Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year)

by Selena Illyria

  Brent’s grin grew even wider. “Actually, I want something that’s not on sale,” he murmured, coming closer to her, bringing his body heat and scent nearer. Carissa moved back. The wolf bumped her from within so that she leaned over the wide space separating them.

  Crap. She tried to pull back but the wolf locked her limbs in place. “Really?” she asked in a husky whisper. She cleared her throat.

  Brent moved his face closer, until his lips were a hair’s breadth away from hers. She could practically feel the solidity of the firm, pink flesh against lips. Tingles broke out all over her body. A whimper formed in her throat but she swallowed it down, refusing to let him know how he was making her feel.

  He nodded. “Is there someplace we can go for a bit more privacy?”

  She licked her lips and looked around to find a line had formed behind him. Jez and Anna were giving her incredulous looks. The store came back to her, and with a sigh, she shook her head.

  “I can’t leave just yet. Lunch?” She prayed that he would say yes—or maybe no. She wasn’t sure how she would handle him if he agreed, but she couldn’t bear for him to refuse.

  “Lunch. I’ll be back in an hour or two.” He bent over the counter and took her lips in a soft, teasing kiss with a flick of his tongue. She shivered as he pulled back, with a smile so filled with lust that her knees turned to jelly and her legs shook. More. She needed more of that.

  A woman whistled as Brent turned and left, a slow glide toward the door that allowed her to take him in: firm buttocks underneath tight denim, a strong back and broad shoulders.

  “That’s a slice of heaven right there,” a customer said. “I can’t say I like the blue tips—but still, that face. You better lock him down, if you know what’s good for you.”

  Carissa ignored the comment. Brent was hers regardless of what anyone said. At least, that’s what her wolf told her. She reminded herself to remain professional as she rang up the orders and sent people on their way. When Jezebel and Anna came over under the pretense of helping her or refilling a shelf or display, she ignored their questions and inquiring glances.

  By the time lunch arrived it was a relief just to get out of the shop. She would have taken any excuse to get her away from the crush of all those people and the suggestive looks that Jez and Anna shot her way.

  She beamed with happiness when at last Brent reentered the store.

  “Ready?” he said, and grabbed her hand, gripping it tightly.

  “I’m ready,” she managed.

  He led her to a small seafood restaurant that she’d always wanted to check out. Her body relaxed gradually as she got use to his touch. His palms were softer than she’d thought they would be, warm and solid, filled with strength. His thumb caressed the back of hand, sending quivers of sensation up her arm. It felt totally natural to stroll down the street with him. She drifted closer to him, letting her hip rub against his as they entered the restaurant.

  He managed to get a table in the back, near a window, despite the crowd waiting to be seated. His knees brushed against Carissa’s as he shifted in his seat, sending a wave of heat up to her pussy. The server came and poured water for them and offered them menus, but Carissa barely noticed. She was staring at Brent, drinking in her fill, and he stared back.

  “You’re absolutely gorgeous,” he murmured as he reached out, palm up.

  She hesitated before giving him her hand. As she touched his flesh, she felt a soothing wave penetrate into her depths, all the way to the cage where her wolf paced. A sigh brushed past her lips as a slow smile curled on her face. She couldn’t think of a reason not to touch him now.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “You are gorgeous. Stunning up close.” Brent’s nostrils flared. “And you smell fantastic. What kind of perfume is that?”

  More heat filled her cheeks and slid down her throat in a thick gel. “It’s nothing, just a little bit of this and that.”

  “I can smell lavender, sage and citrus?” He shook his head. “I’ll find out later. We’ll have dinner. How about that? Tonight? I know you probably have a short lunch break. Tell me about what you do.”

  Carissa tried to pull her thoughts together enough to give him some idea about the shop and her role in it, but with every brush of his thumb and shift of his legs under the table, her thoughts scattered to the wind. She managed to mumble out a few things, almost as if she were reading from one of the brochures that she handed out with every purchase.

  Brent nodded. “Sounds interesting. I’d really like to see more of it. Maybe a tour, after hours?” He raised an eyebrow.

