by Ruby Dixon
It’s…odd.
I know things aren’t perfect for her. I know both she and Melina have to wear my dirty clothing to cover the smell of them, because Kael’s worried other dragons will pick up their scent on the air and come looking for mates. I know they have to be extra careful with everything they do, and wash several times a day with my prized shampoos. But they’re safe here. They just need to realize that.
I snuggle deeper into the blankets, wincing when my side twinges again. I think about Kael and how it’s been a few days since he’s held me while I sleep. I miss it. Well, among other things. I can feel myself blushing, and I press my thighs tighter together.
As if my thoughts have summoned him, the shadow of my dragon circles lazily overhead, even as I feel his thoughts brush against mine. I sit up straighter in bed, resisting the urge to fix my hair. I probably look like hell from a week of being an invalid. I don’t want him to look at me and see a weak, fragile human. I want him to see his mate, to be happy when he looks at me.
Because I’m going to tell him that I love him and I’m staying, and it feels like an important moment. But it also needs to be an intimate one. I glance over at Amy, who’s pouring two cups of tea over by the fire.
Kael settles high on the roof above, his shadow falling over the open cooking area that we still haven’t figured out how to cover yet. To my surprise, he drops his kill, and the dead deer thumps to the ground next to Amy, who drops the tea kettle and stumbles backward. I wait for him to switch to his human form, but instead, he swoops low, claws extended, and grabs Amy.
My sister shrieks in alarm.
32
CLAUDIA
Oh my god. Kael? What are you doing? I struggle to sit up in bed, alarmed as my dragon flies off with my sister.
I heard your thoughts. I saw your mental images. His mind is a naughty purr in my own. I am going to claim my mate, and I do not wish for onlookers to be nearby as I make you scream with pleasure.
Eek. I suppress a horrified—and pleased—giggle. A little warning next time? Amy’s probably frightened out of her wits. And where is Melina?
I am taking your sister to her. They are in a safe place. There is a building nearby that has a heavy stink to it that will disguise their scents. I will retrieve them when I have pleasured you.
Poor Amy. Poor Melina. But…I can’t be all that sorry. My mind is flashing full of lustful thoughts that filter in through our connection, of his clawed hand curling in my hair as he pulls my head back and drives into me from behind. Of my breasts bouncing with each thrust, and my wild screams as he makes me come.
Okay, yeah, it’s probably a good thing he’s making Amy and Melina leave. If it’s safe, we need to set them up with a home of their own, I suggest. So I have more time with my mate. I hear he misses me.
My cock misses his home between your legs, he tells me from far away, and it’s so strongly projected into my mind it’s like he’s here instead of flying away with Amy.
The visuals he sends make me giggle with embarrassment. His home?
It is where I belong, Kael sends, amused. Where he belongs, too. Do you disagree?
Not at all. But I don’t know how much I’m going to be able to participate with my side hurting. I’m still weak, too, but I feel like a wimp in admitting that. Maybe we should wait.
We are not waiting, my dragon says imperiously. And I shall do everything. It would give me great pleasure to put my head between your thighs and make you cry out.
What about you?
All you need to do is lie back and let me touch you. That will be my pleasure.
Well, how can I resist such a compelling argument? I’ve been bedridden for the last week and aching, so I haven’t felt all that sexy. But hearing his thoughts and his desire is making mine return in a rush. Hurry, I tell him. Or I’m going to start without you. I put my hands on my breasts and lazily tease the tips with slow circling motions, mentally projecting the image back to him.
A low, draconic groan ripples through my mind. Cruel, sweet mate.
Cruel, am I? I avoid my throbbing side and slide a hand down my belly, pushing into the waistband of my panties. He finds my undergarments ridiculous, viewing them as useless bits of clothing, but I like them. Any kind of clothing is a luxury not to be wasted, so I wear them. I let my fingers brush against the curls of my pussy and then slip a finger between my folds. Not wet enough yet. I think of Kael kneeling between my legs, my fingers teasing his hair as he pushes his face into my pussy and begins to ravenously lick me.
