“Make way, I’m coming through.” A tall man, who had to Brent’s father, came into the room carrying a large pile of things. He settled everything on the floor near the bed and straightened. He stepped toward Carissa, hand out, and a genial smile on his face. “Marcus, Brent’s father. You must be Carissa. Isn’t she lovely, dear? Absolutely gorgeous. And a werewolf too.” He nudged Aurelia. “Good match, I’d say, very good match. Excellent luck, son, excellent.”
Aurelia smiled up at her husband. “Yes, I can see that dear, but first we need to figure out what’s wrong with our little lad. He’s being petulant.”
Marcus laughed. “Of course he is. Don’t want the parents to come in and deal with this. Highly embarrassing to him. Naked too, of course. It’s okay, son, happens to the best of us. Myself included. Now tell us the symptoms and we can help.”
Brent’s face flushed a bright crimson. His lips thinned and looked down at the floor.
Carissa sighed. “His dragon wants him to shift during sex. He gets aroused and it tries to force him to change. After sex, he’s totally wiped out whether it’s with me or all alone. What can we do?”
Brent lifted his head. His gaze met Carissa’s. Hurt filled those dark blue orbs.
Aurelia lifted her hand and caressed her son’s cheek. “Ah, a Dragon Ugly situation. I see. Basically your dragon wants to claim your mate, and is using extreme measures, even trying to take over your human side.” A serious look came over her face. “Sweetie, you need help, otherwise the dragon could force a shift you’re not ready for, take over and seal away your human side forever. Or worse, you could die from the exertion. We don’t want that.”
Brent turned away and heaved a deep sigh. “Just go away. I’m fine.”
Carissa took his hand. “So what if I met your parents earlier than you intended? We’ve met. Deal with it.” She looked back at Brent’s parents. “What can we do?”
Aurelia’s face was filled with joy. “Feisty. Strong. I like her. Yes, what can we do? Well, as much as I hate to say this, darling, you’re going to have to shift fully. Let it out completely and it will be too exhausted to force you to shift during sex with Carissa.”
Brent’s jaw dropped. “I don’t think so. I can’t. Where would I go?”
“To our cabin, of course. Far enough from people, but with enough room to completely allow the dragon to run free.” Aurelia gazed at Brent, hope on her face.
“There’s a ‘but’ isn’t there?” Carissa reached out and grabbed Brent’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
Aurelia nodded. “No sex. Lots of mediation, lots of spending time together, but absolutely no sex. You can kiss, but you can’t fuck like bunnies until after the dragon’s been let out.”
Brent groaned. “Mum!”
“What? I can say fuck. Geesh. Stop being a prude. Well, do you agree? This will allow the bonding process to cement on a deeper level than just sex.” Aurelia crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her son.
“Can you wait until the full moon?” Carissa asked. “Then we can shift together and I can keep the dragon in line.” She glanced from Brent to his parents. She wanted to take care of him, keep him safe from other predators, and most of all, help him through this difficult time.
“Why is my mating heat so different from Tor’s?” Brent demanded. He stood up, anger etched on his face.
“Because Tor is a fire dragon,” Marcus said. “Each mating heat is different. No two are alike, son. I know this is difficult but this is for your own safety.”
“This doesn’t make you less of a man, honey.” Carissa stood up and wrapped her arms around him from behind. She placed a soft kiss between his shoulder blades. “It just means that I get to boss you around and use you like a pack mule.” She grinned.
Aurelia and Marcus chuckled.
“Meaning?” Brent turned in her arms and gazed down at her, hesitation on his face.
“Jez, Anna and I are moving to the lakeside. We have a booth and will be using it for the last few days of the festival. We can do a picnic and spend all the time together you need…and even make out. That’s allowed right?” She looked at Aurelia and Marcus for an answer.
Aurelia nodded. “Yes, you can make out, just no sex.”
“Is there a way around the sex?” Brent asked, desperation on his face.
Aurelia looked at Marcus. They both fell silent for a few moments. Carissa stroked Brent’s arms and placed kisses on his chest.
