicked at the giant nostril before her brain registered.
Dragon.
The black dragon chuffed another warm breath over her. Shook his head as if he couldn’t believe she’d just kicked him. He flicked his tongue out and moved forward again to nudge her.
“Where’s the other guy?” she asked, climbing to her feet and crawling out of the mess of broken planks.
The dragon licked his lips and his dark eyes glowed gold.
“You ate him!” Not that she wasn’t grateful. She’d been about to have been attacked herself, but that wolf…or man. Whatever he was had been trying to kill her. Her gut said she’d be dead if Col hadn’t shown up when he did.
Still, it was strange to think that the guy who had saved her was first, a dragon, second, he’d saved her again by eating a person in what…one bite?
He moved, nudging her again with his snout.
She patted the ridge of his muzzle and frowned. “I’m not kissing you with people guts in your teeth. Just so you know. How could you eat a person?”
Col shifted a second later. His bare chest illuminated by the starlight and tinted green by the northern lights. He ran his hands up and down her entire body. “Did he touch you? Why are you outside alone?”
“I had to pee.” She shivered as he continued to feel up and down her legs and arms. “I’m okay. You got him before he touched me. I’m just a little shook up. That was freaking scary…You ate a person!”
“He was Wolf Tribe and he was trying to kill you.” Like he thought that was a good enough reason to eat a person. “I couldn’t burn him. The flame would’ve hit you too. And I didn’t eat him.” He pointed off into the scrub. “His body is there. Should I drag it out to show you?”
Relief washed away a tiny bit of the bile in the back of her throat. “So… you didn’t eat a person?”
Col shook his head. “No, I did not eat a person.”
Naomi released a long breath and reached up a hand.
“You should’ve waited for me to return.” He growled, ignoring her hand and instead lifted her off from the ground and carried her back to the cabin door.
“I had to pee. You weren’t here, and I couldn’t wait.”
“I heard you scream and thought they’d found you.” The sigh that slipped from his broad chest, made her heart do a flip flop.
“Who? The other dragons?”
He pushed through the door and closed it with his foot. “They are close. I was spreading my scent to the west to keep them away from this cabin. To give you time to heal before we have to move.” Col let her down from his arms and helped her sit on the couch. He pulled off her big bulky rubber boots and then covered her with a blanket from the basket next to the hearth. “I brought food. Stay.” It was an order. One she didn’t mind following. Then, he disappeared back out into the night.
“Better not be chunks of that dude,” Naomi called out after his retreating form, somewhat kidding, but there was a part of her that wasn’t sure the dragon man wouldn’t try to feed her the flesh of his enemies.
He returned a moment later with a large haunch of meat. “It is not the man.” A glint of amusement sparkled in his eyes. “Other things will eat him. And the scent of his corpse should keep others from the Wolf Tribe from venturing close.”
“Good to know,” she answered, pulling the blanket closer. The near-death experience still had her a bit worked up. Just having Col back inside the cabin helped her settle. His presence soothed her in a way she couldn’t explain, except that it felt as though she needed to be with him.
Which again brought up feelings of guilt and betrayal. Like her being with Col was hurting Tommy. Which was unfair. She knew it in the back of her mind. She was being unreasonable with herself.
Everyone told her Tommy’s death wasn’t her fault. Except her own heart. Why couldn’t she forgive herself?
Col sat with the leg on the hearth and set up the spit inside it to roast the leg. He’d cut it to fit before he’d brought it inside.
At least she hadn’t had to watch him hacking at it or skinning it. Really, it looked just like a roast from the butcher’s shop down the street from her apartment back home.
The scent of the meat sizzling over the fire made her stomach rumble noisily.
Col turned to her and smiled. “Good to see the fright didn’t scare off your appetite.”
“Maybe you could just stay here for a while.”
“I will not leave you again tonight shuarra, but I had to make sure we were safe here, at least for today.”
“Guess the wolves didn’t get the memo.” She leaned her head against the arm of the couch.
“The wolves are always looking to strike against other tribes. They attacked simply because you are my mate.” He moved from the hearth and joined her on the couch. “I thought you would sleep until I returned.”
“I missed you.” Naomi’s feelings bubbled out like a spring before she could think anything through. She cuddled closer to his warm body and pressed her head into the crook of his shoulder.
His chest vibrated, and his arms tightened around her. He kissed the top of her head, pressing down all her wild curls. “I owe Fate for bringing you to me, Naomi.”
“I like the way you purr when you’re happy.”
“I do not purr,” he scoffed lightly. “I am not a cat.”
“Okay then, you hum,” she said, pressing closer.
Col grunted but didn’t object again. So, calling the purring noise he made a hum must’ve been acceptable.
“The meat will be done soon.”
She rubbed her cheek against his warm skin and dozed off, letting the worry and guilt and everything stewing in her mind disappear into the peaceful sound of Col’s heartbeat and the crackle of the fire in the hearth.
From her research, it was uncommon for cabins to have fireplaces, but she was glad the builders had broken the rule this one time.
