Tempting the Dragon

by Karen Whiddon

  Still, everything inside her screamed that she’d made a mistake. Her body throbbed with need. They were both adults. And he’d experienced a horrible, life-changing loss. But he’d need comfort more than pleasure. How could she deny him this, when she cared so much about him?

  He’d be leaving town soon. The knowledge squeezed her heart even harder. She had to wonder, now that he no longer had a reason to meet Libby, why he still wanted to. And she doubted he’d come back. No doubt he’d want distraction instead, to help him deal with his grief. He was a photojournalist, after all. He’d chase another story, somewhere exotic, something dangerous and fast-paced that would take his mind off his loss.

  Restless, she got out of the car. No sign of Rance. Deciding, she took off in the direction he’d gone.

  She found him on a bluff high above the lake. He stood near the edge of the cliff, and for one heart-stopping moment she thought he contemplated jumping. But then hearing her, he turned his head, his expression carefully blank. “I’m sorry. I’m not very good company right now.”

  “That’s understandable.” She went to him, wrapping her arms around him from the back and just holding on tight. He let her, though she got a sense he wasn’t exactly participating, more or less tolerating her offer of comfort.

  Again, she couldn’t blame him. She couldn’t even imagine how awful it would feel to lose a child. Placing her cheek against his back, she hoped whatever comfort she could offer would help him.

  Again, as always happened whenever they touched, something changed. A peculiar catch in his breath told her he was no longer dwelling on his loss.

  When he turned to face her, the intensity of his hooded gaze told her what he wanted. And she...this time she wanted it, too.

  “Yes,” she whispered, right before his mouth claimed hers. “Yes.”

  He touched her then, touched her in a way that made her feel both infinitely precious and desirable. Using his long and elegant fingers, he stoked the flames of her passion, until she quivered with need. When she went to return the favor, he captured her hands with his. “Not yet,” he told her. “Let me see you without your clothes.”

  Nearly panting with desire, she nodded. “As long as I can see you.” His wicked smile was answer enough.

  They undressed each other, him moving so slowly and deliberately she thought he might be trying to drive her insane. He laughed at the impatient look she gave him, quieting her protests with another deep and passionate kiss.

  When finally she stood naked before him, wearing only her necklace and trying not to shiver in the crisp autumn air, he let his gaze roam over her, dark and full of heat. She’d never really understood how someone could swoon, but now...now she did.

  “It’s your turn,” she whispered, her tongue thick in her throat. “Let me undress you.” Not surprised to see her hands were shaking, she tugged at his shirt, wanting to taste the bare skin of his chest. He helped her, pulling his T-shirt over his head. She gasped at the sight of an ornate dragon tattoo, long tail and elegant head wrapping around his heart. “I love it,” she breathed, spreading her fingers over the design, loving his sleek skin and hard muscles.

  “I want more,” she declared, and she undid his belt, aching to touch the bulge of his arousal.

  Again he stopped her, catching her wrists. “Not yet,” he growled. “I want to make this last. We need to slow down.”

  Frustrated, she shook her head. “I don’t want slow. I want fast. Hard and heavy, hot and deep.”

  His answering groan told her how her words affected him. Still, he continued to hold her hands. “Patience, little one.”

  Then, releasing her, he eased his zipper down over his engorged body as she watched.

  Nearly panting, she tried to contain her need. Seeing this, he gave her a wolfish smile before pulling her to him.

  The instant their bodies came together, she shuddered in ecstasy. When he slid his fingers into her moist heat, her tenuous grip on control shattered.

  “Now,” she urged, arching her body into him as she rode his hand. “I need you inside me. Right. Now.”

  When he finally entered her, the raw act of his possession brought tears to her eyes. The hard length of him filled her, and as her body clenched around him and she shuddered in ecstasy, he began to move.

  With each stroke, electrifying waves of desire throbbed through her, searing her. For the first time in her life, Jade realized every sense had been awakened, and she let herself surrender to the storm, riding him to the height of passion, crying out with each deep stroke.