  “Sure.” She tried to sound nonchalant, but it came out husky and breathless.

  “How about tonight? I can bring the dinner. How about something Italian? I can even help you with the stock?” He brought her hand up to his lips and gave her the lightest of kisses. Traces of need threaded through her veins at that small touch.

  Alone in a darkened shop with him? Images of what they could get up to flooded her mind—against the shelves, in front of the window, on the counter.

  She shivered. A thin voice came out of her mouth that she almost didn’t recognize. “I would like that.” She suddenly couldn’t wait for evening. It would allow her to get to know him better and explore this attraction to him. He was a near-stranger, but in her gut she felt she was safe with him. Her wolf agreed.

  “Maybe we can test out some of your products,” Brent said. “Maybe those oils that you mentioned. I’ve been very tense lately. All these people makes me anxious…” He stopped, as if changing his mind about something, and his voice lost its sly edge. He looked as if he was confused for a moment, and then made a decision: “No…I should make myself very clear here. I don’t know why, but I feel I don’t have to play these games with you. I can just be honest.” He gave her a smile any wolf would be proud of. “So let me be honest. I want to feel your hands on my body. I want to feel you wrapped around my cock, and I want to fuck you until you can’t walk straight.”

  A kernel of heat bloomed in Carissa’s stomach, adding to the inferno that was already building in her sex. She licked her lips and threw caution to the wind. “And what will you do for me?” she asked. “Maybe I don’t want you to fuck me. Maybe I want to save that for later.” In truth, she wanted to rip off his clothes and have him right there, on the restaurant table. But she wanted to see how he would react.

  He released her hand and for a second a chill filled her as she watched him pick up his menu. From behind the thick paper he gave her his answer. “I can wait. I enjoy the thrill of the chase.” She could see the determination in his eyes. His irises had become a sea green, burning with intensity. Thin streamers of steam floated upward from his nostrils and disappeared, making Carissa think she’d imagined it. Her ears prickled as the scent of water became stronger, overpowering the aroma of seafood and earth.

  She felt like she was surrounded by his presence. The menu made her feel cut off from him, adrift on the sea. She picked up her own menu to try to get her bearings. The words might as well have been gibberish. She wasn’t sure what she was reading or what she was supposed to be doing anymore. When Brent shifted in his seat again and she felt his knees brush against hers, it was like she’d discovered the sun. She latched onto that sensation and settled back into her chair. Liquid ran along her muscles as she relaxed and centered herself. Her wolf was silent, much to her amusement. It was finally spending time with its mate, therefore everything was right in the world.

  Carissa tried to concentrate on what she wanted to eat, but suddenly Brent’s chair scraped across the floor and he was sitting right next to her. She sat up ramrod straight. His arm slipped around the back of the chair but didn’t touch her. She could feel his body heat slithering up her right side. She moved a bit closer to him, but resisted the urge to press against him.

  The server returned and they placed their orders. When the waiter moved away, Brent moved his hand, stroking the nape of her neck
, teasing her. Whisper-soft brushes of his fingertips sent licks of pleasure up and down her spine. She resisted the urge to shiver. She felt so out of her depth. She wasn’t sure what was expected of her. Should she flirt with him? Touch him? Or just sit there? The thoughts flew around her brain until she felt him give the back of her neck a squeeze. His warm breath brushed against her ear, setting off small quakes around her body.

  “Relax, you’re becoming tense,” he whispered.

  She licked her lips and decided to go for honesty. “I don’t know what to do or how to act here.” Carissa felt so stupid admitting that. Surely a gorgeous guy like Brent was used to women who were far more comfortable in their own skin and confident in themselves than she was. “It’s not that I’ve never been on a date before. I just…um…” She wasn’t sure how to explain how she felt.

  He curled a small tendril of her hair around his finger and gave it a gentle pull. “Just go with the flow.”

  She felt him start to pull out the pins from her bun. Her hands flew up to stop him, only to have him brush them away. “Relax. I like seeing your hair down. Like when we first met.”