The smell of the roasting meat was almost like heaven.
6
Col slipped from beneath his sleeping mate and moved to kneel in front of the stone fireplace. He used the small knife at his belt to cut thin slices of the game from the roasted haunch. He’d have to remember to ask her at some point what the antlered deer-like creatures on this world were called.
The savory aroma of the meat filled the cabin and made his mouth water. He hoped his mate would be pleased. He’d eaten the rest of the animal as a dragon and saved the juicy leg to cook and share with her. The fat on the outside had turned clear and had a nice black crisp edge, signaling that it was thoroughly cooked.
He breathed slowly, still trying to assure his dragon, Naomi was safe and sound. He’d been careless, and it’d almost cost him everything. Everything that truly mattered. She was his heart and soul. Without her he would cease to desire life.
The wolf had surely tracked him to the cabin and found his mate. Others would come. It was only a matter of time. He’d told her the dead body would keep them away.
It would. For a while.
Col needed to kill the dragons. He’d never truly have rest until Sefa and Jaha were dead. But he couldn’t leave Naomi again.
Hearing her scream earlier had nearly torn his heart from his chest. He’d flown harder than he thought possible to get back to her. He would’ve died if he hadn’t gotten to her in time. His soul would’ve given up all hope and he would’ve prayed for death.
Now he also had to watch for the Wolf Tribe. How many had made it through the portal?
They typically traveled in multi-family packs of ten to fifteen.
The male he’d killed outside had been young, probably a scout. They wouldn’t miss him for hours, possibly an entire day.
He just needed to feed his mate. She needed her strength to heal and be prepared to travel once the day had dawned.
“Naomi,” he said, keeping his voice low.
She opened one brown eye and peeked at him from over the edge of the blanket. Her curls bounced and sprawled over her forehead, giving her a mischievous look.
Col held up a strip of meat and she emerged the rest of the way from the cocoon of the blanket.
“My barbarian barbecues.” She covered her mouth to hide her smile and muffle her laughter. Then pushed aside the blanket and moved to sit next to him on the wide hearth.
He didn’t understand the joke, but if her humor made her forget the horror she’d experienced because he left her, she could say whatever she liked. Laugh at whatever she pleased.
Eventually he might learn the meanings behind the strange phrases she sometimes used. Until then, he’d be content that she’d accepted him. Cared for him.
Col handed her a piece of meat and watched as she bit into it hungrily. It gave him great pleasure to see her eat and enjoy the food. He waited a moment and gave her another thin strip before taking even one bite for himself.
“This is so good. Thank you.” She polished off a second piece. “I don’t think I had more than coffee and a granola bar yesterday.”
“You must not go outside without me again.” He pinned her with his gaze, wishing he was touching her, feeling her softness. The silk of her skin against his.
“I’m not going to just stick to your leg like a helpless baby. You shouldn’t feel guilty. You can’t control everything that happens to—” Tears welled in her eyes and she broke visual contact.
“What is wrong, shuarra?” He cupped her chin and turned her head to face him. “What saddens you?”
She shook her head free of his touch and wiped her tears with the back of her arm. “It’s nothing. Just a memory. I’m fine.”
There it was. Her guilt over Tommy was connected to the fact that his death was her fault. Was it really?
Yes, she’d needed the medicine. Yes, she’d asked him to pick it up from the pharmacy…but, she hadn’t been in control of the drunk driver in the other car.
It wasn’t her fault that man had swung suddenly into oncoming traffic. If she could’ve saved Tommy she would’ve, but just like Col had only been able to get to her as fast as he could. Naomi wouldn’t have blamed her death or injury on him…if he hadn’t made it in time.
Tommy wouldn’t blame her for his death.
She could see that now. She could also see that Col would’ve taken the hit if something had happened to her. He would’ve blamed himself. Suffered. Just as she had. Naomi couldn’t change that…he loved her.
He really did. In less than twenty-four hours, he’d taken the leap of faith that she belonged to him. With him. Could she care for him the same way?
It’d wrecked her when she’d lost Tommy. Now, the way she felt about Col… She’d let him into her heart. He was a part of her in a way that she couldn’t explain. If she lost him like she’d lost Tommy, she wouldn’t survive this time.
“Col?” She pulled the blanket up over her shoulders. She wasn’t cold, but it made her feel safer. Strange to think a blanket offered protection, but it did.
“Yes, my shuarra.”
“What else is out there? How did you get to earth?”
“Earth?”
“The name of the planet you’re on,” Naomi replied. “You didn’t know where you were going?”
He shook his head. “The magick-benders had to find a habitable planet. After dozens of tries and years of searching, they found this one only a few days ago. We’d all but given up hope.”
“What happened on your world? You haven’t really said more than your family died and you followed the two killers here.”