  She let her hands explore his body, greedy to know the feel of him under her fingers. His muscular hardness, the perfect counterpoint to her curves.

  And then, when her release came, pure and explosive, she shattered into a million stars as the world spun. He continued to push into her as her body clenched around him. And then, a few seconds later, he poured his essence into her.

  Making her realize she’d somehow completely forgotten about protection. She’d never been this careless.

  As a shifter, she didn’t have to worry about disease. However, she made babies the same way as everyone else.

  Horrified, she attempted to push him away. He held on, his expression fierce. “No regrets,” he said, the rasp of his voice skittering along her sensitive skin.

  “We didn’t use protection.”

  At her words, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. “I’m sorry. We both got carried away.”

  Truth didn’t make it better. She swallowed. When he placed a soft kiss on her cheek, she exhaled.

  “What’s done is done. If anything comes of this...”

  “It won’t,” she interrupted, furious for no reason. “You have enough to worry about right now. Come on, let’s get back to town. I’m sure you have some packing to do before you leave.”

  “Leave? No. I’ve got to go meet Libby first.”

  She’d started shaking her head before he’d finished speaking. Not only did Libby’s wise gaze see everything, but Jade wasn’t sure how the cloud of grief enveloping him would affect her charge. “Not today. We’ll reschedule. You go back to Texas and take care of Eve’s service. We aren’t going anywhere. We’ll be here when you get back.”

  Though he nodded, something flickered in his eyes, making her realize he hadn’t intended on returning. Hurt stabbed her, which she promptly shoved deep inside, refusing to allow herself to feel regret. Reflexively, she fingered her necklace, though this time the simple action didn’t give her any comfort.

  Turning her back to him, she got dressed. Judging from the sounds behind her, he did the same. “Are you ready?” she asked, jingling her car keys in her hand.

  “Yes.”

  Odd how such a simple word could break her heart.

  * * *

  The instant he stepped out of the airport terminal in Houston, Rance felt the heat and humidity like a slap in the face. Ignoring this, he caught the airport shuttle to long-term parking, where he’d left his pickup truck just one short week ago.

  It seemed like it had been much longer.

  As soon as he reached his vehicle, he paid the lot attendant and turned the AC up to blasting. While autumn had come full swing to upstate New York, here in Houston summer kept a stubborn grip on the weather. His dashboard thermometer read ninety-four.

  Habit almost made him take the exit for the hospital. Instead, realizing Eve’s body would have been removed already, he drove to Jim’s house off the South Freeway.

  The instant he pulled up in front, he knew something was wrong. The house appeared deserted, and not just recently. Rance counted back, trying to calculate the last time he’d been here. It had been well over a month; once Eve had gone to the hospital, he’d visited her there instead.

  Worried, he tried the door anyway. Locked.
He walked across the lawn, through the unkempt landscaping, and tried to peer in the dirty front window. As he’d suspected, the house was completely empty.

  “Can I help you?”

  Turning, Rance saw the next-door neighbor, a feisty elderly woman named Betty. She stood in her driveway, hands on bony hips, and watched him.

  “Hi, Betty.” He knew remembering her name would count for a lot. “I’m looking for Jim.”

  She continued to eye him suspiciously. “Are you a bill collector?”

  “Nope. Just a friend.”

  “Hmmph. You mustn’t be much of one. Jim moved out the night before last. He took off in the middle of the night, which usually means he owes money to somebody. I only know because I couldn’t sleep that night and I was sitting out on my front porch.”

  This sounded so unlike the Jim he knew that Rance could only stare. “I just talked to him yesterday,” he managed. “He didn’t mention anything about this.”

  She cocked her gray head, her ancient eyes wise. “I don’t imagine he’s proud about what he’s done. Especially pulling that sick little girl out of the hospital. Listen, when you see him, don’t mention that I told you. I don’t think he knows anyone saw him.”