That does the trick. Thinking of that makes me wet in moments. I moan and flick a finger over my clit, my other hand on my breast, squeezing it. How much longer are you going to be?
Too long.
I chuckle at the tortured sound of his thoughts. Please don’t drop my sister in your haste.
You are the cruelest of mates, he teases.
Am I? I tease back. And here I thought I was just feeling so much better. I continue to stroke myself, biting my lip and wishing desperately that Kael was here to do it for me.
When the shadow of a dragon passes overhead, my entire body quivers with excitement. Finally. I keep touching myself, even as Kael lands in his usual spot and transforms to his human form, thumping to the ground. I keep touching, because I want him to see me stroking my pussy at the thought of him.
He stands slowly, stretching to his full height, and I gasp to see he’s already magnificently erect, his eyes dark with lust. “Claudia,” he murmurs, stalking toward me, and for the barest of moments, I feel like prey.
Sexy, sexy prey. It only makes me wetter. I slide my fingers over my clit even faster, breathing hard as he moves to the side of the bed and jerks the blankets off of me. He gazes down at my sprawled legs. I’m wearing nothing but a T-shirt and panties, and my T-shirt’s hiked up so I can play with my breasts, my hand in my panties. It’s not my most dignified moment. Don’t care.
His eyes blaze with need. Your wound?
Who cares? I tell him, still rubbing my clit fiercely.
His jaw clenches. I care. He moves onto the bed carefully, his large form dwarfing my own.
In the next moment, my mind fills with images of him grabbing my knees and pushing them apart, then dragging his mouth over my core. I moan at those vivid images, but he doesn’t do any of that. In fact, he’s not even touching me yet. It’s just mental foreplay, and it’s a unique kind of torture all its own. Kael leans in and examines my bandaged wound, ignoring my feverish masturbation and his own erection. Does this pain you? His gaze flicks to mine.
Not as much as this does, I tell him, dragging a slick finger through my folds. My movements make a wet sound, and I could swear he visibly tenses at the sound. Good. So he’s not immune to my display.
I must be gentle with you today, he tells me, leaning in and nuzzling at my neck. Though every scale on my hide demands that I throw you down and shove into you so I can fill you with my release.
His rough words are at odds with the gentleness of his touch, and I whimper. “You don’t have to be that gentle.”
Kael’s hot mouth moves down my throat, his claws dragging at the fabric of my bunched-up shirt. Remove this.
“Removing it,” I tell him quickly. The last thing I want is to lose another shirt. My arms tremble as I sit up, my body still weak, and I’m surprised when he tenderly supports my back and carefully helps me remove my shirt. That’s a first. Normally he just gets impatient and rips everything away. “Thank you.”
You are my mate. I will take care of you. His dark eyes gleam, and then he leans in and presses his mouth to mine in a kiss. And I like to see you in your skin. Kael’s tongue traces along my jaw, then grazes my neck.
“Better than out of it, I suppose,” I joke, stomach fluttering at the feel of his mouth.
He pulls away and stares down at me, frowning. I would never wish for that.
“It was a joke. You know, humor.”
Kael blinks at me slowly, and then h
is mouth curves into a wicked smile that makes my pulse flutter. Do you tease your mate, my Claudia? Shall I tease back?
Something in the heat of his eyes tells me he’s not talking about verbal teasing. I squirm a little under his intense gaze. I can’t imagine you teasing anyone.
Can’t you? He dips his chin, and his lips graze my nipple. It immediately puckers in response to his touch. Is this not teasing?
I moan, panting. I don’t know if it’s teasing if it feels so good.
Mmmm. He continues to play with my nipple, taking it between his teeth and gently nipping, then rolling the tip against his tongue. You are my mate. It is my job to ensure you feel good. Better than good. He lightly sucks on the tip of my breast, until I’m crying out with need. Your pleasure is my pleasure. Your pain my pain.