  Brent pressed a tiny kiss to her temple, making her pulse increase. Ignoring her body’s reaction, she batted his hands away once again and began to fix her tresses. “Yes, well, I still have work to do, so back in a bun it goes.”

  He chuckled. “Fine. But for dinner, your hair had better be down or there will be consequences.”

  She raised an eyebrow and turned her head to look at him. “Threats don’t work on me.” She knew she should have been put off by his demand, but the steady pulse in her vagina said otherwise.

  “Uh-huh, and yet I can smell your arousal.” To demonstrate, he inhaled deeply. “So sweet and musky. So much temptation. I bet your panties are damp. Let’s see if I can’t make you wetter.”

  He brushed his lips against the side of her throat, tracing a line of fire from her pulse point down to the neckline of her blouse. Brent nipped a bit of skin before sucking it into his mouth in strong tugs. Each pull shot straight to her pussy, echoing in her womb. She groaned. The room seemed too crowded with people and prying eyes. He flicked the throbbing spot and pulled away. “Nope, still not wet enough.”

  He moved his arm and placed his hand on her knee, just letting it sit there doing nothing, and yet his touch burned through her skirt. Seconds ticked by as the anticipation increased. Her clit pulsed, demanding something, anything to stop the slow ache. A whimper began to form in her throat; it took all her strength to not let it out.

  When the waiter returned with their orders, Brent didn’t remove his hand. He just nodded and slid his palm up her leg an inch or two. Smooth silk slipped along her skin, sending ripples through her sex. She squirmed in her seat and resisted the urging of her wolf to grab his hand and move it toward her pussy.

  Breathing deep and slow, she took inventory of what was going on in her body. Her inner temperature was climbing and her thoughts were becoming difficult to decipher as her whole being became centered on his touch.

  Brent slid his hand upward, stopping in the middle of her thigh, giving the thick muscle a squeeze. She found herself panting, small whimpers were slipping past her parted lips. Carissa reached out and grabbed her glass and took a sip to cover her reactions. He continued to flex his fingers around her silk-covered leg. The pressure was strong, but it didn’t cause any pain. She took another sip of water, thankful for the small ice cubes tinkling in the glass. Any source of coolness was a relief as the sweat droplets glided down her temple and along her jaw.

  It was embarrassing that she had become so sweaty when turned on, and yet Brent didn’t seem to mind one bit. He placed kisses along her jaw, nipping at her flesh every so often. She tried to remind herself that they were in public, but she couldn’t muster the energy to care.

  “Brent,” she whispered.

  “Hmm?” His hand moved up as he teased the corner of her mouth with the tip of his tongue.

  Carissa swallowed, as pinpricks of fire danced along her skin and shards of pain lanced her fingertips. The wolf rammed at its barrier, demanding out, as the passion began to ramp up.

  “Brent,” she tried again.

  “Spread your legs, sweetheart. Let me feel all that heat.” His voice was a low, sensual murmur that wove around her body and bent it to his will.

  She reached out to grab his wrist. “Brent, we’re in public. Our waiter could come back any minute now.” Now that she’d uttered that warning, she released his wrist and waited to see what he would do. They were going too fast. She had to catch her breath before she truly lost all control. Her wolf rippled to the surface; fur slid under her skin and sharp claws scratched gently against her insides, setting off mini fires. She wasn’t about to shift, but the wolf was pushing its own agenda and Carissa found it difficult to say no, especially when everything felt so damn good.

  Brent gave her a chuckle and placed his hand over her mound, cupping her groin with his fingers, digging into the well created by her now bunched-up skirt. His fingertips pressed against the lips of her sex, and her labia grew damper. Her clit throbbed. Just thin layers of cloth separated his fingers from the source of her need. Her vaginal walls clenched as a fresh gush of juices soaked through her panties. A growl formed in her throat as the glide of fur became more prominent and the wolf’s power surged forward. Beads of sweat formed along her hairline and upper lip. Her heartbeat increased as her breathing became labored.