  Immediately, Rance took a step toward her. “He had his daughter here? Eve?”

  “He sure did. And that child was so ill she could hardly walk. He carried her from his truck to the house, and then back out again. He must have already moved the furniture, or he didn’t have much to begin with. What he brought out that night didn’t even fill up his truck bed.”

  Rance’s head spun. Maybe the old woman had grown delusional. That would be the only explanation. Especially since he’d talked to Jim and, as far as he knew, Eve hadn’t left Texas Children’s Hospital before she died.

  “Thank you, ma’am,” he said, heading back toward his truck. Once inside, he called Jim. The call went straight to voice mail.

  What the...? Suppressing the urge to kick something, Rance headed to the small apartment he rented. Halfway there, he changed his mind and drove to the hospital instead.

  After parking, he strode into the lobby of the west tower, bracing himself for the antiseptic smell he’d always associate with illness. He rode the elevator to the ninth floor, aware he’d been a regular enough visitor that several of the nurses would recognize him.

  In fact, the first nurse he saw appeared shocked to see him. “Mr. Sleighter? You do know Eve isn’t here any longer, right?”

  He found her choice of words interesting. Also the fact that she hadn’t offered him her sympathy for his loss.

  “Yes. Do you know where she is now?”

  Slowly, the heavyset woman shook her head. “Her father took her out against the advice of her doctor. Simply picked her up and carried her off. We called security, the police and CPS, but he was gone before anyone could reach him. That little girl needs around the clock medical care. I’m really afraid she’ll die if she doesn’t get it.”

  Rance tended to agree with her. “Maybe Jim—her father—transferred her to another hospital?”

  If anything, that statement made her look even more distressed. “Not in Houston. MD Anderson Cancer Center would refer a pediatric patient here, I believe.”

  Thanking her, he headed back to his truck. What the hell was Jim up to? Rance couldn’t help but wonder if, in his worry and fear for his daughter, the other man had completely lost his mind.

  Rance knew he had to find them, before it was too late and Eve really was dead.

  * * *

  Once Rance had driven off in the rental car, Jade prepared to settle back into her ordinary life. The one she’d been craving ever since he’d disrupted it with his arrival.

  Yet something—everything—had changed. Not just because they’d shared amazing, transcendent, extraordinary lovemaking, but something else. She wasn’t sure what exactly. She only knew she felt like a different person these days.

  She went to Libby to see if the other woman had insight. When she’d postponed Libby and Rance’s meeting, Jade had only said he was called out of town unexpectedly. It had taken her a full three days to be able to even say the reason why he’d left without breaking into tears.

  “I don’t understand how I can miss him so much,” Jade said, pacing. “We barely knew each other. A few kisses don’t make a relationship.” No way did she plan to mention that she and Rance had shared a lot more than a few kisses.

  To her surprise, Libby laughed. “Don’t they? Stop pacing and sit down. I’ll make a pot of tea and some snacks so we can eat while we discuss.”

  Jade nodded. Too restless to sit, she followed her friend into the kitchen. “Let me help.”

  “Okay. You put the teakettle on while I make little sandwiches.”

  The two worked together in silent harmony, which soothed Jade somewhat, to her surprise. When the kettle whistled, she poured the boiling water into a heavy china pot and added tea bags. Today they were having Irish breakfast tea and some kind of finger sandwiches.

  “What are those?” Jade asked, eyeing the yellow-gold filling.

  “Pimento cheese,” Libby answered. “It’s a Southern thing. Your man would probably like them.”

  Her man. A stab of wild longing filled her. Instantly, she pushed it away. “He’s not my anything.”

  “Except you wish he was,” Libby responded.

  Since that was pretty much truth, Jade only shrugged and followed Libby outside. They settled in their usual chairs on the deck with the lake glinting in the distance. The vibrant colors of the changing leaves never failed to fill Jade with pleasure. Except this time, she found herself wishing Rance had stuck around long enough to see their glory in the peak of autumn.