“Well,” Aurelia looked at Marcus, who nodded. “There is a way, but you won’t like it and neither will the dragon. We’d have to use magic to bind the dragon for a limited time, and you’d still have to be careful. Also, you’d have to keep the dragon in check. You can’t let down your defenses. You’d have to be always on guard.”
Marcus leaned down and rummaged around in a bag from the heap of things he brought with him. He produced a pair of silver handcuffs. Even from where she stood Carissa could feel the magic emanating from the cuffs. Marcus handed them to Aurelia, who in turn gave them to Carissa. Puzzled, Carissa accepted them and turned them over in her hands. There were delicate etchings that appeared when the bands caught the light. Small silver links joined the two cuffs together.
“Elvish?” Carissa asked.
Aurelia beamed. “Yes. They are indestructible, so he can pull and tug all he wants and the dragon won’t get out. But you can only use them for sex, not for when he pisses you off, understand?” She wagged her finger at Carissa but smiled.
Carissa nodded. “I understand.”
“We’d still need to perform magic to bind the dragon. The cuffs are just an extra precaution. I’m leaving them with Carissa because if it were up to my son, he’d hide them.” Aurelia grinned. “Now, Carissa darling, you and the boys need to leave the room. We have to start the ritual. Afterward, he’ll need to eat.”
Carissa lifted herself up on tiptoe and kissed Brent. “I’ll be right outside. Don’t worry.” She gathered up her clothes and followed Tor and Fletch out into the hallway. The door closed behind them and she started to get dressed, not caring that both men were watching. She was Brent’s mate. They were just his friends.
“Um, I’m Fletch,” Fletch held out his hand, crimson patches on his cheeks.
“Tor,” Tor held out his hand, not the least bit embarrassed.
She shook their proffered hands and nodded toward the stairs. “They may be awhile. Want to get dinner started? We can talk while they work.”
The men nodded and she followed them downstairs. Despite the calm she tried to convey, her mind was on Brent and what he was going through.
Chapter Sixteen
Everyone tried to ignore the thuds, bumps and loud curses from overhead. They went about their business and tried not to think about it.
Also, everyone seemed to be ignoring the fact that they’d all seen Carissa naked. She didn’t even feel embarrassed by it. She didn’t really care. She was made more uncomfortable by trying to make awkward small talk with Brent’s best friends. The two guys seemed just as uncomfortable. She could barely stand it.
She put down a dish rag and looked at the men behind her, currently chopping up vegetables. “Okay, look, let’s just say it. You met me naked. I’m Brent’s mate and I’ll be coming around here a bit more often. I know you’re mated to my friend Louisa, Fletch, and don’t worry, I’ll tell her myself and explain things to her. Other than that, you guys can look at me without trying to ignore the whole nudity thing. I’m cool.”
Tor swallowed. “It’s not that, and I can tell Louisa myself. It’s just…well, I went through mating heat a few months ago. Still am going through it, with spurts of anger, a need for sex, a need to shift. But with Brent it’s bad. Worse than what I went through. I can’t help but feel bad for him. There’s nothing I can really do.”
Fletch nodded. “Brent is normally easygoing. I hope he’s going to be more stable with the magic ritual.”
Out of curiosity, Carissa asked, “How does magic a
ffect you guys? I know there isn’t much that can damage dragons.”
Both Tor and Fletch were silent at first. Then Fletch answered, “Elvish magic is the only thing that can affect us. Witches and warlocks only produce tickles.”
Tor agreed. “Yeah, so whatever they’re doing will have to be Elvish magic.” Tor’s lips quirked into a smile. “So, are you over the fact that you met his parents naked?”
Carissa snapped the towel at him. “How’d you feel if you met Louisa’s parents naked?”
Tor shrugged. “Given that she doesn’t get along with them and they’re separated, I’d say the likelihood of that happening is slim to none, but yeah I can understand feeling embarrassed.”
Carissa nodded. “So, stop the teasing. Anyway, what exactly are we making for dinner? I see you still have a few steaks left, although something tells me it’s not enough for everyone.” She eyed both men. “Do we have time to go the store or do you want to order in?”