I arch under him, but that movement makes my side flare up again, and I wince, collapsing and putting a hand to my side. Somehow, I don’t believe we’re sharing this pain.
His mouth lifts from my skin, and his gaze catches mine. The look on his face is so intense, his eyes swirling a furious black, that I look away. He reaches up and grabs my chin, forcing me to look at him again.
You think I do not notice your pain? You think it does not destroy me inside when the humans attack you with their fire sticks? You think I did not feel my world end when you collapsed at my feet? Or that it began again when you opened your eyes?
“Oh, Kael.” I’m being a dick, aren’t I? “I’m sorry. I—” I hesitate, then brush my fingers over the high, pronounced dappled cheekbones that I’d first thought so strange. Now I adore them. “I love you.”
I know this.
I frown. Not exactly how I’d planned this moment going. “Well, that was arrogant.”
You have already told me this, Claudia. When you were attacked with the fire stick, you told me you loved me.
Did I? I don’t remember. “Yeah, well, you don’t have to sound like such a high and mighty jerk about it.” I’d pictured this moment so different. Me, dramatically declaring my love and him, getting all soft and happy with my confession, not giving me a smug, impatient look. “You’re so…arrogant!”
How can it be arrogant if it is truth? The smile he gives me is arch, even as he drags his tongue over my nipple, making me crazy with need. You tell me things I already know.
“You could at least pretend to be surprised,” I grumble, but it’s hard to be angry when the man you love is playing with your boob.
How can I be surprised? I know that you love me when I taste your response on my tongue. When I smell it in the air. When I feel your thoughts as you awaken and are eager to feel my flesh pressed to yours. His arms brace at my sides, and he kisses further along my belly, avoiding my bandages. He moves lower, and then slices away my panties with one flick of his claws. I can’t even be sorry about the underwear—I’m too fascinated by what he’s doing. He leans in and kisses my mound, and then glances up at me, smile wicked. Shall I taste how much you love me, my Claudia? The scent of your loving perfume is already filling my nostrils.
I giggle. “Loving…perfume? Never say that when Amy or Melina are around, please.”
The warmth of his humor echoes in my mind. Can I not love the taste of my mate on my tongue? He nuzzles lower, carefully parting the folds of my pussy with his claws.
“Yes, but…” My laughter turns into a moan as he swipes his tongue over me in one long, delicious stroke. All humor vanishes, and my hands go to his head, and I cling to his thick golden hair. “Oh god, Kael. I love you.”
I know, he tells me again, even as he begins to lick and suck at my clit. You have finally accepted that you are mine.
“Arrogant…beast…” I gasp between licks, but I love this. I love every swipe of his tongue, every stroke, every flick of pleasure he gives me. I love that he’s so possessive. I love all of it, and all of him. It doesn’t matter that he’s a dragon-man, or a drakoni, or the enemy.
He’s just…mine.
His hot tongue slides lower, pushing against my core. Now tell me you love me again, my mate.
“Oh god, I love you!” I cry out as his tongue thrusts obscenely. “I love you! I love you!” I repeat it with every thrust of his tongue deep inside me that seems to brush against every nerve ending in my body.
You are so wet. He growls low against my pussy. My mate is delicious.
“Please, Kael,” I beg shamelessly. “Take me.” I send mental images of his cock sliding deep into me, stretching me around him. “I need you inside me.”
With another growl, he drags his big body over mine, and I spread my legs eagerly as I feel the thick head of his cock press against my core. Then he thrusts deep inside me, sinking to the hilt in one smooth motion, the thick crown of his cock rubbing deep inside me in a way that drives me absolutely insane every damn time.
“Oh god! Oh god!” I cling to him, nails digging against his dappled skin as he rocks carefully into me. My side gives another flash of pain at my movements, but I don’t care.
Kael does, though. He grabs my hands with one of his and holds them high over my head. Be still while I claim you. You will hurt yourself.