  Libby poured the tea, just as she always did, and Jade eyed the sandwiches, not sure if they looked appetizing or not. The bright yellow color didn’t make it look edible.

  “Just go ahead and try one.”

  Why not? Jade grabbed a napkin and reached for the smallest sandwich. If she didn’t like it, surely she could manage to choke it down.

  To her surprise, it tasted good. The creamy texture melted in her mouth. She had a second, then a third, finally looking up to see Libby grinning at her as she ate.

  “I love these,” Jade admitted. “Pimento cheese, you say?” At Libby’s nod, she snagged another one. “You need to give me the recipe. I’ll make them the next time there’s a family meeting.”

  Helping herself to a couple of her own, Libby beamed and took her own bite. “How’s your cousin?” she asked, after she’d swallowed.

  “Diamond?” Jade shrugged. “I haven’t seen her. But I haven’t heard anything, either, so that’s good. My mother would tell me if Auntie Em was having a problem with her.”

  “And the baby? She’s doing well in her pregnancy? I only ask as sometimes carrying those Fae children can be...tricky.”

  “Tricky?”

  Slowly, Libby nodded. “There are inherent dangers in carrying a halfling-cross between Pack and Fae. Mostly health issues concerning the mother.”

  Jade hadn’t considered that Di might be in danger. And with her stubborn nature... “I’ll have to make a point to stop in and check on her.”

  “Please do that.” Libby sipped her tea. “And keep me posted. Your family is the only connection I have left to the outside world.”

  Unable to keep from helping herself to another sandwich, Jade made a mental note to stop by and check on Diamond on the way home.

  “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, tell me what’s new with Rance.”

  “I don’t know.” Jade tried not to show her despair. “I haven’t heard from him at all. Not one phone call or text or Tweet. It’s like he’s dropped off the face of the earth.”

  “Well, it’s only been a w
eek.”

  Jade sighed. “True. But I’d think he’d have at least checked in by now.” Of course, he’d only do that if he ever intended on seeing her again. The way things stood now, she had a sneaking suspicion he had no plans to return to Forestwood.

  Libby made a sympathetic face and took another sip of her tea. “I hope he’s all right.”

  “Me, too.” She told Libby about his stepdaughter, omitting only their lovemaking in the woods. “He’s really grieving.”

  “Oh, my goodness.” Libby set down her teacup. “That’s heartbreaking. She was five years old, you say?”

  “Yes. Cancer.”

  “So she isn’t a halfling, then?” Libby sighed.

  “She is. Her mother was a shifter and her father human, I believe. It’s all so sad.”

  When Jade glanced up, she realized Libby sat ramrod straight, staring ahead with that otherworldly expression that meant she’d gone into a trance. Jade knew better than to disturb her, so she continued sipping her tea. There were two halves of the sandwiches left and she decided to take one and leave the other in case Libby wanted it.

  * * *

  Slipping into a trance felt similar to slipping beneath the cool surface of the lake. One minute, she was talking to Jade, the next—nothing but the deep, dark waters of her abilities.

  Danger lurked close by. Though startled, Libby couldn’t shake the sense of formless unease. She tried not to panic, aware her abilities could manifest themselves at any time.

  But they did not. Instead, she twisted and turned, feeling blind and trapped in fear.

  It had been decades since she’d felt darkness looming over her. Worse, for the first time in her life, her ability to foresee the future apparently failed her. Try as she might, she saw nothing. She had no idea from where the threat came.

  She remembered what Jade had told her of her cousin Diamond and the Fae prince’s child. Could this be the source? Or was she looking in the wrong direction? She considered Jade’s man, Rance Sleighter, and wondered if she’d been wrong to feel a sense of kinship with one who’d left Forestwood without a second look.

  Or could it be something else, something completely unrelated? It bothered her more that she had no idea.