Fletch looked down at the cutting board before him. “We already started the makings of a salad. Maybe we can do a mix and match. Steak, chicken and pork?”
Carissa opened the fridge and looked over the pickings in the fridge. “How big is your grill?”
“The best on the market,” Tor replied with pride. “The DragonStone 20,000.”
Carissa fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Okay, I guess that’s a yes.”
She began to pull out the packages of defrosted meat and piled them onto the counter.
“So, tell us about what you do,” Fletch said as he went back to chopping vegetables. “Brent didn’t want to share any details.”
She told them about the aromatherapy store and what she did there, the lines they carried and what their plans were for the rest of the festival. Both Fletch and Tor were very interested in the possibility of a men’s line and wanted to be the first guinea pigs. They even volunteered to help out at the festival booth that Scentify was going to be setting up tomorrow.
“Why don’t I go grab some dessert and swing by the store to get you samples along with a comment cards? I’m thinking strawberry ice cream, chocolate pound cake and whipped cream?” Carissa threw out.
Tor grinned. “Deal! Louisa loves your stuff and I’m sure I’ll love using some of the oils on her.”
“It’s supposed to be about you,” Carissa teased.
Tor’s grin broadened. “It is about me. I give pleasure to Louisa and in return I get to have sex.”
Carissa rolled her eyes. “Yup, you really are Brent’s friends. I’ll be back. I’ll pack a bag so I can stay overnight.” She headed for the door.
“Hurry back with that ice cream and those oils. I want to get started with Louisa tonight,” Tor called out after her.
“Yeah, yeah,” Carissa said over her shoulder as she grabbed her purse and left the house. Her spirits were lighter. She felt more stable, as if life truly was expanding and starting for her. In a weird way, she could see Tor and Fletch becoming part of her inner circle, with Louisa, Jez and Anna. Her confidence was climbing. Having been with Brent she felt sexier, more confident in her skin. It felt wonderful having a man who understood her needs and wanted to put her first. Her parents’ assessment of her no longer mattered. In fact, thinking on it, it had never mattered—period. With hindsight she could see that no one else’s thoughts about her sex life and sexuality mattered but hers. She had always known what she wanted; she just didn’t want to share.
The only thing to do now was talk to her parents, especially her mom. Carissa went the store first, where she told Anna and Jez what was going on with Brent, and why she’d left so quickly. She told them that Brent and the boys would help out tomorrow and during the rest of the festival week. Even this close to closing time, the store was still packed. Carissa helped with a few purchases before she went home to get some things.
She left the market for last. She bought the ice cream, fresh strawberries, the pound cake and the whipped cream. Then she headed over to Brent’s, where she parked next to Aurelia and Marcus’s car.
With the exception of Brent, everyone was on the back patio, helping to set the table, or cook, or just mill around, talking. After putting away the food she went straight up to Brent’s room and knocked. When there was no answer, she pushed her way in.
He lay on the bed, sleeping. She put her bag down near his dresser and sat down next to him. She brushed some hair away from his face and gave him a kiss on the lips. He opened his eyes. A small, tired smile curled on his lips.
“Hey,” she said softly.
“Hey,” he replied, in a hoarse whisper.
“Tired?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes, only good for cuddling. Go eat.”
“I’ll bring you up a plate. You get some rest.” She gave him another kiss and joined everyone else down on the back patio. Aurelia greeted her with a hug and dragged her over to a couch.
“Sit with me, dear, while the men talk sports and burn meat. I want to know all about you.” Aurelia handed her some lemonade and smiled at her.
Rather than shrink away, Carissa dove right in, telling her all about her job and her education, carefully hedging around her life with her parents or any conversation about her childhood.
“You’re leaving things out, honey. Tell me.” Aurelia’s direct blue gaze turned her into a child, challenging her to face her past.
She bit her lip to keep the words from spilling out, and yet her wolf compelled her tell Brent’s mom everything. Aurelia’s aura and energy made her feel safe, interesting, comfortable and free.