  The pain in her hands increased, causing them to shake, as once more the wolf tried to find some weakness in its cage. With as much strength as she could muster, she shoved the animal back. The full moon may only be a few days away, but she wasn’t going to shift here and now. And yet the tendrils of the pain, and pleasure from the animal’s attempts remained, tracing their way through her veins and wrapping around her muscles.

  Carissa got a respite with the return of the server with their food. If he noticed anything, he did not comment. She wasn’t sure whether to be thankful or not. All thoughts of propriety were shoved aside as Brent pressed harder, pulling a gasp from her lips. Her hips bucked. Delicious sensations swirled around her pussy. Relief was almost in sight. All she needed to do was give him access, say a word, beg for more of his touch.

  “Do you want me to slip my hand under your skirt, sweetheart? Touch your sweet pussy? Are you wet enough yet? Maybe you aren’t, but I can smell the spice of your arousal.” He growled. “You’re so close, and I can feel your mating heat arise. You want more don’t you? You want me to claim you, hold you down and fuck you, force you to submit, yes?” He whispered against her ear and then she felt a sharp nip that made her shudder.

  She shivered in her seat as the inferno turned to a raging wildfire, threatening to consume her. Carissa could feel that insistent pulse deep in her womb, that need for fulfillment. Everything in her was geared toward Brent and his touch. How the hell was she supposed to function when all she wanted to do was drag him home with her, strip off her clothes and fuck him senseless? Maybe this wasn’t mating heat. Maybe this was simply due to not having had a man in such a long time.

  Summoning all her willpower, she grabbed Brent’s hand and moved it away, despite the howls of protest from both her wolf and her body. She wanted to sleep with Brent, but dammit—she would be the one to decide when and where.

  Chapter Nine

  Brent felt her trying to pull away from the moment, and could only smirk. He sat back in his chair but didn’t move back around the table. “You can run away from what you’re feeling all you want, sweetheart, but you’ll give in to me eventually. Also, remember, we have a dinner date tonight.”

  “I haven’t forgotten, but you’ll only get a tour and dinner. Nothing else.” She sounded tough, but there was a quiver in her voice that made him grin.

  Her arousal was obvious. He was sure she could smell her own desire. Brent wouldn’t let her forget how he had affected her. But first, some food.

  His
own dragon was egging him on, and he needed a distraction before he did something stupid. He ate, but didn’t really taste anything. Every breath he took reminded him of her damp panties. The pressure in his pants was verging on painful. His balls ached for release and his cock was pressing against his fly, demanding freedom. She wasn’t the only uncomfortable one here. He reached down and adjusted his erection, hoping she wouldn’t notice. Thankfully, she seemed very intent on looking at her lobster pasta dish. When the waiter came back to offer them wine, they both declined. Brent had work in an hour or two and Carissa had to get back to Scentify.

  Brent thought back to the aromatherapy store. It was nice, clean and had a welcoming feel. But there was something missing about it. It lacked Carissa’s personal touch. He took in the woman next to him. The phantom taste of skin on his tongue blended with the soup he’d chosen for lunch—a salty tang with just a hint of earthy flavor, which made him yearn to lick and kiss every inch of her. He could see her tied down and blindfolded as he used an ice cube and his tongue on her body to rile her up, making her beg.

  Out of the corner of his eye he took her in, calm and cool, controlled. Only her unique perfume gave away that anything was wrong. Her body heat no longer scalded his side, but he could still feel that fire from her skin against the bare flesh of his forearm.

  They ate their fill in silence. When the server came back to ask about dessert, Carissa declined. She checked her watch. “Sorry, but I have to get back.”

  Brent understood. He had to get back to the house himself and change.

  Before she could insist on paying he handed the waiter his credit card. “I’ll meet you out front.”

  She opened her mouth and he took her lips in a quick kiss to stop her from protesting. “No need to pay. Next time we go out, it’ll be your turn. How’s that?”

  Carissa chuckled. “Have it all figured out do you? Fine. Next time.”

  She pushed back her chair and left him. He returned his seat back to its rightful place before going to the front. Once the check was paid, he offered her his arm and they left. Carissa turned toward him as soon as they passed the restaurant front. “Thank you. I’ll see you for dinner tonight at the shop.”