“Okay, that makes sense. Do you want me to help you?”
Tide's lips twitched. She could see that he was trying to hold back a smile. "I know you're a competent human. That you're highly intelligent, but I can handle bringing home dinner myself."
“Fair enough.” She watched as he began to walk towards the cave entrance. “Do me a favor will you?”
Tide turned back, a sexy half-smile toyed with the corners of his mouth. “Name it.”
“Be careful.” Tide walked back to her, leaned down and kissed her, again. “Also, before you go, there wouldn’t happen to be a hot tub in here?”
His eyes glinted with mischief. “There’s a pool in the back of the cave, but I don’t want you washing.”
“Why not? We had hot, sweaty sex all afternoon. I really need to clean up.”
“No washing.” There was a growl in voice. “My scent is on you. It needs to stay that way. If you bathe, I will need to put my scent back on you, back inside you.” He said the last with an even louder growl that was so primal it took her breath away. His eyes brightened up. His brow was heavily lined with a frown.
Her tummy did a flip-flop and her clit gave a zing. Despite being sore, she still wanted him. Tide sniffed and squeezed his eyes shut. “I’d better go.” She watched as he walked to the entrance. He turned as he reached the opening, giving her a grin. “Shifting with a hard-on is a bitch. Thank you for easing me. It won’t be quite as bad as before.”
Before she could say anything, he jumped. He was already changing as he fell out of sight.
Meghan didn't know what to make of this whole thing. Dragons were definitely very different to humans. To think all of those guys had been after them. More than a dozen of them. They had fought so aggressively, blood was spilled and all because she was about to ovulate. Tide was so different towards her. He wanted to date or practice at being mated, as he put it. She couldn't help but wonder if her hormones weren't muddling his brain. Thing was, she was enjoying the attention. Enjoying the way he looked at her. The things he was saying. Would it last? Would he still feel the same once she finished ovulating and he could think more rationally? Meghan needed to guard herself a little over the next day or two, while they were stuck in the cave. She didn't want to start buying into all of this. Although Tide was the complete opposite of the guys she usually dated, he was someone she could fall for. Yes, she was hugely attracted to him, but there was more there. Tide could hurt her.
Chapter 24
Her hands were flat against the bark. The tree trunk thick and sturdy. Her hair so wet it clung to her head. Moisture dripped down her back, down her thighs. He was just as soaked, could feel droplets of water running down his own body. His hands were on her hips, his fingers denting her flesh. Fucking heaven.
“Can’t get enough,” he moaned.
“Me neither,” Meghan managed to choke out. She arched her back and cried out. Her ass lifted a little higher, his cock slid in a little further. Tide grunted as he felt himself bottom out inside of her.
Desperate.
It was the only way to describe his current state of mind. Mindless desperation. It had become worse and worse as the scent of her heat had intensified. He’d lain awake the entire night, his cock throbbing. His sacs heavy. Easing himself had helped, but only so much. They’d had breakfast and headed to the stream to wash. The fresh, cold, mountain water was so much better than the pool in the cave. A male could only take so much, and his control had ended once they finished washing. Thankfully she was ready to take him back inside her body. There had been no more patience left in him. No preamble. No time to even get dry or back to the cave. The only thing that mattered was coming inside her ‒ multiple times if possible ‒ and bringing her pleasure in the process.
Her ass shook each time he thrust into her. Her pussy made those sucking, wet noises that drove him insane. He needed to take it easy. Needed to be careful. His balls were already in his throat. His grunts filled the clearing. That and the sound of him slapping against her. “Never felt this good,” he moaned.
Meghan was crying out with every hard thrust. Her shouts becoming higher and higher pitched. A sure sign of her pending orgasm. Thank fuck, because he wasn’t going to last. Not now. Not with the sweet scent of her heat in his nostrils. He reached around her and furiously strummed her clit. Thankfully, Tide felt her pussy flutter around him.
Her shouts became hoarse as she came apart. Tide yelled her name as he followed close behind. He grit his teeth to keep himself from marking her. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep from doing so.
Torrent was going to be pissed enough when he found out about this. He’d be in unending shit if he marked her as well. Thing was, he didn’t think she was ready yet for such a big step anyways. “I’m sorry,” he muttered, still moving, still loving the feel of her. “I was supposed to be gentle. Instead I took you like an animal.”
She looked back over her shoulder at him, her lids hooded, her eyes hazy. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You won’t hear a word of complaint from me. Are you feeling a bit better now?” She was breathing hard.
“Yeah, much.” By her scent, she was ovulating right now, so things would hopefully start to calm down soon. He hoped so. “Although I’m not sure how long it will last.” His dick was still firmly inside her. “Also, I would prefer to stay right where I am for the foreseeable future.”
“It’s going to be difficult to shift while still inside me.” She smiled.
“Are you still worried about someone seeing us?”
She nodded. “Yes, is that so weird?”
“We’re in the middle of nowhere. That cave up there is mine. No-one will come all the way out here.”