“Our world was burning. Volcanos were enveloping the land valley by valley. Our region’s magick-bender finally succeeding in opening a portal to escape to here.” Col’s voice dragged, pain etched deeply on his face. “When I flew through the portal, there were hundreds below me climbing the mountain to escape through its horizon. I’ve only scented perhaps a couple dozen survivors at the most while I was out earlier.”
Tears welled in Naomi’s eyes. She couldn’t imagine how hard it would be to know the entire world was burning, and that all those people hadn’t made it to safety. As strange as it was to think about people from another world sharing hers—people that shifted into large scary predators—her heart hurt for all the lives that had been lost. She knew what loss felt like all too well.
“So other dragons. And now wolves.”
Col shook his head. “Lions, bears, at least one tiger too,” he said, his voice softening with sadness.
“Wait.” She gulped and sat up straight. “You’re saying there are lions and tigers in Alaska. Right now?”
“At least a couple.”
“Can more of your people still escape?”
He shook his head. “The portal is gone. I passed by where it opened this evening while you still slept.”
“Were…were you thinking of leaving?” Naomi choked out. Just the mere thought made her stomach twist into knots. She’d let herself get attached so quickly.
He called her his mate, and she believed it.
Accepted it. Embraced it even.
“No, shuarra. I was merely checking to see if the cowards I hunted had fled back home to escape my wrath. Never fear I would leave. I will be at your side until I draw my last breath.” Col joined her on the couch, slipped an arm around her, and pulled her into his side, tucking her head beneath his chin. “You are part of my soul, Naomi.”
His warmth soothed her fear. Of course, he wouldn’t leave her. But accidents happened.
She needed him to forget about these other dragons. Naomi wanted him to be safe and stay with her.
“So, these other shifters, they don’t like you?”
“My tribe was at peace with everyone in the valley, except the wolves. The wolves never make peace. They like to fight. To hunt. To kill. They are dangerous and cunning and ruthless.”
“Makes sense.” She shivered, especially after what she’d encountered this morning. “There are real wolves out here too. How will we tell the difference between your people and just a plain wolf?”
“You saw how large he was?”
Naomi shuddered. “He was seriously the size of a dire wolf on the Game of Thrones miniseries.”
“I do not know the animal you speak of, but all Reylean wolves will be that large.”
Her mouth dropped. “Not good.”
“Now you see why I do not want you to leave the cabin alone,” he said. “My bite made you ill. You have a head injury. We will stay a few more hours. At least until the sun rises. The dead body will keep other wolves away. I threw my scent all the way to the other side of the mountain. The dragons will not find us. You are safe.” Col nuzzled her curls and kissed the top of her head.
“You know the fever is gone, and so is my head injury. Even the cut on the back of my head disappeared like magic.” Naomi brushed her fingers over the place at the base of her skull that should’ve a long gash in it. “And if we wait until the sun rises, won’t the other dragons see you?”
He tugged her into his lap. “I must finish them, Naomi. Now that they know I am here, they will hunt me as I hunt them.” His hands slipped to the back of her neck and his eyes widened. “You healed quickly.”
“You’re not kidding; I should still have a mark or a scab or something. But it’s like it never happened.”
“Your people do not typically heal at this rate?” His gaze drove through her like a white-hot poker. His hands slipped down to her hips.
Naomi tried not to let her mind wander to how much she enjoyed the way he looked at her, touched her and…
Ohmygod. Just stop.
; “Not usually, no,” she finally managed. It was taking all her willpower not to grind herself against him.
Seriously, it was like she was in heat. Or just starved for sex and affection.
Two years of celibacy could do that to a girl. Or it was just Col. She was pretty convinced it was the latter. There was just something about him that made her hungry.
His eyes narrowed, and a smile curved the corners of his mouth. “My shuarra has needs.” He leaned closer, invading her space, his gaze trailing to her mouth and down to her covered breasts. One corner of his mouth quirked up into a full-on smirk.
Her core throbbed traitorously.
Get a grip, Naomi.
“We should get ready to leave. I need to get back to my stuff and—” her words were cut off by his mouth covering hers.
His tongue prodded insistently, until it gained entry. Followed by an assault on her mouth that left her completely breathless.
Their tongues lashed frantically against each other, as if there were only moments to live, and then he switched to slow languid thrusts and strokes that made every square inch of Naomi’s body hum with a hunger she couldn’t ignore.
She was lost.
Consumed by her need for Col.
Her dragon man buried his hands in her hair and laid her back on the couch. He pulled her close and pinned her down in the same breath.
Naomi clawed at his shoulders, scraping her fingers down the hard, rippling muscles of his back. She reached and cupped his tight ass through the leather and fabric of his kilt, pressing her hips up and against his hardness. Heat seared her body like a wildfire burning out of control. The ferocity of the kiss grew.
He pawed at her clothes, pulling them off between pants and breaths of desperation. In moments, they were both naked again.
Lips to lips. Skin to skin.
Her hands couldn’t get enough of touching him.
His were the same on her. First her breasts. Then he stroked her hip. Then he wrapped his hands around her thighs, pulling them open.
Knock Down Dragon Out Page 5