Don’t care, I moan, not even bothering to speak aloud anymore. My thoughts are a jumbled whirl of pleasure as he slides out of me and then strokes deep again, cock dragging through the slick cream of my pussy. There’s something so erotic about him holding me pinned under him, big hand keeping mine captive. It makes me more aroused, and I didn’t think that was possible. Oh god, Kael.
You are mine, Claudia. All mine. Forever. There will be no fire in your blood but mine.
No fire, I agree, sobbing, wishing I could lift my hips to push against him. My side aches, but it’s nothing compared to the intense pleasure. I’m too far gone.
As if sensing my need, he slams into me harder, becoming rougher with his thrusts, and I scream my pleasure. My mate, he sends with every thrust. My everything. My Claudia.
And I am. I’m his everything, and gladly. All yours, I tell him. Forever.
When we come, we come together.
33
CLAUDIA
Hours later, when he’s claimed me a few more times and has finally moved to lie beside me on the bed, his limbs twined around mine possessively, I lie awake, thinking.
“My sister and Melina are safe, aren’t they?” I ask, lazily tracing one of the scales on his shoulder. “Even though it’s been a few hours?”
For today, yes. I patrolled before coming, and no one is near. I cannot feel any other dragons in the area. The humans are safe for now, though we will have to retrieve them soon.
My mate doesn’t sound thrilled at that. I think he likes having me to himself. But I won’t compromise their safety, and if that means we have a little less alone time, then so be it. I relax against him and enjoy the feel of his weight pressing against my good side. My sister’s free. I’ve got the man I love. There’s only a small hiccup in my happiness.
“Sasha,” I murmur sleepily.
Hmm? Kael’s thoughts are as pleasure-drugged as my own, I’m pleased to notice.
“My friend. The one that Dakh stole. Have you heard from him? Seen him around?” My fingers lazily trace down his back, noting that his shoulder blades don’t seem to be the same as mine. They have a different shape to them, broader and flatter. Maybe for his wings in his battle form? Fascinating. He’s endlessly, utterly fascinating. I could spend a lifetime with him and still learn new things about him.
In fact, I plan on it.
But Kael sits up in bed and glances down at me, eyes lazily whirling the amber of contentment. I have not seen Dakh. He will stay out of my territory now that he knows I am protecting a mate…and that he has his own to protect.
“But what about Sasha? We have to save her, if she’s still alive.”
She is still alive. Dakh would destroy the world to keep her safe. I know this feeling. His claws brush a sweaty strand of hair off my brow.
“But we can’t jus
t leave her with him—”
He shakes his head, a trait I could swear he’s picked up from me. I will not approach another male on his territory while he protects his own mate. To do so would be death. He will fight me to protect her, just like I would fight him to protect you.
“Then what do we do?” I ask softly, worried.
My dragon leans in and nuzzles at my ear. We give thanks that Dakh has claimed a mate and there is one less crazed drakoni in the skies.
“And what about what Sasha wants? Doesn’t that matter?”
He begins to kiss my neck again, distracting me. You should know that when a drakoni male has his mind on his woman, he is not easily dissuaded.
True enough.
Still, I hope that somewhere out there, Sasha is safe and taken care of. My poor friend, I think. I hope you are treated well. I’m sorry for what’s happened.
SASHA
A moan of pain escapes me as I rouse from sleep. Every fiber of my being aches, and my broken arm is a hot, throbbing brand at my side. My ribs are almost as painful as my arm, and I suspect that Tate cracked them the last time I sold myself to him. The more I see him, the rougher he gets, the more boundaries he pushes.
He’ll kill me one day, but it’s not like I have many options.
Still, I haven’t seen Tate in days. There’s no reason why I should feel as freshly-stomped-on as I do. My mind is hazy, head throbbing, and I reach up with my good arm and feel a new knot on my forehead. I must have hit myself somehow.
That’ll look lovely with my black eye.
Not that it matters what I look like. Tate’s not interested in my face half as much as he is in marking up my skin. Of course, it’s going to be another injury I’ll have to explain to Claudia, who—
