by Lia Davis
Gwen thought about that. “Well, hell. That would mean he could be anywhere while his Imperials are managing home base.”
Zavier nodded. “But it’s just as important that we find the facilities and take them out.”
“Ash will know.”
Markus snorted. “And she’d tell us, why?”
Gwen narrowed her gaze at him. “Because I’m going to ask her.”
The dragon on the other side of desk held her gaze for several moments before raising his brow. “Give all the info to Zavier, even if it is a half-truth or untrue. Gods have a way of twisting words so they can tell you things without coming out and saying them.”
“Ash isn’t a goddess.”
Markus sighed. “Yes, she is a goddess by law. She was born in Olympus.”
And because Gwen was born on earth, and had her powers locked at birth, she wasn’t worthy of the title. Even though she was only one third human.
Whatever, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be a goddess anyway. Although having powers to fight Garrick and the Imperials would be an added bonus.
“I’ll ask her after dinner.”
Markus’s lips lifted in a sensual, yet dangerous smile. “Make that breakfast tomorrow. I have plans for you the rest of today, this evening, and tonight.”
Desire tingled in her belly, then spread through her like a wildfire. Gods, she couldn’t wait to get him all to herself.
Zavier cleared his throat. “Gwen also needs time to read the journal for more info.”
Gwen took a breath and pushed away the desire, for now. “I’ll keep searching. I want Garrick stopped as much you guys do.”
Markus walked around the desk, stopped in front of her, and leaned against it. Zavier closed his laptop and quietly left the room. It made Gwen wonder if the two men used their brotherly-telepathic abilities with one another.
However, she didn’t have time to ask. Markus took the tablet from her and set it on the desk behind him, out of her reach. “You are still low on energy.”
“I feel fine.”
Leaning forward, he placed his hands on the chair arms and caged her in. “No, you’re not. As a love goddess, you need sex to recharge.”
Her heart skipped a beat, then pounded like it was in her head. “I do not,” she squeaked, making Markus grin.
Damn, sexy dragon.
“Shall I call Aphrodite and ask her?”
Gwen shook her head.
“Why not?”
Staring into his dragon-like gaze, she whispered. “Because I already know.”
He inched closer and brushed his lips against her cheek and she fought a whimper and the need to rub up against him. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes. The draw to him grew stronger each day. She didn’t understand it. She barely knew him, yet her body didn’t care.
His kiss was quick and soft before he pulled back. Opening her eyes, she watched him extend his hand to her. “Come, take a walk with me.”
She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her up with the trust she’d never felt for anyone in her life, but her parents and Elle.
****
Markus led Gwen down the path toward the beach. He loved the ocean during the early evening. With the sun hidden by the mountain behind them, the whole section of beach was cast in a shadow, making the sand and the water seem darker.
Beside him, Gwen drew in a deep breath and sighed. “I love the ocean.” When she look up at him, she let out a soft, musical laugh. “I guess I told you that already.”
His lips tugged into a smile as he ran his knuckles down her cheek and watched her lean into his touch. “What else do you love?”
She tilted her head. “I don’t think there is anything that I don’t love.” Her brows dipped as she frowned and added, “Beside Garrick and anyone out to harm my family and friends.”
Markus smiled again and couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled like this. There was a time that he was content with life enough to be happy, but never felt so alive just by being near someone.
“Go for a swim with me?”
Gwen looked around the beach, then to the ocean. “You’re serious? I don’t have a swimsuit.”
He waggled his brows. “You don’t need one.”
Her eyes grew round and she stepped back. “You mean skinny dip? In the ocean?”
Irritation started to set in, dampening his good mood. “Are you chicken?”
She bit her bottom lip, which made his cock twitch behind the zipper of his jeans, and glanced at the water. “Is this beach private?”
He nodded. A shy smile formed on her lips as she stepped closer to him. “Do something for me first?”
Unfolding his arms, he wrapped them around her waist and drew her into him. “What does my little love goddess want?”
Her nose scrunched up at the title, and she flatted her hands on the chest. “Change into your dragon.”
Drawing back, he studied her. There was no fear in the blue depths of her eyes, just curiosity. “Are you sure?”
Her head bobbed up and down. “I need to get over my fears. I trust you, even in the short time that we’ve known each other. If I agree to have sex with you to gain my strength back, I need to be able to accept all of you.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then stepped back, knowing her eyes never left him while he stripped. Her gaze caressed his naked skin and, gods, if it didn’t feel like a physical touch.
Fuck. His body warmed and his skin tingled, needing her hands on him.
Once his clothes were removed, he turned and walked about twenty feet from her. He didn’t want his tail or wings injuring her as he shifted. Turning to face her, he spread his arms. Usually he could shift in a matter of seconds, sometimes faster, depending on the situation, but right now he wanted to take it slow.
Mostly because he didn’t want to scare her.
“What are you waiting on?” she called out, teasing.
The corner of his lips lifted as he visualized his dragon in his head. It was an automatic process. One he’d been born knowing, since he was never a child and most things came naturally to him and his brothers.