“Why do you have a sex cave in the middle of nowhere?”
“I had hoped to have a mate of my own one day.” He chuckled.
She turned back towards him, “So you’ve never been with someone during their heat before? Is that the first time that you’ve used the cave?” Then she blushed like maybe she shouldn’t have asked him that. “You don’t have to answer all of my questions. I’m being nosey.”
Tide shook his head. “I’ve never used the cave. We tend to stay far away from females in their heat during the stag run in case we accidentally make them pregnant.”
“I guess I should feel special then.” She smiled, her cheeks still red.
“You are special. I wouldn’t rut you right now unless I was okay with you becoming with child.” It was all true. He didn’t know when she had started getting under his skin, only that it had happened. Tide forced himself to pull out of her and did so with a hard grunt. He pulled her against him, so that her back was to his front, and kissed her neck. Her breathing immediately became elevated. Despite the trying circumstances, he was enjoying being out here with her. There was a part of him that didn’t want to go back to the real world.
It was as if she could read his mind because she tensed. “What will Torrent say about this … about us?”
“I’ll handle my brother. Don’t worry about that right now.”
“Okay.” She shivered in his arms.
“Are you cold?”
“You’re doing a good job of keeping me warm.” He could hear that she was smiling.
Tide pulled away and she turned. He had to bite back a groan. This female was beyond beautiful. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hair still soaking wet. Her lush body. Her scent. Her. He wanted her again. Instead, Tide turned away. “Let’s get you back to the cave before you catch a cold.” He handed her one of the towels they had brought along with them. He watched her dry off and get dressed. It eased something in him now that his scent was back on her. He was beginning to realize that he wouldn’t be able to completely relax until his teeth were in her flesh, until she was truly his. Tide knew that there were still a few hurdles ahead of them. He would gladly face them all.
The next morning …
Meghan stretched, a soft groan escaped. Everything hurt
Tide had been tireless and infinitely careful with her. Then again, there were a couple of bruises on her hips and more on her thighs. She had stubble burn on her neck and breasts and down there … between her legs, she was sure. Meghan smiled, biting down on her lip.
Tide was still sleeping. His chest rising and falling in a deep rhythm. His erection was finally gone, she suspected that she was no longer ovulating. Thankfully. There was a part of her that was sad they would be going back, but it was time to face life. The real world.
Thing was, she needed to get back to work. She’d already missed her next immunotherapy sessions with Sky and Candy. It couldn’t be delayed.
It was also time to face their true feelings. What was going to happen with Tide now that her heat was over? Was he still going to feel something for her or had this all been about lust? What was Torrent going to say? Her stomach was in knots.
Tide stirred. A few minutes elapsed and his eyes opened. “Morning.” His voice was croaky.
“Morning. Did you sleep well?”
“Like the dead.” He yawned, holding his hand in front of his mouth. “I didn’t sleep the first night we were here.” He rubbed his face. “Right.” He sat up and stretched. His back was broad and muscled. “We’d better get going. We need to get back ASAP.” Her sentiments exactly. “Can you be ready in the next half hour? We’ll eat breakfast back at the lair.”
“I take it that I’m back to normal.”
“Yeah. How are you feeling?” He looked almost sheepish. Like he felt bad about something.
“I’m fine.”
“Good.” There was no kissing. No hugging. No lingering looks when she sat up and the sheet pooled fell to her hips. “Do you want to bathe first or should I?” Tide was all business. In fact, he seemed a bit uneasy. There was worry in in his eyes. A tension in his stance.
“Go right ahead.” It almost felt like they were strangers again. She forced a smile.
“Perfect. I won’t be long.” Tide headed to the hearth where he spent a couple of minutes getting a fire going. Then he disappeared to the back of the cave. She heard a splash as he washed. Disappointment welled up in her. She needed to have a talk with him about where they stood with one another. It would be better to know now, before things progressed any further. Before she really began to have serious feelings for him. They hadn’t just had sex over the last two days, they’d talked a lot as well. She really felt like there was something there. They both had responsibilities to get back to, so the immediate need was to return.
She couldn’t help but feel that things had changed now that her heat was over. It was almost like he’d had his fill of her. Sex was one thing. A relationship was another. He’d never made her any promises. Meghan was a strong, independent woman. She didn’t need a man to complete her. The sooner she knew his feelings the better.
Chapter 25
Tide gently descended to the balcony and carefully released Meghan. He moved to the far side and shifted back into his human form. He had to speak with Torrent. He felt stressed and anxious. There would be no relaxing until he’d had it out with the male.
“Are you okay?” Meghan touched the side of his arm. “You’ve hardly spoken since we woke up.”
“It’s just that—”
“There you are.” Bay walked out onto the balcony. “I’m glad to see that the both of you are okay.” The male sighed.
“I’m glad you’re here. Stay with Doctor Roberts. I need to go and see Torrent.”
Bay shook his head. “With all due respect, my lord. Your brother has requested that I notify him immediately upon your return.”