Carissa licked her lips and began to tell the story of her youth, waiting for laughter. When she’d finally gotten to the end of her narrative, and had told Brent’s mother about her most recent conversation with her own mother, Aurelia laid a hand on hers and smiled.
“Tell Brent. I can see your embarrassment. To be honest, our raising of Brent was very similar to your parents’, only less in-your-face. I can see how humiliated you felt, how awkward you are about your mother and father, and I can understand that. But it sounds to me like they wanted you to feel good about yourself and open with your sexual issues. Sounds mad, but really, if you can’t speak to your mom or dad about your private issues—people who’ve been through all of that already—who can you talk to?”
Carissa turned over what Aurelia had said. “I can try. I’ve already decided to speak to her, I just…I feel weird about it. How can I explain that all the things they told me made me feel…well…unattractive or not good enough?”
Aurelia gave her a small smile. “You just have to be honest, honey. Now let’s go get some food. I’m starving and I think they’ve finished their ritualistic cooking.”
Carissa stood up with Aurelia and they headed toward the table. Everyone took a seat and began to pile their plates with food. The chatter was warm and easy. Jokes and teasing flowed freely without the least hesitation. Hours passed, and someone turned on the music. Aurelia and Carissa served the ice cream and pound cake. Marcus told stories about Brent’s childhood around the fire pit.
Carissa invited Jez and Anna over and the party really began when the women brought out the alcohol. Brent woke up and came down to join them, wearing only a pair of baggy jeans and no shoes or shirt. Carissa ended up watching the evening pass, cuddled up in a loveseat with Brent’s arm around her as they ate the strawberries.
Tor called over Louisa and everyone took the night off, calling in sick. Fletch took out a stack of board games and things took a competitive bent. Laughter and fun ruled until the early hours of the morning, when Louisa and Anna put a damper on things.
“Look, I know, I know. Jez and Carissa will tell you that this is just another excuse to be hooked up to a java IV,” Anna started. That statement was met with many cheers from the coffee addicts. “But we have work to do in a little over…” She paused to check her watch. “…five hours, so if you don’t mind it’s time to sleep!”
With many grumbles the boys set up the
guest rooms and sleeper couches where everyone crashed. Carissa headed up to Brent’s room with him, where she changed into a tank top and shorts and climbed into bed.
“What no nekkidness?” Brent pouted.
“Not with my friends in this house. Besides, you still have to sleep off the rest of the effects of the magic. You can tell me all about it tomorrow. But for now, I’m pooped. Come on, lover, let’s go to bed.”
She climbed under the sheets with him and fell asleep in his arms, feeling safe and happier than she’d been in a long time.
* * *
Brent awoke with sunlight filtering through the room. His head still felt a bit fuzzy. The buzz of magic pinged on his arms and the bare skin of his chest and abdomen. He groaned and rolled over to his side to find Carissa’s side of the bed empty.
With a slow movement that made his stomach slosh, he sat up and looked around. Carissa’s bag sat next to his dresser and he heard her laughter filtering up through the small crack in his door. The voices of his friends and parents came through the space along with the smells of bacon and pancakes. His stomach grumbled, whether in hunger or protest, he couldn’t decide. All he knew was that last night’s little magic ritual had screwed up his head. Sleep may have dulled the effects, but he felt as if his brain had ballooned in size.
The dragon was silent, cocooned in a bubble, unhappy but quiet. Brent pushed back the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. His vision blurred and his head swam before everything righted itself. Part of him wanted to call his mother up to his room and demand to know what she hadn’t told him about the ritual. His parents warned him that he wouldn’t feel stable for a few days and that he needed to take thing slow. A normal routine would be just what he needed, which would mean going to work tonight.
With a grimace, he undressed and padded to the bathroom where he took a quick shower, dried off and got dressed in jeans and T-shirt. He’d promised Carissa and her friends that he would help Tor and Fletch set up their booth at Shadow Cove Lake. There was even a picnic planned for lunch. All in all, it was shaping up to be a great day.
Dragon Ugly (Dragon New Year) Page 16