Giving into his dragon and allowing the beast to take over, he completed the transformation. The burn of power grew from the center of his chest then shot out in all directions as his body grew and changed in a flash of black and blue.
Extending his wings, he stretched them wide before folding them back into his body. He stared down the beach and spotted Gwen where he’d left her. Only now she appeared to be closer due to the fact he was now the size of a passenger train car.
Lowering his large body into the warm sand, he waited—hoping she wouldn’t have a panic attack—for her to approach him. It was ten painfully slow minutes before she approached. Excitement he never knew before filled him at her acceptance.
Hesitation slowed her steps and when stopped about a foot away from his snout, she just stared.
Growing impatient, Markus sent her a thought, unsure if it would work. Although he could connect telepathically with his brothers and the gods with ease, he wasn’t so sure it would be the same with Gwen. Yet there was always a small chance it would, considering she was almost a full-blooded goddess herself.
I will not harm you. Besides it is killing me to hold onto my patience for much longer.
Surprise lit up her face, showing she heard his thoughts. “How?”
I can communicate to most gods and my brothers through thought.
Her blue eyes danced with delight and he wanted to kiss her. “I’m not a goddess.”
A growl rumbled through him and she stepped back. He sighed and laid his head on the sand. Come here, Gwen.
With her hand extended, she stepped forward until her palm touched his nose. Smiling, she ran her hand down the side of his jaw. “You are incredibly soft.”
Thanks, I think.
Gwen laughed and relaxed her shoulders. “It is a compliment. I expected the scales to be rough, but they al
most feel like soft leather.”
With her hand still on him, she walked along his side. He turned his head so he could watch her. Stopping where his wings started, she ran a careful hand over the joint and down the edge of his wing. He shuddered, making her jerk her hand away.
Don’t stop. That feels good.
“Oh.” A glimpse pink appeared in her cheeks.
Would you like to fly?
She twisted back around, her eyes lit with excitement. “Are you serious?”
He nodded his large head and extended a wing. Just climb up. Don’t worry, you can’t hurt me. My wings are just as strong as my arms and legs.
A nervous laugh escaped her as she slowly crawled onto his wing, then up his back. Settling herself between where his wings connected to his back, she rested her legs atop of his wings.
You ready?
“Yes,” she said on a laugh that told him she was enjoying herself.
Good. He and his dragon loved it when she was smiling, calm, and happy, which they hadn’t seen much since meeting her. They’d have to change that, he decided as he stood.
Gwen let out a squeak and laid on her belly and tried to hold onto his neck. Laughing in his head, he flapped his large wings and leaped in the air. It was always tricky taking off from the ground, but it was a skill he and each of his brothers had learned in order to be able to retreat at a moment’s notice. Wind gusts coming off the mountain aided his lift off.
They flew over the ocean because it was safer than flying over the village. Even though the villagers knew about them and trusted them, they still feared their dragons. Markus and his brothers agreed not to expose their beasts too often in order to keep the residents of Serenity Cove peaceful and stress free. Especially with Garrick making the occasional appearance to plant fear in the people Markus and his brothers protected.
He hung a right a little sharper than he intended when a powerful gust of wind slammed into his left wing, lifting it up almost causing him to roll in the air. Gwen screamed and dug her nails into his neck. Markus gritted his teeth and pushed the sharp stabs of pain away. Leveling out, he headed back to the beach.
Markus slowed and landed on the sand, then settled so Gwen could slide off. When she came around to stand in front of him, her face looked a little pale. Shifting, he didn’t bother with clothes. “Are you okay?”
With a wide smile on her face, she nodded. “That was amazing. A little frightening, but amazing.”
He laughed and cupped her cheek. Satisfaction, along with something softer he couldn’t name, filled him as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Lowering his head, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Come swimming with me.”
Opening her eyes, she nodded. “Okay.”
Gwen started to remove her shirt as something flashed from the top of the cliff, drawing his attention. He placed a hand on her arm to stop her. Drawing her brows together, she glanced at him then turned to follow his gaze up. “Who is it?”
Markus growled, low. “Ashlynn.”
“Do you want to go see what she’s up to?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m sure Ty will follow her.”
“What makes you say that?”
Meeting Gwen’s blue gaze, he smiled “Because he’s attracted to her.”
Gwen smiled, then frowned. “He won’t hurt her, will he?”
“No. Ty may not trust females, but he’d never harm one unless he’s protecting himself or his family.”
As if unsure, she turned back to peer up at the cliff’s edge. Markus glanced up as well, in time to see Ashlynn disappear from sight.
Just to be safe, Markus sent a mental nudge to his brother. Ty, Ashlynn is taking a walk.
His brother replied instantly. I’m on it.
Satisfied that the female would be watched, Markus focused back on Gwen. “Still up for a swim?”
A slow smile lifted her sensual lips and she proceeded to remove her clothes. When she was done, she gave him a sexy grin before running toward the water. Delight bubbled up in his chest then turned into a need to chase her. He darted after her, running and jumping over the small waves as they broke on the shore.