“I’ll notify him myself,” Tide said.
“I need to do it or I’ll be disobeying a direct order.” Bay widened his eyes. “The king is in a bad mood.”
“I’m sure he is, but …” Fuck! Bay turned away from the balcony and headed into Meghan’s chamber. All Tide could do was follow, and by the time he made it into the room, Bay was already gone. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Tide couldn’t leave Meghan. He had to keep her protected. Although the peak of her heat was over, she still smelled of sex. There would still be those who would try their luck, which was unacceptable. His muscles bunched and he clenched his teeth.
“I take it that your brother is angry.”
“Understatement of the century.” He turned to her. Meghan pushed out a breath.
Tide didn’t want Meghan to witness his brother’s anger. Torrent was generally pretty easygoing and they had a good relationship, but the male had a serious temper on him. It might get violent. “Stay out of the way of Torrent when he gets here.”
“You really think he’ll be that upset? Surely he’ll understand. You did what you had to do. No one explained things to me. It’s …”
The front door crashed open. “Glad you could join us.” Torrent sniffed the air. He raised his brows. “I hope you enjoyed yourself over the last few days?” His brother folded his arms, clearly waiting for an answer.
“Yes we did,” Tide told the male what he needed to hear.
Torrent nodded his head. “Bay explained things. I’m not thrilled, but I understand why it was necessary for things to unfold as they did. Taking the female to your cave was the best solution. You pretty much killed two birds with one stone. Right?”
Tide hated how his brother spoke of Meghan like she wasn’t in the room. For the umpteenth time, he found himself sympathizing with Torrent’s mate. No wonder Candy had left him. No wonder it had taken Torrent crawling on his knees for months to win her back. He didn’t always think before speaking. He knew that Torrent didn’t mean it the way it sounded. Torrent could be an oaf.
“Yeah, pretty much. Where is Bay?” He didn’t want to antagonize Torrent.
“He’s outside.” Torrent was far more relaxed than he expected him to be. “There’s one thing I want to mention while the two of you are here. It’s why I asked Bay to call me the moment you returned. I was at your apartment, just in case you went there.”
Tide folded his arms.
“I’m glad you took my advice,” Torrent said.
“About that—”
"No. You get to listen right now." And there it was, a growl to his voice and a narrowing of his eyes. There was anger there, he was just doing an excellent job of holding it in check. "I said you should get your attraction to Doctor Roberts under control by sleeping with her again and I hope that the two of you have done that. I don't want a repeat of this. Doctor, you need to go on a birth control that prevents heat."
Meghan had a faraway look. She didn’t talk for a moment or two. “You told Bay to tell Torrent that you took his advice.” She narrowed her eyes for a moment and they flared with sadness.
“Yes, I said it, but just to appease my brother. I knew he was less likely to get too upset if he thought this was purely sexual.”
“It was. You went into heat,” Torrent pointed at Meghan, “and you, as her guard, needed to keep her safe. And get this whole thing out of your system.”
Meghan looked distraught. He could scent her pain. She quickly schooled her emotions.
“It wasn’t like that,” Tide insisted. “I meant everything I said to you.” He implored Meghan with his eyes but it didn’t seem to help.
“What are you saying?” Torrent growled. He knew his brother was going to explode when he told him he had feelings for Meghan. He couldn’t do it with her in the room. Needed to protect her. He would explain it all later.
“I need to speak with you alone,” he told Torrent. “I need you to trust me.” He turned back to Meghan.
She shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. Then she blinked a couple of times.
Torrent called for Bay to come into the chamber.
Fuck!
He forced himself to put one foot in front of the other. The sooner he dealt with Torrent, the sooner he could come back to her and explain.
Meghan wasn’t sure what to believe. What to feel or think. It would be better to try to put it out of her mind. It was her heat. Nothing more.
No!
That couldn’t be. It had to be though. She needed to try to clear her mind or to do something to stay busy. She quickly changed and headed for her laboratory. Bay fell in behind her like a silent shadow. She needed to get back to work instead of obsessing over Tide. It seemed like all she did lately was think about him. Ever since she came here. It felt like most of her thoughts outside of work revolved around him.
“How have things been here at the lair?” she tried to make small talk.
Bay smiled. “Interesting.”
“Why, what happened?”
“You will find out soon enough,” was his cryptic reply.
“You’re not going to give me a hint?”
Bay shook his head.
“Come on, just a little clue.”
“Okay,” he sighed, looking wistful. “It has to do with love.”
“Argh!” She pulled a face.
He chuckled. “Not one of your favorite subjects right now?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“It’s so damned complicated, isn’t it?” he said. “I was in love once. She was a beautiful Fire dragon. I was young and stupid.” His features tightened. His already dark eyes darkened up a whole lot more.
“Oh, what happened?”
"In hindsight, I probably wasn't as head over heels in love with her as I imagined I was. I decided to go on a stag run. I'd never been before and didn't know what the bid deal was. I was curious and stupid. Did I mention stupid?"
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