When he caught up with her, he tackled her into the next, larger wave. When they surfaced, she laughed out loud and splashed water at him. “You’ll pay for that, dragon.”
He raised a brow. “Oh yeah? I look forward to it.”
Closing the distance, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. A moaned escaped her as she threaded her fingers through his hair, pulling slightly as she fisted a handful. He slid his hands down her back, over the curve of her ass and lifted her so she could wrapped her legs around him, her pussy pinning his cock to his stomach. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth, making her move her hips against him, stroking his dick with each slow movement.
He trailed his hand further down her ass and between her thighs and slid one finger inside her. Her muscles tightened around him and she gasped against his lips then started sucking his tongue. Pleasure built to the point he almost came. Breaking the kiss, he kissed his way down her cheek to her neck while fingering her slick pussy.
Gwen tightened her grip in his hair and increased her rhythm against him. Pleasure built in a powerful wave until it crashed over them, pulling them under as an orgasm ripped through both of them.
Wrapping his arms around her to hold her still, he walked them to the shore and laid her down on the hard, wet sand. Bringing his hand to her face, he swiped a few strands of hair away and held her gaze. She was beautiful, her eyes half closed and her full lips slightly parted. Gods, he’d never have enough of her, he knew that now.
Now that he’d tasted her, he couldn’t give her up.
Yet, in order to keep her it had to be true love. Hell, he didn’t know what that was. Didn’t know if the feeling growing inside him for this female was love or just affection or even an obsession.
Damn Aphrodite for implanting the little buzz in his ear about soul mates and true love not being a part of the curse.
Gwen frowned and cupped his cheek. “What’s wrong?”
He lowered his head so his lips pressed into her palm. “Just thinking how beautiful you are and all the things I want to do to you.” Lowering his head, he kissed her nose, then her lips. “And that I want to keep you for eternity.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ash stepped into the forest around the dragons’ mansion still amused at seeing Gwen and Markus on the beach. She’d stepped to the edge of the cliff just as Gwen climbed atop of Markus’s dragon back and watched as he flew over the ocean with her. Enjoying the interaction and the huge smile on Gwen’s face, Ash hovered too long at the edge. Her presence—even from the large distance between them—drew Markus’s attention, surprising her.
The dragon most likely telepathically connected with one of his brothers—an ability she knew about, thanks to her mother—which was fine by her. Let one of the dragons follow her around. It didn’t matter. She’d already told them she was a spy for the gods. What more did they want?
Continuing along the narrow path, she scanned the area for threats. The hairs on her arms stood to attention as a cool shiver rocked through her whole body. Someone was out here and it wasn’t Markus or his brothers.
A moment later Garrick stepped onto the path in front of her, halting her in mid-step. Fuck. The murderous glare and pitch black eyes said he wasn’t pleased.
“Evening, Ashlynn.”
His voice glided over her skin like an oily residue and she held in a wince. “Garrick.”
One side of his mouth lifted in an unamused, freakishly half-grin. Another shiver passed over her spine. When he took a step forward, Ash braced herself. If there was one thing she had learned from Garrick it was to never let her guard down.
Garrick was a sadistic prick on his good days.
“What have you been up to, my love?”
Breathe, Ash. Don’t let your temper make things worse than they are. He only used endearmen
ts when he was trying to be charming and get something from her—whether it was information or sex, it didn’t matter—or when there was someone else with them.
A breeze broke through the trees and with it came a scent that made her skin tingle—dark, sweet, and spicy. A scent she’d know anywhere, especially now that she knew to whom it belonged.
Not bothering to look around for Ty, she kept her gaze on Garrick. It really didn’t matter, anyway. Garrick most likely knew his brother was near. It would explain why he hadn’t attacked her, yet.
“Why are you here?” She took a slow and deliberate step back.
Like the predator he was, he tracked her movement, his dragon in his eyes. “I came for you. You don’t really think that I’d let what is mine go so easily, do you?”
Fury reared its head, but Ash reined in her temper. For now. “I belong to no one.”
Garrick, moving too fast for her to track, grabbed her upper arm and yanked her to him. The moment he did, a deep growl vibrated through the air around them and Garrick smiled. “I see someone has been a bad girl.”
A spike of hot fear burned her belly and she was sure she would be sick. Damn it, why couldn’t Ty just go back to the mansion and mind his own business?
She jerked, trying to break Garrick’s hold on her. Laughing, he tightened his grip. His fingers dug into her muscles and she pressed her lips together to stop a cry from escaping. Pain pierced her arm and traveled down to her hand.
“Let me go,” she demanded.
Garrick ignored her and scanned the forest around them. She did the same as much as she could with her side pressed against Garrick’s. Ty was nowhere in sight, but she knew he was there, lurking. Somehow she could sense him, smell him, and feel him as if he was close enough to touch.
“I know you’re there, brother.” When Ty didn’t show himself, Garrick added, “Ash, love, why don’t you tell my brother who you belong to?”
Lifting her chin, she focused on a small empty space between two trees in front of her. It was where she sensed Ty the strongest. “I belong to no one. I’m a servant of the gods and only abide by their laws.”
